“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; “If you speak to me of Europe, I will speak of the Emperor,” was Bismarck’s answer.  He threatened to open negotiations with him and to send him back to France at the head of Bazaine’s army.  On another occasion—­it was during the discussion of finance—­another scene took place which Favre describes: