Stadionunfoldedtheletterandread:
\"ColonelSteigenteschwillreturnfromhismissionwithoutaccomplishinganything。PrussiaandAustriaarerivalsinGermany，andwillneverjoinhandsinacommonundertaking。AustriacanneverforgivePrussiafortakingSilesiafromher，andPrussiawillalwayssecretlysuspectthatAustriaisintentuponweakeningherrisingpowerandhumblingherambition。Hence，Prussiawillhesitateandtemporizeevenatthisjuncture，althoughitisall—importantnowforGermanytotakeaboldstandagainsthercommonenemy，rapaciousandinsatiableFrance;shewillhesitatebecauseshesecretlywishesthatAustriashouldbehumiliated;andshewillnotbearinmindthattheweakeningofAustriaisfraughtwithdangerforPrussia，nay，thewholeofGermany。\"
\"Now。gentlemen，\"saidtheemperor，whenCountStadionwasthrough，\"youseethatmyopinionwasright，andthatIwellknewwhatIhadtoexpectfromPrussia。WemustnowcarryonthestruggleagainstFrancesingle—handed;but，afterdealingheranotherblow，forwhichtheKingofPrussialongs，weshalltakegoodcarenottoinvitePrussiatoourvictoriousrepast。ItwouldbejustinuseventocompelhertogiveusthesweetmorselofSilesiaforourdessert。
Well，weshallseewhattimewillbringabout。OurfirstblowagainstFrancewassuccessful。——Archduke，goandhelpustosucceedindealingheranother;and，afterdefeatingFrancesingle—handed，weshallalsobemastersofGermany。\"
CHAPTERXXVII。