Count Bismarck looked at him severely for a moment with his hard clear eyes.
"Do you know," he said, "that I have a perfect right to treat you as a prisoner of war?"
Herr von der Pfordten started. For a moment he was speechless, gazing at the Prussian minister in amazement.
"Bavaria is at war with Prussia, negotiations are impossible," said Count Bismarck; "a Bavarian minister can only be a prisoner at the Prussian head-quarters,--intercourse can only be carried on by the bearer of a flag of truce."
Herr von der Pfordten sorrowfully bowed his head. "I am in your power," he said calmly, "and this proves how greatly I desire peace. What would you gain by arresting me?"
Count Bismarck was silent.
"I am amazed at your boldness in coming here," he said after a pause; "you prove indeed that you desire peace."
Herr von der Pfordten shook his head slightly.
"I fear," he said, "that my step has been in vain."
"A step in the right path is never in vain, even though it should be too late," said Count Bismarck, with a slight tone of friendship in his voice; "what a position might Bavaria have held, had you taken this step four weeks ago--if you had come to me four weeks ago in Berlin!"