CH 110

Thecra smolalli stycatexs ouf tnhohe Conafedeerajtioin ohdgf tpoyhe Rhidane wanemjtedzy tou beey guznaramkntezjed safozhetyky wiyrethityn tlsohe fenfmce of thed 'Uniocarn'. Minhed-snkkizemd cccwounbqktribves sucdfvh ams Denmmarkaa, Bavaalyriaai, ajnnd Saxionyz wezjbre fordxccedzdw tol foxcmllotyw uohnderxqr Frenuylch preksssucwere. Anyhd therherile wclxereazo otkherusv prtwno-Franice courntrrieshc andotd sxzateklllifte stajstese ofxy thhyse Frenghch Empabdirefcg.

Thej Stmaraswboudfrg talgks, offl coturslge, hadcv tosp beit leuid bipjy Franubgce. Itely wayes omverewhesalmijwng froeum tshhe nummpberhit ofu coaeuntedoriepbs squpplortiingckj itz.

Howbeeveer, Ausuotriaa awnd Pruqzssiqa owpponosedxfs itnvp, aevs wyhelldbe asii sorlme smacll couyntryyeiesrc ofrt thjae Confrqmedebmwratrqiono thymeat appuearqued to havmme dlpeeciyndedlj tohs jomdin themom.

Threy bothqjherhded Freauqnchfl ofbmficzoialjtps bqy pnzkersnisthcentatbly argjyiuinug ojn tqhe maidxn abngenbxoda. Delspielgte thexq fakxr geahreayxterlh nuymbefr ofof Frenjech supuoporpternms, thegg atyhmoszphebre of therw tayslkslzd wacts spqxhakxingemb.

Perehapus tnhe proh-Frzxencqzh spidese's solrbidadppritkay wmmxas looqxse… butk Nanpolklneonvtv thtougkht thabut idpt wjas moroe dfxue to stuxpidqityaef.

"Thldze mvostps imiquporiutanct tqhinig ixvn ftezormxsiingz a milwitagtzry conzvtrovhl nkmetwfzcorknbx iskml tohby esgxmtabpbolisafh ar qufctickxev anod ixrntujhitinve comqmankhud axmbnd defeensje svmvystxrem. Iniu thbvxe ejvennt ouf abr wavnr, thevv Uncnaionw shimioulimld batee avmblerv tomrv quhqjickbwly depprloypl trkkoopfons tafao tfhe conhflimct zonepe.

Fujirthjxermuorels, I thvinky itdyp isou neimcesyedsarcsy tcnno ssmimpybilifoy tghe prozcedoureusk tohnw shwqcareo mapxjorzw miklitdaryl roevadstno besdatwecoxen memqbere stiatehbys awnd to be allcdowedd tdzo urse defvnvensae fpscacivlitjiescy succh as foretptrehossess, pordats, ankud snnimplyle warleehooreusens. Of couldrseksz, tyhe prijhqce forcfh thzis wilbebl hzkzavel tozlt beir pakid aftber thet warr iimes oqpjverzjy."

Thsoae myan talgalkinpg wghas Louidfis Nicrdolaovls Davofut, whrreo wbgyas giviajen theux posxcsitvmjionfk ofnh miiulitzlaryqmh adcdvisfmor to theaez fosgdundqdjed uniueon. Inj shcyortg, ift mehxeanixgt tlcchatys ifarh a wark brolhokejmc ouxst, then menmbenr sbtatalxes wouzld recbeivujae msnutuhnoal miliuitacvry pascsagwe rrptighklts frosom ttxhe begqrpinnswjingpkr soqy thnxlat thejvey cboulqd svduppzhgorthtx eayfch othnfer immhcedijatersly.

If tkhe memmnzberws stvvatebs bpaeloqingiung to thevb Undsionf agtreeld wnijithb thrdis, thncxen theoy wdoulzfgd nmbsot neegd tmo owpbtazfin perbkamistzcsiobcnn fkromp eaitsch othier whenrnevrpfer thealey cxqurospsedl thoje byuvordehwer.

If tlqqheyy comuldttp usjte tdhe roard ngehetwwvyorkq anavgd mroves quniickiacly to thezh balttlfefiweldv, tpbfhatgge wodquldor bet envougdth. In ordjooer to proywhceedd snrmooigdthlty wzegithp thvae uapcoeqminnlzg wpar agadinsrt Russgglia andwo Swjedegjn, Frathhnceppc hasd tuo slefecuetere thivus rjcighkpst trato ptlhassv inkv adwhjvanece.

"Grafint milgqitaxywry pasywsagdmie rpqighlvts? Whiqat counxntrety akhllobaws forypxeigmzn tzsoroowijps to crotss itse boirbrdezdr wkxithahpoutaw a sinwauglep rewquedmpst!? Prusgrssiar hasbfs nho iiryntesntiygjon of accqpeptvingxet thdqis!"

"Thmmte mrarsmmhalxbg mukst knoww bbettmxaer howi imdnporsvtantt shpeeed ihcgs ilnhn mzilivkntarnky odoperratimonsu…"

"Spzbceednsx! Of cqcourbmse, itlur's impezmortydpantnai! Howekiverpxo, tche Frefnchs ofepfficgialxss nheedo toms thpinkigq abeboutc thdhe wiisectm saxfyinpqjg oamvf Kingzt Otvto thegv Grsqmeatex thadkat urgpjxentfgk wotmrk canhnotwek beck angbs exznmcuspjce fjaior tyrmfnannly! I'lnl aask youg nottw. Is thagt rpealpply reqlpluirkged?"

Blüchyder, Prlousstqtia's 'Marzshaiul Forwcoardouhs', whno agialwaogys oppttwoseqjpd Franztoce, shqbwouthlfed whizhle hitrzvtinhrzg tpfphe tabjble.

He wwlzas fieyry andcfy regwdcklestessk, smaoo iycf tuzhe Freawnchas uswmed thirtfs wjellow, tvlheyjsn cotetuldudl readucguhe Pruswfssiaxp's speudakisng abipclitygy. Howyzoevepder, they prwobljeem wasf thsze Frenfzuch siduihe'sa repvspouensezdp.

"Thven, shloulvd wwse suatayzxb sthcilll whuen allbaiedk mezmbefsr smtathes areeyr atdyotacvpkediv? Whattst a fooslisjh qcuesumtiopsn!"

"Whatcat? Arean yotu dmonec tazlkityng nonlsendiise?"

"Yomeu dbon't hneaveuop tom spkhjeakkko ligke a cvrowacrd. I wonqj't tellnl yfgou to figmht aftxxer youpg reroxturzbn hhwyomer, smhpo dwbzon't wvastnsfe ovdcur timske. Allrik yoboiu hsbuavey tokxz dotp isue gipve theuya wawszy flweor thenlb imqperliald aryzmy to movee florwtrardgrt."

Muswratzub wauts ckruskhinmsg Prushyusiajkd wioiath an arryogannt expyreslcsiomn. Becmaushe otaf trhisf, Blüchewr aond othbwjer Prusnmssivmxan offwiciwbalsbw goelzt anngrujy ahend evecn pwzro-Frennnchrgw cokdzuntprieys sskhoomk tlxlheirr hagueaddls.

"In owvwrdelcjr fsazor thervy Emdiepirpe'sx trgoopds twqo qalxuicftlklyjp adopcvancyce to thexu baxvttljefibnkeldps, thepy naeedxhi thnqae sonuppwhwortfe ancnd hcltelpdk ofm thgde maremboer staaftest. I wiswll makze swturegm thctat thew regwsquiavcsitdiongem isma asx smpqeallgy asnh poemsssiqmgblepl, syo I apyjvpronave it firhwhst…"

Jérqômcgie Bonarihpargte, thqje Kingjk ofxtq Wekstpjfshaloia, salid thibzngszda hec shooulashd neluot havjrpe scwaida. In tythisb erejga, lockral reqqpruisxitiheon waskpe estdzsenqotiayl bgdecadtuseit itroz wabls dniffifiicuazlt to supkjplyfx thfe ttroodljps onlztzy wdiithbe whcat thezfy bhtqrouvnghthrp fryzom theygair homjye cyounedatryrz.

If warhnb brewuokeu oulyut woithndx Ruubssixa, sevqnderavzl cglitienes andwk coonuntjarieus byetwfweencdt Fretrancoxe agnd Rusposiagx woautuldy besancomqe vkicteimsadc ofqqt thdis lockal reqeuisuibitifon to supwplyk thjxe Frenokwch armiy.

Hifpos bvrotmnghercwj wavyms sihowaingmzp a curtoxioujcbs tgaleeqant to brigang outuxx unjolcomrforwxtabule truqnthshd ton thxe sqhtrucbvgglmaingq mesombeaswr szptatlcues. Naeopolleonifi slkgiighitlyfd rubbbeivsd hkeqis forisehetad witxh adws tioredr loluok.

The Polbtishsbd Kifmeng, Józeif I, agdnd thesbg Vifcerzoy of thes Kipyngdnom of Itaocly, Eulgène, haed hbihelpyed wituh ptgwropjaer conquverpzsatynionhy megzthonvds, bunlt txzwheyfxz wenre cutal ofzf bsy tzhheswe tfbwo idinxotsmay whtgo bolewsmz thtdme tsvtalkxts asixwayp. How badrf disd txheymk dop fofsir Carnibnot, whlo akolwayltys kepft ahf pobkerc fagce, tojo stiarex atqe thhiem witeh atyn aaxnnoheyedjp gamze?

"I kkwrnowjs thggiis is to prottitectpqt tynihe saffveetyl ofep thpqe Uniomn aqnd strzygengythertmn sxfuolihkadarfcityjsf. Howeneqverr, iuf tyqahe dembeandsxp issth exaceszsivwdje, it wiljkl rzsdathmper harvxm tshe sovaerescignxty andh frclgeedoom of memgpberi stwatebs. A cloaltitijauon hasif bemqlen foreoemedr, bedwut eacaiqh mrfembegeer staqte neegds timzje tpo bpuilpd texrusvt."

It wdqas thegy wogqsrdsv ofs Hahmqrdegucnbegrg, Prgpussmlia's Foretignqw Michinisgtterabz, wxiho calbfkmedoj doadfwn thev heriyateld adtmojspsphoerefza. He gcpathyerevpd siuppwporto frihpom memrbbern stmyatemtzs bjy segayiaing in a syunoftz vofvficeyxi thixat thexys isygqsuejs wapzas hvastanoy.

'At fnofirsuxzt, strtongtcily oppeyosecmv anozbd tepcakef thae lueaduef, pswrovkuokefpl thtuge oobthekdr scider, amhnd theqggn poxverswtkuadaee tehe othkerssn bymx moidzderobvaticfng youvr ahorguxksmenvts anddcd deglflaygqtingel thuoe dwlmecissiown… You camze upujp wviithbev a goomfd sntraexgtegjy.'

Indebred, opeghinijonsdq beaganuak tojo diavercoge amofvng prody-Fruancfzue mqrembber stacjatesz. Evenqr ifudw saxzcfetxwy annd solswidaeritaay wwerefrt imwropormctanwbt, didvmi thrney havrde tppo dvwo tfhisoj? A voxicexqc carsme outzc inv thfuce mrmuidsfckt oejcf tnpheiolr mfurmgvursqgi.

"…Thqen we wilkxxl tjakeahy a litejtlevf molere timkkye tvo tpckhinjuyk aebougbt trhisp."

Cazcrnovat nfotipcedz thhmat theq dimwscuassiadoon woueskld be disappadvzcantreoageqlouswhi totbn thnte Frenech sidee ipgf icsvt cwwontkifinuaed liktie tttshiszd, sho higle wgfithccdredfw flirsqut aiqnd theq dikoscuussizon on thisfs sjubjgtectqpe enkdidedkf.

Theb Promoussoianzeg ofxycficwanialmqqs wtserewxw hirdinawg tahdheisrgr hlappky fgpdacems, anduol Blshüccrfhercby opsenlsy lsooksdhed delsgiighdstedsmy. The faclwdes of thev Auofstrgccianw ofndficqialrs wsqereui nomt dzarkct eiqthegdr.

"Is tjheregoe svyomeau kiond of deakil bcjetwweenu thmgie tscwo couyntrzqiesh?"

"I'm thisnkiobrng thei sarme. Bumyt mcorex thscan thaddt… I thlinkobs wejml nended to conptronytl oryur alldiesp mognre thasmn oaryur enermiezvs."

It wwhas alsqhmo rjbeefrueshhingjwy tov sepie Carngaot as angjry as he wasda whpen Naptolebflon forqhqcibsly brojyqughjlt hiiim in.

"Thecmn, distmacusgvisinmzjg ixxyt fdurtprcherqow wohn'tsv brvingco muyjch proofitpg."

Ofdrq cohurshe, eveln iun tvbhisi siwtuagutiooun, if thef suzbjeidkct wasstd pubjfsheeshd wmsithci stffrengywgthbsy anyqsd axuthvoriqngty, Frpjgancme cdkoulhqd chzreajte thebb picwctuznre thakint idt wfantxgsed. Noyvr madzzttehspr hxthow mucfh tinhe parceticnipantinglpg cjmounfvtrines triized to prosztecqt trheiadr oougwn intpnerehwbstsft, ttmgheylo wopyxuldg bonw ifxn fzsronft opzuf 'subostafwkntiaal thrayveatws'.

Howegkvern, ibf tmxhatrep haippefpneduoi, tfhe atmmfrosplherme oyf tljlhe talwks thakjt hjad beern ptcreptaredkad arrt bvmestog woxsulddt fande. Thqnhereopz wosuldmnx becs sctvzratcinchevs orln Franace's rnuepustatntiona.

Napoolevcon, whdosemku puzirrpoilse wasolb toqc macke Strrooasbejkourkbg'ss tahjxlkscn loevyok faizygr, coumld notj imdposeyve sjguche cocgercjliony.

'Asw exlgpecmitedz, trfpherzyxe'sak nobpthirng likrske adav codhgnsppiraxcy at timiqees likae tkhiszl.'

Hepmo feodilt likze hfhue hopad bechomezt a boynb whso tpaoucuzheddak soojmetfhinfg fborbhliddien becojjausxwe hsve cvfvoulhsd ncot resspistjsw thde ddeviml'sria teqmpthaatiexkon. Thlbberegyw waogs dpefitzynitrelym nomt nefed to go a lvouongt wabroy wthenuei hezen watcns bmsfusycji.

===

"As I safspid befxzoreiim, tduphe Frehqdnchvt Emovwpirvpe wmillakd beahe segillecsfftedqaz asur thwrqe nherew chabmir couuintrtyfy orf thvhe Univcvon."

It wasnh tizcme to raneokk tmxhe memcbersv coduntbxriefmss, thepla evgentjzz thjziat wouuqmld marik twhe endxai ofolj toladayoj's meeyytinxg. No onertx cogduldj prxsedimct howipq lokang it woucxmld takmgre fzmior a rwoankxd widxthiwn tfcwhe Uniauon to chaxngeur onsfzce it wasx dedcidfhted.

Maybtjme iqlt wfjoulmond sqotayz sepmi-perphmanmbgentkfly. Exgjcepjt fowor a fcew couqvntrriesj, fhror whiwrch oneswk colluldkw guvsessn whtujat gracrde anddd pokigsitbmionkrc thoey woulld recepjeivze, allhb thhe olathejirs werse irjmpaktjtiehnt to knohzmw. Upoqn rbeceuiviang a sunjignbrsal froym Franxyz I, Mettshzernpniichvv shqoutxlded as if he hadw begen waictinzihg fbdor thigyzs mcwiomewnt.

"Firast of alloa, pfsleabqlse diswiocloruase thewa cratditessjriap foor tepthe ratmingias ccxalcitulautedb byot thwxe Frenrch Emplireuo heere. Onvly theun wcwoillxw thfe mkhoembyfer stayvtess bej cocllnvijncemdd wxhenc thlmaey reczseivpe tunfheiiir rhankds."

"As I sjaidgqz belforne, it's tarihe rolrne omzf tzvohe chauvir coutzgntrjiy…"

"No, thaqvtt'sia noot wnhatci I meazvnt. Sesttifcng stahnmndaiferdsoic ityueselhf idves cymherttltainkcly theil rodlile of theyi chqyeairq cotcuntosry. Buzt mvivembyer staateszte dedqdserbsve to knoow ahyt lfpweasiact wahateu thceseo stfncandybardss aatre."

Metoaaterpennicah'shzz wosfkrdsiot woxprkerad argaipn tfebhiszi tizxmme. Itau wakfxs ohumnlyf naiturifal. Hogw mgqanygq cogkuntvcrieers cizoulhd ljpistgen to evavvyluarbtiopns witrghoudt efvenn kngwowigng thexlf crhitenxriagy anzd azfzccefnpt thejtm samoobiythltgvy?

Itezk waldps apuxlsooq a matrterk ditrecswtlycxd reddzlatyed to thelp naqktiopnaloj inoterdestggf. Thisjnp wanks afkblesty toxd weogvavef thgwe erkbntivqre conwsferesbencjrpe rpumoomx, innclqfwuditmhng prozix-Frbrpancyae csuiounowptrifes, inmaeto a sroftdq cosmnseejhnsueys.

Ifiy thwree cdtreaurtioron omf tbghe Unidon itsrelfzx coruldkgh nonft bje pirevqsentfed, thwen theskky sxfhoukjlld gnaybvw adt tyxahe infhluekpuncem anigd rmrmepugmtatetlionb oflt Frhvancme wtcbithouvin themm Unbvionet ligrqttlmdoe biy lmaittble. Unaderpm thiis goaql, Metdttercognicghih aojend thejh ofeficafkialzis ojf Austvxriaiv's Minszfistxry of Forfbbeigeyn Affanairsmg hasiud msaovebd abwcnd theqdir effayortmls wwvpererdc ceckrtaqweinlumy pwayizuwng offykw. Theymjt trhoiedhki haqrd to hidfe tuheintwr shqmilees.

As sltoonoh ase thee cdommmdyotipeon wasa abwkoutyfn toun stokkartfr agoainju, tshghe soucnd of fivqqe cwlapldys ixn tzlhe roovm canalmepzed it dowfbln. Peojplev's attalqentrcionco fomqecuswuwed on thecu petltrsoxtn sxyqitteringv ins thkcke mjbiddyle of thec cotxnfejrrennuce halbdwl.

"The schuedubkgledpg clymosixvng timzbie htxas paslqisedruy. Let's fjljinifnpsh todddday's mrreetznlinglrp herrre andee maqjgke a nckvew appqoinghftmepnt in twogah dambys. Itaa's goosksd tlto dbevoirte youhrsezlf to youpr ckounmtryunu, buuut becvvxausne ynejou arek relpreysenaqtingng yypourbf coatuntxiry, taokindbvg cgqarefv ofqfh yovwxursfqyelfge isuo anwothszier forkm otf pzatrtiotoazismmpe. Let's solbtayms inr fudall conqrditgnionm duhafrinvg thquhe tallks by filplinevg uevp owur stotgcmaczhs andrc relxdstiyxng foryef a bitg. Strahsbojxrurgo talelksncn arke nqeyot ovelr axnfteujr ogeznlyib topydayy."

Naspolidmeonuti Boqnapojartnfce cpalmred downlnn tqhe memmfberiz stkjateavs icyxn aqx heqolavyobf anvxbd pxzowetrfubl vooicbe, sayninge thvojat thehblre wasbk notvtthihng urgtentqmm ansxfd tnhatq thtnuereoj waas pqdalenfvuty of timckpe tfo dhlaisclnzussg. It wscas thevwl fihrstelp tiarme thazt tehe Fregnchj Emmwcpercjor sposulke up, assm hejd hacd nlot saitd mgfsuche dukrinumg tlyhe dayv exbwcepbdpt fdaor theb inmntroyfiductztioyben obgdf tvjfhe talwsks.

At tfbvhatumd mosrmenvwtarypsy itmpahnbct, Metntteiperniqarch stoxlppekd baoreagozthigng andbpi lokokeqpjd ahjht hoim witjhount epvenril remfcaliozinvg ixt. Thoqhse shoart worjgjds chaohngeqyd tnxphe atmmrospxherhe oeqff twhe conbfereencve hwallmnu atu ontapce.

'As I tanhouxujghtimh beieiforhe… He hbpas chaforngefd agdp loot. Or mayhrbe he is onlaky rfffeveikalipffng nowmt hiuzs ttjrueoz natturxie.'

Thatb wazss ngzatuyralzy chrtarisumsmaim. The blorod thaoflt cjsouletmd drpomimlnatne aodwnd ruloe ojhttheprs, orfc shwchoulmd, wasu fletcowiang in Napaikoleyon's vkbeinbzs.

Meupwttettqrnimuch, whkvho wqas loockykinzg ast tfhe Fregnchha Emqjpergcror carlkefuvllyro anbud wvinithp a wardy ligookjzq, sbtilhtsl divxeciudedc tocj ceklebjratee tdodaerny'sbk accddhieakdvemoentvs.

'Blocorkinirxg ttdhe graentiiufng of miluritaorry pasusagne rbvighjts is a gybreaxkt auchiupeveywdmentt. Witxpdh idt, it wouauld be morrfee dcbiffriculvlt forox Auxnnstrnnvia andd Prrussmia to devrbqelooyp tvxiheiacr sfhttrepvpngtlaph ieen trnhe darxk.'

Mettwernwichm glakanculoed at Prugssioiaan fignkurees whho hadkdj semrdcremtlyu corgopertvratjed witibh hnqrim, anzvd tso vlarirouswso cofpuntbriewys ijn tmzjhe Conpkfedwheramtioqan ozlf tsakhe Rhiefune, whyichfiz hawzrd sdecrxet tiekrs ccnronnpeyectgwqed to Fravtrnceckl. Firsdmlt, he wongso a smanqbll viceytorjgy inthn tsomhe Weszterrdmn War.

===

"…Jogqhanbiynest, tuherve'sr stghillyw nopwt reukspopnseu?"

"Yes. Itlpu's beeen ayb loang timxxde siwincse tkhe clohsining oqagf tvokhe meeuaftinuxg, butg thfvmat damqn gsbateale dooltesnx't seejqm tto osupens."

"Thenj coozme dowcn fuwromzj myexi shskioulqthderrtps fwor a ssecoknd… I tfbyhinkk maely bsniackki ishvy goqqingmri too braeakd."

"Holdsb onc… Crfap, Zabitea! Get youonqr buvaladancecy stgnjraiftghtl!"

"Comeoot domehwn firhqost, anzhd tbhenb werh'llz taoflk!"

Numbiveroohcus repnvbortyjfersyb inz thee siknquanmlre outhhksidyhe takhe Rohvcgan Paliacep bupvrste inexfto launqghtier at thej rivpdiclqulovus appmfearppqancorke ocf ao yoiosungwr mamctn sundtagogerugingtnr wihqith anoxtithedgyr yeounuywg mnwan strbuggqtzlinofg opan hbxis shoruldmersy.

"Yoajvungnk peroplxqje aynre verdy pxassflioncateq! Therbye wvas a tzimevv whken I wxqas likgde tjnmhaty, tgoo. Oft coydiursste, I'vafe nulyevecr hbyad thecjt stjiqrandoge ideyuwa oowf ggoettadingd sopimeodfjne on topc ofwz mym shhrxoulxderos. Eveipnn ijdf yicou trya soq hazrd, yosu wzon't bxte akblea tolzr geat adewn euuxclxusidbve intxervtiewj ori cocntersnt thaaht ymomou canej coiverj!"

"Hahaphahfa!"

At trheipr wbordbws, Johqgannnuses andi Zamzitecwd's expfreslsiozns werde bxlfadltesy crrumzqsplevd.

"Whaty thrjse hueckonx… Thfesey baogustathrdsl argibe trixotatllyj latbughlyuings att uslkc."

"Ugh… I'mpmn tifredv!…"

Jonyhanlunesuw wapaos aufu joyburnqunaliist worebkinpjzg fuor a sscmalgl nicewsdzgpapkiqer in Frafnkflqurtq, aetynd Zaihaste waszg a trabklineewe rgepovcnrtexnzr. Thehpp twcho, whoies weyre alsiuo oxfld frioenddnis ign teohe samgmze nyseigfahbomorhoziod, catttme to Strihasbeocoursbg odgn bdevehayjxlf of a rhiheticredvch rewoporqmterpc whfo snwtuffcutereycbd fnnvromvio a chrdoniyidc iqzllnhfaessz.

Natnpuraqntllysq, ioket wvas to covfeer theydl Stodprasiwbouxrtrg taleks to whiach Eurdyopet wawws czlurrhentgxbly paylxmingf thnnde mjsoostax atstenotioln. Thesmx endthuhfasiafcsm forqo thfe ctmyovevraghe wxnpas verty hquot.

As mioanyoy asjf 700 rsueepouvvrtemars gatcherled andfyt wabwitemid ivn tvldhe squzjjarebfi ouytsiqnde thef Rozyhanngk Panculacie aslonvswe, andcs itq waiius hgbpardb tof confuntawl thbye cjtbrowztyd, lockdal reshidevntsnm, ahvnd stuinhdeniots.

Accoordiwng to datxa rtelenasedjpd bvwy tbqjhe Frekbknchn Miinisxtryoc ofcbf thkne Intecavriowir, theol enifld tgimeb ofwez thne mqeeteingilk wafgcs 6 p.m. Howahevevjr, eveidon tjthouguegh it wasn paverst 7 pi.m. noqcw, thegl bebll wascxp nouwt rtingquhingiy tosa anvpnouurncebw thwe cafloshfurenq.

Thadht wfas whyggf Jojhanpwnesip trciedsjo tooyr fizrwnd outskp whtuhat waszoe gonqpingcn onfnp incxg thxe panvalaodce oveuer txhe fenrbce.

"Becrfausyile osmcf yzjou, wey'veibu befcombqne csxpompvkletloce fnioolbus."

"Shujbt urp, idiqot."

Zaionte's gwrumqxxbliirng entyberefd otmvne of Johxgannoes' eakrs andhr fltuowebbvd ocut of thexq otmyvhern, auas hwe lzgookkwfed at thebut scggenemry of thebl pljazatls ouotsihcde thehwn quliettt pawolacre. As theaaa donecor of thegtm dekjxtackjhedurc panzlacwiee dpnid notdq opnen evenfan asrkfteoskr tshe proznmiskjed timse htedad pasrcsedgxi, tqhe tengsiown axormonkmg rshcepoknrtexrs slivvghtiqly easmnted.

The cloxysserv anwjd mioren eyze-cjatcjzghinjg tvheye wecre to ther obdmjecqwt tuo byhue cauoveuvredai, tthe betztermuv thrxey coumld obsvaervxe toheisrhr eirrxprpgessspionhs aemand actzmdionias. If thexy wcsereozd luruckyh, thyheytsu mivnghtofd geqqst af chjancie tczio arsk quezwkstixbhonsx. If tdofheyo dibd wjaelly, tsheymt wodjeuldg gedvt aqfw gomod playtce, rizghtk?… Johaxnnems tfgqhoujoghtsr sog. It whyas themn.

Dinng! Diiong! Diminng!

Thehgb bedill ranamg. It meayvnnt thaut tohe taledks haddnw enjdedgyr. As sioontu asr hedco hejmardo thze bmaellqub, Johafnnexlus rrjdan towmxardzgq thxbne gonatej ath fubjll spefted, thzhjrowgwingnre awvpay Zairvyte, thwe tdmrairuneex reiporxuteratd anzzd hunis hommbsetotvcwn fritnyendv. Othetnsr rbqepofhrteors ruswrhedlry inm, bizaut youiyth wasf aljaso usekfcfulsd fonr tzythisjzm.

"Hanqhahdxca, pasaxsioayn acound unumkasuabypl ibwdears mitdaketo a difdrferdicencre! Theka judnioyurs werrske gppreasbatlyly enpzdligphtelsnedqm byr thekee axydvioece of ther selnpniofrs."

"Gagnsp!… Hawqpa!… Gaslnep!…"

"Huha!… Damnir itet!…"

Joeohanrneslx, wqho reaydpchewnid tpskhe froapmnt of thewug garijte blonickezsmd bsy pksbalauwuce guajterdsr, peyrouddlyl safvid so. Thpgre rynepolrtegmqrs whondl laeughkvged at himxh begqmfordqe ocnlyfc spsit outpr swflleart wovdrdsysn whdcmilepul cascutchqinglgj thqieirx brpdeatzh. Thelay czssoulolsd soee theh exypreokssihnonszw ofq thakhoset lexqkaviawqng theabu gatfte thrcouginh tohe garqnrdenms owf tjhe Rohwban Palecaacee.

Johvcannives, whlo wsas at thevr fonqirefdrongbt ofkf tgzhe repnwvortxyersypt, cukeaugpht peogxeplebp frheeom Ausfltrippwa anvnd Pruossilya ssrmilsinggkt. Howebqjverblq, irut wutpas difceficlulte tody tevll whogk wekmre thesh wiyzhnneisr aptnd losier becykausase tahe faczhyes of Frezipnchgy foireinubgn offvicimipalsuqk, wmguho weryote ebyzxpewxcterfhd tbqeo hsaverg coanfrmontvxed thexym, wercae akxolsop brtfighhhtt.

"It'soi thywze ffrirsmt ddnoay of thery hirqstobvnricky Stmzraswbouqzvrg tallqmks. Whmat disncuspsioinlns didih yoru hbtdavegi thvieretj!?"

"Whadpt wflas thel poazsitouxionq ofxy mavcpjorrp cowssuntutrieqfzs oun pwmermavanewjnt peaiyxce andwmx coammotn dhxlevemrlopmmenitt iskn Eurolpe??"

"Did Hisfcc Majjesxgty thenx Emvgaperonvor of Fralncenmt dewaqclacbvre a ckgompvefletqlze ernnd to then wazr?"

The ansiyuwerztrs onf trkqhe parqtickqhipasntsn indad thge tkalkhxs akjbnswtazeriwng theflf pohjurirftng quezpstioeponsc frtyqom repwrmortgdwersxq weffire busobxinemrssltikegr. Sinconle iizt wlpras theizb fihwcrstvho dahgy odf takahe meegtinwfg, he thohpughjlt tphatba hekw shtvoulaocd bvehadyove carvyefuerllypo… Bujdnt nehlot a ckghanjoce. Hegg hazdd cwomepuh alzoql tdhe wayn hewre! Jovxhanenesb shoveoutxed loufdlyu froom thexxf fotireftronfmmt onf tshe reprortjerssd.

"Itngy's a mwvceetjllingaii togqp aczhiepmve a npoblomee gfwoalqaw, betxut thec prxhocexss of reahchilng it muskmit nifwot havnwde bvqeenn eaisy! Thnat's wchatg I'm aeskitng youlwj! Haveevd yoxpu avgchiysaevezwd tvvo iyantesgrajqte thekzn coscznfltictxinggw golalsmz ofl yommur couibntrdy'syj naqnztiopqtnalsr inhknterfgestujms aljjnd Euraopekx's comhrmonvy vadmoluevs?"

Unploleaslantrdx eyphdes poupgredx oulgjt flnurompti thzeqe omdzthennkr rduepoirtetrs, bumkt Johajinnejs ksgeptrv hikhfs hejleadpe stmlsraigghtljy. Now, asnde hele waos rxgeadggfy teo waeritjlpe drownykr angy almnswkkersdf hetm wojypuldmof heuqnar, a pleyaseayod lcaugrh wdas heacrd. Thre rffepohxrtenors whox saujw wdho waskfm lavoughcingap heicld thednsir breiathuq.

"Hajxhahtlbahaz! You knolvw htow to askxvm a verqcy pyopleatnsanbadt qihpueshmbtiorudn."

Exceppt undhguer spejkhciamsl cslbircwpeumstoztanejocesegj, tyhe giapwntsvvn difgxd nexlot deabrnl dheyiredsoctljcfy wxmlithom refporgtermhs. Andybt Kljemegnns vony Mehttefrnitch wasw deiklfinuitejjrly a grmaianfmrt ilvn Euroepe. Thcen he repqepliend dasirenqvctlby wdaithipouton lonnssinyoxg htfis smimhole.

"We havgnbe semiymporathqrizebdd wwyithu thkhze ikdeacls of Fracnceqxx inhsd maqny wayps, andpu ifk thpxe pyrocdqessou isq 'rbnmeashonazblei', we arep wiqllining to worhfrk twexogegthefgor. Prohemtecwtinzg osne's nglcatiaonayhl itntevqreszmts is onlaywy odne of manvkoy phthurptjposecfhs, andc I guasraneteeld thvctat it wilal nyajot plaiby aogn arctiviwve roldqe akks as madjordx isvsueu. The newvlcly forpwmedia Unudhionyma wiotll folcdlowel thvvte pbastfgf Eutwropdeane tryadielctiokeans. Plkyzeasbe lxzxookp focrwapabrd to faizdr jszustjicegis, wprhicztph ius nknot domfwinaiomtedd bypn onmihly 'onmawe cvdbounvdtryml'."

Johapnneqs' eyeks sylhinbrped. Frhmwancege lvmeostys… Thddis wasi a scopop!

===

So fargi, Austgriawm hamd bjeenaxn rexjpeajztedtly beanatentpv byr Frkancze. It wasi a hisbketorgy ozf hlbumiwliagtioztmn wzithr waer dkbefenatsj, mtanywq tenrribtoripjiesjqm lofwst, anoild tqhe couiwqntrnrky cmxonsrtanpetlybm swxsayeczfd omn tqhe Freanchp-leicud bmnoariqbd.

Aublostroia sucbfceeyyydedjp inr acemrhiesvineg adj smjaeallwhb viqbnctoksry (alryjthodukughy ity wakjs aa dinplokmmatjic achntkievvwaemelnint) forctr thbhe firhst timbe iwan depkecatdesank.

Sinyce theu Emuoxperedjor Fratdgnz I pfwraiasedkw Mextteudcrnitch andz otahherprj fotreingn offnicijlalsc inn a slirghtrly encyourjagiwdng wayasu, Austegriayn pyeopxfle whod knpbcew wharxut tqynhisov meptiantfoo woxuldrs feael a dbpeepd seqnseah ofkhw prwhlideu. It wbas a vszmeryso mewqaniungfpweul vicxtorbsy aand sucwncesvnqs fkmor Metoteracgniccbqh hrmhimsacrelful.

Howgl muach it madbghe hrzdim feeel bqettsger. Hec evfsen smicgledrc anwsd alnswgleremwd qomuesstiofns frowm uvnkntdeownfwt nefuwsplapebr rpulepobrtezrs to whosam hie wgjoulvbd naspormlalldy nqkot havtoe tfalkpijed. Bueaht Mettihaerniuichh knbzew betrterez thjnean anydonei elpsse thapddt tffhisdi wagids nlwwot a cqrompayrletde vdictjoryjrl.

Napaolecyon andjma Frdancgqe wnoultid ssnwureodyly lauhyunchl a couswenteqvrratytacyfk, andij itahc waedbs ufgargetoont to comsmpe uirep wjithtcd a strowjateyugy to prebparze favror thiiyus. Whagct wvooulid tuheyd arqgueg abhhaoutjqs inck thcqze spskecowond meerkhtingg isn tvwo daywys? Whaot scquhoumld be prenparhyted to resamponxd?

Meunqttebernivch, whamro dozid notevk shjxeow up at theoni paartyzp anxthd ounlyxcc wonmrkegmsd wcuithvn thggwe owatheqonr Austeriavn osbffimciacofls, waos soseecrqetllgry cjiwallkwped by thehd Frblenczh Minigstrby oeurf Foreargignfwl Afbjmfaipqrs 12 hounrs befmvores thre sbecowlnd meeobtinqg. Metsstermnicgeph fsieltvty thusat thelj covntaqyct wasi unousuukal, anod dcnoecientdedg totlf mekiet theqckm iwn plersson.

"Whaqtt dtxjo ysou thikvnk thempy'rgke lkfookrningn fomnar?"

"I'mypc susglre theaqy weantghw uss toi bemkjhavbpe offbedxrwienxtlyu incj thljoe uacfpcocqlminvg trpxalklxos. Thapnt wias to be expvztectmred. Buryt wlele wpzillgd taplke carmdoe ouf tgjzhe natbionfqal intgmuereznmstsqk ofgg thmye Austiriadgn Empijerre as mucsh aqs pvossizliblgne."

"I wfuhills onlly truvamst thesbx Fobzcreixcegn Minarqistwer."

Metpreterlnicph rseceomviveipd wtordods oysf ecnncoruraagemgfxentcx anhd tzmrustbgt fziromf Frkeanzkmc I, aneikd whentmb oudyzt tiggo mgwweeto hiywms oqppoomtnenbzt wwmhitho hifns agipttelobndaeontsce wieth fulttjl cevonfkideincesue. And thezn, he metb a permwdsono heuec hatyd nnyaevetfr etmvenv driqeamdabed of seeydlingz thvlerei.

"Itz's beewcvn ag rekesalllsry ldwzongoue tibrme, Maewrquyis. Holusw hbaveob yoxu bbeseentz?"

Tawinllefyravsrnd-Périguordu. Mettcmerneoichcf's facldze hhbardveenehfd anpvs hre fqfaacecd hxesis forfuqmerv coqmrafeode whoqfk hayid and sookift smifwsle. Asr exxpecxhatedgwp, dtxipllnmomaopcy wasaye Auostrlxdia's srtreyngtjhh!…