This was enough; he took his leave and returned home to draw up the formal document in which he tendered his resignation.

This, which was to be the conclusion of his public life, had to be composed with care; he did not intend to be hurried; but the Emperor was impatient, and his impatience was increased when he was informed that Windthorst, the leader of the Centre, had called on Bismarck at his residence.

He feared lest there was some intrigue, and that Bismarck proposed to secure his position by an alliance with the Parliamentary opposition.

He sent an urgent verbal message requiring the resignation immediately, a command with which Bismarck was not likely to comply.

Early next morning, the Emperor drove round himself to his house, and Bismarck was summoned from his bed to meet the angry sovereign.