"Prince Ysenburg!" announced the groom of the chambers.
"Now, at this hour?" cried Count Platen, starting back. And he hastened to meet the Prussian ambassador, who had entered the room, and advanced slowly and gravely. "What good news do you bring at this late hour, dear prince?" he asked.
"Whether I can bring good news, I know not!" replied the prince, a small slight man, with regular features and a spare black moustache, as he fixed his black eyes with a sad and enquiring look upon Count Platen; "I must first beg for your answer to the note I delivered this morning, the reply to which I was to wait for until this evening. You see," he said drawing out his watch, "I have given my instructions the widest possible extension; it is now twelve o'clock--the day is ended."
"My dear prince," said Count Platen, "I gave the note to the king immediately, the reply is now with his majesty; I expect it back every moment, and I do not doubt we shall easily come to an understanding."
The prince shook his head slightly.
"Though the answer is with his majesty, yet you must know, and I must"--he laid a stress upon the word--"urgently beg you to impart its purport. Is the proposition accepted, are you authorized to conclude the proffered treaty?"
"You will allow," said Count Platen, "that such a deeply important proposal as the reform of the confederation requires a discussion that will occupy some time."
"I must press you, Count Platen," said the prince, "to give me a distinct answer upon one point,--I am not authorized to commence a discussion,--has the king accepted the treaty or not?"
"No," said Count Platen, with great hesitation, "but----"
"Then I declare war!" said Prince Ysenburg solemnly.