“As you please, Sire.” The Kaiser’s Ministers were trained not to criticise but to acquiesce.
“I know perfectly well that the King and his Chancellor do not quite hit it,” went on the Kaiser, familiarly. “I have heard all about it from the King himself. It is all about this Socialist who has undertaken to teach them how to conduct the government. But it seems to me that the more they quarrel among themselves, the better for my authority. What do you say, Von Bernerstauf?”
“I agree entirely with your view, Sire, if I may say so respectfully. No doubt the alarm of Count von Sigismark is very much exaggerated. Of course, there will be always time for your Majesty to step in if anything like a revolution should become imminent.”
“I should like to see a revolution!” exclaimed the Kaiser, with warmth. “Do you know what I should do? March into Franconia with an army of a hundred thousand men, declare the dynasty suspended, and mediatise the kingdom. It would simply mean another Hanover added to my dominions.”
Von Bernerstauf assumed an expression of the most profound admiration.
“You foresee everything, Sire!” he cried, with an imitation of his master’s own bluffness.
But the Kaiser quickly recalled himself from these visions of aggrandisement.
“Have you any idea, General, what the reason was which the Count was afraid to mention to you?”
“I have my suspicions, Sire. I have had the opportunity of conversing with other members of the Court, and from various circumstances I am led to think that possibly the Count has some fears for the King’s sanity.”
“Ah!”