Itwasexactlyforthepurposeofdispellingtheanxietywithwhichthisunpleasantintelligencehadfilledhim，that。Francisbadlaidasidethereportandrecommencedhisworkonthecup;andbythisoccupationhebadsucceededinforgettingtheburdensomedutiesofhisimperialoffice。
Hewasjusttryingveryhardtoplaneonesideofhiscup，whenalowrapatthesmalldoorleadingtothenarrowcorridor，andthencetotheapartmentsoftheempress，interruptedhim。Theemperorgaveastartandlookedtowardthedoor，listeningandhoping，perhaps，thathisearmighthavedeceivedhim。Butno，therappingwasheardoncemore:therecouldnolongerbeadoubtofit——somebodysoughtadmittance，andintendedtodisturbthepeacefulsolitudeoftheemperor。
\"Whatdoestheempresswant？\"murmuredFrancis。\"Whatdoesshecomeherefor？Iamafraidsomethingunpleasanthashappenedagain。\"
Herosewithashrugfromhischair，puthisminiaturecuphastilyintothedrawerofhistable，andhurriedtoopenthedoor。
Francishadnotbeenmistaken。ItreallywastheEmpressLudovica，thethirdconsortoftheemperor，whohadmarriedheronlyafewmonthsago。Sheworeahandsomedishabilleofembroideredwhitemuslin，closelysurroundingherdelicateandslenderform，andtrimmedwithbeautifullaces。Thewhitedressreacheduptotheneck，wherearose—coloredtiefastenedit。Herbeautifulblackhair，whichfelldowninheavyringletsonbothsidesofherface，wasadornedwithacostlylacecap，fromwhichwideribbonsofrose—
coloredsatinfloweddownonhershoulders。Butthecountenanceoftheempressdidnotcorrespondtothiscoquettishandyouthfuldress。Shewasyoungandbeautiful，butanexpressionofprofoundmelancholyoverspreadherfeatures。Hercheeksweretransparentlywhite，andasad，touchingsmilequiveredroundherfinely—
chiselled，narrowlips;herhigh，expansiveforeheadwasshaded，asitwere，byacloudofsadness;andherlargeblackeyesshot，fromtimetotime，gloomyflasheswhichseemedtoissuefromagulfoffierytorture。Butwhateverpassionsmightanimateherdelicate，etherealform，theempresshadlearnedtocoverherheartwithaveil，andherlipsnevergaveutterancetothesufferingsofhersoul。Onlyherconfidanteswereallowedtodivinethem;theyaloneknewthat，twofoldtortureswererackingLudovica\'sfierysoul，thoseofhatredandwoundedpride。Napoleon！itwashewhomtheempresshatedwithindescribablebitterness;andtheneglectwithwhichherconsort，theEmperorFrancis，treatedhercutherproudhearttothequick。Thankstotheintriguesandimmenserichesofhermother，BeatrixofEste，DuchessofModena，shehadbecomethewifeofanemperor，andherselfanempress;butshehadtherebyobtainedonlyanaugustposition，notahusbandandpartner。Shewasanempressinnameonly，butnotinreality。Francishadgivenherhishand，butnothisheartandhislove。Hedisdainedhisbeautiful，lovelywife;heavoidedanyfamiliarintercoursewithherwithanxioustimidity;onlyinthepresenceofthecourtandthepublicdidhetreattheempressashisconsort，andtoleratehernearhisperson。AtfirstLudovicahadsubmittedtothisstrangeconductonthepartofherhusbandwithproudindifference，andnottheslightestmurmur，notthemildestreproach，hadescapedherlips。Foritwasnotfromlovethatshehadchosenthishusband，butfromambitionandpride。ShehadtoldherselfthatitwouldbebetterforhertobeEmpressofAustriathanPrincessofModenaandEste;andeventheprospectofbeingthethirdwifeofFrancisofAustria，andthestepmotherofthetenchildrenwhomhissecondwifehadbornetohim，hadnotdeterredher。Shemeanttomarrytheemperor，andnottheman;shewishedtoplayaprominentpart，andexertapowerfulinfluenceonthedestiniesoftheworld。Butthesehopesweresoontoproveutterlyfutile。Theemperorgrantedherpubliclyalltheprivilegesofherexaltedpositionbyhisside;butintheprivacyofherapartmentshenevermadeherhisconfidante;
herefusedtoletherhaveanyinfluenceoverhisdecisions;heneverconsultedherastothemeasuresofhisadministration:nay，heavoidedalludingtosuchtopicsinherpresence。
Suchwasthegriefthatwasgnawingattheheartoftheyoungempress——thewoundfromwhichherproudandloftysoulwasbleeding。
Butforafewweekspastshehadovercomehersilentgrief，andthepresenceofhermother，theshrewdandintriguingDuchessofModena，seemedtohaveimpartedfreshstrengthtotheempress，andconfirmedherinherdeterminationtoconquertheheartandconfidenceofherhusband。Whereasshehadhithertomethisindifferencebyproudreticence，andfeignednottonoticeit，shewaskindandevenaffectionatetowardhim;anditoftenhappenedthat，availingherselfoftheprivilegeofherposition，shetraversedtheprivatecorridorseparatingherroomsfromthoseofherhusband，and，withoutbeingsummonedtohim，enteredhiscabinettotalkpoliticswithhiminspiteofhisundisguisedaversiontodoingso。Theemperorhatedtheseinterviewsfromthebottomofhisheart;ashudderpervadedhissoul，andacloudcoveredhisbrow，wheneverheheardthelowrapoftheempressathisprivatedoor。To—day，too，thedarkcloudcoveredhisforeheadevenaftertheempresshadenteredhiscabinet。Ludovicanoticedit，andamournfulsmileoverspreadherpalefaceforamoment。
\"Asyourmajestydidnotcometometobidmegood—morning，Ihavecometoyou，\"shesaid，inagentle，kindvoice，holdingoutherbeautifulwhitehandtotheemperor。
Francistookitandpressedittohislips。\"Itistrue，\"hesaid，evidentlyembarrassed，\"Ididnotcomethismorningtopaymyrespectstoyou，buttimewaswantingtome。Ihadtogoatoncetomycabinetandwork;Iamverybusy。\"
\"Isee，\"saidLudovica;\"yourmajesty\'sdressstillbearsthetracesofyouroccupation。\"
Theemperorhastenedtobrushawaywithhishandsthesmallparticlesofthepeach—stonethathadremainedonhisshirt—bosomandhissleeve;butwhilehewasdoingthishisbrowdarkenedstillmore，andhecastagloomyanddefiantglanceontheempress。
\"Look，empress，\"hesaid;\"perhapsyoubelongtothesecretpolice，andhavebeenemployedtowatchmeinordertofindoutwhatIamdoingwhenIamaloneinmycabinet。Why，ifIfoundoutthatthatwasso，Ishouldbeobligedtobeonmyguardandhavethisdoorwalledup，sothatmyesteemedconsortmightnolongerbeabletosurpriseandwatchme。\"
\"Yourmajestywillassuredlynotdothat，\"saidLudovica，whosevoicewastremulous，andwhosecheekshadturnedevenpalerthanbefore。\"No，yourmajestywillnotmakemeundergothehumiliationofmakingknowntotheworldthedeplorablesecretwithwhichwealonehavehithertobeenacquainted。YourmajestywillnotdeprivemeoftheonlyprivilegewhichIenjoyincommonwithyourformerconsorts，andtherebyproclaimtotheworldthatIaminthispalaceastrangerwhohasnotevenaccesstotheroomsofherhusband。\"
\"IdonotsaythatIintendtodoit，\"saidFrancis，shrugginghisshoulders;\"Isayonlythatitishighlyrepugnanttometohavemystepsdoggedandwatchedinanymanner。Itistrue，myformerconsorthadalsothekeysofthisprivatecorridor，but——pardonmeforthisremark，yourmajesty——theempressneverusedthesekeys，butalwayswaitedformetoopenthedoor。\"
\"Andshedidnotwaitinvain，\"saidtheempress，quickly;\"yourmajestyneverfailedtocome，foryoulovedyourconsort，andIhavebeentoldyouneversufferedevenafewhourstopassbywithoutleavingyourcabinetandcrossingthesecretcorridortorepairtotheroomsoftheempress。\"
\"ButthegoodEmpressTheresa，\"exclaimedtheemperor，\"whenIwaswithher，neverendeavoredtotalktomeaboutpoliticsandstateaffairs。\"
\"Iunderstandthat，\"saidLudovica;\"youhadbothsomanymutualintereststoconverseabout。Youhadyourmutuallove，yourchildren，totalkabout。I，whoamsounhappyasnottobeabletotalkwithyouaboutsuchmatters，howintenselyso—evermyheartlongsforit，mustcontentmyselfwithconversingwithmyhusbandondifferentsubjects;andIdesiretoshareatleasthiscareswhenI
cannotsharehislove。Myhusband，Ibeseechyou，donotdisdainmyfriendship;acceptafriend\'shand，whichIoffertoyouhonestlyanddevotedly。\"
\"MyGod，thatispreciselywhatIlongfor！\"exclaimedtheemperorfervently，againpressingtohislipsthehandwhichtheempressheldouttohim。\"Myfondestwishisfulfilledwhenyourmajestywillgivemeyourfriendship，andconfideinmeasyourbest，mostdevoted，andfaithfulfriend！\"
\"Butthisconfidencemustbereciprocated，mydearestfriend，\"saidLudovica，puttingherhandontheemperor\'sshoulder。andgazinglongandardentlyintohiseyes。\"Yourmajestymustconfideinmetoo，andcountimplicitlyonmyfidelity。\"
\"ThatiswhatIdo，\"saidFrancis，hastily;\"nevershouldIdaretodoubtthefidelityofthepurest，chastest，andmostvirtuousempressandlady——thefidelityofmywife。\"
\"Ididnotrefertothewife\'sfidelity，\"saidLudovica，sighing，\"buttothefidelityofmyfriendship，whichisjoyouslyreadytoshareallyourcaresandafflictions。\"
\"Wellthen，\"saidtheemperor，noddingtohersmilingly，\"Iwillgiveyouaproofofmyfaithinyourfriendship。Yes，youshallsharemycaresandafflictions。\"
\"Oh，myhusband，howhappyyoumakemebythesewords！\"exclaimedLudovica，andafaintblushbeautifiedhernobleface。
\"Iwillletyouparticipateinmyworkto—day，andyoushallgivemeyouradvice，\"saidtheemperor，noddingtotheempress，andsteppingtothewriting—table，fromwhosedrawerhetookthelittlecup。
\"Look，mydearfriend，\"addedtheemperor，handingthecuptohisconsort，\"Iwishedtomakealittlecupfromthispeach—stoneandgiveittoMariaLouisa，whodelightsinsuchthings;butwhenIhadnearlyfinishedit，Idiscoveredsuddenlythatthepeach—stonewascrookedandnotequallyroundonbothsides。Nowgivemeyouradvice，myfairfriend;tellmewhatIamtodoinordertostraightenthecup。Lookatit，andtellmehowtofixit。Itwouldbeaneverlastingdisgraceforanemperortobeunabletostraightenathingwhichhehimselfmadecrooked。\"
Theempresshadturnedpaleagain;herdarkeyesshotfireforamoment，andshecompressedherlipsasiftostifleacryofindignation。Butsheovercameheragitationquickly，andhastilytookthelittlecupwhichtheemperorstillheldouttoher。
\"Yourmajestyisright，\"shesaid;the\"cupisreallycrooked，andwillnotstanderectwhenyouputitonthetable。Asyourmajestyhasaskedmewhatoughttobedoneaboutit，Iadviseyoutogetridofthething，declarewaragainstthelittlecup，andremoveitforeverbytouchingitinthismannerwithyourlittlefinger。\"
Sheupsettheminiaturecupwithherslenderlittlefinger，sothatitrolledtotheotherendofthetable。
\"Thatisveryenergeticadvice，indeed，\"saidFrancis，smiling，\"butIdonotlikeit。Toupsetathingthatisnotwelldoneisnowayofimprovingit。\"
\"Yes，yourmajesty，todestroywhatisnotwelldoneispavingthewayforsomethingbetter，\"exclaimedLudovica。
\"Youyourselfsaidjustnowitwouldbeaneverlastingdisgraceforanemperortobeunabletostraightenanythingwhichliehimselfmadecrooked。Itseemstome，now，anemperorshouldextricatehimselffromanypositionimposingonhimthenecessityofdoinganythingcrookedandunworthyofhisimperialdignity。Ifsuchishisdutyinregardtoathingsoinsignificantasapeach—stone，howmuchmoreurgentisthisduty，whenthereisatstakesomethingsogreatandsacredastheindependenceandhonorofyourempireandpolicy！\"
\"See，see！\"saidtheemperor，scratchinghisheadwithanexpressionofludicroussurprise;\"thenwehavereallygotbackfromthepeach—
stonetopoliticalaffairsandthewar—question。Now，thiswar—
questionisahardpeach—stonetocrack，andthemerethoughtofitsetsmyteethonedge。\"
\"Ah，\"saidLudovica，\"yourteetharefirmandstrong，fortheyarecomposedofthreehundredthousandswords，andthousandsofcannonandmuskets。Ifthelionisdeterminedtousehisteeth，liewilleasilysucceedindestroyingthewere—wolf;forthisrapaciousandbloodthirstywere—wolfisbraveandinvincibleonlywhenhehastodealwithlambs;onlythefeebleanddisarmedhavereasontofearhim。\"
\"Inspeakingofawere—wolf，IsupposeyourefertotheEmperorNapoleon？\"askedtheemperor，smiling。\"Imusttellyou，however，that，inyourwarlikeenthusiasm，youdohiminjustice。Itseemstomeheisbravenotalonewherehehastodealwithlambs，aridnotalonethefeebleanddisarmedhavereasontofearhim。IthinkIdidnotmarchlambsagainsthimatAusterlitz，butbravemen，whowerenotfeebleanddisarmed，butstrongandwell—armed。Nevertheless，Bonaparteoverpoweredthem;hegainedthebattleofAusterlitzoverus，andwehadtosubmittohim，andacceptthetermsofpeacewhichheimposedonus。\"
\"Yes，yourmajestyhadtosubmittohim。\"criedtheempress，ardently;\"youwereobligedtorepairtotheproudusurper\'scampandbeseechhimtograntyoupeace！\"
\"Iwasnotobligedtogotohim，butIdidsoinordertorestorepeacetomypeople，andpreventallAustriafromsinkingintoruin。
Itistrue，itwasadreadfulwalkforme，andwhenIsawtheEmperoroftheFrenchathiscamp—fire，hebecameutterlydistastefultome。[Footnote:Theemperor\'sownwords。——See\"LebensbilderausdemBefreiungekriege，\"vol。i。]Nevertheless，thetruthcannotbegainsaid，andthetruthisthattheEmperorNapoleonismorethanawere—wolfkillingonlylambs;heisalionwhosefuriousroarcausesallthronestotremble，andwho，whenheshakeshismane，shakesallEuropetoitsfoundations。\"
\"Themoreisitincumbentonusthentoputanendtothisunnaturalstateofaffairs，\"exclaimedtheempress，vehemently;\"tostrengthenthethrones，andrestoreatlengthtranquillitytoEurope。Andthereisonlyonewayofdoingthis，mylordandemperor，andthatiswar！
Wemustdestroythelioninordertorestoretranquillitytothepeaceablenations。\"
\"Butwhatif，insteadofdestroyingthelion，weshouldbedestroyedbyhim？\"askedtheemperor，withashrug。\"Whatifthelionshouldasecondtimeplacehisfootonourneck，trampleusinthedust，anddictatetousagainadisgracefulandhumiliatingpeace？DoyouthinkthatthepresentpositionoftheKingofPrussiaisapleasantandhonorableone，andthatIamanxioustoincurasimilarfate？
No，madame！Iambynomeanseagertowearamartyr\'scrowninsteadofmyimperialcrown，andIwillratherstrivetokeepmycrownonmyhead，regardlessoftheclamoroftheGermanwar—party。TheseGermanshriekersarenicefellows。Theyrefusetodoanything，butthinkitisenoughforthemtocry，\'War！war！\'andthatthatwillbesufficienttoconquerBonaparte。But，empress，agreatdealmoreisrequiredforthatpurposethanthefanaticalwar—clamorofthearistocraticsaloons，andthescribblingsofthejournalistsandpatrioticpoets;inordertoattainsograndanobject，itisindispensablethatallGermanyshouldrise，takeuparms，andattacktheenemywithunitedforces。\"
\"Itisasyourmajestysays，\"exclaimedLudovica，enthusiastically;
\"allGermanyisreadyforthestruggleagainsttheenemy。ThenationisonlywaitingforAustriatogivethesignal，drawthesword，andadvanceuponFrance，whenallGermanywillfollowher。\"
\"Iknowthesefinephrases，\"saidFrancis，shrugginghisshoulders;
\"Ihearthemeverydayfrommybrothers，whoareeagerforwar，andwhomanagetogainagreatdealofpopularityinsocomfortableamanner。Butafterall，theyarephraseswithverylittlesenseinthem。Forjusttellme，empress，whereistheGermanywhich，yousay，isonlywaitingforAustriatogivethesignal？WherearetheGermanarmieswhich，yousay，areonlywaitingforAustriatoadvance，whentheywillfollowher？Ihavegoodsoundeyes，butI
cannotseesucharmiesanywhere。IamquitefamiliarwiththegeographyofGermany，Iknowallthestatesthatbelongtoit，butamongthemIvainlylookforthosewhicharewaitingforustogivesuchasignal。Prussiaisutterlypowerless，andcannotdoanything。TheprincesoftheRhenishConfederacy，itistrue，arewaitingforthesignal，butBonapartewillgiveittothem，andwhentheymarch，theywillmarchagainstAustriaandstrivetofightusbravelyinordertoobtainfromtheFrenchEmperorpraise，honors，titles，andgrantsofadditionalterritories。No，no，Icannotbeblindedbybravewordsandbombasticphrases;IknowthatAustria，incaseawarshouldbreakout，wouldstandallalone，andthatshemusteitherconquerorberuined。In1805，when，inconsequenceofthedisastrousbattleofAusterlitz，Ilosthalfmystates，Iwasnotalone，Russiawasmyally。ButRussiahasrecentlydeclaredthat，incaseawarshouldbreakout，shewouldnotassistusagainstNapoleon，butobserveastrictneutralityaslongaspossible;ifsheshould，however，beobligedtotakeadecidedstand，shewouldbeonthesideofFranceandagainstus。
Consequently，Iamentirelyisolated，andNapoleonhasnumerousallies。\"
\"ButyourmajestyhasapowerfulallyintheuniversalenthusiasmoftheAustriansandGermans，intheuniversalindignationofthenationsagainstNapoleon。Youhavepublicopiniononyourside，andthatisthemostpowerfulally。\"
\"Ah，letmealonewiththatabominableally，\"criedtheemperor，vehemently;\"Idonotwanttohearofitnortohaveanythingtodowithit。Publicopinionisthehobbywhichmybrother，thepopularArchdukeJohn，isridingallthetime;butitwillthrowhimonedayintothemire，andthenhewillfindoutwhatitreallyamountsto。
Pray，neverspeaktomeagainofpublicopinion，forIdetestit。Itsmellsofrevolutionandinsurrection，and，likeapatientdonkey，suffersitselftobeledbywhosoeveroffersitathistleasabait。
Irenounceonceforalltheallianceofpublicopinion，andIdonotcarewhetheritblessesorcrucifiesme，whetheritcallsmeemperororblockhead。Youseenow，empress，thatIamentirelyisolated，fortheallywhichyouoffertomewilldomenogood;Idonotwantit，andIhavenootherallies。Ithoughtitnecessarytoarm，inviewoftheformidablearmamentsofFrance，andshowouradversarythatI
amnotafraidofhim，butampreparedforeverything。Ithereforeputmyarmyonthewarfooting，andshowedBonapartethatAustriaisabletocopewithhim，andthatmoneyandwell—disciplinedarmiesarenotwantingtoher。ButjustnowIshallnotproceedanyfurther，and，unlesssomethingimportantshouldoccur，allthiswar—
clamorandallimportunitieswillmakenoimpressiononme。TheimportanteventtowhichIalludedwouldbeNapoleon\'sdefeatinSpain，wherebyhewouldbecompelledtokeephisarmiesthere。Inthatevent，Ishouldnolongerbeisolated，butSpainwouldbemyally，andIshouldprobablydeclarewar。Butifmattersshouldturnoutotherwise，iffortuneshouldfavorNapoleonthereaseverywhereelse，necessityalonewilldeterminemycourse。Ishallnotattack，andtherebychallengefateofmyownaccord;butIshallwait，swordinhand，forNapoleontoattackme。Ifhedoes，Godandmygoodrightwillbeonmyside，andwhatevermaybetheresultofthestruggle，peoplewillbeunabletosaythatIrashlyplungedintowarandbrokethepeace。Ifwesuccumb，itisthewillofGodandtheHolyVirgin，andnot，ourfault。Andnow，empress，\"saidtheemperor，drawingadeepbreath，\"Ihavecompliedwithyourwishesandtalkedpoliticswithyou。Ithinkitwillbeenoughonceforall，andyouandyoupoliticalfriendswillperceivethatyoucannotdoanythingwithme，andthatitwillbebestforyoutoletmeentirelyalone;forIamsostubbornasnottoallowotherstoleadme，butpursuemyowncourse。Youhavepromisedme，empress，tobeafaithfulfriendtome。Iaskyounowtogivemeaproofofyourfriendship。Letusspeakofsomethingelsethanpolities;thatisallthatIaskofyourfriendship。\"
\"Well，then，letusdropthesubject，\"saidtheempress，withadeepsigh。\"Yourmajestywillbekindenoughtopermitmenowtoaskafavorofyou？\"
\"Ah，youspeakasiftherewereanythingthatIcouldrefuseyou，\"
exclaimedtheemperor，smiling。
Ludovicabowedslightly。\"Iprayyou，therefore，\"shesaid，\"tobekindenoughtoaccompanymetotheconcertwhichistobegivenattheuniversityhall。Haydn\'s\'Creation\'willbeperformedthere，andIbelievetheoldmaestrohimselfwillbepresenttoreceivethehomageofhisadmirers。\"
\"H\'m，h\'m！Iamafraidthereissomethingelsebehindit，\"saidtheemperor，thoughtfully，\"andtheaudiencewillnotcontentitselfwithmerelyofferinghomagetooldHaydn。Butnomatter，yourmajestywishestogototheconcert，anditwillaffordmepleasuretoaccompanymyempress。\"
Atthismomenttheyheardalowrapatthedoorleadingfromtheemperor\'scabinetintotheconference—room，wheretheofficersoftheprivateimperialchancerywereworking。
\"Well，whatisit？\"exclaimedtheemperor。\"Comein。\"
Theemperor\'sprivatechamberlainslippedsoftlythroughthehalf—
openeddoor，and，onbeholdingtheempress，bestoodstillwithoututteringaword。
\"Nevermind，theempresswillexcuseyou，\"saidFrancis。
\"Justtellmewhatyouhavecomeinfor。\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"saidthechamberlain，\"theFrenchambassador，CountAndreossi，hasjustarrived，andrequestsyourmajestytogranthimanaudience。Hesayshewishestocommunicateinformationofgreatimportancetoyou。\"
\"Whydidhenotapplytomyministerofforeignaffairs？\"askedtheemperor，indignantly。
\"Yourmajesty，theambassadorbegsyourpardon，buthesaystheEmperorNapoleongavehimexpressorderstoendeavorifpossibletospeakwithyourmajesty。\"
\"Andheisalreadyintheanteroom，andwaitsforanimmediateaudience？\"
\"Yes，yourmajesty。\"
\"Well，then，Iwillreceivehim，\"saidtheemperor，rising。\"Conducttheambassadortothesmallaudience—room。——Well？\"askedtheemperor，wonderingly，whenthechamberlaindidnotwithdraw。\"Youdonotgo？Doyouwishtotellmeanythingelse？\"
\"Ido，yourmajesty。AcourierhasjustarrivedfromPariswithpressingdispatchesfromCountMetternichtoyourmajesty。\"
\"Ah，thatchangesthematter！\"exclaimedtheemperor。\"TelltheambassadorthatIcannotreceivehimnow，butthatheistocomebackinanhour，atelevenprecisely，whenIshallbereadytoreceivehim。Tellthecouriertocometomeatonce。\"
Thechamberlainslippednoiselesslyoutofthedoor，andtheemperorturnedagaintotheempress:
\"Empress，\"hesaid，\"domethehonorofpermittingmetoofferyoumyarm，andconductyoubacktoyourrooms。YouseeIamapoor，tormentedman，whoissooverwhelmedwithbusinessthathecannotevenchatanhourwithhiswifewithoutbeingdisturbed。Pitymealittle，andproveittomebypermittingmehenceforthtorestinyourpresencefromthecaresofbusiness，andnottalkpolitics。\"
\"Thewishofmylordandemperorshallbefulfilled，\"saidtheempress，mournfully，takingthearmwhichtheemperorofferedtohertoconductherbacktoherrooms。
Justasshecrossedthethresholdoftheimperialcabinet，andsteppedintothecorridor，sheheardthevoiceofthechamberlain，whoannounced:\"ThecourierfromParis，CounsellorvonHudelist。\"
\"Allright，Ishallbebackdirectly！\"exclaimedtheemperor，andheconductedtheempresswithasomewhatacceleratedstepthroughthecorridor。Infrontofthedooratitsendhestoodstillandbowedtotheempresswithapleasantsmile。
\"Ihaveconductedyounowtothefrontierofyourrealm，\"saidFrancis;\"permitme，therefore，toreturntomine。Farewell！Weshallgototheconcertto—night。Farewell！\"
Withoutwaitingforthereplyoftheempress，heturnedandhastilyre—enteredhiscabinet。
Ludovicaenteredherroomandlockedthedoorbehindher。\"Closedforever！\"shesaid，withasigh。\"AtleastIshallnottryagaintoavailmyselfofthisdoor，andshallnotexposemyselfagaintothesneersoftheemperor。Imust，then，bearthisdisgrace;Imustsubmittobeingdisdainedandrepudiatedbymyhusband;I——Buthush！\"theempressinterruptedherself，\"thisisnotimeforbewailingmypersonalfate，forthefateofallAustriaisatstakeatthisjuncture。HighlyimportanteventsmusthaveoccurredatParis，elseMetternichwouldnothavesenthisconfidantandassistantHudelist，norwouldAndreossidemandanaudienceinsoimpetuousamanner。Perhapsthisintelligencemayatlengthleadtoadecisionto—day，orwemayatleastcontributetosucharesult。I
willwritetotheArchdukeJohn，andaskhimtoseetheemperor。
PerhapshewillsucceedbetterthanIdidinpersuadingmyhusbandtotakeadeterminedstand。\"
Shehastenedtoherwriting—desk，andpennedthatmysteriouslittlenotewhichshesenttotheArchdukeJohninthebookwhichshepretendedhehadlenttoher。
CHAPTERIII。
THECOURIERANDTHEAMBASSADOR。
Theemperor，inreturningtohiscabinet，liketheempress，carefullylockedthedoorbehindhim。Hethenturnedhastilytothecourier，whowasstandingneartheoppositedoor，andwasjustbowingmostceremoniouslytohismajesty。
\"Hudelist，itisreallyyou，then？\"askedtheemperor。\"YouleftyourpostbythesideofMetternichwithoutobtainingmypermissiontocometoVienna？Couldyounotfindanyothermantobringyourdispatches？IhadcommissionedyoutoremainalwaysbythesideofMetternich，watchhimcarefully，andinformmeofwhathewasdoingandthinking。\"
\"Yourmajesty，Ihavebroughtmyreportwithme，\"saidHudelist;\"
andasforyourmajesty\'sorderthatIshouldalwaysremainbythesideofCountMetternich，IhavehardlyviolateditbycorningtoVienna，forIbelievetheCountwillfollowmeinthecourseofafewdays。UnlessyourmajestyrecallshimtoVienna，theEmperorNapoleon，Ithink，willexpelhimfromParis。\"
\"Youdonotsayso！\"exclaimedFrancis，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"YouthinkhewillissueamanifestoagainstMetternich，ashedidagainstthePrussianministerVonStein？Well，letmehearthenews。
Whathaveyoutotellme？\"
\"Somanyimportantthings，yourmajesty，thatthecountandmyselfdeemeditexpedienttoreporttoyourmajestyverbally，ratherthansendadispatchwhichmightgiveyouonlyanunsatisfactoryideaofwhathasoccurred。HenceIcamepost—hastetoVienna，andarrivedhereonlyaquarterofanhoursince;Iprayyourmajestythereforetopardonmeforappearingbeforeyouinmytravelling—dress。\"
\"Sitdown，youmustbetired，\"saidtheemperor，good—naturedly，seatinghimselfinanarm—chair，andpointingtotheoppositechair。
\"Nowtellmeall！\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"saidHudelist，mysteriously，whileastrangeexpressionofmischievousjoyoverspreadhisugly，paleface，\"theEmperorNapoleonhasreturnedfromSpaintoFrance。\"
TheEmperorFrancisgaveastartandfrowned。\"Why？\"heasked。
\"BecauseheintendstodeclarewaragainstAustria，\"saidHudelist，whosefacebrightenedmoreandmore。\"BecauseNapoleonisdistrustfulofus，andconvincedthatAustriaisintentonattackinghim。Besides，hefeltnolongerateaseinpain，andallsortsofconspiracieshadbeenenteredintoinParis，wherebyhisreturnmighthavebeenrenderedimpossibleifhehadhesitatedanylonger。\"
\"Whoweretheconspirators？\"
\"TalleyrandandFouche，thedearfriendsandobedientservantsoftheEmperorNapoleon。Heknowsfullwellwhattheirfriendshipanddevotednessamountto。Hencebehadthetwogentlemenwellwatched，anditseemshisspiessenthimcorrectreports，for，afterreturningfromSpain，herebukedthemunmercifully;betoldthem，withtherageofatrueCorsican，andregardlessofetiquette，whatmiserablefellowstheywere，andhowhighhestoodabovethem。\"
\"Andyethewouldlikesomuchtobeanemperorinstrict。
accordancewithcourtetiquette，\"saidtheemperor，laughing。\"HeisanxioustohavesuchacourtabouthimasLouisXIV。had。Butthelawyer\'ssonalwaysreappearsintheemperor，and，ifitpleaseGod，Hewillonedaydeprivehimofallhispowerandsplendor。\"
\"And，ifitpleaseGod，yourmajestywillbeHisinstrumentinputtinganendtoNapoleon\'spowerandsplendor，\"criedHudelist，withasmilewhichdistortedhisfacestrangely，andcausedtworowsoflargeyellowteethtoappearbetweenthepalelipsofhisenormousmouth。\"Itistruehestandsfirmasyet，andrebukeshisministersasNerodidhisfreedmen。Talleyrandwasstillthunderstruckatwhattheemperorhadtoldhim，whenhehadaninterviewwithCountMetternichandmyselfinFouche\'sgreen—house。
Tobesure，thephraseswhichherepeatedtouswerewellcalculatedtomakeeventhebloodofapatientministerboil。Napoleonsentforthetwoministersimmediatelyafterhisarrival:whentheycametohim，heletthemstandatthedoorofhiscabinetlikehumblesuppliants，and，runningupanddownbeforethem，andcastingfieryglancesofangeruponthem，heupbraidedthemwiththeirconduct，andtoldthemhewasawareofalltheirintrigues，andknewthattheywereconspiringwithAustria，Spain，and，throughSpain，withEngland。Thenhesuddenlystoodstillinfrontofthem，hishandsfoldedonhisback，andhisglanceswouldhavecrushedthetwoministersiftheyhadnothadsuchathickskin\'Youareimpudentenoughtoconspireagainstme！\'heshouted，inathunderingvoice。
\'Towhomareyouindebtedforeverything——foryourhonors，rank，andwealth？Tomealone！Howcanyoupreservethem？Bymealone！
Lookbackward，examineyourpast。IftheBourbonshadreascendedthethrone，bothofyouwouldhavebeenhangedasregicidesandtraitors。Andyouplotagainstme？Youmustbeasstupidasyouareungrateful，ifyoubelievethatanybodyelsecouldpromoteyourinterestaswellasIhavedone。Hadanotherrevolutionbrokenout，onwhateversideyoumighthaveplacedyourselves，youwouldcertainlyhavebeenthefirsttobecrushedbyit！\'\"[Footnote:
Napoleon\'sownwords——SeeSchlosser，\"HistoryoftheEighteenthCentury，\"vol。viii。，p。488。]
\"Thatisveryplaintalk，indeed，\"saidFrancis，laughing。\"ButTalleyrandandFouchehavesoundstomachs;theywilldigestit，andnotgetcongestionsinconsequenceofitprovidedtheemperordoesnotpunishtheminadifferentmanner。\"
\"Forthetimebeing，heonlypunishedTalleyrand，whomhedeprivedofthepositionandsalaryoflordchamberlain。Foucheremainedpoliceminister，butbotharecloselywatchedbyNapoleon\'ssecretpolice。Nevertheless，theysucceededinholdingafewunobservedinterviewswithus。CountMetternichlearnedalsofromanotherverywell—informedquartermanyaccuratedetailsregardingtheplansandintentionsoftheEmperorNapoleon。\"