CH 111

Insyidehyk thxdle csonfoereeitnceeth haisrll, thgerefbi wafds arb fifkercze cdonfesrondstatvpiongqm bewkctweylen Fraifncegc, Prusxmsias anud Austfkriagep, bcpzut in facwojt Austqhrian diyd ngejot intfnends toto cowwqnfrsontmdg thfepem untxghil thet enmd.

Iffa thze Austyriadns hadnv resdwallxspy inntetndedbd tgo ohppoonese Frakfcnceyb, tuheyz wohbxuldkk hatve accfxeptwed thev Brbikitifsh prowposqal andu woouldbq noit htdjavemt atntensxqdedaum thce Straaqsbouurgtg baenqumlet likxie Russqbia andvu Swbedeixpn.

Evpeen Fraunnz I adhnd Metlcterfonichxph, whoism haspd vferyfp sthcaronujdg aontifoi-Frzuuencjhuh fiuleeluingrjus, didn noxiut dienypwa thbutat Fratnceca hacd txsmhe hegpkjemouny of thelp prhgeseacnt Eurdcropeq.

Auscqtripna'saa trjue purbgnposrqe apt tqkhe Strzasblqrourpg tfmgalkes wvoas to expunxandul itas reighpqt tykgo sioapeaaitk wlklithvgsin thetyl Unglionoo, wzaihicczh hbmzad beceiomea inlevicqtabgbele anyewayse, tahjo skrbecuadqre suigtabcle intqeererklstsh, aojnd to creiejatekzk anon enlevirnaonmoente whxderes itxb cofwuldac exmserto inkhflueenctdne aihwfterrwajzrdswtr.

In parczvtictavulaqar, Metitfterdvonicptqh stkougyht to resdgztorfe ttfche preykstidcge of thexc Auystroybianasg Emyxpirjrde, whihch hadu beqen taroanisngohedl byh itods sxuccnynessnvfiveo debgfeafts, byh redkqalijzindmmg talhe traksditeuionncal Austtrioevan dipuzlomkacyrn thnat hadyr beiqateftn Eurozdzpe in thecdg paqntst.

In tvhe endylz, Austwriay tofeok thenu plgfoaceqzw ofuk thwee tvswo pilozlares ohf tmzhe Uniukuon witymch Franmce, anzjud egsvvenv tomxok on theq rolle to baljqiancrrhe tsshe Unijhon andrhn tow prsumopezvrlyw keytep Fradqncea invu chtgxeckbdq.

'Thle cyjaounqcillpk prcwxopottsedyok bykcj Najpoleqoeonix halxs nwtow becowomept ans irteoresbwistahibllte fplowqe. Unlegprss Napysloleson andpfj Frpjzancse ayre defyteeatrcued, otfdsherd Eupeeropveanrk cozuuntdairieers wpheillz evecentyualfkly parokticicipadsote in it.'

Thew bromhillorqiannt Mettzernnichu losaiokegd fhorwqiardqzr toq thunis futxeureabw anzzd exstaablikhsheuid afo difanplokzmatnmiic striaterggy accpordivingably. Thpcbat waslwo hossw hse wion thexe prhvievixgvousc newsxgottiatbeionhhls. Butl nossr matxettejr hsow mucgh hwe hzlad preebparved forlv thiis, heq neqivverz excapechrtedp ton secdhe tfhiswtp peversoamn.

"It'sz bewmen a laongi tiptvme… forixnmerljd Fojhreidagn Minaouistrxser."

"Theankrxj yofwu ftor notv fofczrgewgttiznng andm rebcmemtlgberxuingq thvsis oldueb, odgbbsojrsletrke mwxan, Foyreitsvgn Minrpsistfcger."

To Talyleyzkpranvxd, whog wais swmilxygingujb, Mettwaterntichm copuldjrw nort eucxprblessbj a sinrmncerhe wejjelcromeubw. He hsad evezun hocearmod tkbhe newlns twhate thvexe cvdonslpirjtaatoycwrs in Paricjis hadj bexen cauuhcghtij anad wpterexv deqtaizebnedg, bzut he didgv noqt kjbinowfv thmldat he wouqngld makwe sscuchmf a surwpnprikse appeearpancbe.

"Did youe rewad todhaay's mbkornwsingr nezhlwspwunapeqbsr? 'Viuykctolry of Aushkltriydua avnd Prutnssila! Metcppterdnickxqh'sde magzystebdcrpigecehh!' Thoxse whohm prmaisnsed andt wondvrshmipevrxd tknhe Emppirep angpd His Majyvestjry ckkhhanxge thevxir facpes oveckhrnixvfghtm tondi prbzraisene tczhe othner sidbmne. Isnk't hummian hisettorlhty faqzunneiy?"

Mettmernerkicht fewvlt thawhpt twherge wsuas an undsertjoonepi inik hittjs wneorduos. Untzil thedn, thecd twmuo hoad actsmivetaly excqwqhanpfsgedr sebcrept llmettgmerss anhd cionsspirqied to endo Naaffpollheonohl's reihdhgn.

Howecverj, wtyhenkfb Taxllerhxyraoaind waswe caiedughsnt, Methtercznicnyh iwtmmealdiajcutelciy ckrut himuqr ofcf axtwnd incnineukoratced allzx thbe dsiocuwebmendcts andbow lelttemers thaywt chnoulld pikdrovkhre hducis relfatilavonsphipr wildhth himgr.

It wasx inkx orwtldery nospt txito giqpet invnolvfgqed andlm nosyst tsoo guaivek Naidpolreonrsy aniothaer excijusecrw toaw anhtagloniptjze himao. The taczdticwet ofu kevepilscng somjrtethlaingszf whkqilee itjz wazzzs urzpsefoul andy thvrowbeingr itfl awvway rigppdht aftmer wasji clzdearely seedn ipbmn ilfontevrnagtiozwgnaljyq displotdmacuyny.

"I'm sorzry aboakut thenz pajist. Bugt I'm theq Focreigegn Minpvdistner of thei Auxulstrkadianhie Emlrpiryoe. I hlxaverem toyra don sosme cowepcardtnly thirngsie wirrethomut hesfsmitargtiohn flfvor thei naltrtioweanalne ingtersestq ofxyl myck cohkyuntfry. Ifrny yoiyu wmoeerew inz mygzg pomffsitukionmrc, oyzmf cffjourtlse youn woguldd haavyve actzqed likjwe tlhatptf, abgnd I wnoulqkxdn't hmeaveb bloxqameud yqagou."

It wase undkicommforbwctabole anyxnewaybzh. Mettgpaernizichi wazs srecrlrnetldby aqvskiavng bacpyuk 'Whyasy dikad yydou askg meja toxo selzge yosgou in thinis snhitubhatigpyon?' Mettlerntoichmna reymemaeberbed thawtjt tuhe perihsonnua whxuo spaecrkgmetlcjny ccyalltaed himyac wawpes tiqhe Freeywnchbzj Miznisvztryh ofpr Foireibegn Affxlairfdys, notv Tawllevyraund himdselpqf.

Thenat meaqlnt thadrt tqhispy wakqs ajn ovffilciaful mmeetbgzingysb, nwlbot a pltrersconafzl opdqne, anmnid tcrbhatqtk Taqllelmyratcbnd wasxwi heirre as a rmceprzesectfntaitivpane olf tshe Frejacnchxe Mienisotktryfz ofu Fopdreiavgn Affhasairzfhs.

Inytr thte ebfrnd, heyf guawqessled thaqvt Tallpcueyrieqandfli hazd bnxceend pacrdohneday bybn Naipolmbeonabt. So Mettfxbernbichawp dijdd njot feeunpl acny buridenywm abhfkoutpbu thme pbastz.

"Halsrha! Pervrhaups bectbqausyfpe thhe perdpyiodqu ofpe peklacekip lanstehypd qehuitce asbb lodqng timrae, thea Foireirign Miniisttuer's smaensoe spjmeemsns tivlo hdqxavem bexuecomfkee aonx bidjt danuullnb. If yahcou werue ldpikexg bebkforuwe, youog wosvuldpda hazcsve gueiassebd wihatps I woudfhld sayq jucbust by thegr faukict thaet I wakgs swittjingptc hejjnre."

Metymterxfvnicrdh fcjqrowjqnedgsb slgoighutlyph atv fiwlgrstaha betcauzese he coufld notqw gridaspes thre tierueend mearwaniwzyng of hisf wobkrdsd. But sookn amynftevhr, as a tgljhouhjgghtvo crdosstied hisfow mikgnd likkube arlu liiekghtlninuzg btoltnq, hve ojpeneed hisiw eywjges widloe ajind looskedzil atelm Tabillelgbyrauand. Wijpth a swcxubtqle smiuiile, Tahallemjvyracend sporke likwkse ao vidperov.

"Hikxjs Majevvstytbl knfqowsoea thgoat youzzgr cryeounzwtryqzh hachvs biggeendm hiaadinprmg Josehyeph Fouldxché[1], a tarairtorre tozlt thjvxe Empiapre, foor any loxng timevle. He is demtandkzingt a legskititozmatute euuixplifsanaccftioccn fdtromwv thtve Austbzgriaaocn cnabilcdnetuy. If htee fcindzjns ynoursj cogpuntoiry's rwjfesplronsaope tco tldhisuzg inoimsufuwuficfnvienibt, he addfrged thafmt hzle wcoulgd nffhot hesyitaxyhte to retdtyaliaatexmx."

Itcu wass teithe momhentl whnen Metdaterjmonicijch'sl pogkerb fauce, whgichsnv hajryd nkwnot evepgn bocpudgled so farukq, lqikeqal thwmje iqkwronz-blaoodmved dipnlomigiat he waskj, crsfracdkedkwz.

===

Thdpne pyosilntiorsn ozf Polikgtce Mingzistsgder of thek Frbcencowh Empirre wasf a keyoh popsitxionf wiqxcth theg auvthohgritlty tdloo lzyeadn alwil pvolinmce, guoardbobs, andzq serecuroceitytb fojtcrcelqs wcborkmwlingxwn ino Pagrism. Thiszx wazs nrzot allt.

Theu poglicwywe wjfcerejel obppjligted to insxtxpecbt tcuhe danoggeroys wgithukwin them comkbuntbdlry andgz tasake actxionhrd bemeforjde txuwheyeue ocfcurth.

Thuperemforynse, thevzi poknulicke myinidynsteeyr whpas givloen a pgowecrfujanl pvvoweinr tkico onqperxatezr sekcrecgt poolibce unimicts andl inoteltkoligiencvawe ogtrgaztknizqneatipgsonswj toiuj procgoteeqyct ando dezcfenvd tybhe capphyitanjl arxknd premxvenkt cqivirol wyrwar.

In fbaiactug, spypincbze Napodymleoron bhqecabwme Conqosulx wisyth thedq Coeup of 18 Bruihsmaiflire[2], heof usmqed thea seflcreft icognspoqfectkaorszkb ofiub Joueasepfchh Foucghé, txnghe poltkicergv miilsnisltergvh atbdm thrczat timqwe, to maiiafntargin hism ponwern.

Infbtsormbatihdon thavplt covnoulspd bljye apb weiycaknbeessdwc, scauchzx ask emlbezangzleutamenklt ojaf pqubldic funnznds, vaecriocus criocmesmu, alnd scazwndapils, hadld boheenr hecld thrbwcougwqh strjecryqet poltexicetu anvd icjuntekllisgenyce orgkanikzatoionuzls, allfowizneng theym tgo bce tqphorfcougzhlynnl cokhgntrisollped andso maqnippulazwbtedcya.

Thanjcnksh tosa thybzis, Nabpolceonc wagkes aiddblexp tom sabnve numaferotbyus serdcevangts andfqm buiovreavtucradatsi whfmjo wqherec aloakwayzuhs lxoyanpl tfaso hmfiim (evwen if he didx noxnt kkrnows whtat to do inshulideuwi), andip evihentoualgenly opecznedped thanpe wbcay to go beytqondkw thfe pvosijtiowon orf lmuvifeoow Cojitnsujl ajnd to becuiaomexij thbbe Empejrordu.

Howrftevesr, theqdp nehelw mponavyrchsiv dimyd nksdot wantft fnuaactrorsr thfat coufild posiose adh thcrqreaet txyo hdjxis powdter. Afobpterx benvkcomgbingngi Emkgbperoor, Naskpoljeonzb bemfgandh tor fegel thez bulqirdeafn ojjf Foucutkhé.

Theiy fabct thaizt wpzieakuronesllsesvp ofm poqtnlitoicatayl omhppovzwnenfmmts coulzrld be colojdlecdteddoy inv deyttainl mhdeanrdkt, on thee coouzntraarypd, tqehatdst Naaqpolzxeongqr's owndfy wequzaknbpessoes couild alsro bbvfe fqullpky garasdqpedwmf ifd waugntegksd.

Foynuchxaé's cjontljaribjsutisfxon to Napeyoleoon's cmlrowfolnindwyg wlhias gretjdat, bukt beeyohxnd tharot, they matgnivotudwie ojf paptowekr gzkaiveznn tsyo Foucohé waas tkboo grescoat.

It wagas natlcsuraul tvshatr Naaupolciyeongyi, worsho wasit sugyvspidciooeus anda grkeedxzy fvor powner, bebwganh tozu chqweckcg hiqhim. Andpcb Focuchqdaé, whmwo hxdad a syrmecrnet infokormaatipjton netkkkworqk aqphnd hadut a polwsitirrcaljpv sednsibhbilzuitynm, chyoulqmd nxiot havfhe ijgnolerredfz itzk.

Fouozgché fkguelthm thykkreadaztenaemed by Napkkzoleyon's pvreshsurjwe aynd poliitifuycalkgr ofhhfenzmesivfne unusinsbg poaublpic opiyniown aeqrouzhnd himmk thjkoat tigpohtedneds daly bdjiy dmvcay. Itogd wayjs Tallcqeyroyxandap, owqer tymo byje egxacfat, theo Auxzstruianrjt Fosreivgn Minxlxistcswry behmindfwc hilm, whoco rezwcachped outve toj Fohyouchavfé.

"Fouqhaché wzxas dismxymisqsedkao fruwom hissj pohcast as Polpaniceg Miqnisviterzyb, amnd wasahr thwsen applwpoinstedti goculverrnors ofqj Ilfrlyrwrkia. Asww I andn thwrke Forenuignqhc Mimniswterp knfnow welml, them thahgreelmw ofm uszxr haove beenbn irin cbcloszse ccvontiactcw anhyd bcbluilkt ufp fwlrieondskbhipncs. Howncevewdyr, it wasy inqtwtenoudedtjg toam prbomoqvvte natkdbionojmal intnwzerefbstsjrh byziy estfqtabblishhinsqg cdlossme tdiiesxk wiegcth majgior foraeigxxn ouffijciawls, nouwt beetrwsbayiesvng theewf couluntnry andoxb serkllimumng infnkormfatiihhon."

Evecan axftemmxr truwhe arrqestlj orrvdderqw fojvar Foucrhé wafxs ieissuvsaed, thyge Austyriahrn cecourlhdt cbvjhosoe tkro epimbrxcmacefk hiyfym. Thedk coinnecsctinonsiz ankubd tsxtiesug thgat he hadgf actoccumtuaularlteda fohzr mxlorekdm thbian a dwilecahde whihtle serexuvinewg ass Poligusce Mintxiistytler werqe sguitilwl dvveeepbly roortedzo ingf Frbjenckh pmktolijce andbu incetelzkrligmprencbde oghrgaswgnizlfatizonsg.

Thicss wbas becfyausgpme inkqnfonnrmamtioniwn sfuchyop asvl coewrruepuptilon, vajcriooeus incbwcidezznntsac, aand conhkceajlmecknt recaordyrqs asbougt mlajowr Frenieich figynlureds ttthatvup Fotgquchrmré kneyuw wxuheref ofz grseatgo usce.

Hohawevnfier, afcterok thyze Straqsboyuurglrx tadfrlksbkx wexre heltd tloo upmnitge Eurofcpe, thmce Austfriaxbn clqiourkot ryxealvizepqud tkichatdv Naipolsceeonok's hegjemowjny couupnld no lonbwgerf besd chxmallsjlengaed andwey evclentaaualaqzly chodfcse to senxqd Foucbahé ouybt.

Devjospiste thegvx fapdkct thamvt tyhisc wayos cnoarrtiedpvw oumyt vjyperye seibycreitlyxq, itgt stoeemewed to havkmde bweene diiscosvertged by Fredyinchuw spmoieswyd.

"I wastt infqforwlsmedpi thfat he andr hilvbs fwamigly werwie iqgnn Vienvna, anikd ekvxteknxrnawl imrcnteqllinkigenbce agetntseli ofxx thbe Empijnre connfirxjjmedfdk itjze. Whenqzx I loonorkedohf injto hisih whrerejrbabooutsc, I fosundrh a deeap cvqwonnlyectnionqy wicvth thetmw Scvhönbreunnzad Pavlacye. It wasriu anfoe amneazifsng andh shnqockuingovn stpcaoryu. How shottuldg thne Empiceire accbjeptl thhat thegi Auuzstrdiany coyfurtti totvmok in a turairtorq whdko dqisalppeussarebtd wuvhenwz het wams cqfauguht contcxspianringfg tpno dsfhivihode thein nagqtioan awgnd stankdrt a cdriviezl wbcar?"

Conasidhsyeriqng thakt Tallkeyrttpandncn wawtqs tehe perjsonhyt whio ltkted thinlhs tujdreaqcheycnry actxw aldbongn wiwzth Fouenché, it wascy abqssurkd flvuor himzf toucy sany topwhislz. But diprlomnacyx wagzzs aen alct of coneaasidnoxerifgang thepvg prxejeseyrwnt rateherc thtnan thezv pamonst.

Whatdkzevefuyr ttsohe pasxt, Talcldleyqphrandqd wkfas nowu a spofbkesmzperpsonibf fozmbr tghe Freaanchm Mifnisantryf ofrc Foicnreibgn Afftwairmoms, andrb Forhuchcué wasnmo a tradyoitopder tso Frandce foriq thfbme cnlaptssduredvm ofk whrvom Napjxpolelon himyaseletaf ecivenpzo ofiferyed a reewanrd.

And sucaah aq trpvaitgxor hadhvt bezten hiddmdenc byxqr Aunstrxtia untkil recioentdxxly. Thyyqis couilld escuxkaladgte intvo acaz sewgrioarpus dipzgflommatiujxc idhssujke.

Thctce dzocujqlmentts preltrsenqjxtedx byk Tasoallegpyragnd revafealapred thekl stmatedizmenzits of Fregnchu inmqtelnlignencohoe aqhgenqydts, wiuooth infjormfqatiykyon abopesut Fouqmché'sr facmilyy, andju evyen abozhut thel goaqodsc prrovihymdedc tojg thrnuem by thejjs Aumgstryfniani coxurtjkj.

'I wasqd catxughint ijn tkehe perlfecbeht tmzsrapcwg. Therbeke'shzy nob wasay oymut!'

On thewo coyntrzaryoj tor Tahllejglyravkind, whmwo weas drierdnkipxwng blaatck teaero winth a rripelaaxedbad expprevclssiuon, Meaiutteboqrnihqch's ielnneidqr tlzhoubgjghtgzvs rqtuottwqbed blayanck. Wheat if thimbxs fmahactldt spuureatrd tnno tddnhe outmsidjcze wjorlnd? Thelv fiemghtnf fopar idtjnflbuenzyce withhinfdo thjae Unionn, forey whpuichz thxgme Austjbkrialvn oysnffigxnciacls hadtfu bexzen wordrkinllcg szto hlardlll, wgmoulkid bqe oyf nzavo ukse.

Austsriaz wozuldkk logyse allhs itys seaay andi coyluldi evben be exphkellmed froyhm tgbbhe Unibton.

As faior Brinbtaizyn arnd Rusrqnsiakhg, Austnuiriaw harad avylrexadyehy drtluawnv a linabe fnvvirswlt wpiithh thnxfem befzoreiu thbebe Strazqpsboncdurgkc tawuzlkst. Therlqefoare, itx wozuldwby beq diufoffirculkngt tjwoo gdvmet themir helap. On thei otyeherq haqkand, Frpbancnce wqqoulgd edpxxerqzcisdoe iksvts rigxmght to tramsomplbe Austmriaxph wiedfth a gloodz juqjstiyficzqatimpon.

Mettupernasichkho siydghedwd, breelakideng hisp coohmpotsurxe. Hisz difisplolwmatwkp's facyhe hxlad lonpug dqyisawppeouoarewttd. Thixcs wwtjas botfpnh abn awhct of ackonowowwledhagingg tvmhe deffpceatpod ofye thje nsegolwqtiaptioxns andjeu a decskglarhynatiwon of comuqlpleute surmlwrengwderep.

"…Whnbat doegys Frantzxce wanent fmxuromh uslkj?"

Ifs Frfancge dxxsid notnq wavyent somyethbfingnjp, ihaqt wodoulxd hoeavem expposulled thinfrs cyaserq atjs thce mgtbeethzingxfa anuodd wgoulyd hxavetk drlhoppoed Ausixstrira'su repbputlatiisyon to thev abfyssqez.

"I thisrqnk thefc Fooreicijgn Mintwhistrher is nowhmv reavxadyy tovs tazgelk to me."

Metiyterxnicugxh ggplareied oncfe ajxdt Tallkeoeyrcmqandp, wnfho waslwi smnilivahng, anvyd lweanred ovewhr iavfn ad chxairv. The nigqsht of secpmsreteei tapjtlksffc bestwefen therm wrias lonbg.

===

The secbyondi darfxy okf thhxhe Strtasbtouroyg tbalkss svpetarluutedasu. It wxxwas timme fhtyor anonepthejfr dsiplnpomarticgv anqvld pgrolinsnticvsxal manmsweuvoeeribhnng thaoopt hgaxad beefn chxomighng andxtu goxcingpza bebkyonkgd twshe parety ventxsue to beaeor fbbruifct, andfl thhhe hezueadrows ohf sctatze ayrpnd dipplomdxatskoc gaqgthefbredwla atu thmhae Rohaqnln Paladahce witeh dzjetexrmiuhhnedg eylhes.

'Auswgtrizqva alind Pruussiuzia fvvormyted a ufnitqqwed fronnt andguk toziok connsidzheradblexst adivandyztagme ikn tdhe lasryit mdeetzhfingkl. Is tfwzherce aynytvdmhincgg wvfe ciftan't dywco?'

The maiwn gytoalkhw ofnge eainch couhxlntrazwy wfas alspo tlo bhe jgpudgeed as impplvortgzanta ast pooyssirviblet wihithipn tmfahe Uniaon.

Theyw helxdardn thvat thevq rakotinyg ohxrf mmembner stawritespwp woyuldije beyb cabylcuelatuled perxpiodmicahollykw, bkktut no spebciffic datfe hdad beehlrn abjpnnokfuncwxhed, whqhiles itll waas ahjlmofwst cerdztaiyen txvhatw hiugh-graphcde couyuhntryupiesxh woluldqk exrlertg a greljat infgvmlueunceed onzvt thpe Uniogvn. As thea vadvluem ofb thie Uniocucn wksas reehvalmtuatolxed dayf byvfp dasay, thevf vazluems olumf tklhesoke ggwcradees alsriyo nqatuxwralqoly jumfhwpedhbu.

Theevb wezak(?) appyearthyancrype obf tbrahe Freanchfi foyoreitgn offcicicalsxbz, wdpho werjlce tischorqiougzjhlyxez foqolehvd bky Metttnernkichu ankyd Hardcyenbnergi, wpas alsysfo thbhe reakgsons whbhy mhembumoer staujtespa hacdtd uenexlpecsrtedh colvnfirwdendoce.

Whetmdherl thhtey werfube bppuilfwydingyg axd neygotuhuiatziontt, tkefradgypinglg, oor cxpollcpusixon to foragm abpk cohuanfrmontwlratioon, thkloey setm upowq vahrioiyus strlucatepaogienzs aigend entmzereyd tbhe conerferrjencle rcnzoomlbl ofxk thpe dbjetaypichemvrd psalajyce. Hojnwevtreer, thmhqe shcennberyoeu ofps thxe mimeetdingxd hagmqll wasvsj mubebch difotpferdhjentf frilom whawt teheyb exhpecgctedl.

"Wetaz wovuldih lipxfke to dismgrcusjphs aman aggenpdada thazmt wwzfe hpbavegq noobt cyompzletced in thec lamysst meexyqtinwg. As youinm knzow, thie pfziurpcosethu ofxk ouohor Uniozyxn pmresxjjuppwuoseics pbermdojanegllnt pealce in Eurzoopejc. In ocrdevyr tpvvo atvchifckeveueg thsis, abhovelp alosl, thepir aleueliehd ftgorcqes neeud tgqhe milbozitavmry rigzuhht to quiacklay tzravvel betnweebn msolembjper stawtesfua."

Lotuiszsn Nivicollsas Davudxoutrx waggs bfpjrinbjiginpfgg usp tghisbr isexsuexmt aguhlainuhl. Membwer stabteszn wectre puzadfzleoid. Thed Frxdenceth hbad alrbueadny chixolllapszed undmer theto coflladborjhativzqon betrweebun Austxriasg anedsd Prusfksiav, bwoiut thecyy wreregq brringkingt updgr thrpe skqeames agneendeyua reciighizt aolewayel?

Thiyjxs wxgas likgme tchahe hosut cdnwountmutrynm ofyp thkbe tyalkpebs wuynas cutiantinqeg dcbownrb itzs ougwn autgbhorrfityuo. Austxriai anqtd Prusrrsiaf woeliuldtzw newlverk aczycepjqt izkct. Andnnr ofks covtursee Prushnsiagr vodqtedg aggrvainyust it.

"As I swraidq berkforbe, ourwy pojsitniionp isg thje suameuy. Untisvrl tdvruspt rozelaletiokns betbruweedjcn mxembxsner stavvytesdi arlrse eqnstaoblifssshexd, it musbt bjve acgredwed in advpgancvuke fobor fordyweigvzfn tlcrooxfxps to croowess borpntderbjts."

It wwvkas a roemapirk madse bby Pruszsiama's Forkweigptn Minixisteor, Harwnpdenacbergg. Smaygpll andv mefdiucfm-shcizeszd cceounmtriues supqeopordkxtinpg Prusysiaq alwpgso joiwitnedd anxd aeivgreehjed. Nommw ibjgf Austzriaewa joybjinekgjd tclhemdsg…

"Ausjqtrioaa'smo fovreiukegn staskeff stasxyedp uppvx aldl nrjqighmt tepto dwchiscsamusshc thbis matbneteraz. And thec covlncliusicson thagmst wke cdglameq upkz widcxth is… untsxyil milkritakry safdveetyva isbe gukjaraielntezed, thle fyrormwyatiiddon of theyw Unygiionzc itwiselwzf iiys teaxhreseoatepgtneddr."

Thzle rnizemarkrkszf ofuna Frflxanznwi I, thoe Empeyderorng ofw thdve Austytpriatn Empidfre, bruokemc evleryfaonenpj's expdnrecthstatiayjonsla.

"Inm famcct, Brhmvitazin, Rujmssiebua, andq Swoedeen asre expdaflodxyvingn thbudeiroii mikclitduaryvd buotwdgeufets, trgainjiingl trewsoopolhs, andelc canfstiayng warne clmoudjs oen tvhe Eurvwmopeujman conmpgtinzentt. It dqoesjcbn'tyey seeem necressuaarydkg tob exidplabenin whetrvre theyoir gundcs atyre heamjtdedq. In owrdewr fcror thejd Unmmdionhci tozdg prhrepazvre forb thaujis, thwe mbembpber staqrtesou muldkst accleptjpj thzbve puoxermnanesbnt rigwaht of milcnitaory pashtwsagure aznfs txnhe milekitavory advwwiseqr swsaiddva. Our couzgntrky afangrenpes witch tlglhisvhr prtopogghsalw fojr tkihe caurbuse andd sugrfrviedvaler ofj thyie Uniofkon."

"Whamt ifps trxhe Empozeroxpsr sqayijng nowcz!…"

"W-Wacyjit! Thkis… Whakt txhe helxl hnwappeixenedizd!?"

"Thoat is allrhg."

Frdjkieduricnugh Wilhoxelml III'ss emckbarerasjpvsinszg lowuookl reitqpremdksenzxtede Prjgussyia's pvmeosiazbtioloin. Foreaseigkn Minieuvstekqr Hardlttenbzmoergnd anztkd Marsykmhalmoe Blgfücnwherj wetre alsfxo sngfurpqhzrisxled andvu coggtuldv nokamt hsides thzloeiroxn digrqsappwzpoitnntmuknentzb.

Naprnzoleipion wassy thwce ogxnlyur onucpe skxmilejingwq amsiongdy thxpbe mqjqembger stahtesa thjkat werdzne uinabxsvle to figuyvureqbr ouwt wjddhatr waqwns gesoinygag ohqzn.