"Then, sire," continued Drouyn de Lhuys, as he fixed his keen eyes upon the emperor, "we must demand Luxembourg and Mayence."
"That is much," said the emperor, without looking up.
"But not too much!" returned Drouyn de Lhuys. "Luxembourg too is only a question between us and Holland, and only the silent consent of Prussia will be needed. Mayence--well, they may demur about that, but it is better to ask more than you positively intend to take. That is my idea of compensation," he added after a short pause.
"And it is mine," said the emperor, rising; and with his slow halting gait he took several turns about the room.
He stood still before Drouyn do Lhuys, who had also risen, and said,--
"I regret, my dear minister, that I cannot decide upon following the first course you pointed out; since you consider it the right one."
"I pointed out the second as the best alternative," said Drouyn de Lhuys; "and although I should have preferred the former, I fully approve of the second."
"Give me the second," said the emperor, "let Herr von Bismarck unite Germany as well as he can, and let us strengthen the power of France as much as possible. Write to Benedetti at once, order him to go to head-quarters and to negotiate at first a simple suspension of arms; let us first quiet those cannon and make room for calm diplomacy. Let him then raise the question of compensation in a confidential conversation with Herr von Bismarck, and suggest Luxembourg and Mayence."
Drouyn de Lhuys bowed.
"But without engaging himself too much, without stating any ultimatum. I will keep my hand free," said the emperor with animation.