ority with more confidence that he was a silent and
passive auditor.

"One must have been present at this pathetic scene to have an
idea of the superhuman resources which the illustrious statesman
displayed. I still see him, pale, agitated, now sitting, now
springing to his feet; I hear his voice broken by grief, his
words cut short, his tones in turn suppliant and proud; I know
nothing grander than the sublime passion of this noble heart
bursting out in petitions, menaces, prayers, now caressing, now
terrible, growing by degrees more angry in face of this cruel
refusal, ready for the last extremities, impervious to the
counsels of reason, so violent and sacred were the sentiments by
which he was governed."

Bismarck remained obdurate; he would surrender neither Metz nor Belfort.
Then Thiers cried out:

"Well, let it be as you will; these negotiations are a pretence.
We appear to deliberate, we have only to pass under your yoke. We
ask for a city absolutely French, you refuse it to us; it is to
avow that you have resolved to wage against us a war of
extremity. Do it! Ravish our provinces, burn our houses, cut the
throats of their unoffending inhabitants, in a word, complete
your work. We will fight to the last breath; we shall succumb at
last, but we will not be dishonoured."

It was a burst of passion, all the more admirable that Thiers knew his
threats were vain; but it was not ineffective. Bismarck was troubled; he
said he understood what they suffered; he would be glad to make a
concession, "but," he added, "I can promise nothing; the King has
commanded me to maintain the conditions, he alone has the right to
modify them; I will take his orders; I must consult with Mons. de
Moltke." He left the room; it was nearly an hour before he could find
Moltke; then he returned to give the answer to the Frenchmen. "You had
refused that we should enter Paris; if you will agree that the German
troops occupy Paris, then Belfort shall be restored to you." There could
be no doubt as to the answer, and some hours later the assent of the
King was given to this alteration in the conditions. Before this the
indemnity had been reduced to five thousand million francs; below that
all the efforts of the French were not able to bring it. There were many
other exciting scenes during the progress of the negotiations; on one
occasion Thiers threatened Bismarck with interposition of the neutral
Powers