"When Medingceased speaking, the king, who had listened to him with the greatest interest, struck the table with two of the fingers of his right hand.
"You are right," he cried aloud; "you are perfectly right."
He pressed with his left hand upon a knob attached to his writing table. The groom of the chambers entered.
"The privy councillor immediately!" exclaimed the king.
As the attendant withdrew, the king said:--
"Do you think the Prince of Hesse will be inclined to take this step with me?"
"I know that the Minister Abée is quite of my mind," replied Meding; "and I know his Royal Highness the Prince of Hesse has the greatest satisfaction in acting in concert with your majesty."
"I must beg you, my dear Meding," said the king, "to go yourself to Hesse Cassel, and propose this to the prince."
A knock was heard at the outer door. The groom of the chambers opened it, announcing--"The Privy Councillor."
"My dear Lex," said the king, "Meding has given me an idea which I wish to carry out immediately. He thinks that I ought at once, in common with the Prince of Hesse, to conclude a solid treaty of neutrality with Prussia. I will send Meding to Cassel without delay, as I am sure he is the best ambassador for bringing the matter to a happy conclusion."