The emperor seized a letter which lay on his writing-table, and said, as he looked through it hastily, "I am urgently requested by Saxony to grant no support to the Prussian claims. I cannot give any distinct response; but will you instruct the ambassador in Dresden, confidentially, that he may discreetly insinuate, that it depends upon the cabinet in Vienna whether the wishes here expressed are fully complied with, and that they completely meet my own views."
Drouyn de Lhuys bowed.
"It will also be needful," continued the emperor, "to talk confidentially in Berlin of the guarantees which Bismarck might be inclined to give us, provided his plans in Germany succeed. You know how evasive and dilatory they are in Berlin on this point. They wish to hear my demands, and I cannot and will not express them definitely."
Drouyn de Lhuys again bowed in silence.
The emperor stood up. His minister also rose.
Napoleon stepped up to him and said with the fascinating smile which lighted up his face with an irresistible charm:
"You are not satisfied, my dear minister; but believe me this policy is the best. We shall gain time, and in political life time is a power which gives everything to those who use it aright."
"I know the value of time," replied the minister, "but perhaps in gaining time we may lose the right moment."
"True," said the emperor, drawing himself up with a movement recalling his earlier years, "yet trust in my star, and in that of France."
"These stars are too bright not to inspire confidence," replied Drouyn de Lhuys, but without any enthusiasm. He took up his portfolio, and said: