He began by some wheedling words as to the ability shown by Haugwitz in the Schoenbrunn negotiation: "If anyone but myself had treated with you I should have thought him bought over by you; but, let me confess to you, the treaty was due to your talents and merit.

You were in my eyes the first statesman in Europe, and covered yourself with immortal glory." Before that interview, forsooth, he had decided to make war on Prussia; and only Haugwitz had induced him to offer her peace and the gift of Hanover.

Why, then, had that treaty been so criticised at Berlin?
Why had the French ambassador been slighted?
Why was Hardenberg high in favour?
Why had not the King dismissed that tool of England?
Here the envoy strove to stem the rising torrent of the Emperor's wrath; his words were at once swept aside; and the deluge flowed on.

As Prussia had not ratified the treaty pure and simple, she was in a state of war with France; for she still had Russian and English troops on her soil.

Here again Haugwitz observed that those forces were withdrawing, and that the Prussians were entering Hanover in force.