"The result of the votes at Frankfort yesterday is known, your majesty," said Lex.
"Well?" said the king, enquiringly.
"The mobilization of the army of the Confederacy was decided upon by nine votes against six."
"That is a majority in favour of Austria, which was hardly to be desired," said the king. "We are placed by it in an embarrassing situation; however the modification which the votes of Hanover and Hesse will give the measure will deprive it of much of its point."
"I must humbly remark to your majesty that this modification, which mobilizes the Prussian Army Corps with us, while sending back the Austrian, has not been accepted by the majority of voices, and according to my humble opinion it is of very small importance, for matters have come to a point where no legal subtlety, but only powerful deeds can influence the scale."
"But," said the king, "Count Platen believed our vote would cause more moderate measures at Vienna and Berlin----"
"Prussia apparently did not share his views," said Lex, glancing at the despatches before him, "for the Prussian ambassador left the assembly of the Confederation as soon as the votes were declared. He stated that his government considered itself freed from the Confederation, but that it was willing to conclude a new Confederacy upon the basis of the reform project, with individual governments."
"Has it come to this," cried the king, with concern, as he raised himself upright in his chair; "then our German Confederation, the bulwark of peace in Germany and Europe, has given way. What times are ours! But," he added, after a moment's thought, "how can Prussia regard herself as freed from the Confederation? it is contrary to every fundamental law, and the whole of Germany must cling to it all the more closely!"
"I fear the Confederation, which was strong and safe when supported by Austria and Prussia, will have no life left in it when it is deprived of Prussia," said Lex.
The king was silent.