Perhaps for one second you would sit on the lid of your irreducible ego and listen to me. I regard you, masculine or feminine, as the greatest genius the world has ever produced. I agree you have a superior knowledge of your own affairs and are far more capable than the Consulate, for example, of weighing up the risks. Suppose even, for the sake of conjecture, that I don't give a brass bagcheek whether the first Tartar you meet doesn't drag you back to his tents and elect you Broody Mother to the whole bloody tribe. All I am saying is that, first, if anything happens to you, I've got to face Francis Crawford and also your uncle.
In this passage, the speaker urges the listener to momentarily set aside their ego and truly listen. They express a high regard for the listener, praising their intelligence and decision-making abilities, even comparing them favorably to political entities like the Consulate. The speaker emphasizes that, regardless of personal apathy toward potential dangers, they are concerned about the consequences that could affect their reputation and relationships.
They highlight the importance of the listener's safety, not just for their sake, but for the impact it could have on others close to them. The mention of facing figures like Francis Crawford and the listener's uncle underscores the significance of accountability and the potential fallout from any harm that might come to the listener, making it clear that their well-being has broader implications.
