"If Bavaria took a false step under my guidance," said Herr von der Pfordten,--"and the result has shown it _was_ a false step--let us now amend the fault, even though late. My decision is made. I have but _one_ duty to fulfil, to make every effort to avert from my country and my young king the evil results of my fault. To fulfil this duty I am here, and because I expect and desire nothing for myself in the future, I believe I can the more freely and impartially discuss it with you, count." Count Bismarck was silent for a moment, and his fingers tapped the table slightly. "I am not in a position," he then said, "to speak as Prussian minister to the minister of Bavaria; the situation forbids it, the king's permission is wanting. But this hour shall not be unfruitful," he continued in a milder tone; "I will prove to you how much I personally regret that we could not understand each other, that we could not work together; your advice, your experience would have been so useful to Germany. Let us speak as Baron von der Pfordten and Count Bismarck, a Bavarian and a Prussian patriot, on the present position of affairs; perhaps," he continued laughingly, "both the Prussian and the Bavarian minister may learn something from us." Herr von der Pfordten's face brightened up. He looked at the count through his spectacles with a happy expression. "What do you think," said Bismarck, "will become of Bavaria? What can Prussia do with Bavaria?" "I suppose," said Herr von der Pfordten, "that Prussia will have undivided authority in North Germany." "Who can dispute it?" asked Count Bismarck. "I may then remark that an annexation of South German territory, so entirely heterogeneous, would hardly be to Prussia's interest, and that it would be a greater advantage to come to an understanding on the future of Germany, with an independent and unweakened Bavaria." "And on the first opportunity to find ourselves in fresh difficulties?" asked Count Bismarck. "After the experience of this day--" began the Bavarian minister. "My dear baron," interrupted Bismarck, "I will speak quite openly to you. The future belongs neither to you nor to me. Words and promises, however much in earnest, cannot be the foundation upon which the future peace and strength of Prussia and of Germany must rest. We must have guarantees. Prussia cannot again be exposed to the danger she has just overcome, nor again be called upon to make the sacrifice she has just made. Bavaria has been, very much to her own disadvantage, as I always knew, our foe. We must have full security that this cannot happen in the future. To attain this there are two ways." Herr von der Pfordten listened anxiously. "Either," proceeded Count Bismarck, "to take so much of your territory as will prevent Bavaria from being able to hurt us in the future----" "Have you thought of the difficulties of assimilating Bavarian territory and the Bavarian people?" asked Herr von der Pfordten.