第3章
"Whatdoyoumean？Whatwell—informedquarterdoyoureferto？"
askedtheemperor。
"Yourmajesty，"saidHudelist，withasignificantgrin，"CountMetternichisaveryfine—lookingman;now，QueenCarolineofNaples，Murat"swife，andNapoleon"sfavoritesister，isbynomeansinsensibletomanlybeauty，andsheacceptedwithevidentsatisfactionthehomagewhichthecountofferedtoher。Fortherest，Napoleonwinkedatandencouragedthisflirtation;for，previoustohisdepartureforSpain，hesaidtohissisterloudenoughtobeoverheardbysomeofourfriends，"Amusez—nousceniais，MonsieurdeMetternich。Nousenavonsbesoinapresent！"
[Footnote:Hormayr，"TheEmperorFrancisandMetternich，aFragment，"p。55。]MadameCarolineMurattoldCountMetternich，forinstance，thatitistheKingsofBavariaandWurtemburgthatkeeptheirspiesforNapoleonhereinVienna，andthattheyurgedNapoleonvehementlytoreturnfromSpaininordertodeclarewaragainstAustria。AndNapoleonisdeterminedtocomplywiththeirwishes。HetravelledwithextraordinaryexpeditionfromMadridtoParis，stoppingonlyatValladolid，whereheshuthimselfupfortwodayswithMaret，hisministerofforeignaffairs，anddispatchedeighty—fourmessagesindifferentdirections，withorderstoconcentratehisforcesinGermany，andcalloutthefullcontingentsoftheRhenishConfederacy。HisowntroopsandtheseGermanContingentsaretoformanarray——towhichheintendstogivethenameof"theGermanArmyoftheEmperorNapoleon。"AlthoughCountMetternichwasawareofallthis，hehastenedtoattendthegreatreceptionwhichtookplaceattheTuileriesafterNapoleon"sreturn，inordertoassurehimagainofthefriendlydispositionsoftheimperialcourtofAustria。ButNapoleongavehirenotimeforthat。
Hecametomeethimwithafuriousgesture，andshoutedtohiminathunderingvoice:"Well，M。deMetternich！hereisfinenewsfromVienna。Whatdoesallthismean？Havetheybeenstungbyscorpions？
Whothreatensyou？Whatwouldyoubeat？DoyouintendagaintodisturbthepeaceoftheworldandplungeEuropeintonumberlesscalamities？AslongasIhadmyarmyinGermany，youconceivednodisquietudeforyourexistence;butthemomentitistransferredtoSpain，youconsideryourselvesendangered！Whatcanbetheendofthesethings？What，butthatImustarmasyouarm，foratlengthI
amseriouslymenaces;Iamrightlyformyformercaution。""
[Footnote:Napoleon"sownwords。——SeeSchlosser，vol。vii。，p。480。]
"Whatanimpudentfellow！"murmuredtheEmperorFrancistohimself。
"AndMetternich？Whatdidhereply？"
"Nothingatall，yourmajesty。Hewithdrew，returnedimmediatelytothelegation，andIsetoutthatverynighttoconveythisintelligencetoyourmajesty。Yourmajesty，wecannolongerdoubtthatNapoleonhasmadeuphismindtowagewaragainstAustria。Hisexasperationhasrisentothehighestpitch，andtheeventsinSpainhavestillmoreinflamedhisrageandvindictiveness。""ThenheisunsuccessfulinSpain？"askedtheemperor，whoseeyesbrightened。
"Spainisstillbiddinghimdefiance，andfightingwiththeenthusiasmofanheroicpeoplewhowillsufferdeathratherthanbesubjugatedbyatyrant。ShewillneveracceptKingJoseph，whomNapoleonforceduponher;andastheyseethemselvesdesertedandgivenupbytheirroyalfamily，theSpanishpatriotsturntheireyestowardAustria，andarereadytoproclaimoneofyourmajesty"sbrotherskingofSpain，ifyourmajestywouldsendhimtothemwithanauxiliaryarmy。"
"Thatwouldbeanicething！"criedtheemperor，angrily。"Notanotherwordaboutit！Ifmybrothersshouldhearit，theirheadswouldbeimmediatelyonfire，fortheyareveryambitious;hence，itismuchbetterthattheyshouldnotlearnanythingofthesechateauxenEspagne。TellmeratherhowitlooksinFrance。AretheFrenchstillsatisfiedwiththeiremperorbythegraceofthepeople！"
"Theyarenot，yourmajesty。LetmetellyouthatnotonlyNapoleon"sownofficers，hismarshalsandministers，aredissatisfiedwithhim;butthewholepeople，thosewhopossessmoneyaswellasthosewhoownnootherpropertythantheirlives，aremurmuringagainsttheemperor。Herobsthemoneyedmenoftheirpropertybyheavytaxesandduties，andthosewhohavenothingbuttheirliveshethreatenswithdeathbyforcingmusketsintotheirhands，andcompellingthemtodomilitaryservice。Anotherconscriptionhasbeenordered，andasthepopulationofFranceisdecreasing，youthsfromsixteentoeighteenyearsoldhavetobeenrolled。Franceistiredoftheseeverlastingwars，andshecursesNapoleon"sinsatiablebloodthirstinessnolongerinsecretonly，butloudenoughtobeheardbytheemperorfromtimetotime。"
"Andthearmy？"
"ThearmyisapartofFrance，andfeelsliketherestoftheFrenchpeople。ThemarshalsarequarrellingamongthemselvesandsomeofthemhateNapoleon，whonevergivesthemtimetoreposeontheirlaurelsandenjoythericheswhichtheyhaveobtainedduringtheircampaigns。Thearmyisaperfecthotbedofconspiraciesandsecretsocieties，someofwhichareinfavoroftherestorationoftherepublic，whileothersadvocatetherestorationoftheBourbons。
Napoleon，whoisservedwellenoughatleastbyhisspies，isawareofallthesethings。Heisafraidofthediscontentanddisobedienceofhismarshalsandgenerals，conspiraciesinthearmy，thetreacheryofhisministers，andthemurmursofhispeople;andhefears，besides，thatthefanaticismoftheSpaniardsmaydimhismilitaryglory;hence，hefeelsthenecessityofarousingtheenthusiasmofhispeoplebyfreshbattles，ofsilencingthemalcontentsbynewvictories，andofrevivingtheheroicspiritofhisarmy。HehopestogainthesevictoriesinawarbetweenhisGermanarrayandtheAustrianforces。Heis，therefore，firmlyresolvedtowagewar，andtheonlyquestionnowis，whetheryourmajestywillanticipatehim，orawaitadeclarationofwaronhispart。ThisisaboutallIhavetocommunicatetoyourmajesty;thevouchersandotherpapersIshallhavethehonortodepositattheimperialchancery。"
Theemperormadenoreply，butgazedintovacancy，deeplyabsorbedinhisreflections。Hudelistfixedhissmallsparklingeyesonthebentformoftheemperor;andashecontemplatedhiscare—worn，gloomyface，hisflabbyfeatures，hisprotrudingunder—lip，hisnarrowforehead，andhiswholeemaciatedandfragileform，anexpressionofscornoverspreadthefaceofthecounsellor;andhislargemouthandflashingeyesseemedtosay，"Youaretheemperor，butIdonotenvyyou，forIammorethanyouare;Iamamanwhoknowswhathewants。"
Atthismomenttheclockcommencedstrikingslowly，anditsshrillnotesarousedtheemperorfromhiscontemplation。
"Eleveno"clock，"hesaid，risingfromhischair，"thehourwhenI
amtogiveanaudiencetotheFrenchambassador。Hudelist，gotothechanceryandwaitthereuntilIcallyou。YouwillnotreturntoParisanyhow，butresumeyourformerpositioninthechanceryofstate。Iamgladthatyouhavereturned，forIconsideryouafaithful，able，andreliableman，whomIhavegoodreasontobecontent，andwho，Ihope，willnotbetraymyconfidence。Iknow，Hudelist，youareambitious，andwouldliketoobtainadistinguishedposition。Well，serveme——doyouhear？——servenonebutmehonestlyandfaithfully;watcheverythingandwatchclosely;
neverthinkofobtainingthefriendshipandgoodgracesofothers，norseekingforanyotherprotectors，saveme;andIshallalwaysbefavorablydisposedtowardyou，andseetoitthatthecravingsofyourambitionaresatisfied。Gothen，asIsaidbefore，tothechanceryofstate;andonhearingmere—entertheroom，stepinagain。TherearemanyotherthingswhichIwishtotellyou。"
"Iseethroughhim，"saidHudelist，lookingwithasmileaftertheemperor，whoclosedthedoorofthecabinetbehindhim，torepairtothesmallreception—room;"yes，Iseethroughtheemperor。Heisgladofmyreturn，forIamagoodspyforhiminregardtothedoingsofhisbrothers，ofwhomheisjealous，andwhomhehateswithallhisheart。IfIsucceedonedayincommunicatingtohimthingscapableofrenderingthearchdukessuspicioustohim，orevenconvictingthemofawrongcommittedagainsthim，theemperorwillrewardandpromoteme，and，ashesays，satisfythecravingsofmyambition。Well，well，weshallsee。Ifyouwatchamanverycloselyandarereallyintentonspyingoutsomethingsuspiciousinhisconduct，youwillintheendsurelyfindsomelittlehookorotherbywhichyoumayholdhim，andwhichyoumaygraduallyhammeroutandextenduntilitbecomeslargeenoughtohangthewholemanonit。Inthefirstplace，IshallpayparticularattentiontotheArchdukeJohn，forhisbrotherisparticularlyjealousofandangrywithhim。Ah，ifIcoulddiscoverysuchalittlehookbywhichtoholdhim，theemperorwouldrewardmyzealwithmoney，honors，andorders，andhewouldhenceforwardreposethemostimplicitconfidenceinmyfidelity。Well，Ishallthinkofit;theideaisagoodone，andworthyofbeingmatured。IshallformaschemetomakethegoodandmunificentArchdukeJohntheladderbywhichIshallrise。Imustconquer，andifIcandoitonlybypullingdownothers，itisthedutyofself—preservationformenottoshrinkfromthetask。Iwillnowgotothechanceryandwaittherefortheemperor"sreturn。Ah，howhisoldlimbstrembledwhenheheardofNapoleon"sreturn。HowhardandunpleasantitwasforhimtoswallowthebadnewswhichIcommunicatedtohim！Thereisnomoreinterestingspectaclethanthatpresentedbyahumanfacepassingthroughallthevariousstagesofexcitement，andinvoluntarilyperforminginitsfeaturesthefiveactsofatragedy。Andallthebetterwhenthishumanfaceisthatofanemperor。DuringmywholejourneyfromParistoViennaIwasenjoying，byanticipation，themomentwhenIshoulddeliverthisPandora"sboxtotheemperor。Heisopposedtowar，andmustneverthelesswageit;thatisthebestpartofthejoke。Aha！itisafinesighttobeholdthegodsofthisearthapreytosuchhumanembarrassments！Ifeltlikeburstingintoloudlaughteratthewoe—begoneappearanceoftheemperor。Buthush，hush！Iwillgotothechanceryuntilhereturns。"
Inthemeantimetheemperorhadrepairedtothesmallreception—
room，whereCountAndreossi，theFrenchambassador，wasalreadywaitingforhim。
Francisrespondedtotherespectfulgreetingoftheambassadorbyascarcelyperceptiblenod，andstrode，withheaderect，intothemiddleoftheroom。Therehestoodstill，andcastingasternandalmostdefiantglanceontheambassador，hesaidinacold，dignifiedtone:"Yourequestedanaudienceofmeinaveryunusualmanner。IgrantedittoprovetoyoumydesiretoremainatpeacewithFrance。Nowspeak;WhathastheambassadoroftheEmperoroftheFrenchtosaytotheEmperorofAustria？"
"Yourmajesty，Ihavetopresenttoyou，inthefirstplace，therespectsofmymaster，whohasreturnedfromSpaintoParis。"
Francisnoddedhisheadslowly。"Whatnext？"heasked。
"Next，mysovereignhaschargedmewithaverydifficultcommission，fortheexecutionofwhichImustfirst，andaboveallthings，begyourmajesty"spardon。"
"Youareyourmaster"sservant，anditisyourdutytoobeyhim，"
saidtheemperor，dryly。"Say，therefore，whatheorderedyoutotellme。"
"Well，then，asyourmajestyhasgrantedmepermission，Iwillsaythatmymaster，theEmperoroftheFrench，hastakendeepumbrageatthehostilecoursewhichAustriahasoflatepursuedtowardhim。"
"Andwhatisitthatyouremperorcomplainsof？"askedtheemperor，withperfectcomposure。
"Inthefirstplace，theEmperorNapoleonhastakendeepumbrageatAustria"sstillhesitatingtorecognizeKingJosephasKingofSpain，andtosendaministerplenipotentiarytohiscourt。"
"Ididnotknowwheretosendmyambassador，andwherehewouldfindM。JosephBonaparte，KingofSpain，forthetimebeing——whetheratMadridoratSaragossa;inthecamp，onthefieldofbattle，orinflight。HenceIdidnotsendanambassadortohiscourt。SosoonastheSpanishnationisabletoinformmewhereImaylookforthekingithaselectedandrecognized，Ishallimmediatelydispatchaministerplenipotentiarytothiscourt。Statethattoyourmonarch。"
"Next，hismajestytheEmperorNapoleoncomplainsbitterlythatAustria，insteadofbeingintentonmaintainingfriendlyrelationswithFrance，hasleftnothingundonetoreconciletheenemiesofFrancewhowereatwarwitheachother，andtorestorepeacebetweenthem;andthatAustria，byherincessantefforts，hasreallysucceedednowinbringingaboutatreatyofpeacebetweenTurkeyandEngland。Now，mymastertheemperormustlookuponthisasahostileactonthepartofAustria，againstFrance;fortoreconcileEnglandwithTurkeyisequivalenttosettingFranceatvariancewithTurkey，oratleastneutralizingentirelyherinfluenceovertheSublimePorte。"
"Turkeyismyimmediateneighbor，anditishighlyimportanttoAustriathatthereshouldbenowar—troublesanddisturbancesonallherfrontiers。Everyindependentstateshouldbeatlibertytopursueitsownpolicy;andwhilethispolicydoesnotassumeahostileattitudetowardotherindependentstates，noonecantakeumbrageatit。Areyouthroughwithyourgrievances？"
"No，yourmajesty，"saidAndreossi，almostmournfully。"Theworstandmostunpleasantpartremainstobetold;but，asyourmajestywasgraciousenoughtosay，Imustobeytheordersofmymaster，anditishiswillthatIshallnowcommunicatetoyourmajestytheemperor"sviewsinhisownwords。IthasgivengreatoffencetotheEmperorNapoleonthatAustriashouldplaceherselfinapostureofopenhostilityagainstFrance，whenFrancehasgivenhersomanyproofsofherforbearance，andhashithertoalwayssparedAustria，notwithstandingthenumerousactsofduplicityandevidenthostilityoftheAustriancourt。TheEmperorNapoleoninformsyourmajestythatheiswellawareoftheambitiousschemesofAustria，butthatliethinksyourmajestyisnotstrongenoughtocarrythemintoeffect。HerequestsyourmajestynevertoforgetthemagnanimitywhichtheEmperorNapoleonmanifestedtowardyouafterthebattleofAusterlitz。TheEmperorNapoleonhasinstructedmetoremindyouofthefact，wellknowntoyou，thatyoucanconfideinhisgenerosity，andthatheisfirmlyresolvedtoobservethetreaties。Naples，Prussia，andSpain，wouldstanderect，yet，iftheirrulershadreliedontheirownsagacity，andnotlistenedtothefataladviceoftheirministers，orevenofcourtiers，women，andambitiousyoungprinces。HismajestybeseechestheEmperorofAustrianottolistentosuchinsidiousadvice，nortoyieldtothewishesofthewar—
party，whichisintentonlyongratifyingitspassionateambition，andwhoseeyesrefusetoseethatitisdrivingAustriatowardthebrinkofanabysswhereshemustperish，asdidPrussia，Naples，andSpain。"[Footnote:Hormayr，"AllgemeineGeschichte，"vol。iii。，p。
205。]
"ItisverykindinhismajestytheEmperorNapoleontogivemesuchfriendlyadvice，"sailtheEmperorFrancis，smiling。"ButIbeghismajestytobelievethat，inaccordancewithhiswishes，Irelyonlyonmyownindividualsagacity;thatIaminfluencedbynoparty，noperson，butamaccustomedtodirectmyselftheaffairsofmycountryandtheadministrationofmyempire，andnottolistentoanyinsinuations，fromwhateverquartertheymaycome。IrequestyoutorepeatthesewordstohismajestytheEmperorNapoleonwiththesameaccuracywithwhichyoucommunicatedhismessagetome。Andnow，CountAndreossi，Ibelieveyouhavecommunicatedtomeallthatyourmasterinstructedyoutosaytome。"
"Pardonme，yourmajesty，Iaminstructedlasttodemandintheemperor"snameanexplanationastothemeaningoftheformidablearmamentsofAustria，theorganizationofthemilitia，andthearmingofthefortressesonthefrontiers，andtoinquireagainstwhomthesemeasuresaredirected。Theemperorimploresyourmajestytoputastoptotheseuselessandhurtfuldemonstrations，andordersmeexpresslytostatethat，ifAustriadoesnotstopherarmamentsandadoptmeasuresofanoppositecharacter，warwillbeinevitable。"[Footnote:Napoleon"sownwords。——See"Lebensbilder，"
vol。ii。，andHormayr，"AllgemeineGeschichte，"vol。iii。]
"Inthatcase，Mr。AmbassadoroftheEmperorNapoleon，warisinevitable，"criedFrancis，whonowdroppedthemaskofcoldindifference，andallowedhisfacetobetraytheagitationandragefillinghisbosom，byhisquiveringfeatures，flashingeyes，andcloudedbrow。"Ihavecalmlylistenedtoyou，"headded，raisinghisvoice;"Ihavereceivedwithsilentcomposureallthearrogantphraseswhichyouhaveventuredtoutterhereinthenameofyouremperor。Ilookonthemasoneofthefamousproudbulletinsforwhichyouremperorisnoted，andtowhoseoverbearingandgrandiloquentlanguageallEuropeisaccustomed。Butitiswellknowntoothatthesebulletinsarenotexactlymodelsofveracity，butsometimestheveryreverseofit。Aninstanceofthelatterisyouremperor"sassertionthatheobservesthetreaties，andthathegavemeproofsofhismagnanimityafterthebattleofAusterlitz。
No，theemperordidnosuchthing;hemademe，onthecontrary，feelthefullweightofhismomentarysuperiority。Hewasmyenemy，andtreatedmeasanenemy，withoutmagnanimity，which，fortherest，I
didnotclaimatthetime。Buthehasprovedtome，too，thathedoesnotobservethemostsacredtreaties。HeviolatedeverysectionofthepeaceofPresburg;hedidnotrespectthefrontiersasstipulatedinthattreaty;heforcedme，indirectviolationofthetreaties，toallowhimthepermanentuseofcertainmilitaryroadswithintheboundariesofmyempire;hehurledfromtheirthronesdynastieswhichwererelatedtome，andwhoseexistenceIhadguaranteed;hedeprived，inviolationofthelawofnations，thebelovedanduniversallyrespectedheadofChristendomofhisthrone，andsubjectedhimtoamostdisgracefulimprisonment;heexertedonallseasthemostarbitrarypressureontheAustrianflag。Andnow，afterallthishashappened，afterAustriahasenduredallthesewrongssolongandsilently，theEmperorNapoleonundertakeseventomeddlewiththeinternaladministrationofmyempire，andforbidsmewhathe，eversincehisaccession，hasincessantlydone，towit:tomobilizemyarmy，levyconscriptsforthetroopsofthelineandthereserves，andarmthefortresses。Heasksmetoputastoptomyarmaments;else，hesays，warwillbeinevitable。Well，Mr。
Ambassador，IdonotcareiftheEmperorNapoleonlooksatthematterinthatlight，andIshallnotendeavortopreventhimfromsodoing，forIshallnotstop，butcontinuemypreparations。I
calledoutthemilitia，justastheEmperoroftheFrenchconstantlycallsnewleviesofconscriptsintoimmediateactivity;andifwarshouldbeinevitableinconsequencethereof，Ishallbearwhatisinevitablewithfirmnessandcomposure。"
"Yourmajesty，isthisyourirrevocableresolution？"askedAndreossi。"IsthistheanswerthatIamtosendtomymaster，theEmperorNapoleon？"
"Ithinkitwillbebetterforyoutoconveythisanswerinpersontoyouremperor，"saidFrancis，calmly。"Asnoonehaswitnessedourinterview，onlyyouyourselfcanrepeatmywordswithperfectaccuracy;anditisthereforebestforyoutosetoutthisverydayforParis。"
"Thatistosay，yourmajestygivesmemypassports，andwarwillimmediatelybreakoutbetweenFranceandAustria！"sighedAndreossi。
"Yourmajestyshouldgraciouslyconsider——"
"Ihaveconsideredeverything，"interruptedFrancis，vehemently，"andIrequestyounottospeaktomeagaininthestyleofyourFrenchbulletins。IwillhearthebulletinsoftheEmperorNapoleononthefieldofbattleratherthaninmycabinet。Setout，therefore，forParis，Mr。Ambassador，andrepeattotheemperorwhatIhavesaidtoyou。"
"Iwillcomplywithyourmajesty"sorders，"saidAndreossi，withasigh;"Iwillsetout，butIshallleavethemembersofmylegationhereasyet，forIdonotyetgiveupthehopethatitmaybepossibleforthetwocourtstoavoidadeclarationofwar;andtosparesuchacalamitytotwocountriesthathavesuchgoodreasonstoloveeachother。"
"Letusquietlyawaitthecourseofevents，"repliedtheemperor。
"Farewell，CountAndreossi。Ifyouwillacceptmyadvice，youwillsetoutthisveryday;forsosoonasmydearVienneselearnthatwaristobreakoutinearnest，theywillprobablygiveventtotheirenthusiasminthemosttumultuousandrapturousdemonstrations，andIsupposeitwouldbedisagreeabletoyoutowitnessthem。Farewell，sir！"
Hewavedhishandtowardtileambassador，benthisheadslowlyandhaughtily，andleftthereception—roomwithoutvouchsafinganotherglancetoCountAndreossi。
"Nowmybrotherswillbeinecstasies，"saidtheemperortohimself，slowlywalkingupanddown，hishandsfoldedonhisback，inthesitting—roomadjoiningthereception—room。"Theywillbeangry，though，becauseIdidnotconsultthem，anddecidedthewholeaffairwithoutlisteningtotheirwisdom。"
"Yourmajesty，"saidafootman，whoenteredtheroomatthismoment，"theirimperialhighnesses，theArchdukesCharlesandJohn，requestanaudienceofyourmajesty。"
"Theyarewelcome，"saidtheemperor，whosefeatureswerelitupbyafaintsmile。"Showmybrothersin。"
CHAPTERIV。
THEEMPERORANDHISBROTHERS。
Afewminutesafterwardthetwoarchdukesenteredtheroomoftheemperor，whoslowlywentsomestepstomeetthem，andgreetedthemwithagrave，coldglance。
"Why，thisisararespectacle，"saidFrancis，sneeringly，"toseemybrotherssidebysideinsuchbeautifulharmony。Intruth，itwasonlywantingtomethatevenyoutwoshouldbeofthesameopinion，andcometomeforthepurposeofinvitingme，asSchillersays，tobethethirdinyourleague。"
"Yourmajestywouldalwaysbethefirstinthisleague，"saidtheArchdukeJohn，inhisclear，ringingvoice;"mybrotherwouldbethesecond，andIonlythethird。"
"See，see，mybrotherisverymodestandhumbleto—day，"saidFrancis，smiling。"Thismeansdoubtlessthatyouhavecometoaskafavorofme，andthat，byyourkindnessanddevotedness，youwishtoinducemetocomplywithyourrequest，asadogisdecoyedwithcakesandsweetsbythethiefwhointendstostealsomethingfromthedog"smaster。"
"Oh，yourmajesty，wedonotintendtostealanythingfromourmaster！"exclaimedJohn，laughing。"Butthereisreallyanattacktobemadeonourmaster"sproperty;onlyhewhointendstomakeitdoesnotdecoyuswithcakesandsweets，butassailsuswiththeswordandcoarseinvectives。"
"Itwasveryshrewdinyoutomentionatoncethesubjectonwhichyouwishedtospeakwithme，"saidtheemperor，withaslightsneer。
"ButpermitmefirsttosayawordtomybrotherCharlesthere，andbidwelcometohisimperialhighness，theillustriouscaptain，thegeneralissimoofourarmy，thehopeandconsolationofAustria。"
"Yourmajestywishestomockme，"saidtheArchdukeCharles，inamournfulvoice。
"IrepeatonlywhatIreadeverydayinthenewspapers，，andwhatthedearViennesearesingingandshoutingineverystreet！"
exclaimedtheemperor。"Yes，yes，mydearbrother，youmustconsenttobethehopeandconsolationofAustria，andtobepraisedastheaugustandinvincibleheroofourimmediatefuture。"
Sosaying，theemperorgazedwithalongandsearchinglookathisbrother"sform，andascornfulexpressionoverspreadhisfeatures。
Indeed，theepithetswhichtheemperorhadappliedtohisbrothercorrespondedbutlittletotheappearanceoftheArchdukeCharles。
Hissmall，bentform，withitsweak，shrivelledlimbs，wasnottheformofahero;hispale，wanface，withthehollowcheeks;thedimeyesdeeplyimbeddedintheirsockets，andthecloudedbrow，onwhichthintuftsofhairhungdown，wasnotthefaceofaboldcaptain，confidentofachievingbrillianttriumphsbyhisheroicdeeds，anddeservingofthenameofthehopeandconsolationofAustria。ButtheAustriansdidcallhimbythatname，andthegloryofhismilitaryachievements，whichfillednotonlyAustriabutthewholeofGermany，causedthemreallytobuildtheirhopesontheArchdukeCharles，despitehisveryfeeblehealth。TheEmperorFranciswasawareofthis;heknewthattheArchdukesCharlesandJohnwerebyfarmorepopularthanhewas;hencehewasjealousofandangrywiththem——nay，healmosthatedthem。
"Youlookverypaleandsickto—day，mydearArchdukeCharles，"saidtheemperor，afterapause，duringwhichhehadcontemplatedthearchdukewithasearchingexpression。
"Iamveryfeebleandunwell，yourmajesty，"sighedCharles;"andbutforthespecialrequestofmybrother，theArchdukeJohn，I
shouldnothavedaredtocomeherethismorning。However，IamafraidthatIcandobutlittletocomplywithhiswishes，andthatmybrotherJohnwillsoonthinkitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimnottoaskmetoaccompanyhimtoyourmajesty。"
"Ah，then，youareafterallnotsoharmoniousasIthoughtwhenI
sawyouenteringheretogether！"exclaimedtheemperor，laughing。
"Therearestilldifferencesofopinion，then，betweenthetwopillarsofmythrone，andwereItoleanonone，theotherwouldtotterandgiveway。Well，whatdoyouwant？Whatbroughtyouhere？"
"Yourmajesty，onlytheintensedesiretodedicateourservicestoAustriaandouremperor！"exclaimedJohn，enthusiastically。"WewishedtoimploreyourmajestytoutteratlengththewordthatwilldeliverAustriaandallGermany。Yourmajesty，thishesitationandsilencerestslikeanightmareoneveryheartandeverybosom;alleyesarefixedhopefullyonyourmajesty:Oh，mylordandemperor;
onewordfromyourlips，andthisnightmarewilldisappear;allheartswillrejoiceinblissfulecstasy，andeverybosomwillexpandandbreathemorefreelywhenyourmajestyshallutterthisword:
"War！war！"Weholdtheswordinourhands;letthewillofmyaugustemperorgiveustherightnowtodrawtheswordagainsthimwho，foryearspast，hassweptlikeadestructivehurricanethroughallGermany，allEurope，andwhotramplesalikeonprincesandpeoples，onlibertyandlaw。Yourmajesty，inthenameofyourpeople，inthenameofallGermanpatriots，Ibendmykneesherebeforemylordandemperor，andthus，kneelingandfullofreverence。Iimploreyourmajestytoletthehourofdeliverancestrikeatlength;letus，withjoyfulcourage，expeltheenemywhohasalreadysolongbeenthreateningourfrontierswithdefiantarrogance:letustakethefieldagainsttheimpudentusurper，andwrestfromhimthelaurelswhichhegainedatAusterlitz，andofwhichheissoproud。Yourmajesty，yourpeoplearefilledwithwarlikeardor;yourfaithfulTyrolesearewaitingonlyforasignaltobreaktheirchainsandrisefortheirbelovedemperor。YourItalianprovincesarelongingforthedaywhenwarshallbreakout，inordertoavengethemselvesonthetyrantwhopromisedthemlibertyandbroughtthemonlyslavery。ThehourofretributionhascomeforNapoleon;mayyourmajestyconsultourbestinterestsbysayingthatwearetoprofitbythishour，andthatwar，amortalstruggle，istobeginnowagainsttheEmperoroftheFrench！"
And，stillbendinghiskneesbeforetheemperor，Johnlookeduptohimwithlonging，beseechingeyes。
Francislookeddownonhimwithagloomyair，andthenobleandenthusiasticfaceofhisbrother，whowastenyearsyounger，andmuchstrongerandbetter—looking，madeadisagreeableimpressiononhim。
"Rise，brother，"hesaid，coldly;"yourkneesmustache，andI，formypart，donotlikesuchtheatricalscenesatall，andsuchfinephrasesmakebutlittleimpressiononmycoldandprosyheart。Iamaccustomedtofollowalwaysmyconvictions，andwhenIadvanceastep，Imustbesurenottofalltoanabysswhichsomepoeticalheromayperhapshavemerelycoveredformewithhisfloweryphrases。ThatIamawareofthedangersthreateningusonthepartofFranceIhaveprovedbyputtingthearmyonthewarfooting，byintrustingyou，ArchdukeJohn，withorganizingthemilitiaandthereservesinaccordancewiththeplanyoudrewupforthatpurpose;
andbyplacingyou，ArchdukeCharles，attheheadofmyarmyandappointingyougeneralissimo。"
"Anhonor，yourmajesty，whichIacceptedwithreverentgratitude，althoughitalmostcrushesmeatthepresenttime，"saidtheArchdukeCharles，withasigh。"Permitmenow，yourmajesty，toopenmyhearttoyou，andlaymyinnermostthoughtsatyourfeet。Todoso，IaccompaniedmybrotherJohntoyou。Hesaidhewouldimploreyourmajestyoncemoretopostponethedeclarationofwarnolonger，bututteratlengththedecisiveword。Iimploredhimnottodoso，andnottoforceustoengageprematurelyinawarthatcouldnotbutbringthegreatestcalamitiesonAustria。Butmydearbrotherwouldnotlistentomyremonstrancesandprayers;hecalledmeasecretfriendandadmirerofNapoleon;hedemandedthatIshouldatleastspeakout，freelyandopenlyinyourmajesty"spresence，andrefutehimifIcould，oryieldtohimifmyargumentsshouldproveuntenable。Yourmajesty，Ihavethereforecompliedwiththewishesofmybrother，theArchdukeJohn;Ihavecometoyou，butonlytosaytomylordandemperor:Yourmajesty，Iimploreyou，inthenameofyourpeopleandyourthrone，donotyetunsheaththesword！Waituntilourarmyisreadyforthecontest，anduntilourarmamentsarecompleted。Donotplungerashlyintowar，lestvictoryescapeus。A
greatdealremainstobedoneyetbeforewecansaythatourarmamentsarecompleted;andonlyafterbeingfullypreparedcanwedaretotakethefieldagainsttheEmperorNapoleonandhishithertovictoriouslegions。"
"Ah，doyouhearourFabiusCunctator，brotherJohn，theLion—
hearted！"exclaimedtheemperor，sarcastically。"Whichofyouisright，andwhosewiseadviceshallIfollownow——I，thepooremperor，whoisnotstrongandsagaciousenoughtobehisownadviserandadvanceastepwithouthisbrothers？John，thelearnedsoldier，beseechesmetodeclarewar，andCharles，theintrepidhero，imploresmenottodoso。WhatamI，thepooremperor，whocannotadvisehimself，andwhoreceivestoomuchadvicefromothers，todoundersuchcircumstances？WhosewillmustIsubmitto？"
"Yourmajesty，"criedJohn，indismay，"itiswethatmustsubmit;
itisyourwillonwhichdependsthedecision。Iimploreyourmajestytodeclarewar，becauseIdeemitnecessary;but，ifyourmajestyshouldtakeadifferentresolution，Ishallsubmitsilentlyandobediently。"