For Sceptre and Crown: A Romance of the Present Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)

Her lovely pure voice had great richness of tone, and filled the room as with a magnetic stream. The lieutenant stepped outside into the shadow of the evening twilight, and Madame von Wendenstein rested her head in her hands, whilst her sobs became audible.

The voice of the singer grew richer and more expressive, though her face showed only blank indifference, and as she reached the conclusion a firm conviction, a holy faith rang through her song:

There was a deep silence as she ended, so great was the impression made by the song.

The lieutenant came back from the terrace, looking very grave. He gave one long affectionate look at the young girl, who had risen from her seat and was standing near the piano, her eyes cast down, and with the same calm expressionless look on her face; then he went up to his mother and kissed her hand.

The old lady stood up, took his head between her hands, and pressed a warm kiss upon his brow. She whispered softly, "God protect you, my son;" then she gently thrust him from her, as if she wished the sorrow of leave-taking to be ended.

The president pressed his son's hand, and said:

"Go, if God wills it so, and let your acts be worthy of your position and your name! Now no more adieux," cried the old gentleman, looking with concern at his wife, who had sunk back on the sofa, and covered her face with her handkerchief. "To horse! we will accompany you outside."

And he went out through the door of the entrance hall which had been opened by a servant. The pastor and the candidate followed him.

The lieutenant turned back for a moment, and embraced his sister, then he approached Helena:

"I thank you from my heart for your song," he said, and took her hand; then half as if the last words still ran in his mind, half as if speaking to her, he added:

"Auf Wiedersehn!" he repeated, raising her hand to his lips and imprinting upon it a kiss.

He then hastened after his father.

A bright red colour flew into the young girl's cheeks, and her expression grew animated and her eyes very bright, as they followed him to the door. Then she sank down on the chair before the piano, and a hot tear fell into her lap, unseen by Madame von Wendenstein, whose face was still hidden in her handkerchief, unseen by her daughter, who held her mother in a gentle embrace, and stroked her soft grey hair.

Fritz Deyke stood outside; he had not been able to deny himself the pleasure of leading round the lieutenant's horse; Roland pawed the ground impatiently.

The lieutenant took an affectionate leave of his father and the pastor, and gave his hand to the candidate, who received it with a bow. Had it not been for the darkness, the deadly hatred of the look he cast upon the young officer must have been observed.

Then the young man sprang lightly into the saddle.

"God grant, sir, I may soon come too!" Fritz Deyke cried after him, as, putting his horse to a gallop, he disappeared into the gathering night.

CHAPTER X.

BERLIN.

The streets of Berlin, though, bright with sunshine, looked empty at eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th of June, 1866. Life in that city does not begin so early; and at this hour only a few of the lower orders hurried along under the lime trees, with here and there an employé or a merchant hastening to his office.

A troubled expression appeared on the face of every passer-by; acquaintances stopped and exchanged greetings and the news of the day, but the news was of an unpleasant and evil nature; the Austrian ambassador was recalled, and war was inevitable,--a war which no one desired, and which was entirely ascribed to the ambition of the minister, who, in order to retain office, was about to set Germany, nay Europe, on fire.

So thought and spoke the good people of Berlin, for they were accustomed to think and speak in the morning as Aunt Voss and Uncle Spener had caused them to read the day before; and these two long-established and highly privileged organs of public opinion daily maintained, in articles whole columns in length, that the disturbance in Germany was entirely owing to the restless ambition and criminal rashness of this Herr von Bismarck; and all the Müllers, all the Schultzes, all the Lehmanns, and all the Neumanns who had been brought up in the royal capital, firmly believed that nothing was needed to preserve the absolute peace of Europe under the parliamentary government, than that Herr von Bismarck should be sent about his business, either to Schönhausen, or to Kniephof, to cultivate his March Ukrain turnips, or his Pomeranian cabbages.

But when some of the Landwehr marched past on their way to the railway stations from whence they were to be sent off to join the different army corps, a very discontented expression was seen on the faces of the Berlin children, both old and young, as they stood about in knots at the side of the streets and roundly abused that "junker Bismarck," who brought such misery on families, and cost the country so much money. This did not hinder the kind-hearted inhabitants of Berlin from bestowing on "the sacrifice to Bismarck's policy," the "Blue Laddies" of the Landwehr Guards, who were being sent to this horrid fraternal war, many abundant tokens of their affection, in the shape of beer, cigars, sausages, and spirits. And "the sacrifice" itself appeared by no means discontented; for from its ranks resounded those merry old Prussian soldier songs, which are handed down unwritten from generation to generation, and transplanted from the bivouac to the home, where the boys learn them when they play at soldiers, and sing them later on in the bivouacs of the manœ uvres, or of the first war to which their king and country send them.

In the evening, all the Schultzes, Müllers, Lehmanns, and Neumanns went to their hereditary beer-shops, and sat round the table listening to the news from the mouth of the oracle of their different circles; and they heard how that very day a journalist had written, or a deputy had spoken, inculcating the great lesson that all the uneasiness, all the stagnation of trade, all the troubles of private families, were caused by one man, who sacrificed the happiness of the subject to his own mad notions and ambition; one man, who placed the crown and the country in danger, Herr von Bismarck, the aristocratic despot!

No wonder then that all the people who were hurrying along in the early morning looked on the world with dismal eyes, nor that when acquaintances met and discussed the news, a curse, not loud but deep, should be bestowed on that Bismarck who plunged the whole world, which would have been so happy without him, into grief and woe.

Through the hurrying, busy people, and through the discontented groups walked Bismarck himself, under the lime-trees, from the Wilhelmsstrasse. He looked as calm and well satisfied in his white cuirassier's uniform, with its pale yellow collar, plain stool helmet, and major's epaulets, as if he were at the highest point of popularity. No one greeted him, but he did not care, and he walked on with a quick step, and military bearing; he reached the corner where Friedrichsstrasse is divided by the lime-trees, opposite Kranzler's, the well-known confectioner; there he went to a newspaper shop and bought a morning number of Aunt Voss's newspaper, a few inquisitive folks silently watching him with no friendly looks meanwhile, for every one knew the head of the ministry.

He pursued his way, hastily skimming the newspaper, until he came to the king's plain-looking square palace, opposite the colossal statue of Frederick the Great, over which the royal standard, with its purple ground and black eagles, waved in the morning wind.

The guard presented arms, and Bismarck entered the palace, and turned to the left, on the raised ground floor, towards the king's apartments. Here he found the equerry on duty. Major the Baron von Loën greeted him, and began a conversation on indifferent subjects, until the hour of audience arrived, which the king always observed with the most conscientious punctuality.

In his large, simply-furnished work and reception room stood King William himself, with his grey hair and youthful, powerfully built figure. He had placed himself near the further window, from whence he could look down on the Platz below, as he frequently did during an audience, or while hearing a report, and through which the Berlin public often saw him during the morning hours.

King William wore the black overcoat and white buttons of the first regiment of foot guards; his fresh-coloured face with its strongly marked, benevolent features, surrounded with white hair, and a carefully kept white beard, was grave, almost melancholy, as he listened to a man, who spoke to him upon the contents of various papers in a large black portfolio.

This man, who was a head shorter than the king, was dressed in plain black, with a white neck-handkerchief. His hair, which was quite white, was brushed smoothly down on each side of his head, his face had a very animated expression, and his keen, candid eyes, sparkling with good humour and youthful fire, were fixed on the king.

It was the Privy Councillor Schneider, who was as well known as a dramatic author, manager, and actor, as he was as a military writer; he had been reader to Frederick William IV., and to William I., and for many years a faithful servant to the royal family.

"You have spoken with the king?" asked the monarch.

"I have, your majesty," replied Schneider; "on my journey home from Düsseldorf, where I had been to obtain some information for my historical work, I was obliged to stop in Hanover, and as his majesty King George has always shown me the most gracious marks of his favour, as your majesty is aware, and as I feel for him the greatest sympathy and respect, I drove to Herrenhausen, had myself announced, and requested an audience. The king received me in his own apartments, and his breakfast being just served, he graciously invited me to breakfast with him. His majesty was most kind, and I experienced afresh the truly magic charm of his manner."

"Yes," said King William, "my cousin George is of an amiable and noble nature. I often wish we had remained nearer together. It would have been better for Germany. He, alas! always feels enmity to Prussia."

"I cannot understand it," said Schneider; "personal aversion cannot possibly be the cause, for I assure your majesty, the king delights in recollections of his youth at Berlin, he feels a deep and filial veneration for his late majesty Frederick William III., and he drew from his wonderful memory numerous little traits and anecdotes of old times, of Count Neale, and old Princess Wittgenstein----"

"For whom we princes felt such immense respect," said the king laughing.

"And," continued Schneider, "I could see what pleasure the king felt in these reminiscences, and how much he was interested by my own recollections of the same times."

"And did you speak of the present political position?" asked the king.

"The conversation could not fail to touch upon that," said Schneider. "I took the liberty of expressing my hopes that the king, from his friendly remembrance of the Berlin court, would take your majesty's side in the present sharp conflict, and that the old bond which united Hanover and Prussia in the past, might be strengthened afresh."

"And what was his majesty's reply?" asked King William anxiously.

"The king spoke most candidly and openly," replied Schneider, "displaying the chivalrous character I have always admired, when I have had the honour of any intercourse with him. He assured me he had not the smallest animosity against Prussia, though he is so often accused of it; that he considered a German war would be the greatest of misfortunes, and that from the laws of the Confederation, he should consider it an impossibility, until it actually commenced. In such wickedness and misery he would never take part."

"Why then did he not conclude a treaty of neutrality?" asked the king.

"But his Hanoverian majesty believes himself to be completely neutral," replied Schneider.

"Then I cannot understand it!" exclaimed King William; "Count Platen always denied the conclusion which I so greatly desired."

"I know nothing, your majesty, of what Count Platen did, or did not do; but of this I am certain, King George believes himself to be maintaining the most complete neutrality."

"You do not believe he has concluded a treaty with Austria?" asked the king.

"No, your majesty, I do not believe it, for the king said in the most decided way, he would take no part whatever in this unholy war. Nevertheless----"

"Nevertheless?" asked the king.

"Nevertheless his majesty said in the most clear and straightforward manner," added Schneider, "that the Prussian endeavour to alter the German Confederation of States into one Confederated State would never obtain his consent, and that he should oppose with all his power any such attempted reform of the Confederation, and should defend his own sovereignty and the complete independence of his crown."

King William shook his head.

"I ventured to remark, that I was sure no one, your majesty least of all, thought of interfering with the sovereignty of any prince, but that a stronger military union was needful for Germany, and that the most powerful state must be the leader of this offensive and defensive alliance. I added that his majesty had been brought up as an English prince, but that the policy of a small state like Hanover, could not be conducted on the principles of a first-class power, with large fleets and armies at command."

"Did not his majesty take that amiss?" asked King William.

"Not at all," returned Schneider, "he heard me with the greatest kindness, and without interrupting me; he then said, without any heat, but with the greatest firmness, 'My dear Schneider, my royal rights do not depend on the extent of my territory. I hold my crown from God, just as much as the ruler of the largest kingdom, in the world, and never will I abate one tittle of my sovereign and absolute independence, be the consequence what it may!' I remarked to his majesty that it was not my business to interfere in any way with politics, but that the decided declaration he had just made was of such great importance at the present moment, that I felt it would be my duty as a true servant to my king to communicate it to your majesty on my return. King George fully agreed, and declared that his opinion on this subject was no secret, and that he was ready to act up to it. He then dismissed me in the most gracious and friendly manner."

"Then they are all against me!" cried King William after a moment's reflection, and with a very sorrowful expression.

He gazed from the window, and his eyes rested for some time on the statue of the Great Frederick.

"He too was alone!" he said softly, "and alone when greatest!"

His countenance became more cheerful, he glanced at his watch, then smiled at his privy councillor, and said:

"Now, my dear Schneider, puff!" He made a little movement with his mouth as if he were blowing something away and pointed to the door.

"I vanish, your majesty," cried Schneider, as with comic haste he rushed to the door; there he stood still for a moment and said, "I wish all your majesty's enemies could be as quickly dispersed by the breath of your mouth."

The king remained alone.

"I stand then on the brink of decision!" said the king thoughtfully, "and the fate of my house and of my kingdom lies at the point of the sword. Who would have thought that I, called to the throne in my old age, should yet have to undertake so great a war, and that I myself should lead the newly organized army, the work of long thought and zealous toil, which I believed I should bequeath to my son, as an instrument, as a security for future power and greatness,--that I myself should lead this army into the field, there to prove it on the same battle fields where my great ancestor inscribed his name in such glorious characters. And yet," he added with a dreamy look, "there often came upon me a dark foreboding. When I stood before the altar at Königsberg, there to be solemnly invested with the insignia of my royal office, as I took the sword of state a feeling seized me, sudden and unexpected, as a warning, or a promise from on high. I felt compelled to use the sword against the enemies of my kingdom, who in a distant assembly were conspiring against it, and from the depths of my heart a vow arose to God, never to draw the sword without dire necessity, but once drawn, to wield it in God's name, until the enemies of my people lay beneath my feet! That foreboding is fulfilled," he whispered, "and now let us go forward, and God be with us!"

The king folded his hands together and remained silent for a time, with his head bent down.

Then he walked rapidly to his long writing-table, cheerful energy and decision beaming from his face, and with a firm hand he rang his bell.

"The minister-president, Count Bismarck," he commanded, as the gentleman-in-waiting appeared.

A few moments afterwards Bismarck entered the cabinet.

His quick penetrating grey eyes were fixed for a moment on the king. Apparently he was satisfied with the expression upon his royal master's features, for he said joyfully, as he drew some papers from his uniform:

"Your majesty, the decision draws near! I hope the dismal fog will now clear up, and disclose Prussia's brilliant armies, and that they for the future will clear the road for us after all these blocks and stoppages."

"What do you bring?" asked the king quietly. Count Bismarck hastily turned over his papers. "Herr von Werther," he said, "announces his departure from Vienna. He also informs us that Benedek is with the army, and is dissatisfied with its condition."

"That I can well believe," said the king.

"Gablenz has also joined the army."

"I regret that this brave general is amongst our enemies!" remarked the king; "he has fought with us, and may be dangerous."

"No general alone can be dangerous to us, your majesty, material is wanting; besides they will not listen to his advice," said Bismarck confidently. "At the same time," he added, "the mobilization of the army of the Confederacy against Prussia was decreed in Frankfort yesterday. By this measure war is virtually declared, and your majesty must take immediate steps to forestall a danger which threatens our operations on our own territory. Hanover and Hesse must be rendered harmless."

"How was the measure taken in Frankfort?" asked the king; "have Hanover and Hesse declared for Austria?"

"They have not taken up the Austrian demands," replied the minister, "but they have consented to the mobilization. Always the same game of see-saw!" he added, "but it will be very dangerous to us if these states are not soon made unable to hurt us."

"They have not yet armed," said the king.

"After the decree of the Confederation they must arm; and besides, even on a peace foundation, their armies might annoy us extremely," remarked Count Bismarck. "I beg your majesty to proceed instantly with the greatest vigour, and to command a march into Hanover and Hesse without delay."

The king thought deeply.

"They refused to conclude the Treaty of Neutrality in Hanover and in Cassel when we offered it," he said. "Now that the mobilization is decreed, of course it is no longer the question. But they have always preferred half measures, which seems to prove they would never venture seriously and decidedly to declare against us. I will ask them once more the clear and positive question, and give them the opportunity of turning back on the dangerous road they are now taking."

"But, your majesty," exclaimed Count Bismarck, "time will be lost, and time is precious!"

"Put your mind at ease, dear count," returned the king, "no time shall be lost. The time of doubt and restlessness is past. The time for action has come, for us there is no longer deliberation or a choice!" Count Bismarck breathed freely again.

"But, pour l'acquit de ma conscience," said the king, "I will give one last and serious warning to my royal cousins, for God knows it will be hard to me to act against them. The ultimatum guaranteeing their possessions, and offering them an alliance on the foundation of our proposed reform of the Confederacy, is in the hands of the ambassadors?" he asked.

"At your majesty's command," replied the minister.

"Then give a telegraphic order immediately that the ultimatum is to be delivered, and that we will await an answer until this evening."

"The order shall go forthwith," said Count Bismarck, "but what if a refusal, or as is more probable, an evasive answer is returned?" he asked, with an anxious look at the king's face.

King William was silent for a moment, then he fixed his eyes with a look of firm resolution on his minister, and answered:

"Then the ambassadors shall declare war!"

"God save the king!" cried Count Bismarck, with a loud voice, and a look of the greatest satisfaction.

"Let the same be done in Dresden," said the king.

"In Dresden!" exclaimed Count Bismarck; "does your majesty believe that Herr von Beust----?"

"I have nothing to do with Herr von Beust," replied the king with dignity, "but I will once more offer King John my hand. If it be in vain, the guilt of what follows will not rest with me."

"But," said Count Bismarck, "may I beg your majesty immediately to command the military operations, which will be needful as soon as war has been declared."

"I will summon Moltke, and give the requisite orders," said the king.

"May I call your majesty's attention to one point?" asked Count Bismarck.

The king looked at him inquiringly.

"General von Manteuffel is coming with his troops from Holstein," said Count Bismarck; "he has permission from Hanover to march through to Minden. His advanced guard is before Harburg, and the vessels on the Elbe are placed at his disposal. Harburg is without a garrison, but it might easily be occupied from Stade, which has lately been strongly garrisoned. It appears to me highly important, at the commencement of hostilities, in case war is declared against Hanover, that we should have Harburg in our own hands, as under adverse circumstances much time might be lost there. I believe it would be very judicious if your majesty were immediately to order Manteuffel to occupy Harburg. He has a perfect right to do so, as he is permitted to be there on his march by the Hanoverian Government. If the ultimatum is accepted by Hanover, he marches quietly on; if it is rejected, he has an important point, and the railway in his hands."

The king listened attentively,--he laughed as he nodded his head.

"You are right!" said he; "what a good thing it is to have a soldier for one's minister. The orders shall be given."

"If your majesty will permit me, I will now go," said Count Bismarck, "that the measures you have commanded may be promptly carried out."

He moved away as if about to withdraw.

"What news have we from Paris?" asked the king.

Count Bismarck walked back into the room. His expression was rather gloomy.

"Benedetti is silent, your majesty, contrary to his usual custom; but Count Goltz informs us they urge action in Paris, and he is given to understand the emperor's inclination will cause him to side with Austria, if we do not soon take some decided step. I have reason to think," he added, "there is some separate treaty on foot about Venice, and at the last moment we may find they have played us some trick, so I have been informed by a reliable agent in Vienna; and Count Usedom declares he is dissatisfied with the Italians, and that he meets with a good deal that is of an equivocal nature. Nevertheless," continued the minister, "I am not much disquieted by all these intrigues, they will yield nothing in Vienna,--there they are still quite too much on the high horse. However, I have sent instructions to Florence, desiring them to be watchful and energetic, and to act in harmony with our military operations."

"But what does the Emperor Napoleon want?" asked the king.

"Always to fish in troubled waters," replied Count Bismarck, with the reckless candour peculiar to him; "but if he is now urging us to war, I don't think the fishing will be lucky for him. I have questioned Benedetti on the secret proceedings now going on between Paris and Vienna. He declares he has been informed of nothing; but at least he can let them know in Paris that here we are not deaf of both ears."

"I have never thoroughly liked this Italian alliance," said the king, "though I own its great usefulness. Oh! that it might have been otherwise, and that, as in my youth, conjointly with Austria we might have turned our arms in another direction."

The minister studied the king's face with anxious eyes.

"And if it had been otherwise," he cried, with animation, "your majesty would never have been able to free Prussia, our glorious, rising country, the creation of your great ancestor, from the chains with which the envy and malice of the great European powers fettered her, by the suggestion and guidance of Austria,--this Austria who never was German, who used Germany only as a footstool for her ambition in Europe, and who was always ready to sell, to betray, to divide it. No, your majesty, I rejoice that we are forced to act, and that at last the royal eagle may spread his wings freely in the air. 'Nec soli cedit' is his motto, and he will fly to the sun, though the way be through thunder-clouds. I see before me the great and brilliant future of Prussia and of Germany, and I am proud and happy that it has been granted to me to stand beside the king, who is the creator of this future."

King William's clear gaze rested thoughtfully on the excited, enthusiastic face of his minister. His own eyes had sparkled at the words of the bold statesman who stood before him confident of victory, but he raised his looks to heaven, and said quietly and simply--

"As God wills!"

Count Bismarck looked with emotion at his royal master as he stood before him in such simple greatness, and an expression of astonishment crossed his features, as the mighty sovereign, on the eve of a fearful war, which must have so great an influence on the future, laid aside all his hopes, all his ambition, all his misgivings, in these three simple words.

"Has your majesty any further commands?" he asked, in a voice which still showed traces of his former excitement.

"No," replied the king, "hasten to send off the despatches."

And with a friendly nod he dismissed the minister-president.

Count Bismarck left the king's cabinet and the palace, and walked back quicker than he had come, to his own house in Wilhelmsstrasse, and he heeded even less than before the angry looks cast at him as he walked along under the lime trees. His face expressed proud satisfaction, and his manner joyful confidence. The great war, which his feelings and his convictions showed him to be unavoidable and necessary, was to begin, and he believed in its happy termination with a firmness and security, which excluded all doubt and hesitation.

On the ground floor of the minister's hotel, to which he was hastening back on account of the many pressing affairs awaiting him, in a plain office-like room, before a table piled with papers, sat Herr von Keudell, the Minister of Legation. He was engaged in animated conversation with a man of about six or seven and thirty, with fair hair and moustache, whose open features of the North German type possessed great mobility of expression, and whose clear grey eyes shone with good nature, humour, and talent. This man, who was dressed with the peculiar elegance only met with in large cities, sat leaning back in a great arm-chair, which was placed near Herr von Keudell's writing table. His manner was a mixture of the bourgeois and the dandy, and he balanced his glossy hat on his knee, whilst with his hand he prevented it from falling.

"You believe then, dear Beckmann," said Herr von Keudell, "it will be possible to keep the Paris press in our favour during the war, and eventually to prevent the voice of public opinion in France from declaring for Austria?"

"Nothing easier," replied Herr Albert Beckmann, the clever and witty editor of the newspaper the "Temps," who for the last twenty years had lived in the journalist circles of Paris, and had acquired a perfect knowledge of all the tastes and manners of the inhabitants of the great capital of the world, without ever losing the peculiarities of his German origin. "Nothing easier. Neffzer is devoted to you; he will write you up from true conviction, otherwise we could not get him to do it. The 'Siècle' is for you,--all liberal papers look on Prussia as progress, on Austria as reaction, and they will greet any Prussian success with joy,--they would all condemn an alliance of France with Austria as the height of folly. To obtain the voices of these papers in your favour is quite unnecessary; it will only be needful to give them the right direction, by sending them all news, diplomatic and military, quickly, and well arranged. With regard to that--je m'en charge!"

And he stroked his hand over the nap of his hat, twirled his small light moustache, and leant back in his chair with a satisfied air.

"But the clerical papers, 'Le Monde,' 'L'Univers?'" asked Keudell.

"Ah! c'est plus difficile!" replied Herr Beckmann, "these gentlemen are very Austrian, and hard to manage. In the 'Monde' the German correspondent is a cousin of mine, Doctor Onno Klopp."

"Onno Klopp is your cousin?" asked Herr von Keudell.

"Il a cet avantage," said Beckmann; "and he writes under the name of Hermann Schultze, but I must say he is very wearisome, and as he cannot write in French all his articles have to be translated, which makes them still more unpalatable to the public. Fortunately, it is enough for these papers to take one side, to make all Paris take the other."

"But have they not great influence at court?"

"Pas du tout, not the smallest," replied Herr Beckmann, confidently; "the emperor only attends to the independent papers, and never cares what the ultramontane journals say. I can assure you one article in the 'Temps' or the 'Siècle' would have more influence on him than a whole campaign in the 'Monde' or 'L'Univers.'"

"Do you not believe," suggested Keudell, "that the Austrian policy will also work upon the press, and that they will do all they can to turn public opinion in France in favour of Austria? They will not scruple as to means. Prince Metternich----"

"Ah! bah!" cried Beckmann. "Prince Metternich will do nothing; he is trop grand seigneur to work on the press. He has the Chevalier Debraux de Saldapenha at his side, who will write him an article in his Mémorial Diplomatique, very fine, very diplomatic, very elevated, and which no one will read. Enfin," he added, "true public opinion will be for you. Ollivier too--Emile Ollivier, the Roman citizen, with a longing in his heart for the portfolio," he said, with a laugh, "is quite Prussian, and will do more with his conversation than any newspaper."

"You think the portfolio has charms for Emile Ollivier?" asked Keudell, with surprise.

"He will be minister one day," replied Herr Beckmann, confidently, "on fera cette bêtise. For the present he is the man of the opposition, and his voice is powerful. He is out and out the partizan of Prussian supremacy in Germany; that suffices. There are still," he continued, "the 'Revues hebdomadaires;' they have as much influence as the daily papers, as they are read quietly and digested. But we are fortunate in occupying the territory beforehand. I know all the editors, and I think I can easily work upon them in your favour. You remember how favourably my pamphlet, 'Le Traité de Gastein,' was received? I wrote it after I had had the honour of talking to the minister-president at Wiesbaden."

"Certainly," said Keudell. "I was surprised at the support we received from the French press; and we are still thankful to you for it."

"Pas de quoi," said Herr Beckmann, "I acted from conviction. I wished Count Bismarck's ideas on a newly-constituted Germany to have a favourable hearing in France, and I will still work for the same cause, because I consider his plans just and right. Apropos, did you know that Hansen is here?"

"Ah!" exclaimed Herr von Keudell.

"I bet he will stay some time," said Beckmann, with a quick side glance, "to watch the situation. You can work through him. What you impart to him will go to the right place, and will reach the press."

Keudell slightly bowed his head.

"Now," said Beckmann, "I think I had better go back as fast as I can to Paris, and open the campaign."

He rose. A servant entered.

"His excellency awaits the Minister of Legation."

"I come," said Keudell. He gave Beckmann his hand, and said: "Let us soon hear of your diligence. You will pass through Hanover just in time to see the general flight."

"I am sorry Hanover is against you," said Beckmann. "It is my own country, and though I left it so long ago, I have a natural and deep regard for it. However, it will be all right when the great conflict is once over; now Fate must have her way."

And he took leave of Herr von Keudell, who forthwith mounted the broad staircase which led to the minister's rooms.

CHAPTER XI.

THE LAST DAY AT HERRENHAUSEN.

King George of Hanover sat in the forenoon of the same 15th of June in his cabinet at Herrenhausen. The fresh air blew through the open windows, the flowers in the room gave out a pleasant perfume, and the fountains splashed and sparkled before the king's windows in his own especial garden. Everything in the royal residence breathed rest and profound peace, placed as it was quite out of the noise of the town in delightful solitude.

Privy councillor Lex sat at the table near the king, occupied in reading aloud to him the events which had just taken place.

The attendant had brought the king a cigar with some long wooden tongs, and George V. leant comfortably back in his arm chair, slowly blowing a thin blue cloud from the fragrant leaf of the havannah.

"The result of the votes at Frankfort yesterday is known, your majesty," said Lex.

"Well?" said the king, enquiringly.

"The mobilization of the army of the Confederacy was decided upon by nine votes against six."

"That is a majority in favour of Austria, which was hardly to be desired," said the king. "We are placed by it in an embarrassing situation; however the modification which the votes of Hanover and Hesse will give the measure will deprive it of much of its point."

"I must humbly remark to your majesty that this modification, which mobilizes the Prussian Army Corps with us, while sending back the Austrian, has not been accepted by the majority of voices, and according to my humble opinion it is of very small importance, for matters have come to a point where no legal subtlety, but only powerful deeds can influence the scale."

"But," said the king, "Count Platen believed our vote would cause more moderate measures at Vienna and Berlin----"

"Prussia apparently did not share his views," said Lex, glancing at the despatches before him, "for the Prussian ambassador left the assembly of the Confederation as soon as the votes were declared. He stated that his government considered itself freed from the Confederation, but that it was willing to conclude a new Confederacy upon the basis of the reform project, with individual governments."

"Has it come to this," cried the king, with concern, as he raised himself upright in his chair; "then our German Confederation, the bulwark of peace in Germany and Europe, has given way. What times are ours! But," he added, after a moment's thought, "how can Prussia regard herself as freed from the Confederation? it is contrary to every fundamental law, and the whole of Germany must cling to it all the more closely!"

"I fear the Confederation, which was strong and safe when supported by Austria and Prussia, will have no life left in it when it is deprived of Prussia," said Lex.

The king was silent.

"I am in great anxiety about the future," continued Lex, with a sigh. "I should be infinitely happier if the treaty of neutrality was in your majesty's hands."

"But, good God!" cried the king, "I have continually declared my determination to remain neutral."

"But the treaty is not concluded," said Lex.

"The Prince of Hesse did not wish to be bound," said the king. "They sent Wimpffen to him from Vienna and my brother Karl to me. You know, the prince replied to me through Meding that he could not form any definite resolution, or conclude any treaty, until the lamentable rupture of the German Confederation was an actual fact. However, he is as determined as I am, to remain neutral. If I were to be hasty in concluding a treaty, from what Count Platen tells me it would alarm them much in Frankfort, and wound them deeply in Vienna."

"I am decidedly of opinion your majesty should have concluded a treaty of neutrality without caring for the alarm it might cause in Frankfort, and if it is still possible, I advise you immediately to conclude such a treaty, without heeding the dissuasions of Count Platen. It is better to sit on one stool than between two."

"You are right!" cried the king, "the thing must come to an end, and neutrality entirely expresses my intentions. Not even the lamentable event in Frankfort can alter my convictions, and I should be acting in direct opposition to them if I took part in any war between two members of the German Confederation. I will summon Platen, and command him immediately to continue the negotiations for the conclusion of the treaty of neutrality."

"I am convinced," said Lex, with satisfaction, "that your majesty will do well, and I shall be at rest, when the treaty is safely in our Archives."

A gentleman in waiting entered.

"Count Platen urgently begs an immediate audience!"

"Let him come in!" cried the king, with surprise.

Lex's face became puckered with anxiety.

Count Platen entered. The indifferent, self-satisfied calm which his face formerly wore had given place to an expression of thoughtful anxiety.

Lex looked at him attentively and uneasily.

"What brings you here in such haste, Count Platen?" cried the king.

"A note," replied the minister, approaching the king's writing-table, "has just been given to me by Prince Ysenburg, on which I am obliged immediately to beg your majesty's gracious decision."

"Well!" said the king anxiously, "what do they want in Berlin? I was just talking about our neutrality, and it appears to me that since the Confederation, alas! is virtually burst asunder, the treaty commenced by verbal negotiations should be at once concluded."

"Your majesty," said Count Platen, as he drew a folded paper from his pocket, "it seems they now require much more in Berlin."

"More!" exclaimed the king, while an expression of surprise and pain was seen on his contracted brows; "what can they require more?"

"They now demand an alliance on the foundation of the Prussian reform project; in return, the sovereignty and possessions of your majesty are to be guaranteed."

"But this is something quite new!" cried the king.

"Too late!" said Lex softly to himself, as he bent his head.

"This reform project," said the king with animation, "takes from me the largest and most essential part of my sovereignty. I have once and for all refused it, and I will never accept it. What sovereignty would be left to guarantee, after I had yielded the most essential conditions of sovereignty? Tell Prince Ysenburg----"

"Will your majesty," said Count Platen, "be pleased to listen to Prince Ysenburg's note? The situation is grave--he will wait for your answer until this evening, and if it is not satisfactory, viz. if your majesty does not accept the alliance, Prussia will regard it as a declaration of war from Hanover."

The king stood up.

"Have we come to that?" cried he; "but read!"

He covered his face with his hands, and leant back in his chair. Count Platen unfolded the paper he held in his hand, and read the Prussian ultimatum, dated the same day.

Whilst he read the king neither spoke nor moved. As Count Platen ended he raised his head--his features expressing deep earnestness.

"What is your opinion?" he asked calmly.

"Your majesty," said Count Platen, in a somewhat hesitating and uncertain voice, "I think matters have hardly gone as far as this note would imply,--they wish to exercise severe pressure; and I believe if we could only gain time----"

"But the reply must be given this evening!" interrupted Lex, with a slight tone of impatience in his voice.

"Certainly," said Count Platen, "your majesty must give an answer, but there is always a moyen terme to be found; we may reply that your majesty is willing to conclude a treaty with Prussia; we must avoid the word alliance, but the conditions must first be discussed,--this will give us several days; in the meantime events may happen. Count Ingelheim hourly expects to hear that the Austrians have marched into Saxony, and we can act according to these events."

"My opinion remains fixed!" said the king, with an expression of firm determination on his proud features, and a movement full of dignity as he threw back his head; "the projected reform, on the foundation of which I am to conclude an alliance, curtails the independence and the holiest rights of the crown, which I inherited from my ancestors, which is guaranteed to me by the whole of Europe, and which I am pledged to leave to my son in the same entire independence. Whilst this is my conviction, I can give but one answer to the Prussian proposal, and that answer is, No! But," he added, "I will have no prevarication, no dilatory negotiations; I wish them clearly to understand me in Berlin,--the neutrality I promised I will keep to, and I am ready formally to conclude it; but to this proposal I will never consent!"

Lex was silent.

Count Platen folded Prince Ysenburg's note and unfolded it again,--he seemed trying to find some modification to the king's decided reply.

George V. rose.

"The position," he said, "in which my family and my kingdom are placed is so grave, and what now occurs is of such immense importance in regard to the future, that I wish to hear the opinion of my assembled ministers."

Count Platen gave a sigh of relief, and nodded approval with his head.

"Drive back to town at once, my dear count, and assemble the ministers without delay."

"Your majesty's commands shall be obeyed," said the count hastily.

"We must," added the king, "take immediate measures for concentrating the army, which is scattered over the country. I must prevent all needless bloodshed in our own country, and I shall march with the army into South Germany immediately, there to act in concert with my confederates. Thus my kingdom will at least be spared the horrors of war, though I cannot protect it from being occupied by the enemy."

"Your majesty will march yourself!" cried Count Platen.

"I will do my duty," interrupted the king with dignity; "when my soldiers take the field, my place is amongst them. Send mounted orderlies to my adjutant-general, to the chief of the general staff, and to the commandant of the corps of engineers," he said to Lex; "and you, my dear count, hasten and bring back the other ministers as quickly as possible!"

Count Platen and Lex departed.

The king remained alone.

He sat motionless before his table, as if lost in thought. His head sank down deeper and deeper, and occasionally a heavy sigh came from his labouring breast; then he put back his head, and raised his sightless eyes to heaven in silent enquiry.

Both the folding doors were suddenly thrown open, and the groom of the chambers exclaimed:

"Her majesty the queen!"

George V. roused himself, and stood up.

The queen hastily entered the cabinet, and walked up to her husband, who stretched out his hands towards her, and kissed her on the forehead.

Queen Marie was about forty-five years of age, her figure was tall, and still possessed its youthful elasticity, and her movements were extremely graceful. Her face, surrounded by abundant light brown hair, no longer had the fresh rosy colouring and childish features which appeared in her large half-length portrait, taken at the time of her marriage when Crown Princess, which was hanging over the king's writing table; but her pure, expressive, and intelligent face was still beautiful, and her dark grey eyes sparkled with goodness and animation. But now those eyes were full of care and uneasiness, and there was painful excitement in her voice as she said, looking up at her husband:

"I saw from my window Count Platen come and go hastily, and in this time of anxiety and difficulty I always fear some evil tidings. Is it anything important?" she asked in her strangely beautiful and flexible voice, whilst she looked anxiously at the grave, almost solemn countenance of the king.

George V. replied:

"It would be foolish to say it is nothing; you would soon discover the truth, and a queen will know how to face great perils."

He laid his hand gently on her head.

"Yes, it is important," he said; "this evening we shall be at war with Prussia."

"Oh! my God!" cried the queen, shuddering, "how is that possible? you had determined to remain neutral!"

"They offer me conditions which I cannot accept, without injuring the honour and dignity of my crown. I must refuse--and then war is declared!" said the king in a gentle voice, as if he wished to make the hard tidings easier to bear.

"Horrible!" exclaimed the queen. "Is no escape possible, can I not perhaps mediate?" she cried, as if seized by a sudden inspiration. "Queen Augusta will recoil as I do from such a fratricidal war."

"Yes, it is indeed a fratricidal war," said the king, "for in many a family, whilst one brother fights for me, another will be in the Prussian service; but nothing can be done, believe me it is so. I am sure the only thing I can do now is to prevent, as far as possible, bloodshed in my own country. Count Platen believes he can still negotiate."

"Oh! that he had not negotiated so long," cried the queen impetuously, "then we should not have been in this dreadful position, no help on either side; at least we should not have been without Gablenz and his troops. Believe me, my own dear husband," she cried affectionately, "Platen's ridiculous indecision has plunged us all into misfortune."

The king listened with a gloomy look.

"Nothing can be altered now," he said, "the situation must be struggled with as it now is. This night I shall join the army with Ernest; I shall assemble it in the south of the kingdom, that we may reach the southern troops as soon as possible."

"And we--where shall we go?" cried the queen anxiously.

The king took her head between his two hands, and impressed a kiss upon her brow, then he said, with extreme mildness and gentleness, but with equal determination:

"You and the princesses must remain here."

"Here?" cried the queen, taking a step backwards in her extreme surprise, whilst she gazed with frightened eyes upon her husband--"here? during the enemy's occupation! Impossible, you cannot intend it."

"I do intend it," said the king, "and you, my angel-queen, will be of my opinion when you think over it quietly, of that I am convinced."

The queen looked at him inquiringly, but slightly shook her head.

"I desire," continued the king, "to spare my country all the horrors of war, and to preserve my army from being overpowered in a useless struggle, therefore I must lead them to join the South German army, and thus take a part in the great conflict. From the foreign occupation, with its humiliations, its pain, and its sorrows, I cannot shield my subjects and the families of my country. They must see the soldiers of the enemy in their homes, they must admit them to their houses, whilst their own sons oppose them in the field. As I, with my son, share the fate of the army, so must you, the queen, with our daughters, share the fate of the country; that is our royal duty; no family in Hanover must say that the family of the king acted differently to what was required of the subjects; we are united to our country by bonds which have endured a thousand years, we are flesh of its flesh, and blood of its blood; could you permit it to be said, 'the queen sat still in safety, whilst heavy times oppressed her country?'"

He stretched out his hand to feel for his wife, whilst his head turned towards the side on which he heard the slight rustling of her dress.

The queen had folded her hands together; her eyes had been fixed on her husband, and had gradually lost their expression of fear and anguish; now they shone through tears upon the king.

As he ceased speaking she took his outstretched hand, put his arm around her shoulders, and pressed close to him.

"You are right!" she cried, "Oh! as ever you are right! Your great, noble heart always knows what is good and just. Yes, my king, my husband, I will stay here, separated from you, but united through our country, our love, our duty!"

"I knew that you would be of my opinion," said the king calmly and affectionately. "My queen could not think and feel differently to myself."

And they stood for some time in a silent embrace. The queen wept quietly, and laid her head upon the king's broad breast, and with his hand he gently stroked her luxuriant hair.

The flowers still gave out their perfume, the fountains plashed on, the birds sang in the trees, and all nature breathed happy peace; and over all the sunshine, over all the sweet spring scents and the singing, hung unseen the heavy thunder-cloud and the forked flash which was to destroy all this quiet happiness, all this royal splendour, for ever.

A knock was heard at the door.

The king gently put the queen from him.

"The ministers await your commands," said Lex, as he entered.

"Now," said the king gently to his wife, "leave me to arrange what is needful with the ministers. We will see one another again."

"May God bless your councils," said the queen fervently.

"These are evil times, dear Lex," said the queen, affectionately, to the privy councillor, who bowed low as she passed him; "would that they were safely over!" And she slowly left the king's cabinet.

The ministers entered and seated themselves around the table.

Besides Count Platen, Bacmeister, and General von Brandis, the minister of the household and supreme chamberlain, von Malortie, was present. He was an old gentleman, with short grey hair and a small wrinkled face, who, from his discontented expression, bent figure, tall black necktie, and half buttoned-up frock-coat, looked more like an invalided government clerk than the witty composer of a book considered as an authority at every court, "The Lord Chamberlain as he should be."

There was besides the minister of equity, Leonhardt, the well-known lawmaker, a plain, slight man, with thin hair and sharply-cut, intelligent features, whose expressive, animated, and penetrating eyes were concealed behind silver spectacles; the minister for education, von Hodenburg, a fair man, who was still young, and who had formerly been diplomatic resident at the Hague; and also the young minister of finance, Dietrichs, who had been named as secretary by Count Platen--a highly-aristocratic minister, and whom the king had appointed, saying, "If he has ability, and if he works, he will some day be minister himself."

All these gentlemen had entered the king's cabinet in deep and solemn silence. When they had taken their places, George V. spoke:

"Gentlemen, the King of Prussia, through the ambassador at my court, has proposed to conclude an alliance with me, now that the German Confederation is at an end. You know what has taken place in Frankfort. I do not consider the dissolution of the German Confederacy as lawfully accomplished by the declaration of the Prussian ambassador, though, alas! I must acknowledge that the German union is in fact broken. Since the misfortune to Germany is unavoidable, of a war between Austria and Prussia, I desire, as I repeat before you all, to enter into a treaty of neutrality with the King of Prussia. But that is not what his Majesty of Prussia requires of me. Count Platen, I beg you to read aloud Prince Ysenburg's note."

Count Platen slowly read the Prussian ultimatum. When he had ended, the king again spoke:

"I believe, gentlemen, that you are acquainted with the Prussian project of reform on the foundation of which I should have to conclude this alliance?"

The ministers simultaneously assented.

"I should resign," continued the king, "authority over, and the command of, my army in time of war--the army of Minden, of the Peninsula, of Garcia, Fernandez, of Waterloo--and this army would then be compelled to march against the united German forces who have taken the side of Austria. I ask you, my ministers, before God and your consciences, and upon the oath you have taken to me and to your country. Can I accept this proposition? Can I as the defender of the royal rights of my family? Can I as the defender of my country? Can I according to the constitution of the kingdom? Answer first, Count Platen, as minister of foreign affairs."

Count Platen rubbed his hands gently together, rocked himself slightly to and fro, and replied: "No, your majesty. It would perhaps----"

"And you, Herr von Malortie, as minister of my household?"

The chamberlain, who sat huddled up more than usual in his black neckcloth and frock-coat, said in a low voice, "No, your majesty."

"And you, my minister of equity?"

Leonhardt answered shortly, in a clear, firm voice, "No!"

"The minister of the interior?"

"No, never!" replied Bacmeister.

The ministers of war, of education, and of finance gave the same answer.

The king rose, the assembled ministers with him.

"I perceive with great pleasure, gentlemen," said George V., "that you all give the same answer to the Prussian proposal which I, from regard to the rights of my crown and of my country, immediately gave to Count Platen when he first read me the ultimatum. It is a great comfort to me to find myself at one with my assembled ministers on so important a question; not, gentlemen, that I shun the responsibility, or wish to lay it upon your shoulders"--the king raised his head proudly--"but this unanimous answer from you all, I regard as a pledge that the sufferings which my country may have to bear, from refusing the Prussian proposition, are unavoidably and inevitably sent from God. If, however, we are all of one mind that I cannot accept the alliance on the basis proposed, we must all immediately take the measures our very serious position requires. I shall lead the army into south Germany, and I must, therefore, concentrate it at once in the south of the kingdom. I must immediately arrange the details with my generals. The queen and the princesses will remain here, and will share the fate of the country!"

A murmur of applause was heard.

"Your majesty," said Bacmeister, "I must ask you to decide at once on a relevant question."

"What is it?" asked the king.

"General von Manteuffel is at Harburg," said the minister, "and demands railway carriages in which to transport the Prussian troops to Minden. The railway directors want to know what they must do."

The king gnashed his teeth.

"When war is declared he will be in the centre of the country!" he cried. "Order all the carriages to be sent here at once. We shall require them for the transport of the troops."

"Further," continued the minister, "we must dissolve the States Assembly under these circumstances. When Count Platen confided to me our position, I drew up the order of dissolution."

"Produce it," cried the king.

The minister laid the order upon the table.

"The secretary-general is without," said he.

"Let him come in!"

Bacmeister hastened out, and returned with the secretary-general of the ministry, in whose presence the king executed the order for the dissolution of the States Assembly.

"And now, gentlemen," he exclaimed, "you will all go to work in your different ways, to struggle against these evil times, and may the triune, almighty, and just God grant that I may once more see you here again, happily assembled around me. I beg Count Platen and General Brandis to remain."

The other ministers bowed gravely and silently, and left the cabinet.

"You will now, Count Platen," said the king, "give Prince Ysenburg his answer, as clear and decided an answer as you have all pronounced!"

"I will obey your commands, your majesty," said Count Platen. "You do not, however, command a form which will entirely exclude all possibility of future negotiations?"

"You still believe in negotiations?" exclaimed the king. "Let the reply be friendly and courteous," he added; "let my desire for neutrality be again expressed, but on the subject of the reform project let there be no doubt."

"If it be your majesty's pleasure," said Count Platen, "I think Herr von Meding should draw up our reply. He will be sure to use no harsh expressions, and from his talent in the choice of words----"

"Let Meding draw up our reply by all means," interrupted the king, "but I fear the best words will have no result. Send Meding to me with our answer as soon as it is ready."

"I will obey your commands, your majesty," said Count Platen, as he hastily withdrew.

"You, my dear general, must remain here," said the king, turning to the minister of war, "in order to discuss with me, the adjutant-general, and the chief of the staff the best means of concentrating the army."

"Are the generals here?" he inquired of Lex.

"They await your majesty's commands," he replied.

"Let them come in."

"I feel young again," said General von Brandis, "at the thought of taking the field with your majesty and the army. My heart beats, as in the time of the great Wellington!"

"Then Germany was united," said the king, with a deep sigh.

The generals sat in consultation at Herrenhausen, the aides-de-camp galloped to and from the town, the telegraph conveyed orders to all the commandants of troops in the kingdom, and the city of Hanover was in a fever of excitement. Small crowds assembled in the usually quiet streets, and the position of affairs was loudly discussed. Immense was the excitement when one of the initiated imparted the great news--the army is to march into South Germany, the king goes with it. For some time past the feelings of the people had been extremely anti-Prussian, the king had been openly blamed for allowing the Kalik brigade and General Gablenz to go, every possible ovation had been given to the Austrian troops, and now--when a war was inevitable, when the gravity of the position was apparent to every one, the people felt overwhelmed with disquiet and care. And that the king himself was to go, seemed completely to stun the good Hanoverians.

They may take the line of opposition, they may blame and criticize what had been done, and what had not been done,--but the capital without the king,--the idea was horrible and beyond belief, and already voices were raised bestowing blame. "The king leaves us alone; the enemy will have no restraint, we shall be given up to pillage."

But then the reply was heard, "The queen remains here with the princesses; they will protect the capital by their presence, a royal lady must be respected," and this intelligence reassured many.

All sorts of notions were discussed, the most timid hastened to the burgomaster and the burgher superintendents, to stir them up to take some step to prevent the king from leaving the city; others urged the concentration of the troops in the capital; others proposed the destruction of the railways; in a word endless advice, political and military, was given away in the streets, and each adviser thought his plan the only one which could save the city and the country. In the meantime the troops in garrison at Hanover marched to the station, and were sent off by railway; other battalions and squadrons arrived, and after a short delay were also dispatched, but everything was done so quietly that the crowd standing about the railway station never perceived the military proceedings.

In the large square before the station stood a group of citizens in earnest conversation, whilst a small dark man with a pale face and brilliant eyes endeavoured to calm them. They were large powerful men of the old Saxon race, who may be relied upon to act, under circumstances which they understand, but who lose all their courage and presence of mind if they find themselves in an unusual and unexpected position. The North German and Saxon character always requires time to accustom itself to new and unforeseen events, before it can show all its worth; everything new, sudden, and unusual, stuns it, and cripples its powers.

So it was now; these strong powerful men, with their large characteristic features, stood looking depressed and puzzled, an expression of great discontent and displeasure upon their faces, and their displeasure they were quite ready to pour out upon the government, for they were accustomed to hold the government answerable for everything, and to sulk with it, if the calm routine of their daily life was disturbed.

"But do be reasonable," cried the small pale man, gesticulating energetically; "you are no longer children, and you surely might have foreseen that they would not go on for ever in Germany, speechifying and resolving over their beer, but that in the end they would do something. Besides, you know nothing as yet for certain."

"That is what is so wrong," interrupted a large corpulent man, with a deep bass voice; "that is what is so wrong; we know nothing; we might at least be informed of what is about to take place, then every citizen might set his house in order, and provide for the future."

"But wait," cried the little man vehemently; "you have heard that the generals are now at Herrenhausen with the king, and that the ministers have only just returned. How can you be told of things until they are decided upon? I suppose," he said, laughing scornfully, "the king should call the whole town and the suburbs to his councils."

"Sonntag is right!" said a thin old man, in a plain burgher dress, and speaking in the Saxon Low German, still commonly used by the middle and lower classes in town and country. "Sonntag is right; we must wait and see what will happen; the king will tell us all in good time; he certainly will not leave us without saying what we are to do; he is the son of Ernest Augustus," he said soothingly to the other burghers, who evidently listened to him with much greater confidence than they had bestowed on the small, pale, animated merchant, Sonntag.

"Look!" cried the latter suddenly; "there is Count Wedel's carriage at the railway station!" and he pointed out an elegant open carriage which had drawn up before the large entrance to the station, whilst the beautiful horses pawed the ground; "let us wait for the count, he will know what is going on."