"However," he added, "we have always gained something. The Hanoverian campaign has cost Prussia much time; has absorbed many troops; all this is clear gain on our side; the occupation of the country absorbs much of its strength; above all things an understanding, a political arrangement, must be prevented which would leave the enemy's hands free here in the north. But here comes my northern colleague!" And he hastened to meet the Russian ambassador as he came out of the house.
Monsieur de Persiany had slept a little, had refreshed his toilette a little, and had eaten a little, and he looked much fresher than before. But his footsteps were still uncertain as he walked to meet Count Ingelheim.
"Welcome to head-quarters, my dear colleague," cried the latter, as he held out his hand; "the corps diplomatique is well represented--I was its only member up to this time! You are fatigued by the journey, are you not?"
"Tired to death!" cried Persiany, as he sank upon a garden seat, where Count Ingelheim placed himself at his side; "tired to death, and it does not appear that they have much to revive one here."
"No, that there certainly is not," said Count Ingelheim; "the whole day noise, trumpet calls, bugle sounds----"
"Horrible!" exclaimed Persiany.
"And at night no bed, or at best a hard straw mattress."
Persiany folded his hands and raised his eyes to heaven.
"These are only slight disagreeables which we scarcely think of," said Count Ingelheim.
Persiany looked at him with an expression of great surprise.