Arriving in Berlin on September 20, Bismarck saw Roon, who told him
of the king's desire to abdicate. That evening the crown prince asked
Bismarck for his views on the political situation. Bismarck evaded the
issue, reluctant to discuss matters he thought should properly first be
discussed with the king. ¹ Roon saw the king the following day after
church, and reported his feeling that the rift in the Cabinet could not
be healed; appealing to the king's sense of duty, Roon urged him not to
abdicate until all possible means of solving the conflict with Parliament
had been exhausted. Alluding to Bismarck, Roon reminded the king
that there was still one man who had not been called into the Cabinet
who was willing to take on the responsibilities of office. Wilhelm hesi-
tated. He still distrusted Bismarck and had mentioned his misgivings
to the crown prince who, though he agreed with his father, had been at
a loss to suggest an alternative. ² Roon was insistent, the king evasive.
"He [ Bismarck ] would not want to take over at this stage," he told
Roon, "besides, he is not here and one could not discuss this with
him." "He is here," Roon replied, "and will gladly follow Your Majes-
ty's call." ³ The king yielded.

Bismarck's audience with the king in the castle and gardens of
Babelsberg on September 22, 1862, was as decisive for the future of
the two men as it was for the fate of Prussia-Germany. The king ex-
plained that he had been unable to find a minister who could resolve
the impasse with Parliament, and that he intended to abdicate rather
than accede to the delegates' demands. He then asked Bismarck what

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