"I know all this, your majesty," said Count Bismarck; "I know too what these representations of Benedetti mean,--his tactics are to show us difficulties that we may feel the more indebted to France for her mediation, and more willing to pay a high price for it." "And have they named their price?" asked the king, with increased attention. "I told the ambassador plainly," replied Count Bismarck, "what your majesty had already telegraphed to the Emperor Napoleon from Brünn, on the 18th instant, that a large territorial acquisition would be needful to Prussia, and I pointed out those possessions of the enemy lying between the two halves of our kingdom and Saxony." "And did he raise any objection?" asked the king. "He used a few phrases about treaties and the balance of power in Europe, which, in the mouth of a diplomatist of the Napoleon dynasty, sounded rather absurd; but he made no real objection, except as regards Saxony." "Well?" asked the king. "As regards Saxony," continued Count Bismarck, "the Emperor Napoleon has, so Benedetti expressed it, identified himself unconditionally with the Austrian demand, that the territorial integrity of Saxony should be maintained." The king looked on the ground thoughtfully. "The truth is," added Bismarck, "in Paris they push Austria forward, but nevertheless they seriously mean to support Saxony. Your majesty must therefore decide; will you make a concession on this point or not?" "What is your opinion?" asked the king. "To abandon the incorporation of Saxony, your majesty, rather than complicate the present position. Saxony is not absolutely necessary to us, I believe, in a military point of view?" And he looked inquiringly at General von Moltke. "If Saxony joins the military league of the North German Confederation, and does its duty in earnest----no!" said the general. "King John's word is inviolable," said the king, with a warm light in his eyes, "so let the independence of Saxony be agreed to. I am very glad in this instance to be able to lighten the heavy consequences of war for a very estimable prince." Count Bismarck bowed. "France," he continued, "as well as Austria, accepts all the alterations of territory in North Germany; but now begin the extraordinary negotiations for compensation." The king's countenance clouded. "Were their demands stated?" he asked. "No; but Benedetti pointed out very plainly what they would be; and I had guessed them beforehand," said Count Bismarck. "What were they?" asked the king. Calmly and smiling Count Bismarck replied-- "The frontier of 1814--Luxembourg and Mayence." The king started as if from an electric shock. A dark red flush passed over General Moltke's pale, handsome face, and a sarcastic smile came to his lips. "And what did you reply?" asked the king, closing his teeth firmly.