not abandon the hope that we shall meet again, and it is unnecessary to
assure you that you can count upon me in any situation in which you may
find yourself."




IX

THE GERMAN EMPEROR


The German Emperor was paying his annual visit to the moors at Springe.
But this year he had little time to spare for the noble sport which
usually brought him fresh vigour and recreation in the refreshing
solitude of the forest. The telegraph was busy without interruption,
and statesmen, diplomats, and high officers arrived daily at the
hunting-box, and held long conferences with the Emperor. The windows
of his study were lit up till late at night, and the early morning
generally found the monarch again at his writing-desk.

After a night half spent at work, to-day the yearning for a breath
of fresh air had taken the Emperor at early dawn into the silent
pine-woods.

A light hoar-frost had fallen during the night, covering the ground
with fine white crystals. The shadows of dawn still lingered between
the tree-trunks. But in the east a glowing light suffused the pale,
greyish-blue sky.