The Chief then said that he had invited the representatives of the parties “with whom it is possible to discuss matters”--Friedenthal, Bennigsen, and Blankenburg--to come here in order to ascertain their views respecting a session of our Parliament at Versailles. “I was obliged to omit the Progressist party, as they only desire what is not possible. They are like Russians, who eat cherries in winter and want oysters in summer. When a Russian goes into a shop he asks for _Kaknje bud_, that is to say, for what does not exist.” After the first course Prince Albrecht, the father, came in and took a seat on the Chief’s right. The old gentleman, like a genuine Prussian Prince, always gallant and loyal to his duty, has pressed forward with his cavalry beyond Orleans. He tells us that the engagement in Châteaudun was “horrible.” He warmly praised the Duke of Meiningen, who had also shirked no danger or privation. On this the Chief remarked: “I have nothing to say against Princes who go with the army and as officers and leaders share the dangers and hardships of the soldiers. But I should prefer to see those who loaf around here at Pückler’s expense, and who are mere spectators of the man-hunt, anywhere rather than at headquarters. It is all the more unpleasant to me to have them here, as they storm me with questions and force wise counsels upon me respecting matters that are in course of development and which are now being worked out.”... “May I ask,” said the Prince (doubtless to get away from this subject), “how the Countess is?” “Oh, she is quite well,” replied the Chief, “now that our son is better. She still suffers from her ferocious hatred of the Gauls, all of whom she would wish to see shot and stabbed to death, down to the little babies--who after all cannot help having such abominable parents.” CHAPTER XI THIERS AND THE FIRST NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN ARMISTICE AT VERSAILLES On the morning of the 30th of October, while taking a walk along the Avenue de Saint Cloud, I met Bennigsen, who was to start for home with Blankenburg in a few days. On my asking what progress had been made in Germany with the question of unity he said that the prospects were very good. The only point which the Bavarians still insisted upon was a certain degree of independence for their army. The feeling amongst the majority of the people was all that could be desired.