“What do you want there? Make way! you are forbidden to give out things to eat and drink. Go to the committee; your presents will be taken in there.”
“No, no,” I said; “I want to set off. When does the next train start?”
It was long before I could get information in reply to this. Most of the departure trains, I found at last, were suspended, in order to keep the line open for the arrival trains which were coming in, one after another, laden with the wounded. For the day there were absolutely no more passenger trains. There was only one with the reserve troops that were being sent forward, and another exclusively reserved for the service of the Patriotic Aid Society, which had to take away a number of physicians and sisters of mercy, and a cargo of necessary material to the neighbourhood of Königgrätz.
I heard, ever plainer and more beseeching, Frederick’s cry for help, and could not get to him. It was enough to drive one to despair. Then I espied at the entrance of the hall Baron S----, vice-president of the Patriotic Aid Society, whose acquaintance I had first made in the year of the war of ’59. I hastened to him.
“For God’s sake, Baron S----, help me. Surely you recognise me?”
“Baroness Tilling, the daughter of General Count Althaus. Of course, I have that honour. What can I do to serve you?”
“You are sending off a train to Bohemia. Let me travel by it! My dying husband is pining for me. If you have a heart--and your action surely proves how fair and noble your heart is--do not reject my prayer!”
There were still all kinds of doubts and difficulties, but in the end my wish was granted. Baron S---- called one of the physicians despatched by the Aid Society, and recommended me to his protection as a fellow-traveller.
There was still an hour before our departure. I wanted to go into the waiting-room, but every available space had been turned into an hospital. Wherever you looked, you saw cowering, prostrate, bandaged, pale forms. I could not look at them. The little energy which I possessed I had to save up for my journey, and for its object. I could not venture to expend here anything of the stock of strength, of compassion, or of power of assistance which was at my command--all belonged to him--to him who was calling for me.