By defending it, it would seem that it had been
doubted, and that is a humiliation which I would stand from no one"
The king appeared not to have heard these words. He took some papers
from the table by which he was standing, and said:
"All that remains to be told you now, is that I agree with Marshal
Schwerin. We will commence the attack in Saxony. To Saxony, then,
gentlemen! But, until the day before the attack, let us keep even
the question of war a secret."
Then, with the paper under his arm, he passed through the saloon and
entered his library.
There was a long pause after he left. The Prince of Prussia,
exhausted by the storm which had swept over his soul, had withdrawn
to one of the windows, where he was hid from view by the heavy satin
damask curtains.
Prince Henry, standing alone in the middle of the room, gazed after
his brother, and a deep sigh escaped him. Then turning to Retzow, he
said:
"You would not, then, fulfil my brother's and my own wishes?"
"I did all that was in my power, prince," said the general, sighing.
"Your highness did not wish this war to take place; you desired me,
if the king asked for my advice, to tell him that we were too weak,
and should therefore keep the peace.
Pages:
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313