"
"France wishes to convince you of this, sire," said the duke.
"Convince me?" said the king, ironically. "And how?"
"King Louis of France not only proposes to renew this contract, she,
who he wishes to draw the bonds of friendship much closer between
France and Prussia."
"And to what end?" said the king. "For you well know, duke, that in
politics personal inclinations must not be considered. Were it not
so, I would, without further delay, grasp the friendly hand that my
brother of France extends toward me, for the whole world knows that
I love France, and am proud of the friendship of her great spirits.
But as, unfortunately, there is no talk here of personal
inclinations but of politics, I repeat my question. To what end does
France desire the friendship of Prussia? What am I to pay for it?
You see, duke, I am a bad diplomatist--I make no digression, but go
to the point at once."
"And that, perhaps, is the nicest diplomacy," said the duke,
sighing.
"But, duke, do tell me, why is France so anxious for the friendship
of Prussia?"
"To have an ally in you and be your ally. By the first, France will
have a trusty and powerful friend in Germany when her lands are
attacked by the King of England; by the last, your majesty will have
a trusty and powerful friend when Prussia is attacked by Russia or
Austria.
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