Prince Albert's response made Palmerston realize that a change might be occurring within the German Confederation. He tactfully asked Prince Albert if he had heard any rumors.
Prince Albert did not directly answer Palmerston's question. Instead, he smiled and changed the subject to ask Palmerston his opinion on the current French Empire.
Although Palmerston disliked Jerome Bonaparte, the monarch making headlines worldwide, he had to begrudgingly admit that, given the current situation, Britain indeed could not do without France.
The reports from Crimea were enough to indicate the issue. From the start of the Crimean War to the present, aside from the glory at the Battle of Alma, the Kingdom of Britain was either reinforcing its troops or in the process of doing so.
