Count Bismarck bowed slightly.
"I have nothing against Denmark," he said; "on the contrary I esteem and respect that st.u.r.dy little nation, and I heartily wish Prussia and Denmark to live together on friendly terms. I rely upon your countrymen not to throw difficulties in the practical fulfilment of the principles which must guide us in regard to Denmark."
"I wish to be of use to your excellency," said Hansen. "I have come to impart my ideas upon the delicate relations existing between newly const.i.tuted Germany and France."
Count Bismarck made a slight movement intimating that he was willing to listen.
"I ought to impart to your excellency that I have been initiated into the negociations that have already taken place."
Bismarck remained silent.
"The emperor," continued Hansen, "is in a very painful position. He has the greatest repugnance to interrupting in any way the right of a great people to national development, by being inimical to the great events just accomplished in Germany."
A scarcely perceptible smile pa.s.sed over the minister"s grave face.
"On the other hand," added Hansen, "it is impossible to deny that the great increase in the political and military strength of Prussia, has greatly troubled public opinion in France. Napoleon is less able to neglect public opinion than any other sovereign in Europe, since his government is based on the free will of the people, and founded on the votes of public opinion in France. At one time," said he as Bismarck still looked at him calmly and remained silent, "the emperor believed France would be satisfied by compensations which would increase her defensive power, and form some balance to the great additions in the offensive strength of Germany. He is, however, very unwilling to urge this question in any way that can disturb or endanger the present friendship between France and Germany."
Again a slight smile pa.s.sed over Bismarck"s face.
"The emperor," pursued Hansen, "thinks there is a way which might for ever prevent disagreement. It is founded on the principle that friction can best be prevented between two powerful military nations, not by fortified frontiers, but by neutral territory. His idea is to form a state in imitation of Belgium upon the Rhine, as an excellent means of maintaining peaceful relations between France and Germany. The King of Saxony would appear to be a suitable head to this Roman Catholic country."
"Peace is concluded with Saxony," said Count Bismarck.
"And I did not intend to suggest this idea," replied Hansen; "it would be better on many accounts to bestow this kingdom of the Rhine upon the Prince of Hohenzollern, and thus to found a dynasty whose connection with the Prussian royal family would prevent any mistrust in Germany."
"The princes of Hohenzollern are not related to our royal family," said Count Bismarck.
"They are a branch of the same family," replied Monsieur Hansen. "I believe I may a.s.sure your excellency that if this suggestion meets with your approval, the affair may quickly be arranged in the usual diplomatic way."
He was silent.
For a moment Count Bismarck looked down thoughtfully, then he raised his eyes, and fixing them calmly on Hanson"s expectant face, he said in a firm voice:
"I will not ask who has empowered you to make this proposal. I shall regard this idea as your private and personal notion, and in return I will plainly and candidly express my own opinion on the subject.
Germany, by her success in a great war, has made a vast step forwards in her national const.i.tution. The German nation is not obliged to account for this to any one, she need not trouble herself as to whether other nations are pleased or displeased by the exercise of her national rights, but above all she is not called upon to pay a bribe to any other country, and thus to purchase the Unity of Germany. As long as I am the Prussian minister, as long as I influence the fate of Germany,"
he cried, "such a bribe shall not be paid, under whatever form it may be disguised! That is my private opinion," he added, "you thus see it would be quite superfluous to express the ideas you proposed to me in any official way; the answer of the Prussian Government would be exactly the same as that I have just given you."
"Your excellency," said Monsieur Hansen, who was evidently disconcerted at the count"s decided refusal to continue the discussion, "I am really grateful to you for the regard you have shown to the national feeling"s of Denmark, and I honestly desire to do you a service in this matter. I wish you to understand," he continued gravely, "that from what I know of the state of affairs, and the popular displeasure in Paris, war will sooner or later be unavoidable, if this last basis of a favourable understanding with France is refused. I may affirm, with the fullest conviction, war can then be only a question of time."
Count Bismarck stood up, his eyes flashed proudly.
"Then let war come," he cried firmly; "I fear it not, and never will I avoid it by sacrificing the honour of Germany! The valiant armies of Prussia and of her allies, who smote Austria, will take the field against France with far greater enthusiasm, if we are forced to do so.
You may tell that to anyone who is interested in knowing my views; but you may also add, that no one prizes more highly than I do the good understanding between France and Germany. The French and German nations are formed rather to progress hand in hand, than to wrestle with each other in deadly strife. I will do all in my power to maintain peace and friendship,--all, except sacrificing the honour and dignity of Germany."
"I beg your excellency at least to believe that I have been actuated only by the purest motives, in making a proposal I believed conducive to the interests of both nations."
"I thank you for it," said Bismarck politely; "it has served to clear up the situation perfectly."
Monsieur Hansen left the cabinet with a low bow.
"He would play the same game with Germany that he did with Italy,"
cried the count as soon as he was alone; "but from me he shall gain neither a Savoy nor a Nice!"
He left his cabinet, and repaired to his wife"s drawing-room.
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 G.o.d of Battles.
Count Bismarck raised his eyes upwards, a look of happiness pa.s.sed 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.]