\"AndIpledgeyourmajestymywordofhonorthatneithertheempressnorCountStadioneverintimatedtome，directlyorindirectly，thattheysharemyviews，andhaveadvocatedthemalreadybeforeyourmajesty。\"
\"Thenyouhavecomequiteindependently，andofyourownaccord，totheconclusionthatweoughttoformanalliancewithPrussia？\"
\"Yes，yourmajesty;Ibelievethatthishasnowbecomeanecessityforus。\"
\"ButPrussiaisahumiliatedandexhaustedstate，whichexistsonlybyBonaparte\'sgraceandtheintercessionoftheEmperorofRussia。\"
\"YourmajestyspeaksofPrussiaasitwasin1807，\"saidCountStadion，\"afterthedefeatsofJena，Eylau，andFriedland。Butsincethentwoyearshaveelapsed，andPrussiahasrisenagainfromherprostration;shehasarmedsecretly，renderedherresourcesavailable，andfoundsagaciousandenergeticmen，whoareatworksilently，butwithunflaggingzeal，uponthereorganizationofthearmy，andpreparingeverythingforthedayofvengeance。\"
\"LetusallyourselveswithregeneratedPrussia，whichislongingforvengeance！\"criedJohn，ardently;\"letusunitewithherinthestruggleagainstourcommonfoe。PrussiaandAustriashouldbeharmonious，andjointlyprotectGermany。\"
\"No，\"saidtheemperor，almostangrily，\"PrussiaandAustriaarenaturalenemies;theyhavebeenenemieseversincePrussiaexisted，forPrussia，insteadofcontentingherselfwithherinferiorposition，daredtobeAustria\'srival;and，moreover，AustriacanneverforgivehertherapaciousconquestofSilesia。\"
\"Oh，yourmajesty，\"exclaimedJohn，impetuously，\"letusforgetthepast，andfixoureyesonthepresentandfutureFranceisthecommonenemyofallEurope;allEuropeoughttouniteinsubduingher，andwewillnotevensolicitthecooperationofourneighbor！
ButanalliancebetweenAustriaandPrussiawillrenderallGermanyunited，andGermanywillthenbe，asitwere，athreateningrock，andFrancewillshrinkfromherimpregnablebulwarks，andretirewithinhernaturalborders。\"
\"Words，words！\"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。\"YouenthusiastsalwaystalkofaunitedGermany，butinrealityithasneverexistedyet。\"
\"ButitwillexistwhenPrussiaandAustriaareallied;onlythisalliancemustbeconcludedsoon，forwehavenotimetolose。andeverydelayisfraughtwithgreatdanger。Franceisintentonestablishingauniversalmonarchy;Napoleondoesnotconcealitanylonger。IfFrancereallysucceedsinkeepingtheGermanpowersatvarianceandenmity，andunitingwithRussiaagainstthem，ourlasthourwillstrike;forthesetwopowers，ifunited，willeasilycometoanunderstandingastothedivisionofEurope;andeventhoughRussiadidnotentertainsuchanintention，Francewouldcommunicateittoher。[Footnote:Thearchduke\'sownwords。——See\"LettersfromtheArchdukeJohntoJohannesvonMueller，\"p。81。]Hence，Russia。
shouldlikewisebegained，anditsalliance，byRussia\'sintercession，besecured，sothatGermany，indaysofadversity，mightcountuponher。\"
\"Youbelievethen，archduke，thatdaysofadversityareyetinstoreforus？\"askedtheemperor。
\"Yourmajesty，Iamafraidtheyare，ifwestandalone。Allisatstakenow，andallmustberisked。Wearenolongerfightingforprovinces，butforourfutureexistence。Weshallfightwell;buteventhebeststrengthisexhaustedinthelongrun，andhewhoholdsoutlongestremainsvictorious。Whichsidehasbetterchances？
Austria，solongassheopposesFrancesingle—handed，hasnot;butAustriaandPrussia，ifunited，assuredlyhave。IfAustriafallsnow，thebestadversaryofFrancefalls，andwithherfallsPrussia，andGermanyislost。\"
\"Andwhatwouldyoudo，archduke，ifAustria，asyousay，werelost？\"
\"Yourmajesty，ifAustriashouldsinkintoruin，Ishouldknowhowtodie！\"
\"Youwould，likeBrutusofold，throwyourselfuponyoursword，wouldyounot？Well，Ihopeweshallnotfaresobadlyasthat，foryouhavepointedouttomeawayofsavingthecountry。YouhaveprovedtomethatAustriacanbesavedbyanalliancewithPrussia。
Fortunately，Ihavesometimesideasofmyown，andevenaheadofmyown。IhadthismorningalonginterviewwiththePrinceofOrange，whohasjustarrivedfromKoenigsberg，wherehesawtheKingofPrussia。Helaidbeforemeadetailedreportofwhathehadseenthere，andImadeupmymindbeforeIhadheardyouradvice。——CountStadion，besokindastotakethepaperlyingonthedesk。Doyouknowthehandwriting？\"
\"Ibelieveitisyourmajesty\'shandwriting，\"saidCountStadion，who，inaccordancewiththeemperor\'sorder，hadtakenthepaperfromthedesk。
\"Yes，itismyhandwriting;for，thoughnotaslearnedasmybrotherJohn，Iamatleastable，ifneedbe，towritealetter。Besokind，minister，astoreadmyletteraloud。\"
CountStadionbowed，andreadasfollows:
\"Tohismajesty，KingFrederickWilliamofPrussia:\"Headquarters，Wolkersdorf，June8，1809。
\"SIR，MYBROTHER:ThePrinceofOrange，whohasarrivedatmyheadquartershere，hastoldmeunreservedly，andwithfullconfidence，oftherepeatedconversationshehadwithyourmajestyduringhisrecentsojournatKoenigsberg。YouleftnodoubtinhismindastoyourfirmconvictionthattheexistenceofourtwomonarchiescanbeprotectedfromtherapacioussystemoftheEmperorNapoleononlybyanactiveandcordialalliance。Foralongtimepast，awareoftheopinionsandwisdomofyourmajesty，Icouldforeseethatyourmajestywouldnotrefusetotakeastep，justifiednotlessbythelogicofeventsthantheloyaltyofthenationswhichProvidencehasconfidedtoourcare。\"
\"Thebearer，ColonelBaronSteigentesch，adistinguishedstaff—
officerofmyarmy，willconferwithyourmajesty\'sgovernmentastothequestionswhichmayariseinregardtoanalliancebetweenthetwocountries:heisauthorizedtoregulatetheproportionsoftheforcestobeemployedonbothsides，andtheotherarrangementsnotlesssalutarythanindispensableforthesecurityofthetwostates。
ForthesamereasonsIshallspeedilysendinstructionstomyambassadoratBerlininconformitywiththeoverturesmadebyCountvonderGoltz。\"
\"YourmajestywillpermitmetoassureyouthatIremainasever，Yourmostobedient，FRANCIS，EmperorofAustria。\"[Footnote:
\"Lebensbilder，\"vol，iii。，p。266。]
WhileCountStadionwasreadingtheletter，theemperorcloselywatchedtheeffectitproduceduponthearchduke。HesawthatJohnwasatfirstsurprised，thathiseyesgraduallybrightened，thathisfacecrimsonedwithjoy，andthatasmileplayedroundhislips。
WhenCountStadionwasthrough，thearchdukesteppeduptotheemperorwithanexpressionofprofoundemotionandintensegratitude。
\"YourMajesty，\"hecried，\"youhavefilledmebothwithshameandecstasy。Oh，givemeyourhand，letmepressittomylips;letmethankyouforthisgraciouspunishment！Iamgrateful，too，forthegraciousconfidencewithwhichyouinitiatemeintoyourplans。\"
\"Thatisunnecessary，\"saidtheemperor，withoutgivinghimhishand;\"youneednotthankme。Norwasitmyintentiontogiveyouaspecialproofofmyconfidence。Ididnotcausethelettertobereadtoyouinordertohaveyouparticipateinmyplans，butonlytoprovetoyouthatIcanmakeupmymindwithoutyouradvice，andtorequestyounottomolestmehenceforthwithanysuchsuggestions。Now，brother，wehavenothingfurthertosaytoeachother。ReturntoComorn，andcarryoutthegeneralissimo\'sorder，asbehoovesagoodofficer，promptly，carefully，andwithoutgrumbling。
FortifyandholdRaab，defendPresburg，takeAltenburgbyacoupdemain;inshort，doallthatthegeneralissimowantsyoutodo。IfI
shouldneedyouradviceandwisdom，Ishallsendforyou;andwhenBaronSteigenteschreturnsfromhismissiontoPrussia，youshallbeinformedoftheresults。Farewell，brother，andletmesoonhearofnewvictories！\"
CHAPTERXXVI。
THEREPLYOFTHEKINGOFPRUSSIA。
TwoweeksafterthisinterviewbetweentheArchdukeJohnandtheemperor，thearchduke，attherequestoftheemperor，repairedagaintotheimperialheadquartersatWolkersdorf，andsentinhisnametohisbrother。
\"Youcomejustintime，brother，\"saidtheemperor，whenJohnenteredhiscabinet。\"IknewthatBaronSteigenteschwouldarrivehereto—day，henceIsentforyou，forIpromisedtoletyouhearthereplyoftheKingofPrussiatomyproposal。Thecoloneldidarriveafewminutesago，andwaitsintheanteroomforanaudience。\"
\"Beforeadmittinghim，yourmajesty，praylistentome，\"saidJohn，inagrave，tremulousvoice。
\"Ihopeyoudonotintendtorevealasecrettome？\"askedtheemperor。
\"No，yourmajesty;unfortunatelythatwhichIhavetosaytoyouwillsoonbeknowntoeverybody，andourenemieswilltakecaretolettheirtriumphantbulletinscirculatethenewsthroughoutEurope。\"
\"Itisadefeat，then，thatyouhavetoannouncetome？\"askedtheemperor，gloomily。
\"Yes，yourmajesty，adefeat。ImettheenemyyesterdayatRaab[June14，1809]。Ourmenfoughtbravely;someperformedthemostheroicexploits;buttheoddsoftheenemyweretoooverwhelming。
TheViceroyofItalyattackeduswithhiswell—disciplinedveterantroops，thirty—ninethousandstrong。Intheoutset，we，thatis，theArchdukePalatineandI，wereaboutasstrong，includingtheHungarianvolunteers。Buttheveryfirstattackoftheenemy，thefirstvolleysofmusketry，causedthevolunteerstofallback;theyfledpanic—struck，abandonedthehillwhereIhadpostedthem，andrushedinwilddisorderfromthefieldofbattle。Theenemythenoccupiedthehill，andthisdecidedthefateofthedayagainstus，shortlyafterthecommencementofthebattle。However，wemighthaveheldoutandgainedavictory，ifallhadcarriedoutmyorderspromptlyandcarefully，andif，asusuallyduringthiscampaign，noobstacleshadbeenplacedinmyway。\"
\"Ah，archduke，toavoidchargesbeingpreferredagainstyourself，youintendtopreferchargesagainstothers！\"exclaimedtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"Yesyourmajesty;IchargeIgnatiusGiulay，BanofCroatia，withviolationofmyorders，disobedience，andintentionaldelaysinmakingthemovementsIhadprescribed。IhadorderedtheBanintimetojoinmeatComornonthe13thofJune，andhehadpositivelyassuredme，byletterandverbally，thathewouldpromptlybeonhandonthestatedday。Icounteduponhisarrival，andmademydispositionsaccordingly。ThegeneralissimohadinstructedmetokeepopenmycommunicationswiththemainarmyontherightbankoftheDanubebywayofRaab;andI，therefore，startedonthemorningofthe13thfromComorn，firmlyconvincedthatGiulay\'stroopswouldjoinmeintimeandfollowme。ButIwaitedforhiminvain;hefailedmeatthecriticalmoment，despitemyordersandhispromises，andthiswastheprincipalreasonwhywelostthebattle。\"
[Footnote:SeeSchlosser\'s\"HistoryoftheEighteenthCentury，\"vol。
vii。，p。540。]
\"YoupreferagravechargeagainstamanwhomIhavealwaysfoundtobefaithful，brave，andhonorable，\"saidtheemperor，withcuttingcoldness。
\"Yourmajesty，IbegyoutobesograciousastocalltheBanofCroatiatoastrictaccount，\"exclaimedJohn，vehemently。\"IbegyoutobesograciousastosendfortheorderswhichIgavehim，andaskhimwhyhedidnotobeythem。\"
\"Ishalldoso，\"repliedtheemperor，\"anditismyconvictionthathewillbeabletojustifyhimselfcompletely。\"
TheArchdukeJohngaveastart，adeathlypalloroverspreadhischeeks，hiseyesshotfire，hislipsopenedtoutteranimpetuousword，butherestraineditforcibly;compressinghislips，paleandpanting，hehastilymovedbackafewstepsandapproachedthedoor。
\"Stay！\"orderedtheemperor，inaharshvoice。\"Ihaveyetsomequestionstoputtoyou。YouareresponsibleforthisbattleofRaab，andyouowemesomeexplanationsconcerningit。Howwastheretreateffected？Whereareyourforcesnow？\"
\"Theretreatwaseffectedingoodorder，\"saidJohn，inalow，tremulousvoice。\"ImarchedwithfourbattalionsofgrenadiersandtwobattalionsofGratzmilitiaslowlyalongtheheightstoAls，wherewearrivedatmidnight;andto—daywewentbacktoComorn。
Thereourforcesarenow。\"
\"AndRaab？Havetheenemytakenitalready？\"
\"No，yourmajesty，itstillholdsout:butitwillfall，asItoldyourmajestytwoweeksago，forthegeneralissimohassentmeneitherammunitionnorre—enforcements，despitemymostpressingrequests。\"
\"Isthattobeanothercharge？\"askedtheemperor，sternly。
\"No，\"saidJohn，mournfully;\"itisonlytobemydefence，forunfortunatelyitisalwaysnecessaryformetodefendmyself。\"
\"Ah，archduke，youalwaysconsideryourselfthevictimofcabals，\"
exclaimedtheemperor;\"youbelieveyourselfalwayspersecutedandcalumniated;yoususpectinvariablythatyouareslightedandplacedinfalsepositionsbythosewhoarejealousofyourexaltedqualities，andenviousofyourtalents。Youthinkthatyourgreatnessexcitesapprehensions，andyourgeniusandlearningcreatemisgivings，andthatyouarethereforepersecuted;thatintriguesareentereduponagainstyou，andthatnotsufficientelbow—roomisgiventoyourabilities。Butyouaremistaken，archduke。Iamnotafraidofyou，andalthoughIadmireyou，andthink，likeyou，thatyouarethegreatestcaptainoftheage——\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"interruptedJohn，inaloud，vehementvoice，\"yourmajesty，I——\"
\"Well，whatisit？\"criedtheemperor，hastilyadvancingafewstepstowardhisbrother，andstaringathimwithdefianteyes。\"Whathaveyougottosaytome？\"
\"Nothing，yourmajesty，\"saidJohn，inahollowvoice;\"youaretheemperor！Iamsilent，andsubmit。\"
\"Andyouareveryprudentindoingso，for，asyousay，Iamtheemperor，andIwillremaintheemperor，despiteallmygreatandaugustbrothers。Ifyourimperialhighnessdoesnotlikethis，ifyouthinkyouaretreatedunjustly，ifyouconsideryourselfamartyr，whydoyounotimitatewhatthegeneralissimohasdonealreadythreetimesduringthepresentcampaign——whydoyounotofferyourresignation？Whydoyounotrequestyouremperortodismissyoufromhisservice？\"
\"Willyourmajestypermitmetomakeafrankandhonestreplytothisquestion？\"askedJohn，lookingattheemperorfirmlyandgravely。
\"Iwill。\"
\"Well，then，yourmajesty，IdonotoffermyresignationbecauseI
amnotaninvalid;becauseIamyoung，strong，andabletowork。I
requesttheemperornottodismissmefromtheservice，becauseI
servenotonlyhim，butthefatherland，andbecauseIowetoitmyservicesandstrength。Iknowwellthatmanywouldlikemetoretireintoprivacyandwithdrawentirelyfrompublicaffairs;butIcannotfulfiltheirwishes，andnevershallIwithdrawvoluntarilyfromtheservice。Nomatterwhatwrongsandslightsmaybeinflicteduponme，theywillbefruitless，fortheywillnevershakemypurpose。Allthedisagreeablethingsthathappentomeinmycareer，Ithinkproceedfromindividuals，andnotfromthefatherland;whyshouldI，then，avengemyselfonthefatherlandbyresigninganddeprivingitofmyserviceswhenithasdonemenowrong？[Footnote:Thearchduke\'sownwords。——Seehis\"LetterstoJohannesvonMailer，\"P。
92。]Iservethefatherlandinservingyourmajesty;shouldI
resign，Ishouldbeunfaithfultobothmymasters，andonlythenwouldyourmajestyhavearighttodespiseme。\"
\"Listen，\"saidtheemperor;\"thewordfatherlandisadangerousandtwo—edgedone，andIdonotthinkmuchofit。Theinsurgentsandrevolutionistshaveitalwaysintheirmouths;andwhenrisingagainsttheirprinceandrefusinghimobedience，theylikewisesaythattheydosointheserviceofthefatherland，anddevotetheirstrengthandfidelitytoit。Thesoldier，aboveall，hasnothingtodowiththefatherland，butonlywithhissovereign;itistohimalonethathehasswornallegiance，andtohimalonehemustremainfaithful。Now，asyouareasoldierandwishtoremainintheservice，praybearinmindthatyouhaveswornallegiancetoyouremperor，andletmebearnolongeranyofyoursubtledistinctionsbetweenyouremperorandyourfatherland。AndnowthatyouhavereportedtometheresultofthedisastrousbattleofRaab，BaronSteigenteschmaycomeinandreporttheresultsofhismissiontoKoenigsberg。Stay，therefore，andlistentohim。\"
Theemperorrangthebell，andorderedthefootmanwhoenteredtheroomtoadmitimmediatelyMinisterCountStadionandColonelBaronSteigentesch。Afewminuteslaterthetwogentlemenenteredthecabinet。
\"Now，colonel，\"saidtheemperortohim，\"youaretoreporttheresultsofyourmissiontoKoenigsberg，andIconfessIamquiteanxioustohearthem。Butbeforeyoucommence，Iwishtosayafewwordstoyourministerofforeignaffairs。OnthesamedaythatI
dispatchedColonelSteigenteschtoKoenigsberg，Ihandedyouasealedpaperandorderedyoutopreserveittillmyambassador\'sreturn。Haveyoudoneso？\"
\"Ihave，yourmajesty。\"
\"Andhaveyoubroughtitwithyounow？\"
\"Hereitis，yourmajesty，\"saidCountStadion，drawingasealedenvelopefromhisbosom，andpresentingittotheemperor，withalowbow。Francistookit，andexaminedthesealwithcloseattention，thenheldittohisnoseandsmelledit。
\"Indeed，\"heexclaimedjoyfully，\"ithasretaineditsperfume，andisasfreshandbrilliantasthoughithadbeenputononlyatthepresentmoment。Andwhatabeautifulcrimsonitis！Ihave，then，atlength，foundtherightreceiptforgoodsealing—wax，andthis，whichImademyself，mayviewiththatmadeatthebestSpanishfactories。Oh，Isee，thissealing—waxwilldrivemyblackcabinettodespair，foritwillbeimpossibletoopenalettersealedwithit;eventhefinestknifewillbeunabletodoit。Doyounotthinksotoo，minister？\"
\"Iamnojudgeofsealing—wax，\"saidCountStadion，coldly，\"andI
confessthatIdidnotevenlookatthesealofthisenvelope;yourmajestyorderedmetokeepitandreturnittoyouafterBaronSteigentesch\'sreturn。Icompliedwithyourmajesty\'sorders，thatisall。\"
Theemperorsmiled，andlaidthesealedpaperwithaslightnodonthetablebyhisside;thenhesankintoaneasy—chair，andbeckonedtothegentlementotakeseatsonthechairsontheothersideofthetable。
\"Now，ColonelSteigentesch，letmeheartheresultsofyourmission。
Inthefirstplace，tellme，hasKingFrederickWilliamsentnolettertomeinreplytomine？\"
\"No，yourmajesty，\"repliedColonelSteigentesch，withasignificantsmile;\"Iamonlythebearerofaverbalreply。Ibelievethekingthoughtawrittenanswertoodangerous，orhewasafraidlestheshouldtherebycompromisehimself。ButaftereveryinterviewIhadwiththekingorthequeen，Inoteddowneverywordtheirmajestiesspoketome;andifyourmajestypermits，Ishallavailmyselfofmydiaryinreplyingtoyou。\"
\"Doso，\"saidFrancis，\"letushearwhatyounoteddowninyourdiary。\"
ColonelSteigenteschdrewamemorandum—bookfromhisbosomandopenedit。
\"Well，then，howdidthekingreceiveyou？\"inquiredFrancis，afterapause。
\"Thekingreceivedmerathercoldlyandstiffly，\"readColonelSteigenteschfromhisdiary;\"heaskedmewhatwastheobjectofmymission。Irepliedthatmyemperor\'sletterstatedthisinasufficientlylucidmanner。Thekingwassilentforawhile;thenhesaidrathermorosely:\'Theemperorasksforsuccornow;buthereafterhewill，perhaps，concludeaseparatepeaceandsacrificeme。\'Ireplied，\'TheEmperorFrancis，myaugustmaster，doesnotaskforsuccor。ThebattleofAspernhasprovedthatmeansofdefencearenotwantingtoAustria。Butasitistheavowedobjectofthiswarthatthepowersshouldrecovertheirformerpossessions，itisbutjustandequitablethattheyshouldtakeanactivepartinthecontest，whoseonlyobjectcanbeattainedbyseizingthefavorablemoment。Ihavenotbeensenttoyoutoargueaquestionwhichshouldbesettledalready，buttomakethearrangementsnecessaryforcarryingitintoeffect。\'\"
\"Anexpedientreply，\"exclaimedtheemperor，noddinghisheadeagerly。\"AndwhatdidtheKingofPrussiaanswertoyou？\"
\"Thekingwassilentawhile，andpacedhisroomrepeatedly，hishandsclaspedonhisback。Thenhestoodstillinfrontofme，andsaidinaloud，firmvoice:\'DespitethefearwhichImighthaveofbeingdesertedbyAustria，IamdeterminedtoallymyselfONEDAY
withyourcourt;butitisnotyettime。Continuethewar;inthemeantimeIwillgraduallystrengthenmyforces;onlythenshallI
beabletotakeausefulpartinthecontest。Ilackpowder，muskets，andmoney;myartilleristsareallyoungandinexperiencedsoldiers。ItispainfultometoavowthewholewretchednessofmypositiontoanAustrianofficer;butImustdosotoprovetoyourmasterwhatitisthatkeepsmebackatthisjuncture。YouwilleasilyconvinceyourselfthatIamstrivingtobeusefultoyoubyallmeans。Yoursicksoldiersarenursedatmyhospitalsandsenttotheirhomes;Igiveleaveofabsencetoallmyofficerswhowishtoserveinyourarmy。Buttoaskmetodeclarenowinyourfavor，istocalluponmetosignmyownruin。Dealtheenemyanotherblow，andIwillsendanofficeroutofuniformtoyouremperor\'sheadquarterstomakeallnecessaryarrangements。\'[Footnote:Theking\'sownwords。——See\"Lebensbilder，\"vol。iii。，p。262。]Afterthesewordsthekingbowedtomeanddismissedme。\"
\"Ah，indeed，theKingofPrussiagivesverywiseadvice，\"exclaimedtheemperor;\"wearetodealBonaparteanotherblow，andthenPrussiawillnegotiatewithus。Afterwehavegainedanothervictory，thecautiousKingofPrussiawillenterintosecretnegotiationswithme，andsendtomyheadquartersanofficer，but，doyouhear，outofuniform，inordernottocompromisehimself。Didyounotwearyouruniform，then，colonel？\"
\"Pardonme，yourmajesty，Idid。Butthisseemedtobedisagreeabletotheking，andheaskedmetodoffmyuniformatKoenigsberg;butIreplied，thatIwas，sincethebattleofAspern，soproudofmyuniformthatIcouldnotdoffit。[Footnote:Ibid]ThekingthereuponrequestedmetostatepubliclythatIhadcometoPrussiaonlyforthepurposeofaskingofthekingpermissiontobuycorninSilesiaandhorsesinPrussia。\"
\"Andyoucompliedwiththisrequest，colonel！\"
\"Ididnot，yourmajesty。IrepliedthatIcouldnotevenstatethis，foritwasrepugnanttomysenseofhonor;however，Iwouldnotcontradictsucharumorifitwerecirculated。\"
\"Verywell，colonel，\"saidtheemperor，smiling;\"youhaveactedinamannerworthyofatrueAustrian。Andnowtellme，didyouseethequeenalso？\"
\"Idid，yourmajesty。Hermajestysentformeonthedayofmyarrival。Thequeenlookedpaleandfeeble，butsheseemedtotakepainstoconcealhersufferingsunderasmilewhichilluminatedherfacelikeasunbeam。\"
\"See，see。\"exclaimedtheemperor，sarcastically;\"ourcoloneltalksintheenthusiasticstrainofapoetnowthathereferstothequeen。Isshesoverybeautiful，then？\"
\"Yourmajesty，sheismorethanbeautiful;sheisatthesametimeanoble，high—spiritedwoman，andanaugustqueen。Hermisfortunesandhumiliationshavenotbentherneck，butthisnobleladyseemsevenmoreaugustandmajesticinthedaysofadversitythaninthoseofsplendorandprosperity。\"
\"Andwhatdidthequeensaytoyou？Wassheofherhusband\'sopinionthatAustriashouldnotbesuccoredatthisjuncture，andthatPrussia，beforedeclaringinourfavor，oughttowaitandseeifAustriacandefeatFrancesingle—handed？\"
\"Yourmajesty，thequeenwasmoreunreservedandfrankinherutterancesthantheking。SheopenlyavowedherhatredagainstNapoleon，anditisheropinionthatPrussiashouldtakeadecidedstandagainstFrance。`For，\'shesaid，\'IamconvincedthatthehatredoftheFrenchemperoragainstAustria，andhisintentiontooverthrowalldynasties，leavenohopeofpeace。Iamthemotherofninechildren，towhomIamanxioustopreservetheirinheritance;
youmay，therefore，judgeofthewisheswhichIentertain。\'\"
[Footnote:Thequeen\'sownwords。See\"Lebensbilder，\"vol。iii。，p。
280。]
\"Ifsuchwerethequeen\'ssentiments，Isupposesheprofitedbythegreatinfluencewhichsheissaidtohaveoverherhusband，toprevailuponhimtotakeaboldstand，andyoubringmethenewsofitasthefinalresultofyourmission，doyounot？\"
\"Pardonme，yourmajesty，Idonot。Itseemstheinfluenceofthequeendoesnotgofarenoughtoinducethekingtochangehismindafterhehasoncemadeitup。Now，thekinghasresolvednottoallyhimselfwithAustriaatthisjuncture，buttowaituntilAustria，ashesays，`hasdealttheEmperoroftheFrenchanotherblow。\'Allmyinterviewswiththekingwere，asitwere，onlyvariationsofthistheme。InthelastinterviewwhichIhadwiththeking，hedidnotexpressanythingbutwhathehadalreadytoldmeinthefirst。Herepeatedthathewould，assoonasAustriahaddealtFranceanotherdecisiveblow，sendanofficeroutofuniformtotheheadquartersofyourmajesty;butthen，headded，`Ihopetocomemyself，andnotalone。\'WhenItookleaveofthequeen，shewasevensadderthanusual，andhervoicewastremulous，andhereyesfilledwithtears，whenshesaidtomeshehopedtomeetmesoonagainundermorefavorablecircumstances。\"
\"AndwhatdidtheotherpersonsatthePrussiancourtsay？Howdidtheprinces，thegenerals，andministersexpressthemselves？\"
\"PrinceWilliam，theking\'sbrother，saidtomewithashrug:`Youwillnotfindthespiritreigningheremuchtoyourtaste。Theking\'sirresolutionwillruinhimagain。\'Theprincess，hiswife，apologizedfornotinvitingmetodinner，thekinghavingpositivelyforbiddenhertodoso。Theking\'sgeneralsandministersunreservedlygaveventtotheirimpatienceandindignation。Grand—
chancellorvonBeymesaidtome:\'Thekingwouldliketounitewithyou，buthecannotmakeuphismindtodoso。However，aseverybodyabouthimisearnestlyinfavorofanalliancewithAustria，Ihopethatthekingwillbecarriedaway。\'[Footnote:\"Lebensbilder，\"vol。
iii。，p。262]GeneralBlucherwrotetothekinginhisimpetuous，frankmanner，that\'hewouldnotwitnessthedownfallofthethrone，andwouldpreferservinginaforeignarmyprovideditwereatwarwiththeFrench。\'Scharnhorst，theministerofwar，spokeasviolently，andwithasundisguisedhostilityagainstFrance。Hepresentedtothekingamemoir，inwhichhesaid:\'Iwillnotgodishonoredintomygrave;IshouldbedishonoreddidInotadvisethekingtoprofitbythepresentmoment，anddeclarewaragainstFrance。CanyourmajestywishthatAustriashouldreturnyourstatestoyouasalms，ifshewerestillgenerousenoughtodoso;orthatNapoleon，ifvictorious，shoulddisarmyoursoldierslikethemilitiaofafreecity？\'Butalltheseremonstrances，thesesupplications，nay，eventhetearsofthequeen，wereinvain。ThekingrepeatedthathewouldunitewithAustriaoneday，butitwasnotyettime。AustriaoughtfirsttodealFranceanotherblow，andgainadecisivevictory;thenwouldhavecomeforPrussiathemomenttodeclareopenlyagainstFrance。This，yourmajesty，istheonlyreplywhichIbringwithmefrommymissiontoPrussia。\"
\"Well，Imustconfessthatthisreplyisdecidedlycautiousandwise！\"exclaimedtheemperor，laughing。\"Afterwehavedrawnthechestnutsoutofthefire，PrussiawillbekindenoughtositdownwithAustriaandhelphertoeatthem。Well，whatdoyouthinkofit，brotherJohn？\"
\"IthinkthatthishesitatingpolicyofPrussiaisamisfortunenotonlyforAustriaandPrussia，butforGermany。ForifFranceandRussiajoinhandsnowagainstourdisunitedcountry，Germanywillbelost。ThewelfareofEuropeisnowinseparablyboundupwithanalliancebetweenAustriaandPrussia，whichcanalonepreventtheoutbreakofaEuropeanwar。Butthisalliancemustbeconcludedopenly，unreservedly，andwithmutualconfidence。Noprivateinterest，nosecondaryinterestscalculatedtofrustratetheenterprise，butthegreatendsofsavingthestates，andrestoringpeaceandprosperitytohumanity，shouldbekeptconstantlyinview;
then，andthenonly，successwillcrownthegreatundertaking。\"
[Footnote:Thearchduke\'sownwords。——Seehis\"LetterstoJohannesvonWiller，\"]
\"AndPrussiaseemslittleinclinedtokeepsuchendsinview，\"saidtheemperor。\"Well，minister，youdonotsayaword。YouweresoeloquentintryingtogainmeovertothisalliancewithPrussia;
youassuredmesooftenthatPrussiawaswaitingonlyformetocalluponher，whenshewouldallyherselfwithme;andnow——\"
\"Now，yourmajesty，\"saidCountStadion，mournfully，\"Isee，tomyprofoundsorrow，thatPrussiaprefersherseparateintereststotheinterestsofGermany;andIconfessthatIwasmistakeninPrussia。\"
\"AndyoutriedtoconvincemethatIwaswronginentertainingadifferentopinion;andmyesteemedbrotheryonderspokesowiselyandloftilyofourPrussianbrethren，andtheunitedGermanywhichwewouldformtogether！Well，youshallseeatleastthat，althoughIyielded，and，togetridofallyouwisemen，appliedtoPrussia，Ididnotbelieveinthesuccessofthemission。Minister;bekindenoughnowtotaketheletterwhichyouhavekeptformesolong。
There！Nowbreaktheniceseal，opentheletter，andreadtouswhatIwroteonthedaywhenIdispatchedColonelSteigenteschtotheKingofPrussia。Read！\"
