The King had the day before moved from Karlsbad to Baden and was therefore in the immediate neighbourhood of Frankfort.

It was very difficult for him not to accept this special invitation.

"How can I refuse," he said, "when thirty Princes invite me and they send the message by a King!" Personally he wished to go, though he agreed with Bismarck that it would be wiser to stay away; all his relations pressed him to go.

It would have been pleasant for once to meet in friendly conclave all his fellow Princes.

Bismarck, however, was determined that it should not be.