"Not if the emperor can prevent it; and, therefore, his majesty hopes that your highness will sustain Austria."
"But what are Austria's plans?"
"Austria wishes to occupy the place which Prussia now enjoys as the ally of Russia. Prussia, while wooing the czarina, ogles the grand duke, and it is her interest to bring them together. I know that the matter was thoroughly discussed yesterday between Count Panin and the Prussian ambassador."
"The Prussian ambassador was yesterday in conference with Panin?"
"Not only yesterday, but to-day, I met him coming from Panin's with his order of the Black Eagle, and a letter for your highness from the king."
"Truly your spies are great detectives," cried Potemkin.
"They are well paid," was the significant reply.
"And what, for example, were the proposals of Von Gortz?"
"Von Gortz stated that as Panin, the grand duke; and himself were not a match for the emperor and your highness, you were to be won over by flattery, orders, and promises."
"True!" cried Potemkin. "Your spies are right. What else?"