Lay Down Your Arms: The Autobiography of Martha von Tilling

_Ruin of the Austrian cause at Königgrätz.--Dr. Bresser at the seat of war.--I resolve to join him and seek for my husband.--Aspect of the railway station and line in a time of...

_Summer sojourn in Switzerland.--My husband’s researches in the history of the Geneva convention, and in international law.--Seclusion and mourning.--Visit to Vienna.--Frederick...

_The indefinite approximation of two loving hearts.--A serious illness.--Progress of Conrad’s suit to my sister.--Aunt Mary’s letter.--First rumours of war with Prussia.--Sequel...

_Progress of my friendship for Tilling.--The toy soldiers.--A dinner at my father’s.--The brave Hupfauf.--Darwin.--A charming tête-à-tête, ending in a misunderstanding.--Growing...

_Marriage and visit to Berlin.--Lady Cornelia von Tessow and her son.--A wedding tour.--Life in garrison at Olmütz.--Christmas at Vienna.--Rumours of war.--A new-year’s party.--...

_New-Year’s Day, 1867.--The Luxembourg question.--Disputes between France and Prussia.--Arbitration.--The alarm blows over.--We visit Paris.--Plan of Napoleon III. for general d...

_The Prussians advance on Vienna.--Prussian officers quartered at Grumitz.--My brother Otto’s warlike ardour.--He gets into trouble.--A grand dinner to the self-invited guests.-...

_First days of the war in Paris.--Constant reverses of the French arms.--Fall of Metz.--Paris turned into a fortress.--The Prussians expelled from Paris.--Surrender of the Emper...

_The course of the Danish war.--Suspension of hostilities.--War renewed.--My husband ordered off just on the eve of my confinement.--The parting.--My confinement occurs simultan...

_Conrad Althaus’s suit to Lilly.--The Easter foot-washing.--I meet Tilling again and receive him at my own house.--A disappointing interview.--Tilling announces his departure fr...

_The joy of re-union.--Summer at Grumitz.--Recollections of the war.--My husband resolves to quit the service.--Education of my little son.--Cousin Conrad’s love affair.--The en...

_Last hours with the beloved one.--Public feeling in the prospect of war.--The parting.--Employments of the women at home.--Anxieties over the news from the seat of war.--Ill-su...

_My delight in the restoration of my husband.--The war practically at an end: but the Prussians continue their advance on Vienna--Life at Grumitz.--Military education.--My broth...

_First years of widowhood.--Solitude, study, enlarged views.--I return into society.--Renewed enjoyment of life.--Thoughts of second marriage.--I chaperon my younger sisters.--I...

_Serious mental illness, consequent on my husband’s death.--This recurs occasionally.--Conclusion of my diary.--Additions to “The Protocol of Peace”.--Progress of the Peace move...

_The Austro-Prussian war.--My husband with the army.--Parting letters.--Dr. Bresser.--The course of the war.--Victory of Custozza.--Austrian reverses in Bohemia.--War correspond...

_Girlish days and girlish fancies.--Youthful enthusiasm for war.--Education.--“Coming out.”--An important visit to Marienbad.--Love at first sight.--Marriage.--A first child.--T...

_We remain in Paris to get ready a new house.--The “question” between France and Prussia.--Candidature of Prince Hohenzollern for the crown of Spain.--The war rumours and the sp...

_The Austrian reverses increase.--Sketches from the seat of war, showing its realities, as viewed by a soldier who abhors war.--Death of poor Puxl.--My husband avows his determi...

Tilling was by this time quite near. Conrad looked first at him, then at me, and, without speaking a word, nodded at me with a smile, and went off as if he was flying for his life.