"Ah!" cried the prince.
"And," proceeded Manteuffel, "they are far from bashful in Paris in pointing out what they shall require as compensation."
"I have not been initiated in this bargaining," said the prince, with a look of great interest and lively anxiety.
"I can inform your Excellency fully," returned General Manteuffel; "they will demand the frontier of 1814, Luxemburg and Mayence."
The prince's face grew still more animated.
"Will demand?" he asked.
"The demand is not yet stated officially," replied the general; "Benedetti has only named it in confidence."
"And what did Count Bismarck reply?" asked the prince.
"He put off the discussion of the question and its answer until after the conclusion of peace with Austria."
The prince gave a fine smile and a slight nod with his head.