"Does that mean that if Russia and Austria should go to war, your majesty will stand by the former?"
"It means that I will make every effort to prevent a war between Russia and Austria. If, in spite of all that I could do, there should be war between you, it would not be possible for Prussia to remain neutral. Were she to do so, she would deserve the contempt both of friend and foe. I would fulfil my obligations to Russia, that I might secure the duration of our alliance. But I sincerely hope that it may be my good fortune to mediate with such results as will spare me the espousal of either party's quarrel."
"If so, Russia must abandon her ambitious projects in Turkey, and she must speedily consent to secure peace to Poland," replied Kaunitz warmly.
The king smiled, and taking from the table a sealed packet, he presented it to Kaunitz.
"A letter for me!" exclaimed the minister, surprised.
"Yes, your highness. A few moments before you came hither, a courier arrived from Constantinople with dispatches for you and for me."
"Does your majesty allow me to open them?"
"I request you to read them while I read mine, Which are, as yet, unopened. I have only read the report of my ambassador at Constantinople. Let us see what news we have."
The king, with a smiling inclination of the head, settled himself in his arm-chair, and began to read.
A long pause ensued. Both tried to seem absorbed in the dispatches from Turkey, yet each one gave now and then a hasty, furtive glance at the other. If their eyes met, they were quickly cast, down again, and so they continued to watch and read; until there was no more excuse for silence.