Whatever services France might do to Prussia she could henceforth look to him for no voluntary recompense.

Napoleon had deceived him; he would henceforward have no scruples in deceiving Napoleon.

He had entered on the war relying on the friendship and neutrality of France; at the first crisis this had failed him; he never forgot and he never forgave; years later, when the news of Napoleon's death was brought to him, this was the first incident in their long connection which came into his mind.
Intercourse with Paris was slow and uncertain; the telegraph wires were often cut by the Bohemian peasants; some time must elapse before an answer came.

In the meanwhile, as the army steadily advanced towards the Austrian capital, Bismarck had to consider the terms of peace he would be willing to accept.

He had to think not only of what he would wish, but of what it was possible to acquire.