"AndIpledgeyourmajestymywordofhonorthatneithertheempressnorCountStadioneverintimatedtome，directlyorindirectly，thattheysharemyviews，andhaveadvocatedthemalreadybeforeyourmajesty。"
"Thenyouhavecomequiteindependently，andofyourownaccord，totheconclusionthatweoughttoformanalliancewithPrussia？"
"Yes，yourmajesty;Ibelievethatthishasnowbecomeanecessityforus。"
"ButPrussiaisahumiliatedandexhaustedstate，whichexistsonlybyBonaparte'sgraceandtheintercessionoftheEmperorofRussia。"
"YourmajestyspeaksofPrussiaasitwasin1807，"saidCountStadion，"afterthedefeatsofJena，Eylau，andFriedland。Butsincethentwoyearshaveelapsed，andPrussiahasrisenagainfromherprostration;shehasarmedsecretly，renderedherresourcesavailable，andfoundsagaciousandenergeticmen，whoareatworksilently，butwithunflaggingzeal，uponthereorganizationofthearmy，andpreparingeverythingforthedayofvengeance。"
"LetusallyourselveswithregeneratedPrussia，whichislongingforvengeance！"criedJohn，ardently;"letusunitewithherinthestruggleagainstourcommonfoe。PrussiaandAustriashouldbeharmonious，andjointlyprotectGermany。"
"No，"saidtheemperor，almostangrily，"PrussiaandAustriaarenaturalenemies;theyhavebeenenemieseversincePrussiaexisted，forPrussia，insteadofcontentingherselfwithherinferiorposition，daredtobeAustria'srival;and，moreover，AustriacanneverforgivehertherapaciousconquestofSilesia。"
"Oh，yourmajesty，"exclaimedJohn，impetuously，"letusforgetthepast，andfixoureyesonthepresentandfutureFranceisthecommonenemyofallEurope;allEuropeoughttouniteinsubduingher，andwewillnotevensolicitthecooperationofourneighbor！
ButanalliancebetweenAustriaandPrussiawillrenderallGermanyunited，andGermanywillthenbe，asitwere，athreateningrock，andFrancewillshrinkfromherimpregnablebulwarks，andretirewithinhernaturalborders。"
"Words，words！"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。"YouenthusiastsalwaystalkofaunitedGermany，butinrealityithasneverexistedyet。"
"ButitwillexistwhenPrussiaandAustriaareallied;onlythisalliancemustbeconcludedsoon，forwehavenotimetolose。andeverydelayisfraughtwithgreatdanger。Franceisintentonestablishingauniversalmonarchy;Napoleondoesnotconcealitanylonger。IfFrancereallysucceedsinkeepingtheGermanpowersatvarianceandenmity，andunitingwithRussiaagainstthem，ourlasthourwillstrike;forthesetwopowers，ifunited，willeasilycometoanunderstandingastothedivisionofEurope;andeventhoughRussiadidnotentertainsuchanintention，Francewouldcommunicateittoher。[Footnote:Thearchduke'sownwords。——See"LettersfromtheArchdukeJohntoJohannesvonMueller，"p。81。]Hence，Russia。
shouldlikewisebegained，anditsalliance，byRussia'sintercession，besecured，sothatGermany，indaysofadversity，mightcountuponher。"
"Youbelievethen，archduke，thatdaysofadversityareyetinstoreforus？"askedtheemperor。
"Yourmajesty，Iamafraidtheyare，ifwestandalone。Allisatstakenow，andallmustberisked。Wearenolongerfightingforprovinces，butforourfutureexistence。Weshallfightwell;buteventhebeststrengthisexhaustedinthelongrun，andhewhoholdsoutlongestremainsvictorious。Whichsidehasbetterchances？
Austria，solongassheopposesFrancesingle—handed，hasnot;butAustriaandPrussia，ifunited，assuredlyhave。IfAustriafallsnow，thebestadversaryofFrancefalls，andwithherfallsPrussia，andGermanyislost。"
"Andwhatwouldyoudo，archduke，ifAustria，asyousay，werelost？"
"Yourmajesty，ifAustriashouldsinkintoruin，Ishouldknowhowtodie！"
"Youwould，likeBrutusofold，throwyourselfuponyoursword，wouldyounot？Well，Ihopeweshallnotfaresobadlyasthat，foryouhavepointedouttomeawayofsavingthecountry。YouhaveprovedtomethatAustriacanbesavedbyanalliancewithPrussia。
Fortunately，Ihavesometimesideasofmyown，andevenaheadofmyown。IhadthismorningalonginterviewwiththePrinceofOrange，whohasjustarrivedfromKoenigsberg，wherehesawtheKingofPrussia。Helaidbeforemeadetailedreportofwhathehadseenthere，andImadeupmymindbeforeIhadheardyouradvice。——CountStadion，besokindastotakethepaperlyingonthedesk。Doyouknowthehandwriting？"
"Ibelieveitisyourmajesty'shandwriting，"saidCountStadion，who，inaccordancewiththeemperor'sorder，hadtakenthepaperfromthedesk。
"Yes，itismyhandwriting;for，thoughnotaslearnedasmybrotherJohn，Iamatleastable，ifneedbe，towritealetter。Besokind，minister，astoreadmyletteraloud。"
CountStadionbowed，andreadasfollows:
"Tohismajesty，KingFrederickWilliamofPrussia:"Headquarters，Wolkersdorf，June8，1809。
"SIR，MYBROTHER:ThePrinceofOrange，whohasarrivedatmyheadquartershere，hastoldmeunreservedly，andwithfullconfidence，oftherepeatedconversationshehadwithyourmajestyduringhisrecentsojournatKoenigsberg。YouleftnodoubtinhismindastoyourfirmconvictionthattheexistenceofourtwomonarchiescanbeprotectedfromtherapacioussystemoftheEmperorNapoleononlybyanactiveandcordialalliance。Foralongtimepast，awareoftheopinionsandwisdomofyourmajesty，Icouldforeseethatyourmajestywouldnotrefusetotakeastep，justifiednotlessbythelogicofeventsthantheloyaltyofthenationswhichProvidencehasconfidedtoourcare。"
"Thebearer，ColonelBaronSteigentesch，adistinguishedstaff—
officerofmyarmy，willconferwithyourmajesty'sgovernmentastothequestionswhichmayariseinregardtoanalliancebetweenthetwocountries:heisauthorizedtoregulatetheproportionsoftheforcestobeemployedonbothsides，andtheotherarrangementsnotlesssalutarythanindispensableforthesecurityofthetwostates。
ForthesamereasonsIshallspeedilysendinstructionstomyambassadoratBerlininconformitywiththeoverturesmadebyCountvonderGoltz。"
"YourmajestywillpermitmetoassureyouthatIremainasever，Yourmostobedient，FRANCIS，EmperorofAustria。"[Footnote:
"Lebensbilder，"vol，iii。，p。266。]
WhileCountStadionwasreadingtheletter，theemperorcloselywatchedtheeffectitproduceduponthearchduke。HesawthatJohnwasatfirstsurprised，thathiseyesgraduallybrightened，thathisfacecrimsonedwithjoy，andthatasmileplayedroundhislips。
WhenCountStadionwasthrough，thearchdukesteppeduptotheemperorwithanexpressionofprofoundemotionandintensegratitude。
"YourMajesty，"hecried，"youhavefilledmebothwithshameandecstasy。Oh，givemeyourhand，letmepressittomylips;letmethankyouforthisgraciouspunishment！Iamgrateful，too，forthegraciousconfidencewithwhichyouinitiatemeintoyourplans。"
"Thatisunnecessary，"saidtheemperor，withoutgivinghimhishand;"youneednotthankme。Norwasitmyintentiontogiveyouaspecialproofofmyconfidence。Ididnotcausethelettertobereadtoyouinordertohaveyouparticipateinmyplans，butonlytoprovetoyouthatIcanmakeupmymindwithoutyouradvice，andtorequestyounottomolestmehenceforthwithanysuchsuggestions。Now，brother，wehavenothingfurthertosaytoeachother。ReturntoComorn，andcarryoutthegeneralissimo'sorder，asbehoovesagoodofficer，promptly，carefully，andwithoutgrumbling。
FortifyandholdRaab，defendPresburg，takeAltenburgbyacoupdemain;inshort，doallthatthegeneralissimowantsyoutodo。IfI
shouldneedyouradviceandwisdom，Ishallsendforyou;andwhenBaronSteigenteschreturnsfromhismissiontoPrussia，youshallbeinformedoftheresults。Farewell，brother，andletmesoonhearofnewvictories！"
CHAPTERXXVI。
THEREPLYOFTHEKINGOFPRUSSIA。
TwoweeksafterthisinterviewbetweentheArchdukeJohnandtheemperor，thearchduke，attherequestoftheemperor，repairedagaintotheimperialheadquartersatWolkersdorf，andsentinhisnametohisbrother。
"Youcomejustintime，brother，"saidtheemperor，whenJohnenteredhiscabinet。"IknewthatBaronSteigenteschwouldarrivehereto—day，henceIsentforyou，forIpromisedtoletyouhearthereplyoftheKingofPrussiatomyproposal。Thecoloneldidarriveafewminutesago，andwaitsintheanteroomforanaudience。"
"Beforeadmittinghim，yourmajesty，praylistentome，"saidJohn，inagrave，tremulousvoice。
"Ihopeyoudonotintendtorevealasecrettome？"askedtheemperor。
"No，yourmajesty;unfortunatelythatwhichIhavetosaytoyouwillsoonbeknowntoeverybody，andourenemieswilltakecaretolettheirtriumphantbulletinscirculatethenewsthroughoutEurope。"
"Itisadefeat，then，thatyouhavetoannouncetome？"askedtheemperor，gloomily。
"Yes，yourmajesty，adefeat。ImettheenemyyesterdayatRaab[June14，1809]。Ourmenfoughtbravely;someperformedthemostheroicexploits;buttheoddsoftheenemyweretoooverwhelming。
TheViceroyofItalyattackeduswithhiswell—disciplinedveterantroops，thirty—ninethousandstrong。Intheoutset，we，thatis，theArchdukePalatineandI，wereaboutasstrong，includingtheHungarianvolunteers。Buttheveryfirstattackoftheenemy，thefirstvolleysofmusketry，causedthevolunteerstofallback;theyfledpanic—struck，abandonedthehillwhereIhadpostedthem，andrushedinwilddisorderfromthefieldofbattle。Theenemythenoccupiedthehill，andthisdecidedthefateofthedayagainstus，shortlyafterthecommencementofthebattle。However，wemighthaveheldoutandgainedavictory，ifallhadcarriedoutmyorderspromptlyandcarefully，andif，asusuallyduringthiscampaign，noobstacleshadbeenplacedinmyway。"
"Ah，archduke，toavoidchargesbeingpreferredagainstyourself，youintendtopreferchargesagainstothers！"exclaimedtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。
"Yesyourmajesty;IchargeIgnatiusGiulay，BanofCroatia，withviolationofmyorders，disobedience，andintentionaldelaysinmakingthemovementsIhadprescribed。IhadorderedtheBanintimetojoinmeatComornonthe13thofJune，andhehadpositivelyassuredme，byletterandverbally，thathewouldpromptlybeonhandonthestatedday。Icounteduponhisarrival，andmademydispositionsaccordingly。ThegeneralissimohadinstructedmetokeepopenmycommunicationswiththemainarmyontherightbankoftheDanubebywayofRaab;andI，therefore，startedonthemorningofthe13thfromComorn，firmlyconvincedthatGiulay'stroopswouldjoinmeintimeandfollowme。ButIwaitedforhiminvain;hefailedmeatthecriticalmoment，despitemyordersandhispromises，andthiswastheprincipalreasonwhywelostthebattle。"
[Footnote:SeeSchlosser's"HistoryoftheEighteenthCentury，"vol。
vii。，p。540。]
"YoupreferagravechargeagainstamanwhomIhavealwaysfoundtobefaithful，brave，andhonorable，"saidtheemperor，withcuttingcoldness。
"Yourmajesty，IbegyoutobesograciousastocalltheBanofCroatiatoastrictaccount，"exclaimedJohn，vehemently。"IbegyoutobesograciousastosendfortheorderswhichIgavehim，andaskhimwhyhedidnotobeythem。"
"Ishalldoso，"repliedtheemperor，"anditismyconvictionthathewillbeabletojustifyhimselfcompletely。"
TheArchdukeJohngaveastart，adeathlypalloroverspreadhischeeks，hiseyesshotfire，hislipsopenedtoutteranimpetuousword，butherestraineditforcibly;compressinghislips，paleandpanting，hehastilymovedbackafewstepsandapproachedthedoor。
"Stay！"orderedtheemperor，inaharshvoice。"Ihaveyetsomequestionstoputtoyou。YouareresponsibleforthisbattleofRaab，andyouowemesomeexplanationsconcerningit。Howwastheretreateffected？Whereareyourforcesnow？"
"Theretreatwaseffectedingoodorder，"saidJohn，inalow，tremulousvoice。"ImarchedwithfourbattalionsofgrenadiersandtwobattalionsofGratzmilitiaslowlyalongtheheightstoAls，wherewearrivedatmidnight;andto—daywewentbacktoComorn。
Thereourforcesarenow。"
"AndRaab？Havetheenemytakenitalready？"
"No，yourmajesty，itstillholdsout:butitwillfall，asItoldyourmajestytwoweeksago，forthegeneralissimohassentmeneitherammunitionnorre—enforcements，despitemymostpressingrequests。"
"Isthattobeanothercharge？"askedtheemperor，sternly。
"No，"saidJohn，mournfully;"itisonlytobemydefence，forunfortunatelyitisalwaysnecessaryformetodefendmyself。"
"Ah，archduke，youalwaysconsideryourselfthevictimofcabals，"
exclaimedtheemperor;"youbelieveyourselfalwayspersecutedandcalumniated;yoususpectinvariablythatyouareslightedandplacedinfalsepositionsbythosewhoarejealousofyourexaltedqualities，andenviousofyourtalents。Youthinkthatyourgreatnessexcitesapprehensions，andyourgeniusandlearningcreatemisgivings，andthatyouarethereforepersecuted;thatintriguesareentereduponagainstyou，andthatnotsufficientelbow—roomisgiventoyourabilities。Butyouaremistaken，archduke。Iamnotafraidofyou，andalthoughIadmireyou，andthink，likeyou，thatyouarethegreatestcaptainoftheage——"
"Yourmajesty，"interruptedJohn，inaloud，vehementvoice，"yourmajesty，I——"
"Well，whatisit？"criedtheemperor，hastilyadvancingafewstepstowardhisbrother，andstaringathimwithdefianteyes。"Whathaveyougottosaytome？"
"Nothing，yourmajesty，"saidJohn，inahollowvoice;"youaretheemperor！Iamsilent，andsubmit。"
"Andyouareveryprudentindoingso，for，asyousay，Iamtheemperor，andIwillremaintheemperor，despiteallmygreatandaugustbrothers。Ifyourimperialhighnessdoesnotlikethis，ifyouthinkyouaretreatedunjustly，ifyouconsideryourselfamartyr，whydoyounotimitatewhatthegeneralissimohasdonealreadythreetimesduringthepresentcampaign——whydoyounotofferyourresignation？Whydoyounotrequestyouremperortodismissyoufromhisservice？"
"Willyourmajestypermitmetomakeafrankandhonestreplytothisquestion？"askedJohn，lookingattheemperorfirmlyandgravely。
"Iwill。"
"Well，then，yourmajesty，IdonotoffermyresignationbecauseI
amnotaninvalid;becauseIamyoung，strong，andabletowork。I
requesttheemperornottodismissmefromtheservice，becauseI
servenotonlyhim，butthefatherland，andbecauseIowetoitmyservicesandstrength。Iknowwellthatmanywouldlikemetoretireintoprivacyandwithdrawentirelyfrompublicaffairs;butIcannotfulfiltheirwishes，andnevershallIwithdrawvoluntarilyfromtheservice。Nomatterwhatwrongsandslightsmaybeinflicteduponme，theywillbefruitless，fortheywillnevershakemypurpose。Allthedisagreeablethingsthathappentomeinmycareer，Ithinkproceedfromindividuals，andnotfromthefatherland;whyshouldI，then，avengemyselfonthefatherlandbyresigninganddeprivingitofmyserviceswhenithasdonemenowrong？[Footnote:Thearchduke'sownwords。——Seehis"LetterstoJohannesvonMailer，"P。
92。]Iservethefatherlandinservingyourmajesty;shouldI
resign，Ishouldbeunfaithfultobothmymasters，andonlythenwouldyourmajestyhavearighttodespiseme。"
"Listen，"saidtheemperor;"thewordfatherlandisadangerousandtwo—edgedone，andIdonotthinkmuchofit。Theinsurgentsandrevolutionistshaveitalwaysintheirmouths;andwhenrisingagainsttheirprinceandrefusinghimobedience，theylikewisesaythattheydosointheserviceofthefatherland，anddevotetheirstrengthandfidelitytoit。Thesoldier，aboveall，hasnothingtodowiththefatherland，butonlywithhissovereign;itistohimalonethathehasswornallegiance，andtohimalonehemustremainfaithful。Now，asyouareasoldierandwishtoremainintheservice，praybearinmindthatyouhaveswornallegiancetoyouremperor，andletmebearnolongeranyofyoursubtledistinctionsbetweenyouremperorandyourfatherland。AndnowthatyouhavereportedtometheresultofthedisastrousbattleofRaab，BaronSteigenteschmaycomeinandreporttheresultsofhismissiontoKoenigsberg。Stay，therefore，andlistentohim。"
Theemperorrangthebell，andorderedthefootmanwhoenteredtheroomtoadmitimmediatelyMinisterCountStadionandColonelBaronSteigentesch。Afewminuteslaterthetwogentlemenenteredthecabinet。
"Now，colonel，"saidtheemperortohim，"youaretoreporttheresultsofyourmissiontoKoenigsberg，andIconfessIamquiteanxioustohearthem。Butbeforeyoucommence，Iwishtosayafewwordstoyourministerofforeignaffairs。OnthesamedaythatI
dispatchedColonelSteigenteschtoKoenigsberg，Ihandedyouasealedpaperandorderedyoutopreserveittillmyambassador'sreturn。Haveyoudoneso？"
"Ihave，yourmajesty。"
"Andhaveyoubroughtitwithyounow？"
"Hereitis，yourmajesty，"saidCountStadion，drawingasealedenvelopefromhisbosom，andpresentingittotheemperor，withalowbow。Francistookit，andexaminedthesealwithcloseattention，thenheldittohisnoseandsmelledit。
"Indeed，"heexclaimedjoyfully，"ithasretaineditsperfume，andisasfreshandbrilliantasthoughithadbeenputononlyatthepresentmoment。Andwhatabeautifulcrimsonitis！Ihave，then，atlength，foundtherightreceiptforgoodsealing—wax，andthis，whichImademyself，mayviewiththatmadeatthebestSpanishfactories。Oh，Isee，thissealing—waxwilldrivemyblackcabinettodespair，foritwillbeimpossibletoopenalettersealedwithit;eventhefinestknifewillbeunabletodoit。Doyounotthinksotoo，minister？"
"Iamnojudgeofsealing—wax，"saidCountStadion，coldly，"andI
confessthatIdidnotevenlookatthesealofthisenvelope;yourmajestyorderedmetokeepitandreturnittoyouafterBaronSteigentesch'sreturn。Icompliedwithyourmajesty'sorders，thatisall。"
Theemperorsmiled，andlaidthesealedpaperwithaslightnodonthetablebyhisside;thenhesankintoaneasy—chair，andbeckonedtothegentlementotakeseatsonthechairsontheothersideofthetable。
"Now，ColonelSteigentesch，letmeheartheresultsofyourmission。
Inthefirstplace，tellme，hasKingFrederickWilliamsentnolettertomeinreplytomine？"
"No，yourmajesty，"repliedColonelSteigentesch，withasignificantsmile;"Iamonlythebearerofaverbalreply。Ibelievethekingthoughtawrittenanswertoodangerous，orhewasafraidlestheshouldtherebycompromisehimself。ButaftereveryinterviewIhadwiththekingorthequeen，Inoteddowneverywordtheirmajestiesspoketome;andifyourmajestypermits，Ishallavailmyselfofmydiaryinreplyingtoyou。"
"Doso，"saidFrancis，"letushearwhatyounoteddowninyourdiary。"
ColonelSteigenteschdrewamemorandum—bookfromhisbosomandopenedit。
"Well，then，howdidthekingreceiveyou？"inquiredFrancis，afterapause。
"Thekingreceivedmerathercoldlyandstiffly，"readColonelSteigenteschfromhisdiary;"heaskedmewhatwastheobjectofmymission。Irepliedthatmyemperor'sletterstatedthisinasufficientlylucidmanner。Thekingwassilentforawhile;thenhesaidrathermorosely:'Theemperorasksforsuccornow;buthereafterhewill，perhaps，concludeaseparatepeaceandsacrificeme。'Ireplied，'TheEmperorFrancis，myaugustmaster，doesnotaskforsuccor。ThebattleofAspernhasprovedthatmeansofdefencearenotwantingtoAustria。Butasitistheavowedobjectofthiswarthatthepowersshouldrecovertheirformerpossessions，itisbutjustandequitablethattheyshouldtakeanactivepartinthecontest，whoseonlyobjectcanbeattainedbyseizingthefavorablemoment。Ihavenotbeensenttoyoutoargueaquestionwhichshouldbesettledalready，buttomakethearrangementsnecessaryforcarryingitintoeffect。'"
"Anexpedientreply，"exclaimedtheemperor，noddinghisheadeagerly。"AndwhatdidtheKingofPrussiaanswertoyou？"
"Thekingwassilentawhile，andpacedhisroomrepeatedly，hishandsclaspedonhisback。Thenhestoodstillinfrontofme，andsaidinaloud，firmvoice:'DespitethefearwhichImighthaveofbeingdesertedbyAustria，IamdeterminedtoallymyselfONEDAY
withyourcourt;butitisnotyettime。Continuethewar;inthemeantimeIwillgraduallystrengthenmyforces;onlythenshallI
beabletotakeausefulpartinthecontest。Ilackpowder，muskets，andmoney;myartilleristsareallyoungandinexperiencedsoldiers。ItispainfultometoavowthewholewretchednessofmypositiontoanAustrianofficer;butImustdosotoprovetoyourmasterwhatitisthatkeepsmebackatthisjuncture。YouwilleasilyconvinceyourselfthatIamstrivingtobeusefultoyoubyallmeans。Yoursicksoldiersarenursedatmyhospitalsandsenttotheirhomes;Igiveleaveofabsencetoallmyofficerswhowishtoserveinyourarmy。Buttoaskmetodeclarenowinyourfavor，istocalluponmetosignmyownruin。Dealtheenemyanotherblow，andIwillsendanofficeroutofuniformtoyouremperor'sheadquarterstomakeallnecessaryarrangements。'[Footnote:Theking'sownwords。——See"Lebensbilder，"vol。iii。，p。262。]Afterthesewordsthekingbowedtomeanddismissedme。"
"Ah，indeed，theKingofPrussiagivesverywiseadvice，"exclaimedtheemperor;"wearetodealBonaparteanotherblow，andthenPrussiawillnegotiatewithus。Afterwehavegainedanothervictory，thecautiousKingofPrussiawillenterintosecretnegotiationswithme，andsendtomyheadquartersanofficer，but，doyouhear，outofuniform，inordernottocompromisehimself。Didyounotwearyouruniform，then，colonel？"
"Pardonme，yourmajesty，Idid。Butthisseemedtobedisagreeabletotheking，andheaskedmetodoffmyuniformatKoenigsberg;butIreplied，thatIwas，sincethebattleofAspern，soproudofmyuniformthatIcouldnotdoffit。[Footnote:Ibid]ThekingthereuponrequestedmetostatepubliclythatIhadcometoPrussiaonlyforthepurposeofaskingofthekingpermissiontobuycorninSilesiaandhorsesinPrussia。"
"Andyoucompliedwiththisrequest，colonel！"
"Ididnot，yourmajesty。IrepliedthatIcouldnotevenstatethis，foritwasrepugnanttomysenseofhonor;however，Iwouldnotcontradictsucharumorifitwerecirculated。"
"Verywell，colonel，"saidtheemperor，smiling;"youhaveactedinamannerworthyofatrueAustrian。Andnowtellme，didyouseethequeenalso？"
"Idid，yourmajesty。Hermajestysentformeonthedayofmyarrival。Thequeenlookedpaleandfeeble，butsheseemedtotakepainstoconcealhersufferingsunderasmilewhichilluminatedherfacelikeasunbeam。"
"See，see。"exclaimedtheemperor，sarcastically;"ourcoloneltalksintheenthusiasticstrainofapoetnowthathereferstothequeen。Isshesoverybeautiful，then？"
"Yourmajesty，sheismorethanbeautiful;sheisatthesametimeanoble，high—spiritedwoman，andanaugustqueen。Hermisfortunesandhumiliationshavenotbentherneck，butthisnobleladyseemsevenmoreaugustandmajesticinthedaysofadversitythaninthoseofsplendorandprosperity。"
"Andwhatdidthequeensaytoyou？Wassheofherhusband'sopinionthatAustriashouldnotbesuccoredatthisjuncture，andthatPrussia，beforedeclaringinourfavor，oughttowaitandseeifAustriacandefeatFrancesingle—handed？"
"Yourmajesty，thequeenwasmoreunreservedandfrankinherutterancesthantheking。SheopenlyavowedherhatredagainstNapoleon，anditisheropinionthatPrussiashouldtakeadecidedstandagainstFrance。`For，'shesaid，'IamconvincedthatthehatredoftheFrenchemperoragainstAustria，andhisintentiontooverthrowalldynasties，leavenohopeofpeace。Iamthemotherofninechildren，towhomIamanxioustopreservetheirinheritance;
youmay，therefore，judgeofthewisheswhichIentertain。'"
[Footnote:Thequeen'sownwords。See"Lebensbilder，"vol。iii。，p。
280。]
"Ifsuchwerethequeen'ssentiments，Isupposesheprofitedbythegreatinfluencewhichsheissaidtohaveoverherhusband，toprevailuponhimtotakeaboldstand，andyoubringmethenewsofitasthefinalresultofyourmission，doyounot？"
"Pardonme，yourmajesty，Idonot。Itseemstheinfluenceofthequeendoesnotgofarenoughtoinducethekingtochangehismindafterhehasoncemadeitup。Now，thekinghasresolvednottoallyhimselfwithAustriaatthisjuncture，buttowaituntilAustria，ashesays，`hasdealttheEmperoroftheFrenchanotherblow。'Allmyinterviewswiththekingwere，asitwere，onlyvariationsofthistheme。InthelastinterviewwhichIhadwiththeking，hedidnotexpressanythingbutwhathehadalreadytoldmeinthefirst。Herepeatedthathewould，assoonasAustriahaddealtFranceanotherdecisiveblow，sendanofficeroutofuniformtotheheadquartersofyourmajesty;butthen，headded，`Ihopetocomemyself，andnotalone。'WhenItookleaveofthequeen，shewasevensadderthanusual，andhervoicewastremulous，andhereyesfilledwithtears，whenshesaidtomeshehopedtomeetmesoonagainundermorefavorablecircumstances。"
"AndwhatdidtheotherpersonsatthePrussiancourtsay？Howdidtheprinces，thegenerals，andministersexpressthemselves？"
"PrinceWilliam，theking'sbrother，saidtomewithashrug:`Youwillnotfindthespiritreigningheremuchtoyourtaste。Theking'sirresolutionwillruinhimagain。'Theprincess，hiswife，apologizedfornotinvitingmetodinner，thekinghavingpositivelyforbiddenhertodoso。Theking'sgeneralsandministersunreservedlygaveventtotheirimpatienceandindignation。Grand—
chancellorvonBeymesaidtome:'Thekingwouldliketounitewithyou，buthecannotmakeuphismindtodoso。However，aseverybodyabouthimisearnestlyinfavorofanalliancewithAustria，Ihopethatthekingwillbecarriedaway。'[Footnote:"Lebensbilder，"vol。
iii。，p。262]GeneralBlucherwrotetothekinginhisimpetuous，frankmanner，that'hewouldnotwitnessthedownfallofthethrone，andwouldpreferservinginaforeignarmyprovideditwereatwarwiththeFrench。'Scharnhorst，theministerofwar，spokeasviolently，andwithasundisguisedhostilityagainstFrance。Hepresentedtothekingamemoir，inwhichhesaid:'Iwillnotgodishonoredintomygrave;IshouldbedishonoreddidInotadvisethekingtoprofitbythepresentmoment，anddeclarewaragainstFrance。CanyourmajestywishthatAustriashouldreturnyourstatestoyouasalms，ifshewerestillgenerousenoughtodoso;orthatNapoleon，ifvictorious，shoulddisarmyoursoldierslikethemilitiaofafreecity？'Butalltheseremonstrances，thesesupplications，nay，eventhetearsofthequeen，wereinvain。ThekingrepeatedthathewouldunitewithAustriaoneday，butitwasnotyettime。AustriaoughtfirsttodealFranceanotherblow，andgainadecisivevictory;thenwouldhavecomeforPrussiathemomenttodeclareopenlyagainstFrance。This，yourmajesty，istheonlyreplywhichIbringwithmefrommymissiontoPrussia。"
"Well，Imustconfessthatthisreplyisdecidedlycautiousandwise！"exclaimedtheemperor，laughing。"Afterwehavedrawnthechestnutsoutofthefire，PrussiawillbekindenoughtositdownwithAustriaandhelphertoeatthem。Well，whatdoyouthinkofit，brotherJohn？"
"IthinkthatthishesitatingpolicyofPrussiaisamisfortunenotonlyforAustriaandPrussia，butforGermany。ForifFranceandRussiajoinhandsnowagainstourdisunitedcountry，Germanywillbelost。ThewelfareofEuropeisnowinseparablyboundupwithanalliancebetweenAustriaandPrussia，whichcanalonepreventtheoutbreakofaEuropeanwar。Butthisalliancemustbeconcludedopenly，unreservedly，andwithmutualconfidence。Noprivateinterest，nosecondaryinterestscalculatedtofrustratetheenterprise，butthegreatendsofsavingthestates，andrestoringpeaceandprosperitytohumanity，shouldbekeptconstantlyinview;
then，andthenonly，successwillcrownthegreatundertaking。"
[Footnote:Thearchduke'sownwords。——Seehis"LetterstoJohannesvonWiller，"]
"AndPrussiaseemslittleinclinedtokeepsuchendsinview，"saidtheemperor。"Well，minister，youdonotsayaword。YouweresoeloquentintryingtogainmeovertothisalliancewithPrussia;
youassuredmesooftenthatPrussiawaswaitingonlyformetocalluponher，whenshewouldallyherselfwithme;andnow——"
"Now，yourmajesty，"saidCountStadion，mournfully，"Isee，tomyprofoundsorrow，thatPrussiaprefersherseparateintereststotheinterestsofGermany;andIconfessthatIwasmistakeninPrussia。"
"AndyoutriedtoconvincemethatIwaswronginentertainingadifferentopinion;andmyesteemedbrotheryonderspokesowiselyandloftilyofourPrussianbrethren，andtheunitedGermanywhichwewouldformtogether！Well，youshallseeatleastthat，althoughIyielded，and，togetridofallyouwisemen，appliedtoPrussia，Ididnotbelieveinthesuccessofthemission。Minister;bekindenoughnowtotaketheletterwhichyouhavekeptformesolong。
There！Nowbreaktheniceseal，opentheletter，andreadtouswhatIwroteonthedaywhenIdispatchedColonelSteigenteschtotheKingofPrussia。Read！"