Persiany folded his hands and raised his eyes to heaven. "These are only slight disagreeables which we scarcely think of," said Count Ingelheim. Persiany looked at him with an expression of great surprise. "It will be much more unpleasant when action really begins, when real fighting commences," said the Austrian diplomatist; "the king is certain to be in the midst, and we must of course be with him." "Do you think we should really be in danger?" asked Persiany, "our diplomatic character----" "Will scarcely preserve me from imprisonment," said Count Ingelheim; "for we are at war with Prussia. With you it is somewhat different: you are certain to be treated with consideration, so soon as you have identified yourself before a commander of troops. But in the mêlée!..." And he shrugged his shoulders. "Should we really have cause to fear?" asked Persiany. "My dear colleague," replied Count Ingelheim, sighing slightly, and casting a penetrating look at the Russian diplomatist, "a cannon ball, the pistol of an hussar, the sword of a cuirassier, little heed the diplomatic character." "My God!" cried Persiany. "But if fighting begins I scarcely think I ought to remain here; we are at peace with Prussia." "It will come suddenly, I think, and without much warning; there will be no choice," said Count Ingelheim drily. "I do not believe our lives will be actually in danger; but really it will be sufficiently unpleasant to hear the noise of battle--to see the blood--the corpses----" Persiany fell back on the bench, and his white lips trembled as he thought of such a trial to his nerves. "I wonder if they have some soda-water here?" he asked. "I do not think so," said Count Ingelheim; "we do not find such things, and the small store they have is carefully put aside for the wounded in the approaching engagement. At the king's table we have thin beer, cold beef, and baked potatoes." "Impossible!" cried Persiany. Count Ingelheim shrugged his shoulders. "What would you have?" said he; "you cannot expect good dinners in the midst of war; besides, we sportsmen are accustomed----" "But I am not a sportsman!" cried Persiany. "Here comes Count Platen," exclaimed the Austrian ambassador; "perhaps he will bring us some news." Count Platen came and begged the Russian ambassador, who was greatly shaken by Count Ingelheim's descriptions, to accompany him to the king. "You do not believe further negotiations are possible?" asked Persiany, as he ascended the steps. "I do not think the king will permit anything to be attempted," replied Count Platen, after a short hesitation. "Then----" said M. de Persiany--but he could not express his thoughts, for they had reached the door of the king's room. "My dear Monsieur de Persiany," said George V., "I sent for you in order----I hope, though, you are somewhat rested." "I thank your majesty," said Persiany, sighing; "I am a little stronger."