We were obliged, out of compliment, to be present at the marriage feast; and Schweitzer-Schmalz, who was a relative of the bridegroom, called out, at the top of his voice, that the bridegroom had not needed to marry so soon for fear of being obliged to go to war again. The blatant Prussian would not venture to try conclusions with France; and if he did really attempt it, the real Germans, that is, the South Germans, would not assist.
In a loud voice, he retailed the wisdom of the popular journals; and I verily believe that he did it with the intention of drawing us out.
Ludwig whispered to me, "It is not worth while trying to convert this man; events will teach him."
Although I did not believe there would be war, Ludwig looked forward to it with great certainty, and only feared that we might neglect the proper moment to let the whole world see that it was France that was wantonly and impiously forcing war upon us.
We went down to the valley stream in order to see that no accident should happen while the rocks were being blasted.
Ludwig superintended the blasting in person. With Annette and Conny, I was stationed down the road, while Rothfuss and Martella were on the other side, in order that all might be warned of the danger.
Suddenly there was a loud report which reverberated through the valleys and the forests; the blasting was a complete success.
Soon after, we were assembled on the road, and even the quarry-men were with us, when Ikwarte, accompanied by one of the forester's men, came running up to us, out of breath, exclaiming, before he reached us:
"War has been declared!"
The forester brought me a message informing me that France had declared war, and calling on me to repair to the meeting of the Parliament at once.