"I put off the negotiations on this point, until after the conclusion of peace with Austria; it was the more easy, as Benedetti only mentioned them as his own views. I was not, therefore, obliged to give a distinct answer." "But you know," said the king, with a severe look and voice, "that I would never cede a foot of German soil." "As surely," replied Count Bismarck, "as your majesty I hope is convinced, that my hand would never sign such a treaty! But," he added, "I thought it useless to make a breach and to have difficulties and embarrassments too soon. If France commenced a war now--" "We should march to Paris," said General Moltke carelessly; "Napoleon has no army!" "Count Goltz does not believe that," said the president-minister, "if I could only be sure; but at all events it is better to conclude a peace with Austria, and not to provoke discussions of compensations not yet officially demanded by France. When we have done here, those gentlemen in Paris shall get the answer I have prepared for them, and a little surprise into the bargain. I now come to Herr von der Pfordten, your majesty." The king looked at him enquiringly. "Your majesty recollects," said Count Bismarck, "the position which the peace programme gives to the South German states?" "Certainly," said the king, "and this position has caused me great doubts for the future." "The intention is plain," said Bismarck; "in Paris they wish to split Germany in two, and to hold one half in check with the other; in Vienna they wish to begin afresh the game they have now lost, at some future time. I hope they will find themselves mistaken. I offered von der Pfordten very easy terms of peace, provided Bavaria entered into a secret treaty accepting your majesty as commander-in-chief of her army in case of war." The king's eyes sparkled. "Then would Germany indeed be one!" he cried. "Did he accept these terms?" "With thankfulness and joy," replied Count Bismarck, "and Würtemberg and Hesse will follow the example, he assures me. I must now request General Moltke to have the goodness to draw up the proposed military arrangement, so that when the Bavarian minister returns with the king's consent, everything may be settled as quickly as possible, and also for Würtemberg and Hesse. Until then General Manteuffel must avoid any definite explanation about the armistice, and produce a wholesome pressure. I hope," he said laughing; "the Emperor Napoleon will observe after peace has been concluded, that all the trumps in his well-shuffled game are in our hand, and then the compensation question shall also be settled." "You see, Moltke," said the king smiling, and with a gracious look at the president, "these diplomatists are all alike, even when they wear uniform! But," he added gravely, "Benedetti must not speak to me about compensation; I should not be able to delay my answer!" Count Bismarck bowed.