. You must help me,
Herzberg, when I am the baker, to provide the flour for my people; you
must be the associate to knead the bread. In order that the flour should
not fail, and the bread give out, it may be necessary, if possible, to
make peace."

"Will your majesty be so gracious as to inform me what steps I may take,
and upon what conditions?"

"Take this paper," said the king, extending a written document
to Herzberg. "I have therein expressed my wishes, and you can act
accordingly. I am prepared for peace upon any terms which can be made
with honor, and which do not frustrate the aim I have in view. You well
know that this is the security of Germany against Austria's ambitious
love of territorial aggrandizement! I cannot and I will not suffer that
the house of Habsburg should strive for unjust possession in Germany,
and appropriate Bavaria to herself while a lawful heir exists. I well
know that I play the role of Don Quixote, and am about to fight for the
rights of Germany as the Chevalier de la Mancha fought for his Dulcinea
del Toboso. Mais, que voulez-vous, it is necessary for my fame and
repose that I enter the arena once more against Austria to prove to her
that I exist. I take this step on account of the prestige I have gained
in the German empire, and which I should lose if I had not faced Austria
in this Bavarian contest. And besides, it is agreeable to me to accustom
my successor to the thunder of cannon, and witness his bearing on the
field of battle."

"He will certainly do honor to the heroic race of Hohenzollern,"
answered Herzberg, bowing.

A sudden flash from the king's fiery eyes met the calm pale face
of Herzberg. "Mere words and flattery, which prove that you are not
satisfied, Herzberg! Nay, nay, do not deny it; you do not like that I
should tarry and treat, and set the pen in motion instead of the sword.
You are a man of deeds, and if you had had your way, I should have
already won a decisive battle, and be on the road to Vienna to besiege
the empress in her citadel, and dictate an humiliating peace to her."

"Your majesty, I can assure you--"

"Well, well, do not quarrel!" interrupted the king; "do you suppose I
cannot read your honest and obstinate face? Do you suppose I did not
mean what I said? Acknowledge that I am right! confess it, I command
you!"

"If your majesty commands it, then I will acknowledge it. Yes, I did
wish that your majesty had not empowered Baron von Thugut to ret