The ladies with Baron von Keudell sat around the tea-table. The count entered, and greeted them affectionately. "Have you seen the new 'Kladderadatsch?'" asked the countess, pointing to the well-known comic face upon a newspaper that lay on the table. The count seized it, and turned to the large picture on the last page. It represented an infirm old beggar, with the features of the Emperor Napoleon, standing before the door of a house, hat in hand, asking an alms. A window was open, and the minister-president was represented looking from it with a movement of refusal, and beneath was printed, "Nothing given away here." With a merry laugh, the count threw the paper on the table. "It is strange," he said, "how cleverly they often describe the situation by a drawing. There is more told in this picture than in many a long leading article." At one draught he emptied the crystal goblet of foaming beer which was handed to him. "I must ask you a favour, Keudell," he said gravely: "will you play me that Funeral March of Beethoven. You remember it. You played it one evening before the war." Keudell rose with alacrity, and seated himself at the piano. Again the impressive chords of the mighty Hymn of Death arose,--the ladies listened breathlessly. Count Bismarck drew himself to his full height; his grave, strongly-marked features shone with enthusiasm. He drew a deep breath as Herr von Keudell ended. "Many heroes have fallen," he said, in a deep voice, "but the prize is won,--their blood has not flowed in vain. Time has brought many sorrows,--discords will still echo in the future. May the Almighty resolve them into the glorious harmony of a great United Germany!" His voice swelled through the room,--the countess looked at him with tearful eyes. Solemnly, and as if involuntarily, Keudell raised his hands, and let them sink upon the keys. Then that War-cry of the Faith arose, in the glorious tones in which the great Reformer expressed his rooted confidence in the God of Battles. Count Bismarck raised his eyes upwards, a look of happiness passed over his excited features, and, following the melody, his lips whispered softly-- "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott, Ein' starke Wehr und Waffen!" FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: Where the rifle-club holds its meetings.] [Footnote 2: The King of Saxony remained true to Napoleon, although part of the Saxon troops went over to the Allies during the battle of Leipsic.] THE END. * * * * * CHISWICK PRESS:--PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS, TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.