“And now let us hear, openly and without reserve, how, according to your observation, the German nation regards the possibility of a war.”

The Baron raised his fine, characteristic head.  Looking openly and naturally into the Emperor’s eyes, he replied—­

“Your Majesty, no one is in doubt that it would, on the one hand, be a fatal step to declare war.  By it many thousands will be sent to an early grave, lands devastated, and commerce perhaps ruined for many long years to come; and countless tears are the inevitable concomitants of war.  But there is a supreme law, to which all others must yield—­the commandment to preserve honour unsullied.  A nation has its honour, like the individual.  Where this honour is at stake, it must not shrink from war.  For the conservation of all other of this world’s goods is dependent upon the conservation of the national honour; where peace has to be preserved at any price, even at the price of national honour, all the benefits and blessings of peace will by degrees be lost, and the nation falls a prey to its neighbours.  Iron is more precious than gold, for it is to iron we owe all our possessions.  What use would be our army and navy?  They are the outward sign of the political truth, that only courage and power are guarantees for the continuance and prosperity of a nation.  Russia and France have joined hands to fight England.  And the German nation feels it is time to take its share in these struggles.  But nowhere is there any uncertainty as to which side Germany ought to join.  Our nation has for a long time past been exasperated by English intrigues and encroachments.  The human heart knows no other feeling so profound and powerful as the sense of justice, and the sense of justice has constantly been wounded by England’s policy.  Only one word from the Emperor is needed to strike the deepest chords in the German soul, and to raise a flame of enthusiasm that will swallow up all internal dissension and all party quarrels.  We must not ask what might possibly happen; we must obey the dictates of the hour.  If Germany fights with the whole of her strength, she must be victorious.  And victory is always its own justification.”

X

FIVE LAKHS OF RUPEES

At noon Prince Tchajawadse departed northwards accompanied by his page Georgi and his Indian servant.  Heideck had observed great reserve during the short time he had known the beautiful Circassian, and had never betrayed that he had guessed the secret of her disguise.  She seemed to be grateful, for although they never had exchanged words, she smiled at him and gave him very friendly glances at their chance meetings.  There could be no doubt concerning the relation of the beautiful page and his master.  Heideck may have felt some jealousy—­he hardly ever had seen a more charming girl than this Circassian beauty in her picturesque dress; but all his thoughts were