For Sceptre and Crown Volume I Part 45

"You will allow," said Count Platen, "that such a deeply important proposal as the reform of the confederation requires a discussion that will occupy some time."

"I must press you, Count Platen," said the prince, "to give me a distinct answer upon one point,--I am not authorized to commence a discussion,--has the king accepted the treaty or not?"

"No," said Count Platen, with great hesitation, "but----"

"Then I declare war!" said Prince Ysenburg solemnly.

Count Platen stared blankly in his face.

"But my dear prince--" he cried.

"You must perceive," said Prince Ysenburg, "that after such a declaration it is impossible for me to say anything more, except to express my deep personal regret that our long years of intimacy, on which I shall always look back with pleasure, should have so sad an end. Farewell! remember me with the same friendship with which I shall always think of you."

He held out his hand to Count Platen, who seized it mechanically, and before the minister had recovered from his astonishment the amba.s.sador had left the room.

A short time afterwards, Meding arrived, and found him still under the influence of this scene. He brought the minister the king's commands to accompany him to Gottingen, and Count Platen imparted the declaration of war.

"Did you ever doubt it?" asked Meding.

"I considered it impossible!" said Count Platen; "and I yet hope we may be able to do something in Gottingen."

"There is nothing to be done, except to march as fast as we can for South Germany!" said the privy councillor.

He left the minister, to prepare for his journey, and hastened to seek General Brandis.

Herr Beckmann had come to Hanover with the courier from Berlin, and he discovered to his great discontent that he could not set out again upon his already r.e.t.a.r.ded journey, until various trains containing troops had been despatched from the railway station.

It was two in the morning.

He walked disconsolately up and down the platform, wrapped himself shiveringly in his large travelling cloak, smoked his cigar, and looked at the busy proceedings in the railway station.

There was a train with a steaming engine close to the platform; it consisted of only a few carriages, but in the centre there was a large saloon carriage richly gilt, and surmounted by a crown.

"What is that?" asked Herr Beckmann as a busy porter hurried past.

"The king is going to Gottingen," he replied, and hastened on.

Herr Beckmann walked up to the saloon carriage and examined it.

"It is true," he said, "the king must really be starting; but," he added, "it does not look like a flight, the soldiers, at all events, seem to have no mind to fly."

Notwithstanding the late hour the platform grew more and more crowded with people, who waited quietly near the royal train.

Then the large doors of the royal waiting-room opened, and Count Platen, a number of generals, Lex, and Herr Meding appeared. They all seemed grave and silent.

The wheels of other carriages were heard.

There was a movement amongst the gentlemen in the waiting-room, and the crowd on the platform pressed towards the open door.

The king entered, dressed in a general's uniform, leaning on the arm of the crown prince, who wore a hussar's uniform. They were followed by lieutenant-colonels von Heimbruch and von Kohlrausch, and by Major Wedel.

The king gravely greeted those who had a.s.sembled to take leave of him, he conversed with several of the gentlemen and shook hands with them.

The general director of the railway came up and said that the train was ready.

The king and the crown prince walked across the platform and entered the railway carriage.

Every head was uncovered, and a sorrowful murmur pa.s.sed through the a.s.sembled crowd.

The king was followed by the gentlemen of his suite. The crowd thickened around the carriage.

Then George V. appeared at the middle window, bowed, and said in his clear voice:

"I say farewell to the citizens of my capital, because I must accompany my army to resist unjust demands. My queen and the princesses I confide to your protection; they will share your fate. G.o.d be with you, and with our just cause!"

"G.o.d save the king!" cried the crowd; "auf Wiedersehn! auf Wiedersehn.

G.o.d bless your majesty!" Handkerchiefs waved, and hats rose higher and higher.

Herr Beckmann stood in the outer row. Tears shone in his eyes, he raised his hat in the air and his voice joined in the general cry with which the citizens of Hanover took leave of their king.

The train moved slowly, the engine puffed, the wheels rolled faster, and there was one general cry: "Auf Wiedersehn!" The carriage rushed on, the king had left the capital.

The generals and court officials slowly departed, the crowd slowly and silently dispersed, and Herr Beckmann paced thoughtfully up and down the platform.

"Tiens, tiens," said he to himself, "voila le revers de la medaille.

What will not this war destroy? how deeply will it cut into human life, both high and low! Great events lie in the lap of the future: yes, but tears also--did not my eyes grow wet when the king took leave of his people. Well! what must happen, will happen, an individual can neither add nor take away. Fate seizes on us all!"

"The train is starting for Cologne," said a porter coming up to him.

"At last!" cried Herr Beckmann with a sigh of relief; and the whistling, puffing engine soon bore him away.

CHAPTER XII.

CAMPAIGNING BEGINS.

King George V. arrived in Gottingen early in the morning of the 16th of June, to the no small amazement of the inhabitants, who had scarcely comprehended the grave position of the country the evening before, and arose the next day to discover that war had broken out, that the king was installed in the Crown Hotel, and the army concentrating in hot haste in and around Gottingen.

The old city of Georgia Augusta had scarcely ever before seen such varied active life within its walls.

Fresh troops perpetually poured in through the gates of the town, or from the railway station; some taking up their quarters in the city, some in the surrounding villages.

All the soldiers were adorned with fresh sprigs of oak, the proud cavalry regiments rode gallantly on, batteries of artillery rolled noisily over the pavement, and merry songs resounded from every regiment of the war-inspired troops.

In front of the Crown Hotel the greatest activity prevailed. Orderlies of the red hussars of the Guard were halted, waiting to convey orders; aides-de-camp went and came, servants hurried busily to and fro, groups of citizens stood whispering together, and looking curiously at the middle window of the first floor, where was the king's apartment.