He was in black morning dress, his pale features showed traces of fatigue from his journey, his eyes shone with nervous excitement. He bowed deeply to the emperor, and shook hands with Drouyn de Lhuys. "I have expected you with impatience," said Napoleon, "be seated, and tell me how matters stand in Berlin." "Sire," said Benedetti, as he took a chair, and placed himself opposite to the emperor and Drouyn de Lhuys, "I had driven to the Quai d'Orsay to announce myself to the minister, and as I heard he was here, I took the liberty of coming at once." "You were right," said the emperor, "you now find the whole apparatus of the constitutional government together," he added laughingly; "relate,--I listen with impatience." Monsieur Benedetti drew a deep breath and said: "As your majesty is aware, I laid the sketch of the treaty which I received from Vichy before Count Bismarck, in a confidential conversation, immediately after his return to Berlin." "And--?" asked the emperor. "Any compensation, but above all the cession of Mayence, he plainly and roundly--refused." "Your majesty perceives," said Drouyn de Lhuys. The emperor twisted his moustache and his head sank. "I produced," continued Benedetti, "all the reasons which make it our imperative duty at this moment to demand compensation for France, I laid before him the regard we must have to public opinion in France, I insisted how small was the compensation demanded, in comparison to the large acquisitions of Prussia, how militarily concentrated Germany owed France a guarantee of peace for the future: all was in vain,--the minister president was obstinate in his refusal, and only repeated again and again, that the national feeling in Germany would not bear such compensation." The emperor was silent.