As given by Palmerston the Government desired to offer mediation, but saw no present hope of doing so successfully.

Finally the Government asked for a free hand, making no pledges.

Mason might be gloomy, Adams exultant, but when August dawned plans were already on foot for a decided change.

The secret was well kept.

Four days after the Cabinet decision to wait on events, two days after Russell's refusal to produce the correspondence with Mason, Russell, on the eve of departure for the Continent, was writing to Palmerston: "Mercier's notion that we should make some move in October agrees very well with yours.