Count Clam stood before her, leaning on the back of a chair.
They spoke of the great question of the day, and the whole party were much excited by the ever-increasing certainty of the war about to break out.
"I was with Mensdorff this morning," said Count Clam Gallas; "he told me he could count the days before the declaration of war. After we, as was only right, summoned the confederation to decide upon the fate of the Duchies, General von Manteuffel marched into Holstein."
"But that is war!" cried Countess Frankenstein; "and what has happened? What has Gablenz done?"
"Gablenz is here already," replied the count, "and his troops are returning; we are in too small numbers there, and too much scattered, to do anything. We are daily expecting orders to join the army in Bohemia. Count Karolyi will be recalled from Berlin, and in Frankfort the decree will be published for the mobilization of the whole of the Army of the Confederation against Prussia."
"At last then," cried Countess Clam Gallas, "upstart Prussia will receive due punishment, and all the evil the Hohenzollerns have done to our Imperial House will be avenged."
"But how about Hanover?" asked Countess Frankenstein. "Is not Gablenz to remain there with his troops?"
"Hanover has not yet decided," said the count.
"Incredible!" cried Countess Frankenstein and Countess Clam Gallas in one breath.
"Has then Count Platen forgotten all his friendship for Austria?"