"No; it is nothing more than retiring to the position held by the princes before domestic dissensions enabled Louis XIV. to wrest Alsace and Lorraine from the German Empire."
It was with an air of embarrassment that the Prince said:
"Here is my hand. I have a right to do this, and desire to be the first to hail the victorious King of Prussia as Emperor."
The Prince touched a bell, and a lackey entered, whom he told to bid Colonel Karsten come.
My son-in-law Minister of War, and I president of the cabinet! Was it all a dream? My eye fell on the picture of the deceased Princess, and it seemed to resemble Gustava and to smile upon me.
The Colonel entered. He remained standing, in the erect attitude of a soldier.
The Prince informed him, in a few words, that we agreed with each other, and submitted a proclamation with which the Chamber was to be dissolved, in case the majority should decide for neutrality. For the present, this was to be kept a secret.
The Prince then withdrew.
Arm in arm with my son-in-law, I returned to my dwelling.
To think of all that had happened to me during that one day