“But you said yourself that they had the active support of the poorer classes.”
“In Mannhausen, true, Sire,” responded the Minister quickly; “but Mannhausen does not represent Franconia. On the contrary, the nation as a whole is profoundly loyal. The reigning dynasty is regarded as a guarantee of the national independence, and the people have sense enough to see that any attack on the present government would be simply an invitation to Prussia to absorb us like Hanover.”
Maximilian leant his head upon his hands with a weary look.
“What am I to do?” he asked helplessly. “I hear one story from one side, and now I hear the very opposite.”
“Inquire for yourself, Sire,” was the eager response. “Appoint a Commission to gather evidence and report on the state of the country and the needs of the people.”
The old Chancellor looked up and frowned. To his mind even this proposal savoured of the guillotine and the dynamite bomb.
Maximilian closed the discussion in despair.
“I will consider your suggestion,” he said. “It is at least better than naked repression. In the mean time, take no steps with regard to the Mannhausen plots till you see me again.”
The two Ministers rose, and took their leave. As soon as they were gone the King sent for Johann, with whom he engaged in earnest conversation.
The Count von Sigismark, meanwhile, was congratulating himself on the comparative success with which his colleague had baffled Maximilian.