William raised one eyebrow in surprise and set his fork down, giving her his full attention.
“Now that’s very interesting,” he said. “Why do you think that?”
“If he truly wanted peace, and only peace, for Germany, then he would not have insisted on marching into Austria and proclaiming Anschluss.” She accepted the platter of bread from Marguerite and selected a thick slice of baguette, setting it on her plate and reaching for the cheese. “When he reinstated conscription, the argument could be made, and was made, that Germany needed an army for her own defense. Similarly, when he took back the Rhineland, that was German land to begin with. It was only fair for them to take it back and use it for defense. Both of those support his claim that he wants peace for Germany. Austria, however, isn’t the same thing at all.”
“But I thought the Austrian government invited Hitler in?” Marguerite said, looking up from her bread and cheese. “They wanted to become part of the Reich. Is that not so?”
“I don’t think it was as straightforward as all that, my dear,” William murmured. “It would be much easier if it was.”
“No, but Hitler went out of his way to make sure that’s what everyone believes,” Evelyn said. “My father thinks that Chancellor Schuschnigg was forced into signing the agreement, and that’s probably so. The truth is, Hitler believes that his Third Reich is composed of members of a superior race, and that they are, or will become, the master race. The only way for him to accomplish that is for Germany to spread throughout Europe.”
The look she received from William was sharp, and very guarded.
“That’s a strange term,” he said. “Master race? Where did you hear that?”
Evelyn felt her cheeks grow warm and had the grace to look at him sheepishly.
“I read his book.”
“His book?” Marguerite repeated. “Hitler wrote a book?”
“Yes,” William said. “It was published in the 20s, I believe. Not many remember it outside of Germany, much less ever read it. It wasn’t considered a literary triumph. Wherever did you find it?”
“My father asked me that same thing,” Evelyn said with a laugh. “I found a copy in a library in Switzerland last year.”
“And you read it? The whole thing?”
“Yes.”
“Was it any good?” Marguerite asked. “Should I try to find it?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it, Mme. Buckley,” Evelyn said. “At times, it’s very difficult reading. However, I can see many things he laid out in that book starting to happen in Germany and Austria.”
“I’m amazed that we haven’t heard of it,” Marguerite said. “You would think it would be all the rage. After all, he’s a very popular fellow now. Look at all the good he’s done for Germany in just a few short years. Why, their economy is doing far better than our own!”
“Much of that is coming on the back of the rise in their infrastructure, and on his increased military production,” William said. “But he has done wonders for that country. Who would’ve thought the little corporal would have such a great economic mind.”
“Germany does seem to be recovering from the depression very well,” Evelyn admitted. “I fully understand why there are many who want to duplicate his methods throughout Europe.”
“And yet, you do not believe he wants peace,” William said, shooting her another look from beneath his eyebrows.
She shook her head slowly.
“No, I do not. I think he’s just getting started.”
Marguerite looked from her husband to Evelyn, her customary good humor failing.
“If that’s the case, then William is right. The RAF will need every pilot they can get,” she said, “as will France. I don’t see how we can possibly fight another war, though. We still haven’t fully recovered from the last one.”
William glanced at his wife and smiled reassuringly.
“That’s why our leaders are doing everything they can to keep the Führer happy,” he said. “If Chamberlain’s appeasement strategy works, then another war will be averted. If it doesn’t, well, then perhaps it will have bought us enough time to prepare.”
“The problem is we have no idea what’s going on in Germany,” Evelyn said. “As far as I can tell, no one knows how big Hitler’s army has become. Or his Navy, for that matter.”
“He’s staging a naval review in Kiel this month,” William said. “That will give us an idea at least of his naval strength.”
“But didn’t you just say the other night that he doesn’t reveal everything at those things?” Marguerite asked.
He made a face. “Well, yes. There is some talk that he is not completely transparent regarding how much his military has grown since they began rearming.”
“Surely there must be some way to find out,” Evelyn said. “I mean, something must be done! He cannot be allowed to continue gobbling up land. If he’s left unchecked, Germany will become a near unstoppable force.”
William looked at her thoughtfully for a moment.
“There’s quite a bit that can be done,” he said, “and believe me, both England and France are trying to learn his secrets.”
“Thank you again for a wonderful lunch,” Evelyn said, kissing Marguerite on the cheek in farewell. “I had a lovely time.”
“Oh, you are always welcome, ma chère,” she smiled, embracing her briefly. “Please send your mother my regards the next time you write.”
“Of course.”
Evelyn turned to William and held out her hand, but he shook his head.
“I’ll walk you out,” he said congenially. “Did you drive yourself?”
“Yes. I borrowed my cousin Gisele’s car.” She turned and smiled at Marguerite. “Good-bye!”
“Au revoir! Safe travels!”
William walked across the entry hall with her, towards the front door. The butler who had shown her in earlier, appeared mysteriously from a back hallway and William waved him away.
“It’s quite alright, Francois,” he said. “I’m showing Mademoiselle Ainsworth to her
