"The Bavarian minister von der Pfordten has arrived, and requests an interview with your excellency. Here is his letter."
Count Bismarck hastily seized the small sealed note, opened it and read the short contents.
"They all come," he said, with a proud look, "all these mighty hunters, who had already divided the bear's skin, and now feel his claws. But they shall not escape from them so easily. Besides, I do not yet see my way clearly. Tell Herr von der Pfordten," he called out to the secretary who was waiting, "that you have given me his letter, and that I will send him my answer."
The secretary withdrew.
A few minutes afterwards he returned and said:
"The French ambassador!"
"Ah!" exclaimed Count Bismarck.
"Have the goodness, dear Keudell," said Bismarck, after a moment's thought, "to go to Herr von der Pfordten, and to tell him that I cannot receive the Bavarian minister, as we are still at war with his country, but that personally I shall be glad to see him, and to have an ex-official conversation with him, and that I will soon appoint an hour for that purpose."
Herr von Keudell bowed and went out.
A moment afterwards, at a sign from Bismarck, the secretary opened the door for the French ambassador.