"I venerate the ties of royal blood that unite your majesty to King George," said Count Bismarck, "and I have personally the highest sympathy for that unhappy prince; but," he said, raising his voice, "your majesty's nearest and dearest relation is the Prussian people, whose blood has flowed on these battle-fields--the people of Frederick the Great, the people of 1813. Your majesty must pay them the price of their blood. Forgive me, your majesty, if I am bold when speaking in the name of your people. I know my words only express feelings your royal heart deeply and loudly echoes. If your majesty receives the king's letter," he added, "you bind your hands, you commence negotiations, which ought not to be begun!"
The king sighed deeply.
"God is my witness," he said, "that I did all I could to avoid a breach with Hanover, and to save the king from the hard fate which now falls upon him. Believe me," he added, "my heart could make no greater sacrifice to Prussia, her greatness, and her calling in Germany, than in yielding to this necessity."
A moisture clouded the king's clear eyes.
"Decline to receive the letter!" he said with emotion, sorrowfully bending his head.
"God bless your majesty," cried Bismarck with kindling eyes, "for the sake of Prussia and of Germany!"
General von Moltke looked gravely at his royal commander with an expression of earnest love and admiration.
Silently the king motioned with his hand and turned to the window.
Count Bismarck and the general left the cabinet.