One who can talk fluently of future events, of fer-
mentations and collisions, because he himself is one
who causes events to come, who ferments and col-
lides."

"Oh, is that so?"

" You swear by that school which does not believe

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WHEN THOUGHTS WILL SOAR

in the power of individuals to influence the history
of nations? It is your idea, that the nameless masses,
that all-powerful Necessity, and the like, condition
the course of history. ."

"There you are again with your * history.' If you
mean by it the changes that result from universal
conditions, then, certainly, the laws of nature and
the nameless masses, unconsciously obeying them,
form the motive power; but if it concerns the events
that are brought about by the intrigues of diplo-
mats and despots and the newspapers that are sub-
servient to them, then I grant that this kind of
history is made by ambitious and unscrupulous indi-
viduals/'

"Well, then, if that is undersood, my Romeo
Rinotti is just a history-maker. ' Unscrupulousness '
is his fetish ... in fact, it is the reasonable basis of
all real politics. Rinotti is not as yet at the helm,
else a portentious chapter in the history of our cen-
tury would have been written long ago ; but he will
yet come to the, helm, and then. well,hemakesno
secret of the lofty aims which he has conceived for the
grandeur and glory of his country. Whether he will
attain them is, indeed, another question ; I have my
doubts ; for fortunately we in Austria, we also have
resolute men in leading positions ... a fine, proud
imperialism has flowered since Aehrenthal's great
stroke of genius; and our military strength, as well
as that of our allies, is to be reckoned with. Our
fleet of airships also makes a good showing. So Ri-
notti's bold plans will scarcely be fulfilled, in spite
of all Slavic assistance. * • but whatever the con-

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WHEN THOUGHTS WILL SOAR

sequences may be, the impulse will suffice, as I said,
to produce a mighty chapter in history. I must say,
although the man is really our enemy, he inspires
me with respect, because of his powerful will : univer-
sal history needs such chaps. At the same time, he
is a fascinating man. • • • The women are all crazy
over him. 