Voilà le beau côté de la médaille, voici le revers : dès qu’il est en présence du souverain, ou seulement du premier ministre, il est ébloui de tant de grandeur, il se trouble, il rougit ; il lui est matériellement impossible de dire non.
So much for the good side of the medal, now for the reverse: as soon as he enters the Sovereign's, or even the Prime Minister's presence, he is dazzled by the sight of such greatness, he becomes confused, he begins to blush; it is physically impossible for him to say no.