"I can, however, tell your Excellency the answer beforehand," said the general.
"And it will be?" asked the prince.
"Not a foot's breadth of land, not a fortress,--no compensation," said General Manteuffel, in a firm, clear voice.
Prince Gortschakoff looked at him with surprise, as if he had not expected this short and simple answer.
"And what will France do?" he asked.
The general shrugged his shoulders.
"Perhaps declare war," he replied,--"perhaps be prudently silent, wait, and arm; any way, it will be a sharp disappointment, and war must be the final result."
The prince looked at this man with astonishment, who had just discussed with such fine intellect all the aims and threads of political interests, and who now, with soldier-like bluntness, spoke as of an ordinary event, of a war whose thunders must shake Europe to its very foundations.
"That is the situation," said Manteuffel; "I beg your Excellency's permission to express my views on its consequences, and the position of Russia with regard to them."
"I am most curious to hear!" said the prince.