In the Paris Embassy of Britain, Foreign Minister George and Envoy Roberto Fernandes sat facing each other, the atmosphere in the room extremely oppressive.
From their expressions, it was evident that the just-concluded welcoming banquet was not so pleasant.
Napoleon IV had not only been absent himself, but he had also announced a sudden government meeting during the banquet, prompting a collective departure of the French top officials.
With influential figures gone, only a few staff members from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a bunch of nobility with empty titles remained to entertain Sir George.
The fundamental principle of equivalent treatment had been abandoned, and this was no longer just a matter of intimidation, it entirely disregarded George, giving no regard for the face of the Great Britain Empire.
