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guessed the reason for this meeting?" Francois Pencat smiled  
"I am not very intelligent, a sad little smile and replied:  
but I gather that I have guessed the reason." He continued:  
"Permit me, however, to pronounce a wish in this moment; that  
in spite of the outbreaking war, there will not be a bottomless gulf   
between us. I have a feeling that our Ways once more will cross."   
Thereafter Count Ciano read the war declaration and the Ambassador took   
his leave. Sir Percy Lorraine then made his entry. Count Ciano announced   
that he must read him the war declaration. Sir Percy did not whimper. His   
only words were: "A pencil, please." Ciano commenced reading and Sir Percy   
made notes on a sheet of paper. When finished he folded the sheet in four   
and placed it into his pocket. Then he said: "I have a personal request to   
You Count." Ciano made a sign that he was at his disposal, and Sir Percy   
continued "I have a mule which I am very fond of, would You take care of   
it for me?" Ciano replied that he was willing to do so. At this Sir Percy   
expressed his gratitude and walking to the door he once more shook hands   
with Ciano and left. Reaching this part of the reading, I interrupted "And   
what happened to the mule?" Count Ciano by asking: "I do not know." "How   
is it that You don't know? Did You not give the mule care?" "Well'. It was   
cared, for about fifteen days, then I gave it to Starace and he in his   
turn handed it over to a Gendarmery-riding school and since then I have   
heard nothing more about it." It seemed to me that Count Ciano did not   
    realize having given no less than a word of honour.     
 
                          PORFIRIO                          
 
                           Nr. 18                           
 
                   THE DIARY OF CIANO....