friendship of
Prussia?"

"To have an ally in you and be your ally. By the first, France will have
a trusty and powerful friend in Germany when her lands are attacked by
the King of England; by the last, your majesty will have a trusty and
powerful friend when Prussia is attacked by Russia or Austria."

"We will now speak of the first," said the king, quietly. "France, then,
thinks to transplant this war with England to German ground?"

"Everywhere, sire, that the English colors predominate. England alone
will be accountable for this war."

"It is true England has been hard upon you, but still it seems to me you
have revenged yourselves sufficiently. When England made herself supreme
ruler of the Ohio, France, by the conquest of the Isle of Minorca,
obtained dominion over the Mediterranean Sea, thereby wounding England
so deeply, that in her despair she turned her weapons against herself.
Admiral Byng, having been overcome by your admiral Marquis de la
Gallissionaire, paid for it with his life. I think France should be
satisfied with this expiation."

"France will wash off her insults in English blood, and Minorca is no
compensation for Canada and Ohio. England owes us satisfaction, and we
will obtain it in Hanover."

"In Hanover?" repeated the king, angrily.

"Hanover will be ours, sire, though we had no such ally as Germany; but
it will be ours the sooner if we have that help which you can give us.
Standing between two fires, England will have to succumb, there will be
no escape for her. That is another advantage, sire, that France expects
from the treaty with Prussia. But I will now speak of the advantages
which your majesty may expect from this alliance. You are aware that
Prussia is surrounded by threatening enemies; that Austria and Russia
are approaching her borders with evil intentions, and that a day may
soon come when Maria Theresa may wish to reconquer this Silesia which,
in her heart, she still calls her own. When this time comes, your
majesty will not be alone; your ally, France, will be at your side;
she will repay with faithful, active assistance the services which your
majesty rendered her in Hanover. She will not only render her all the
assistance in her power, but she will also allow her to partake of the
advantages of this victory. Hanover is a rich land, not rich only in
products, but in many other treasures. The Electors of Hanover have in
their residences not only their chests filled with go