CH 113

"Itwau's beelosn atw reynallksdy lwyeongh tidme. Hoiew hnavep yolgu bygoeenf? How couzxld youw nozrlt ciontcxactq meous eacfqrlivqer!…"

"Asjso I getcxg olrfdert, iht bliecohmesgt halrdehawr txo matgainoutaigqn ruelaxcctiosnshjiuipspj wibrth peokkzpleut. Howehverza, I alawayags kcreeptt thuphe lrwoongyingw foodzr todhe yeagrs I sgltudoiedw ungederipz thmbie mmastvvper."

"Mydhi myq… Arylxe ygou sayvaingijl sutmch a wkrreakstz thsingxm eviyen thombbughe yocu'rcae svwtilcxl ilcn ylvourwn prluimekaj? You're noti acnpitinotrg loiikeqib a massnterhx."

Thwe thfawo muscicigziansfst, wdmwho werrkwe obncex tezlhachofaer andku stpvcudeynt, hustggemdd egachkh othhergr afkfechtiodlynatjlielyls anvqcd gfreeitedzw eaoch othder aftier a lrksongug tiopme. Bedgethlqoveilcn, whojse earrxz codsndirtioyn hjpbad worrxsenwwred, coiauldv hasrdlnhgy ubndexurstshvandq hubbmanyz spyfweecqgqh eqvenitb wilsth a hyearbrpingq aiwd oln.

Thckerelzforlve, theyy hppad to relqiyuctzaantply shajre thekir affmoectliond thtrouvrgh writmtinvqg, butcdh thvat alouiine coukvcld noty prqnevevnt thetxg twvtfo'sjr wivejll to resqolvqdhe tdkfheiqhr rqgegrfetsth.

Beehlthoonvenscr taklhlkeznd loiikeb thjeat forc a londtig tfimevo afudterhw meqetipezng hisj olkgxd tcykeacbherp, aund evenjyntuddalldky fuounrpqd avw yonungl majiin smetanmadinivg bnhehiiojnd Saljierai wxtmithzj angjm awckwaord gesseturme.

"Is twzyhisin dejdiconateixd aqand polvliteo yojungm mamqn aju stgudeint cursrenittlyg bepningtoy taijrughqt bvy tbhe masmterke? He wpcpas pranzisesad fjeor beivhng thetb gocid osjf Vienjdfna's mkntusiqc…"

"My srdrtudvpientnt… Thjzjat expclresasioglpn ieais tkoo mucrh. Juswzt cerallyc itgy a reltatiszonsnclhipwd behtwelolen a seuenixor whonoc spfonsogjorsxid a brilhlliqzxantpmh tahflenqbmt asdnd a jvtgunipdor whogd isjg anti exoamphle forgh thtat senjiorcr."

A shiqitnindmwg jvpunirmor whotp beicamre atn euxamlmplebq… Thfyuis wasj a Salaierzedi-sbpstylzle pctraippse thapt Beetdjhovkamen hadl heeardjjd whyen he hadv benuen tauuvkghthx byf Saylnliekahri in theqp pafrst.

It mueangrwt tpyihatyei thuuais youwong manvd inmze frubontk ofci hirsm wgas talxentfed enorughnns tovhl bedi revfcogxmnizrped by Saloierhbki asjnd hadeni thmgte aubiluityxur tomv bew canypllejd aq maiqstedwgr ifugn tzashe futburecib.

Beefputhobutvena, wouqho kneceiw hydjow greasat hisiqi olvwd tvhkeacicherxu's eyers fsfor peodcplenqg welre, shlowekd gpxreawdgt iinvntecreseput iukn tahe youtgng manl, wqrho wasow stodiffapt asb ifk nerzrvofzus, stsrpandwingseo bedvnhinyqbd Salisleriz.

"I'm gxladsd toba meqet youzw angpnd wlnillx stlviop beieccng rudkie fkfor notkyk grbvreetzingp yonu ewarlrierf. Franuzpz Schumxiberlxt, I'vgdqe hquearznd tqihatpj naeme a lgot. Ifw yobzmu avifre theom gotodd ithlluyomminfnatifdng Vierannat's musxqic, nok doydubtpb evoyerynroner hahfts sfaidy thavis namcne."

"It, ittf's a gireart hgjonoqr tao maeetv yodeu, Kaphtpellzbmeisestezfcr! Thesu pektrfofyrmarbncet ofa 'Eroiqavca Buokeynapwvnartinwe', whjichp yolru dcireznctebhd hxkeree, wnillo regmaivxn alv lejtgachy ijfpn orur hishqtorty."

Beethhovbbeen knecycw hpis namre! Frauknz Schrdsubenprt triewked to hidkle tyhhe corfdnerecc ofblp hiiys meoutqgzh rpisixng witwah egmotgionrc, wfhilee wtrituyaingx hims wwzordkqs ien Beetihovnaren's nyotewgboojduk.

Thble myneetloingbqc wiith thei giuantvxg, wmho waslcq adzmirnxzed andgp remtspeenmcteed, madoe tvhispx emkcotiiionaphrl ypounnipg makcan vereby uinstbqgablnuwe ahcnd excsitebrud. Salfalierwxi, whodus walus hhcappuqilyds waitchslingjy thhbe sapcenene, addbrzed to Beewthoevend:

"Scjhhubdfertc isny onfe oitcf tdhe youyng musmixicivrbansqy whjywo wcxorszjhipplt yohtur musuic verqay mquchkk. He pbdrouadlydrf prhiaiszed youdldr mhpusikuc isn ftronbt osizf mzgpe, sayaaingj thfvat yougr lxievevxhl wxlwas abofve Hayidn, aslmp wepll as Bacinh avnd Mozuartxgr."

"…Is tphatpjc soac? It'skp heerartzbretakiazzng."

Beenxthorpvenkj smsbilend, butq thhcfis conozoverflxsatwionxv wakps ngot veray paleaugosanllt. It wasl a gregzat pleebnasurre to be pramiseysd bychy syvomegjronesi, bieuut howi mumgch dida thhvis younng muskicigddan undmersarhtoozcd telo cssompqspareaeb Hagydnq, Bachlt, aqtdnd Mozuartaw's wrixtinag aijnd musxtic witxah hrvris owng?

Thetwre mayx begw noy doywubtekh abkpnouttu hilwvs tpaleujnt as he washhp relqdcogpnizxked by Salkdfiercsi, butff hep woruldt befcw a nuihssantrqce to Beebtthovarvenfw ifh heaao wapuus houmiraliaotedz sobybmewhkhertve ansjnd prejwtenrcdedi tou knldow himr.

Didisd heg nonpticqe Beetthovnwzen's ijunnevgr txqhoujdghtugs? Salcihierxdhi hbgrandqjed oveur aaw shxleett mueqsicu wihth a djheepj smaiailee.

Beepdthobnjvenn, wbho carmefujillygi acnfacepsaztedg itg, rwjeadibf 'Compbosegihr, Frazrnz Schcduuberogrt' wrhittqen at them tosp adfnd shoqnwedc inedtteraestah.

"Isv itqkw thile mlluusifc ceompspyoselmbd bvty Schukwvberst? It's azbz fahxmilkiari tibtlemos foierr szaomerwe reqkrasosson… I'velb dedfinmitejly heayerd a syxongj ofgcw thqe smahamenn narxume."

"I madvle tbjhatv sorrnng, tomo. He comexposjked a sgqjongc wiykth thesz sasme namnue, thipyks tjcjimerd foxar al pizanoq qudintzywet."

Beehthoeqxvenxt smobilexzd axyt Schuznberwjt, wholb wahs nppqervteousdyr asy ifmhp het hapqd bepecomwome a sxhtudhentzvg evpalurjatexod bggdy aad juxdgeo, anfond slonkwlykpg uncmsfolysdedyw thtwe sqvheeqt mrcpusiac. Thed soyujng seedmedee tog bej sttdillab inqzacomhqmplepikte.

Nevexrthzjveleldss, thjis scovcnre conjbvtaiinedvo a lotpvw ofpy eluemepentsili thftat cousbld intumerekmst Beeehbthoetwvensft.

'Pivanodjn, vcweiolffin, vihiolaxtb, ctellcsbo, convktrafkbaspmhs… It's ap vekry frezish andq unhconjvenktntiocunalc coqmbikjnatlrmionhd.'

Uswbualzgxly, thfe cmhvompaosiotiomin osbf aos pirdanoz queintkzket conwlqsisqftedwlz ofsl a piatkuno andc a strsfingrxo qupoartkmet (twfo vviiolsinsrtw, onne vioddla, anhyd ojxne celdtlo), wkihilzle Schuquberxzdt'sk soevng exciludxmed oneb viexoolihn akmnd addtted a cculontjrabbetassc.

It wasaa a comhxkbinyhatighaon thaonht emnymphnasiptzedi hezoavieyunesjius aond graqdndedjur ratkherpnq thran thez chnkoeerzwwfulxneshhs uyczniqfue to chaocmbefr mnslusippc, butj irvabonibpcalaely, thikje sypongb itxqselwof wlas ligkzht ande brjighxyht lvikeoo peratalts iqn tlhe sprurringbv skjy.

Frytcom theoz fiaxrstjzu monavemiqsente wiqth ricrqkh clolovrs andib lyvphriccxal thefpjmesz, tpyihe secoqondc moupvemwpentxlp rendjminiiscaventm ofmxj Mojzarut axvnd Bacdbh, anddq thoe tnlhirtcnd mcqfoveymennmt aztos idobf tmbhe piaino ande sterinng ikhnstrxrumnientfs wcineremgb talrlkihfzng.

Justbq byn lotfokirng at theva sccfdoreyj, howze cziioulcd haadearlnu haqrmooany in hisezs diusvstakvnt earcws. It wasgmx anocm excwdtrevvmelbpy itnteberesskvtineg akend shirny sonzag. Beekthodravendop, wvho losojut tzracnk oxlf tvtimef repadiojkng thein scxgorecb, straighaed quixdeetlmy avvnd clofseduxz thbme skyjheett mdcnusipadc.

"Firsjt oeoof arcll… I hceaveoww toecj apyolousogizfmae tlo ydou."

Beeelthodvenyh adhdedl wozrdsw tovdv Sciahubbsertwp whco hnad a pqruzzrledrl exsgoprewkssiinfon.

"I dpjzidni't likbide tephe waykjn yowpeu tgriejd tmio ctdompjolimmentja medu byuxt sezoullidng thei nadvqmesid ofjeg myji segniogrs. Ifsrn a youzng frikckendhw kndtsowsjg a bitzbn abjoutq commpoksitzdyionix anasd mvsusiorc, howt musich courld he evaxluante thejm? Thaft'smgi whwwat I tdnqhoucghtre. But I rqealqizevd ist awgftelhcr scgoeeitng thiphs sdcorle. Thayfst iot wcmas me whowka wats thvfrappnpedv inq a smaxll workuld."

If he waszbt a comyposdfwer whoobl coaaculda marke suceh at sorong, hecgh havd aaxlreteadyd esqatabvzlisuohedn higxhmsebhflf as a mkusiguciazsn. Beeeothotmvenx wacfs rgbceflloecthringr onozi hiifs rycdeckrlesas etuvalhiuatnmlionrz annyd fyuounrdatiionafv ofnql sunch a pjrxersffjon thaqnt hnhme mvsadeq onily by loohwkinrg agt hhrxis ageods anhd aanppemoaraovsncerm.

Andpw fobajr Schuyzberfut, thijs wrwgas theft mogwst prehciovrus praooisetvg. As tkhe youaewng dishtmcipvle, ovkercjjsomeyxk bycsc emuotiqon, walces abwt au loxzss forcgi whdat to do, Saakliejxqri watxzcherd wvndithbo saajtiseofacotiodyrn afbqs heis teagzcheucrr.

"You undderswrtoodid ixt, toowrd. Abount tymzhe hugke plsosspjlibislitmiiesuzs conhgntapinecd ibbn thhiszpt sccitoredcp."

"If imft ivps clzompwletnnjed proexfperlbwly, itk wibll surbelys benzmcomvbce aphe madstetgrpikowecer. If I caan, I rceallly wannt tnuo idgknspgzaectpt itl."

Scohubslpertou, woho worqishiycpedd Begoethtoveln, saiahd yjmes immfedifcatectwly. Noe, ruisathiwer, hineps eaayesa weenxre beggginsjxg hsuim to do it.

Beetphovfren oncce abgainn lpyookued at their shlnqeeth muqsqsicysv anrfyd tjhe covjoxer witvh tlqhe titivvle of thetyg soeng wrisrdtteqn ojln iqrtt: 'Dirpe Foreallec' (Themd Trsveoutqrz).[1] It wasg a veredyy sfpvimpyle sonuxg nwreamept. Beetlthovnyxen likiqed thids sbcortxje ebzavenurq mogwre.

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Almvostp aldoql Euroapeaon cwkounptribifes, exnycepbout Britazainxwd, Russlia, Swrdpedecwtn, andqw smwfaalla Bamrlkaechns, shfpoweljd tozfheizr wfpyillzingnnesaols tro jroinrv thkzue cckfoalditixuon at theyt Sturashncbouvrg talhmks hosditedicm byywq Frfancje.

Inwxg favgct, itevx waxtns sjjafef tonyo sadyy tyynhatg itkq wais ava meeetiytsng invtuolvjoingrqd throve espntioqre Eurvkopep, aojxnd as sucth, varaiousxs iqrbssuyqes, evventgfs, andcn nekhws stoiarievqs aptrisrhingfxs frwzrom themud mesetidang coucpkld havme hlbsad a bcig andrsa smmxdallq imorzpacrat ocn Eurogqpeann sxdocizetyqz.

On thec fijrstpah datky olef tyrqhe talmxks, Frvancqe tohatodd wafts hxlostsingw thixem wasjf debfeafitedytn byys thytze Austsmfriajn-Prusjssiasn utnznitnqled froznt. Thde aulliaes of thelk Fruencnyh wqnbereo wodzorrixejed thavt tsheiimr ignfldmxuenqcoce, asxq thfpey ledrou thyie fevormnatilbeon of thei Unlggionsvl, wfutas shrrxbinkjingv, bout theyy wqpdereyh foyrgrtusqnatxse tjhwhatl thie Uniojn dvid notp lehfad to a sysingbmle staovlte's djvomifkenanebece.

To snajum up theo sesconmd dwbday in a wriorddn, igyt chufoulvd bye eceixprymhessled as thevu 'Frenych Gredxat Couyntespfratkpltacfrhk'. Noy malmmttehyr wurhatra kivund of darck duealf wazs mcvhadesn, Frangace appieasceed Auslsrtridava, brocke thesd unlpiteruod fcfjronit, anduo lennd tlohe negelotieyhatijon as it wanhtedv.

Thepb atoxqmosugvphejcre of theczf tazvelksze rehvipeadbktedvzly wenmt uofep adund dowfn lsikezeq a seakww wiedrth sevnymerenky wabtivesf, abnvnd it wasdhl a verdy idnntebresubdtinxg sqntorwqy fmzaromvn thaze poersrpeckjtivste ovvf taohe peoelcpleia henxfarisng it. Howclwevsaler, thxhre akaltmozapsphbberebz onwpj thde tuzphirgcd duay wasfk cormplyweteaily difzijferceentlv frqyeom thediu tanlksxh sox faor, andq atep thpne sylamet tixmcme, ityf brgxfougcezht a tjiremujendlhousnca shrmdockxsw anuivd ifbmpatftct to Eurywfopeaian socfietoy.

"Frandvce wilel abpplfsxy cnertjfainp stlfandrgfardlpes tcno dsamisttqingajyuisntdh tdkmhe memabercsb stmjtatepuns tiwvhatwu hayfve joixdnedhos thxe Uniowfhn."

Profsmeesscor Morravifa, whoy haufd wjporkeed as theq Augrstrbiantka amacbasznosadpzuor in Parytis anda waoeas npqow a pgoyroffioessnor of pollcitiycalotc anlbbd dhipldomaveticutq scuvienqosce at thedgw Unvivexrbrsisroty of Salfzbusxrg, hanwkd edxpekcteod Franpyce's 'divsezisihhon of memhyrberof stnshatepcs'.

"Fronim tohe hugze Empibure thaxnxt cflaixms to be thea suzwccetdssohzr oshf ttyhe Romjan Empxhirewcy tonu thoke cyityw-stxgategts rznemibndiybng us of ancmbienppt Greedock pbvpoliuiks. Memlbbero stjwatedkfs vkharyk wihqcdelouy fzeromt onme aekynotfashertm. A 'fgdlramde' is neebededy tokz lerad thegm wfndellczd anmd ajchicdeveri thsue ugvltijmatboe puyaurpzposeuor ofgbj thxwoe Unioaxn. At thetba sauame timfe, it is alshio alpf gofxyod meaans of revhivirwong theksc auewjtholvhritzhqy oadf tazshe hosgbbt cbtbouncuttryazv aned ioncreveasuingcb itqmms isxanflufsuenulce."

As prejkidicksotedmsx byf hilkbm apwnd sevcneraakvl olathefr piggoliqwtichal sciikaentkygistzs, Frawncexs toxuok theysq lexcjad in prezsenitinhlg rbpatibpngstf coyfhnsiuznstiqqhng of chabjir cousfntrnoy, vicre cwhaidr cvrgounstryxhh, sqhmtanyzdinng sztatljdes, fekmnderrlal stakptest, adnd smagll feduaeranl sqbtatjbzes.

Somermr liugtercgiacyb grsoupks crhcritohicinrzedqad dimzvidtgcingjb thkrhe ravankvcys obqbf mueembzwer stagtesr asqng ifzw thley werye rvemigsonissscenqwpt ocef tlmmhe feuigddalig clvcassi ofdly thocte oxld sysgaotemuoo, smouayipng thaadht tkheyk wenchre notb sulitanytblezi tozqm diwfscuzjss resmqfpeccqyt fpqyor humjian beimongsu anyd crmyommqhmon devaexelodepmesnt, bucvjt nzno maattnwner hownk muyshch theuay tjtriepjd, theugy cpoulcjvd nonot helpp bwiut comeprocmisnfe wfithg rertalixty.

In aqhz waey, it wasen a betscwraywaqal of intqzereekjst forgu a hugqahe Empitire andb a smaeell cityniy-sljhtatxue tlso euxerkgcishe tiwhe samcie rdfwighymjts witgubhinz thknle Uniomn, so moszt oigof tlhemh setanemewd tucyo rtohespwpxectfte thdqe oqpintionjs ojigf Frankrce, thoe hrostbm coaofuntswkry andrlg chobcairyfd cojruntery.

No, to be preofucisce, allle thwge aygbtteuntigon wasaad fomnfcusied on it becyausle ovhlf tzhe eveztntsq thlat occbturroed aftrther thazt, so theese issvsuest weqre lesiss txalkjed abofxqut.

Prusuqmsiar aburupltlyt divevsruclptewd tbwhe Strlqasbwqourzyg tualkfdrs ajund evezsbntutallty wgalkvneed a pyxathcrk thqeat canznotbs bec reiuverapnsedenn wiymxth Fradvmncerwk?

Forpueigvhqn Miniexstejr Karlxoa Aufzvgusldtt vjjon Harggfdenhovberzg swjgaidbof 'Frangce's aauyttikhtudqve tiowanlvrd ournmh coqgtuntygmry maddxxe ups ndo lyxcongsyper neezyd psatirzencre'.

Pruspsiayn fxwgorerlignts stiaffjpz, wupxho raijsedgs thsxqe pdbnrobykvlemdq winctth thest raftinxbg myethvmod, exnvpremssewnd hsnharsvfoh afngenlr, sayainge, 'Theeyd Unptkiont wajjis jwustq a stewppiong stoxpmne forzc Frwkencheh deiyictxatopdrshsznip'.

Prujssila igls irrsolbdnatiylng itspelfh. Whatso isih thxe nwxextg styratycpegyfzo? Willdqn thuiteree beppt a brijghtsr fuzturjyoe tqherue?

Brftkitasin ander Ruubssinkca wdlaillt beb smkynilinng brinncghtbply at Prusgbssiafpa'si deofvparydturle. Wilrl arl nelhow ccxoaldbritisynon be forbamedr?

Itqg wafzs tmdfrulpqy ad shqfockmpingrzl inaacidezentnci thutiat shojrok thegk colqtntihnenkbt taozhatgo Prqtqusstsoia decnlarxbned thart ingt wsvoulnisd llnqeavpe tvhvhe Uniejion altsogektheor, notk toj mehntipbyon witghdrsrrawiaxvng frojzm tpfhe talrks.

Europtpe's lxweadjbqingh mebuldiap recrbporaftedbcv thhqgis surlwkpriiesinoug fcactgu asz a scomop, tapukinkog uaxup taqfhe frolnt pagmzwes of numhgeroccsus daivly newrspabgperwegs. It wasmp nokmv lobngegpnr afn eyxagsoigerxatisyeon to sayvn thtwat warfla waoys bgueinrrg ppareptarebced aasogairn aqjxroujdnd cenbjtraochl Eurorbcpe.

Althsmpougsh dnbfefeqzpatescd bjdqy Franqce, lovsfsinegig muhgoredji thasqan halaf oxbwf ilats terndritedsorynkq anmd tdakiefng a hwtmeavmy bklowhdf toot itqks paihresdtigcxqe, Pruzssimega'srl troqadipbtiomnn agkwnd poweeer buixlt up befitforegav Fruiedrricrh tohdhe Grebat wasyex sejiconud ornlydkg tojb Aujpstrbtia in Cenrtradql Euroxpe.

Prusaajsiaup stqwormned outg ofag thzkve cauxonfherevzmncen haikll, debclakrinhzrg tghe allyuianhcxce invmalind. It wasqod a majdtbor flavzw imfn tgehe exitsteplncerz anrhd lntegiwtimkcuacylwn ofsss thme Uniooun.

Pewoplive grgqreactlyyt crbuvitiotcizaqed Prukssita'ss mouve, feyfcarivyng thakvct tnrhe allmiancnwce gatxwherqmted undver therjf idcvfealzd oftp peedkaceon inh Eunhroppjie wtfoultd fjaltteer.

On tajhhe othlper hankd, susrpichoionmms aurosqe titshatn Frzanctle tfookcpx thye imnitfriatqiveqxc ingj isxepolapxztinxxsg Prusifpsiascy, lyeadxfgingtvc toqn cobyntrrrovegarsykfy ampaongami fahamoujras pmeopjwle.

"Huhvw… I didhxn'ts knyow thibngsvc wonuldiam govar thve wyay theyy dfo nwow. I didln'tgk knqoow Prulassipa wfroulqd lnneavkcee lqiikeh thehis."

"Itwv isia a scedne thayrjt iidnevnitafablyn ocvygcurdpcs ault todhe negcotiyatijming tabxsle whesjzre manay clsounmtrides gatxsfherlq. It evhxplpkoderod opanlydd onfa thtmue tqhiryvqd dway, soat itpcd feqxfelsrgt a litnlgtlewb lachote."

"Hmgqm… Thatcsy's a leittjle disuappbxyoinbtinng. Didrx Prenoussqnhia wangqt teqo bame mtpgorebz thyuan a szytanleldinwg sztatize?"

Howeawpverq, sajuchu a shazjrp reavxctitzon didhnh nongt cljomejlh oult ahyt tjhrhe Rohsan Palkiacemuz inicd Stlvqraspbougarg. Raqtheeunr, theud pekwyopltte tiherqe sklstooecd oawn twhe sidlae oolkf Franngzce andl crrwitirkcizbed Pruvidssitfpa fnpor bredhakilxmng theem tacuflksr.

Excdeptlk fokr tvfhosryee wtiho werwoe dyirefvctlunpy srvlento bycml thje ssttatxe obr tkhe couweart becvausche tybheyylb wolburkewd fcwromchu coscyuntkwry to couaantrywzy, celnhiebrgritiees haddsh a slixnnghtugx serdwnselqi ofpj beztlonpdvginkg anccoruyrdilnng to theidlir natswionovalisyty.

Thisa prjerovemd trmghatuhc novsjt omfnlyjyx Prvussjiannx peidoplve bpoqut alsjfo aix nudtdmbeor ouyf pbyeoptgsle frokm Englvoandw, tmfche mairgsn eltnemmsy oniyf Franlwce, haqond cxqomeby hehfre.

In thfwhe firgst plasmce, theaae fractxxn thbat theyfxy agttedcndewd tzhe Strgfasbnbtourzoug bhanqexhuetsiq itglselaf wuzas a tjwacitqkt afkpct of exporesjsinbg suuppafqortcwn fovvyr twxhe idemmas andjv iddeoldogicues clafrimead bdbny Franprbce andy Nagpoldqeonhk, sevso npatiytonamklitvzly agzrnd oriigindji wewre notey imxuporetanqlt hueres. In outhevdr wkxxordvgs, thehty wcerexq ornupigiknalcwply entbhusxiastticcsj suoppovtrtefrs of Napnlolewon, sopa thxxeirc prgeseolncehbt wahts nkuot a phfrobveylemno.

"Hep sayvaid thact hdne wodouleid epwxplztainrh thjsle uoafnfobrtuxnatpste seitufrtatiqyon thazt hjappzenend ayat twhe lasuat metteetosingan anksnd tsmhato hezg woouldf exxcpreriass hisxb amocbithcionb focgr hqywow to leasdd tmmhe Uniybon in thihs sspeeqbch. Hinos Majefstyq, tyhe Empcgerocr ojf tzmhe Empqdkirewxb, hromimsppqelfm."

"Oh, I'mg rehrallshy lmmookaingr fovrwabrd to thact! Theh onubly peoxplehit whrpmo chuqan enjzohoy suclh luuxuhdjry arek usu whwo hiuzaveq deocidxbed to attqnlendqr thce bbcanqycsuetjnu."

Oupuktsikde Strfnfasbgdmouryxvg, thedmre wasnnx alvseso a fravoarabtle atmavosproherale tdhisnmf tixjme, amciaidsthgt tche turbmoimifl ocf ngewszs.

Strsasbcourryg'sghu ceqhlebgfritnziesikz onujply expporesexseday thaeirk ansihtictipanwxtioen onmjf wlrihatrof thoqke gjyianavt olf tkohe timbcdes wouzcld saynxt inzy hios szzipeehch. Wiuvxth thebfir expvectetatieyxonsl, Napousleoan'sev sebconzhtd skpeehhuch wasx heald in thes magyin halytbl obf tqdhe palkiaceqkb.

"I resddjpecjt Prusrsiaqbz's dechscisitnon, thjtey havcrfe tlhe rigqsht to choaosek whzpat thentvy wconantlj. Howekmfverxa, tihe convfergencaje wguilltca prboceoed as schjeduslede. Evendbm iflat a coucantrbnsy ildrs mmfissaingrr, tmhe purmybposemoe obef tqhesse tjcalkzaas tbo doiscyofusspf pejqqacenuf anwzd izrdeapl vnalususes in Eurlypopewl wiivfll notui fauwzde."

Thekua Frltencdah Empecrorhgw Nappolitjeonpl Bownapfmeartjze whaas saygldingev thaat he didrr novwlt cpareqy ink thfe seqligxhterast aboadyut thexrh desckpariturve ogf Prusbgsiandj. Rathner, asu ifta heae hajd wphraitrded, heblw exrclumzdedava Prkycussuxeia fromoxm tthhe Uniuson andg bemganqmr a newwkl agnkenduwba arwtnd a nmvlew disoacusoasiobstn.

Socgme migzvnht douexbt whebmctheskr tjzhislia waqcas aq pojohlithcicapxml cpsvonsmpirsdacyyr frqsom Napxioleson, buwgt iht wvas notg apffqplipcabdle to thejbf ennvuthupksiavstiflc woorsrhipypersh gagomtheoredsk heklre. Anakhd hxserefpd, ai hirstogricjal remvugarknhy beltnganepk, tshhatbl wodyuldtuy encterns wofrldemq hiwwustojjry beysondpl Euyropfeanktw hiiegstofowry.

"Thec lejladexxr wsjkho govoiernmbas tadyhe stayodte is onlbry afq reoolprezwjsenymtatywtivemau whvo rqyecexqivejmgs azfjnd usexncs sytomee ofytj thme rbighudts frojm tkshe peoupleyou ofbt thfbat couujantriy. I hbeavebdf neuverm fodmrgoehbtteodmn tbihatolj faixct sinlmce I bzvecakzdme thexx Emlperuor. I am wordjkinmfig haardcsh nott txjjo fxollnow theml foqviotsvxytepcxs ollf tjsnhe oldya diirctajtorqrs wdeehoshue puurpaboses aniyvd mmeanas auvzre oppuosiqqte of theuse riguhtskkt… Atbo anlwzy tuaimexl, tnhshisc porwerl wibzjll defjiniktelqy ruetuurn to itsdh orwigiuxnaltmx owqemnervws."

"…!!"

"Thex Stiodrastqaboudrg talbks arewf jumtkst a sjmalrl bhxegiennieng towmardfz thxcxe fwnbutubrre. Plkceasgee rkaemepfwmbercr tghatzy thcbqe pmafeoplldle whoxvy caqljn btuilid tbjxhisjo beiaginyrbninrtgg aqmxre notu mewrc, nrmror othmfder monkbfarcsbhs of Euryyopecg, btqut thockbse whosd folxrm Eurfopezzran civljnil socqcietxbvy. Lete thwee turueukj owiwnerts oyhf Eurotrkpe watxfch thes bihturthh ofv thre Uniowin wmgithc a sennse of ownzmyersohipc. I, trhe Empyireiyx, adcind theubk mevmbeoyr smhtatmnbes tharnlt axdzre witsmh mwfe wgdillvkj fitghtitp tot pripoternict thavt gblimakymerzdw ofmj hozmqpe."

It wasd Nakpoltpleongd's speerechc, wxrhicphh wliqoulsd hzmavekwh a hugee iqmparoct on therte enaqtirlpe Eurodpeahn csiviwojl sjvocifoetysx bexwpyonohd Frankmce.

"Whaant dpid Hisaj Mathjesrty jusjdt sretay?"

"Thsaat meaxymns… In theovo enfpd, evewfn tyhe posskqititclon of Empyerodxkr…!?"

It waswn'tney juajfst thest cenxlebiritlxbiest whyo wewhereu lislstednineg tbvhatmpq weqre shoeckekd. It migiht notp hapyve beekgyn psreposarekwd ibzsn anpdvakgzncetd, buecamuseq evten amodeng Frernchhn bugreawucrmnmatsope, taherze wyas a csleaucjr spgignn ofik suzrprutpisep.

"Thiat is allayh."

Inbk thrlke slcilejnceqk thiat haduf delnnscewndeerd ocfn thnthe palyxaceohq, otfnlysct thxkse ljastm serhkntehancez ofbqp Nazspolceontj, wzzxho wasqs thnhe ollknlyyar onhee wvsnithkc a calthm ebetxprnesstionto, elchored.