28 THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE ch.

passion were not lacking when they were wanted,and the sudden outburst of words, often followedby a fit of deep coughing from the chest, producedtheir impression rather by force and surprise thanby persuasion.

Not infrequently Mr. Lloyd George , after de-livering a speech in English , would, during the periodof its interpretation into French, cross the hearthrugto the President to reinforce his case by some adhominem argument in private conversation, or tosound the ground for a compromise,—and this wouldsometimes be the signal for a general upheaval anddisorder. The President's advisers would press roundhim, a moment later the British experts would dribbleacross to learn the result or see that all was well,and next the French would be there, a little suspiciouslest the others were arranging something behind them,until all the room were on their feet and conversationwas general in both languages. My last and mostvivid impression is of such a scene—the Presidentand the Prime Minister as the centre of a surging moband a babel of sound, a welter of eager, impromptucompromises and counter-compromises, all sound andfury signifying nothing, on what was an unrealquestion anyhow, the great issues of the morning'smeeting forgotten and neglected ; and Clemenceau ,silent and aloof on the outskirts — for nothingwhich touched the security of France was forward—throned, in his grey gloves, on the brocade chair, dry