Well，youneednotlooksodismayed;Iknowthatyourintentionsaregood，andIconfideinyou。\"
\"YourmajestyknowsthatIamreadytodieforyou，andthatI
shouldshedmybloodforyouunhesitatinglyandjoyously，\"exclaimedHudelist，enthusiastically。\"Itwas，therefore，onlymyintenseloveandvenerationwhichmademeventuretocommunicatemyviewsfreelyandopenlytoyourmajesty;butIshallneverdosoagain，forIwasunfortunateenoughtodispleaseyourmajestythereby。\"
\"Onthecontrary，youshallalwaysdoso，youshallalwaystellmeyouropinionfreelyandopenly，\"criedtheemperor，vehemently。\"Youshalltellmeallthatyoubelieve，allthatyouknow，andallthatyouhearandlearnfromothers。Yourears，eyes，andtongue，shallbelongtome。\"
\"Andmyheart，aboveallthings，belongstomyadoredemperor，yourmajesty。\"
\"Haveyoureallygotaheart？\"askedtheemperor，smiling。\"Idonotbelieveit，Hudelist;youareaclever，sagaciousman，butyouhadbettersaynothingaboutyourheart，forIthinkyouhaveuseditupinyourcountlesslove—affairs。Moreover，Idonotcareforit。Idonotthinkagreatdealofmenwhohavetoomuchheart，andwhoalwaysallowtheirrashhearttoinfluencetheiractions。Mydistinguishedbrother，theArchdukeJohn，forinstance，hasthisfaultandweakness;hisheartfrequentlyrunsawaywithhishead，andhislegsfinallyrunafterit。\"
\"Butheisaverybravegeneral，\"saidHudelist，gently;\"acourageouscaptain，andamostdefiantandfoolhardyenemyofFrance。HowunwaveringwerethecourageandintrepiditywithwhichhemettheViceroyofItalyeverywhere，andattackedhim，eventhoughheknewbeforehandthathewouldbeunabletoworstthesuperiorenemy！Howgreatwasthemagnanimitywithwhichheriskedall，anddidnotshrinkfromsacrificingthelivesofthousandsinattemptingtocarryoutaninsignificantcoupagainsttheenemy！Andhowsublimewastheheroismwithwhichhehasoftendaredtobravetheordersofthecommander—in—chiefandpursuehisownway，onfindingthattheseordersweredangerousandpernicioustohisarmy！\"
\"Yes，\"criedtheemperor，burstingintoscornfullaughter，\"itwasowingtothisdisobedienceandstubbornnessthatwelostthebattleofWagram。IftheArchdukeJohnhadbeenmoreobedient，andarrivedwithhistroopsintime，weshouldhavegainedthebattle。IshouldnotbeinthismiserableholeanditwouldnotbenecessaryformetosueBonapartesohumblyandcontritelyforgeneroustermsofpeace。Thegoodheartofmydistinguishedbrothersubjectedmetothisunpleasantnecessity，andIshallonedaymanifesttohimmygratitudeforit。\"
\"Oh，yourmajesty，\"saidHudelist，inhisblandestvoice，\"ifthearchdukeshouldhaveunwittinglycommittedablunderonthisoccasion，hehasmadeathousandamendsforit。YourmajestyshouldbearinmindallthatthenobleArchdukeJohnaccomplishedintheTyrol。YourmajestyowesitonlytothearchdukethattheTyrolroseasoneman，thatitfought，andisfightingstill，withtheutmostheroism。Hearrangeditall;heorganizedaconspiracyintheTyrolwhilethecountrywasyetundertheBavarianyoke——avast，giganticconspiracy;owingtohissecretinstigation，therevolutionbrokeoutsimultaneouslyinallpartsoftheTyrol，anditisthenameoftheArchdukeJohnwhichfillsthispeopleofheroeswiththesublimecouragewhichitdisplaysinthemostmurderousbattles。\"
\"Itisbadenoughthatitisso，\"exclaimedtheemperor，stridinguneasilyupanddowntheroom。\"TheArchdukeJohnsowedtheseedsofperniciousweeds，andplayedaverydangerousgame。\"
\"Itistrue，itisdangeroustopreachrebelliontoapeople，andteachithowtoriseininsurrection，\"saidHudelist，thoughtfully。
\"AnditcannotbedeniedthattheinsurrectionoftheTyrolesesetsadeplorableexampleinsomerespects。Itistrue，thearchdukeorganizedtheconspiracyonlyforthegoodofAustriaandheremperor;butwhattheTyrolesearedoingto—dayFORtheemperor，theymightanothertimedoAGAINSThim;andifthearchdukewerenotsoexceedinglyloyalandentirelyabovesuspicion，onemightthinkhehadstirreduptheinsurrectionforhisownpurposesandbenefit。
Atallevents，itonlydependsonhimtohavehimselfproclaimedKingoftheTyrol，forhisinfluenceisall—powerfulinthatprovince。\"
Theemperorutteredacryofrage。Hiseyesshotfire，hislipsquiveredandmutteredincoherentthreats，hischeekshadturnedlivid，andbepacedhisroominindescribableagitation。Then，asiftogiveventtotheragefillinghisbreast，hetookupthefly—flapandstruckviolentlyatthefliesseatedhereandthereonthewall。
Hudelistfollowedhiseverymotionwithhiscold，stealthyeyes，andanexpressionofscornandmaliciousjoyilluminatedhissombrefaceforamoment。
\"Itwaseffectual，\"hemurmuredtohimself;\"jealousyandsuspicionhavestruckrootsinhisheart，andweshallsucceedinneutralizingtheinfluenceofthearchduke，whoconstantlypreacheswar，andwaratanycost。\"
Suddenlytheemperorcasthisfly—flapaside，andturnedtoHudelist，whosefacehadquicklyresumeditsquiet，humble，andimpenetrableexpression。
\"Hudelist，\"saidtheemperor，inalowandmysterioustone，\"alwaystellmeallyouknowaboutthearchduke，anddonotconcealanythingfromme。Imustknowall，andcountuponyoursincerityandtalentofobservation。\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"criedHudelist，ardently，\"IswearthatIwillfaithfullycarryouttheordersofmyemperor。Notaword，notastep，notamanifestationofpublicopinionshallbeconcealedfromyourmajesty;for，asyourmajestywasgraciousenoughtoobserve，myears，eyes，andtongue，belongtoyourmajesty。\"
Atthismomentthedooroftheanteroomopened，andafootmanannouncedCountBubna。
\"Lethimcomein，\"saidtheemperor;andhedismissed，withaquickwaveofhishand，Hudelist，who，bowingrespectfully，andwalkingbackward，lefttheemperor\'scabinetatthesamemomentthatCountBubnaappearedonthethresholdoftheoppositedoor。
Theemperorhastenedtomeethim。\"Nowspeak，count！\"heexclaimed，eagerly;\"didyouseeBonaparte？Didheadmityou？\"
\"Yes，yourmajesty，\"saidCountBubna，withgloomygravity，\"theEmperorNapoleondidadmitme。Ihadalonginterviewwithhim。\"
Theemperornoddedhishead。\"Didheofferyoutermsofpeace？\"
\"Hedid，butIcannotconcealfromyourmajestythattheEmperorNapoleonwillimposeveryharshandoppressiveconditions。Heisexceedinglyirritated，andtheheroicresistancewhichourarmyofferedtohim，ourbrilliantvictoryatAspern，andthefactthathisvictoryatWagramwasafteralllittlebetterthanadrawnbattle，seemtohaveexasperatedhimintheextreme。Forthisreasonheisresolvedtoimposerigoroustermsofpeaceonus，because，ifAustriashouldsubmittothem，shewouldtherebyadmitthattheEmperoroftheFrenchgainedagreatvictoryatWagram。\"
\"Well，Iamgladthatheisirritated，\"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders;\"soamI，andIshallnotacceptanypeacewhichwouldimposehumiliatingtermsonAustria。ThatiswhatIhavepromisedthisverydaytomypeopleintheproclamationlyingonthetableyonder;andIoweit，moreover，tomyself。Eitheranhonorablepeace，oradecisionbythefortuneofwar。Ifneedbe，Iwillcalluponmywholepeopletotakeuparms;Iwillplacemyselfattheheadofthisgrandarmy，andeitherdefeatBonaparte，orsuccumbhonorably。\"
\"Ah，ifyourpeoplecouldseeyourmajestyinyourgenerousexcitement，withhowmuchenthusiasmtheywouldfollowtheiremperorandexpeltheenemy！\"exclaimedCountBubna。\"Andyeteventhemostintenseenthusiasmmightfail，forcircumstancesaremorepowerfulthanyourmajesty\'sheroism。TheEmperorNapoleonisdeterminedtofollowuphissuccesstoitsmostextremeconsequences，andweareatthisjunctureunabletocopewithhiminthelongrun。Allthegapsinhisarmyhavebeenfilledup，andhissoldiersareflushedwithvictory，andeagertomeetourownforces。Ourarmyisgreatlyweakened，disorganized，anddisheartened;and，moreover，ithasnocommander—in—chief，inasmuchasyourmajestyhasacceptedtheresignationofthegeneralissimo。TocontinuethewarwouldbeequivalenttoendangeringtheexistenceofAustriaandtheimperialdynastyitself。\"
\"Ah，youmeanthatBonapartewouldbepleasedtosayofmydynastywhathesaidofNaplesandSpain:\'TheBourbonshaveceasedtoreign\'？\"
\"Yourmajesty，althoughtheEmperorNapoleondidnotdaretousesuchunmeasuredlanguage，hedidnotfailtohintatsuchanevent。
Havingadmittedmeafterrepeatedrefusalsandhearingmyfirstwords，\'Myaugustmaster，theEmperorofAustria，\'theEmperorNapoleoninterruptedme，andcriedvehemently，\'ThereisnolongeranEmperorofAustria，butonlyaPrinceofLorraine！\'\"
\"Ah，indeed，hepermitsmeatleasttoretainthetitleofaPrinceofLorraine！Andwhatelsedidhesay？Donotconcealanythingfromme，CountBubna，butbearinmindthatImustknowall，inordertotakemyresolutionsaccordingly。\"
\"Yourmajesty，ifIdidnotbearthisinmind，IshouldneverventuretorepeatwhattheEmperorNapoleonpermittedhimselftosaytome。Heseemedtospeakquiteunreservedlyinmypresence;lyingonthefloorbythesideofhismaps，orsittingonthetableandplacinghisfeetonachair，orstandingbeforemewithfoldedarms，hespoketomewithafranknesswhichalmostfrightenedme，andwhichattimesseemedtomequiteinvoluntary。\"
\"Thereyouweremistaken，atallevents，\"saidFrancis，shrugginghisshoulders。\"Bonaparteneverdoesanythingunintentionally，andnotawordescapeshimbutwhathewantstoutter。Iknowhimbetterthanyouall，thoughIhaveseenhimonlyonceinmylife;andGodknowsthat，aftermyinterviewwithhimsubsequenttothebattleofAusterlitz，myheartwasfilledwithintensehatredagainsthim。
Now，myheartismoreconstantinhatredthaninlove;andifitissaidthatlovemakesusblind，hatred，ontheotherhand，rendersuskeen—sighted，andthatisthereasonwhyIamabletoseethroughBonaparteandknowhimbetterthanyouall。Tellme，therefore，whathesaidsofranklytoyou，andIshallknowwhattothinkofhisstatementswhichseemtoyouunintentionalexpressionsofhisrealsentiments。Whatdoeshethinkofthearmistice？Ishereallyintentondrawingtheswordoncemore，orisheinclinedtoconcludepeace？\"
\"Inclined，yourmajesty，isnottherightword。HeintendstoGRANT
peacetoyourmajestyinreturnforheavysacrifices。Yourmajestywillhavetosacrificemuchterritory，manyfortresses，andfinallyagreatdealofmoney，inordertoobtainpeace。\"
\"AndwhatifIshouldnotdoso？\"criedFrancis，impetuously。\"WhatifIshouldprefertoresumehostilitiesanddiehonorablyontheruinsofmyempireratherthanpurchaseadishonorablepeace？Whatwouldhesaythen？\"
\"Thenhewouldresumehostilitieswithhisstrongandenthusiasticarmy;hewould，ashetoldmemorethanonceinhisthunderingvoice，beinexorable，andnoconsiderationsofgenerositywouldpreventhimfromwreakingvengeanceonhispersonalenemy;forassuchhewouldregardyourmajestyinthatevent。\"
\"ButthepeopleofNurembergdonothanganyonebeforetheyhavegothim，\"saidtheemperor，calmly。\"Bonapartehasnotgotmeyet，andIthinkhewillnotcatchmesoon。Despiteallhisbraggadocio，hewillbeobligedtoallowthecontinuedexistenceoftheAustrianEmpire，forallEuropewouldriseagainsthim;evenRussiaherselfwouldbecomehisenemy，anddrawtheswordagainsthim，ifheshouldbedaringenoughtoappropriatetheAustrianEmpireandswallowitasheswallowedItaly。\"
\"Yourmajesty，IalsodonotbelievethathewouldmenaceAustriaincaseheshouldbedrivenagaintohostilities;hethreatensonlytheEmperorofAustria。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，Bubna？\"askedtheemperor，vehemently。
\"Yourmajesty，\"saidCountBubna，inalow，timidvoice，\"theEmperorNapoleonthinksyouarehispersonalandinexorableenemy，andhebelievesifamonarchmorefavorabletohimwereseatedonthethroneofAustria，hewouldnotonlysoonconcludepeacewithAustria，butalsohaveafaithfulallyinherhereafter。Ifhostilitiesshouldberesumed，andifthefortuneofwarshoulddecideinfavoroftheEmperorNapoleon——\"
\"Proceed，proceed，\"criedtheemperor，impatiently，whenCountBubnahesitated;\"Imustknowall，andamnotsocowardlyastobefrightenedbymerewords。\"
\"ButI，yourmajesty，amafraidofutteringwordswhosemeaningfillsmewithloathingandhorror——wordswhich，thankGod，willneverbecomedeeds！\"
\"Nopreamble，count，butspeakout，\"criedtheemperor，impatiently。
\"WhatwouldBonapartedoincaseheshoulddefeatusagain？\"
\"Yourmajesty，hewouldplaceanotheremperorontheAustrianthrone。\"
\"Ah，alwaysthesameoldstrain，\"exclaimedtheemperor，contemptuously。\"Oneofhisbrothersorbrothers—in—lawistobecomeEmperorofAustria，Isuppose？\'TheHapsburgdynastyhasceasedtoreign\'——thatisit，isitnot？\"
\"No，anotherprinceoftheHapsburgdynastyistobeplacedonthethrone，oneofthebrothersoftheEmperorFrancis。\"
\"Ah，ah！hethinksofmybrothers，\"murmuredtheemperor，whosecheeksturnedverypale。\"Well，whichofmybrothersdidhedesignateasfutureEmperorofAustria？\"
\"HethoughtitwouldbebestforFranceifthethronewerecededtotheGrand—dukeofWurtzburg，theArchdukeFerdinand。Hesaidhehadhadconfidenceinthegrand—dukeeversincehehadbeeninTuscany，andhebelievedthatthegrand—dukewaslikewisefriendlytohim。HewouldmakehimEmperorofAustria，andaddthegrandduchyofWurtzburgtothekingdomofBavaria。\"
\"AndtheTyrol？\"askedtheEmperorFrancis。\"WillBonaparte，inhisliberality，givethatalsotoBavaria，orwillheleaveittomybrotherFerdinand，thefutureEmperorofAustria？\"
\"No，yourmajesty。TheEmperorNapoleonseemstohaveentirelynewandrathersingularplansinregardtotheTyrol。Accordingtotheseplans。Bavariaisnottokeepit，forNapoleonsaidangrilythatBavariahadnotatallknownhowtodealwiththesimpleandhonestTyrolese。Headdedthatprofoundtranquillityshouldreigninthemountains;hence，hecouldnotrestoretheTyroltoBavaria，againstwhichtheTyrolesewereanimatedbyintensehatred。AstheTyrolesehadmanifestedtheirattachmentandfidelitytoAustriainsoadmirableamanner，itwouldbebesttomaketheTyrolanindependentprincipality，andgiveitalsotooneofthearch—dukes，thebrothersoftheemperor。\"[Footnote:Napoleon\'sownwords。——See\"Lebensbilder，\"vol。v。，p。217。]
\"BytheEternal！mybrothersseemtobethespecialfavoritesoftheEmperorNapoleon，\"exclaimedtheemperor。\"WhichofthearchdukesistoreceivethenewprincipalityoftheTyrolatBonaparte\'shands？\"
\"Yourmajesty，hesaidtheTyrolshouldbegiventothatarchdukeforwhomtheTyrolesehadalwaysmanifestedthegreatestloveandenthusiasm，theArchdukeJohn。\"
\"John！\"criedtheemperor，givingastart;\"JohnistobecomesovereignoftheTyrol？Ah，mysagaciousandlearnedbrotherhasspeculatedcorrectly，then！HefirststirreduparebellionintheTyrolintheshrewdestmanner，andhewillnowquietthebelovedTyrol，bybecomingitssovereignandruler。\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"exclaimedthecount，indismay，\"itisnotthenobleArchdukeJohnwhoconceivedsuchplans，buttheEmperorNapoleon。\"
\"Heseemsatleasttokeepupatouchingunderstandingwithmybrothers。Ishouldliketoknowwhetherhisgenerositywillnotprovidecrownsandstatesfortheotherarch—dukestoo。Andthen，youhavenottoldmeyetwhatheintendstodowithmeafterhurlingmefromthethrone。DoeshewanttokeepmeconfinedliketheKingofSpainandPopePius，orwillhepermitmetoliveasarefugeeinforeignlands，liketheKingofNaples？\"
\"Yourmajesty，Napoleononlydreamedofthefuture，anddreamsneverarelogicalandconsistent。Imyselflistenedtohisdreamsinsilence，andtheyamusedmeasthemerryfairy—storiesofmychildhooddid——fairy—storiesinventedonlyforthepurposeofmakinguslaugh。\"
\"Yes，letuslaughatthem，\"exclaimedtheemperor，burstingintoloudlaughter，which，however，soundedsounnaturalthatCountBubnadidnotjoininit。\"Andnow，\"saidtheemperor，whosefacesuddenlybecameverygloomy，\"havingspokenenoughaboutBonaparte\'sfunnydreams，letusturntomoreseriousmatters。WhatarethetermsonwhichtheEmperoroftheFrenchwouldmakepeacewithme？Whatdoeshedemand？\"
\"Yourmajesty，hisdemandsaresoexorbitantthatIscarcelydaretorepeatthem。\"
\"Nevermind，\"saidtheemperor，dryly。\"IfIcouldlistenquietlytotheplanregardingmybrothers，IbelieveIshallbeabletobeartherest。Speak，therefore。WhatarethetermsonwhichNapoleonwouldconcludepeace？\"
\"HedemandsthecessionofalltheprovincesactuallyoccupiedbytheFrencharmies;thesurrenderofthefortressesstilloccupiedbyourtroopsintheseprovinces，withtheirmagazines，arsenals，stores，andsupplies;thesurrenderofthefortressesofGratzandBrunn;andlargecontributionsinkind，tobecollectedbyM。Daru，theFrenchintendant—general。\"
\"HeintendstospoliateAustriaasmercilesslyasheformerlyplunderedHamburgandthewholeofNorthernGermany，\"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。\"AnddoesnotBonapartedemandanymoneythistime？Willhecontenthimselfwithprovinces，fortresses，andcontributionsinkind？Willheextortnomoneyfromus？\"
\"Yourmajesty，hedemandsanenormoussum。Hedemandstheimmediatepaymentoftwohundredandthirty—sevenmillionsoffrancs。\"
[Footnote:SeeSchlosser\'s\"HistoryoftheNineteenthCentury，\"vol。
viii。，p。115。]
\"Well，well，hewilltakelessthanthat，\"exclaimedtheemperor。
\"Thenyourmajestywillgraciouslynegotiatewithhimonhistermsofpeace？\"askedCountBubna，joyously。\"Bearinginmindonlythewelfareofyourmonarchy，youwillnotrejecthisrigorousdemandsentirely，andnotallowthearmisticetoleadtoaresumptionofhostilities，which，underthepresentcircumstances，couldnotbutinvolveAustriainutterruin？\"
\"Ishallthinkofit，\"saidtheemperor;\"atallevents，Ihavealreadyshownmydesireforpeacebysendingmyministers，CountsStadionandMetternich，toAltenburg，tonegotiatetherewithBonaparte\'sministerChampagny。Ishallnotrecallthem，butallowthemtocontinuethenegotiations。Theyareskilleddiplomatists，andmenofgreatsagacity。Thelaborsofdiplomatistsgenerallymakeslowheadway;hence，itwillbegoodforustolendthemalittlesecretassistance。WhiletheplenipotentiariesarenegotiatingpubliclyatAltenburginHungary，Iwillsecretlybegintonegotiatewiththeemperorhimself;andyou，CountBubna，shallbemyagentforthispurpose。\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"exclaimedCountBubna，inatoneofsurpriseratherthanjoy，\"yourmajestyreposesinmesomuchconfidence——\"
\"Which，Ihope，youwillappreciate，andstrivetorenderyourselfworthyof，\"interruptedtheemperor。\"Icountonyourskill，yourzeal，and，aboveall，yourdiscretion。Youwilltakenewproposalsofpeaceto—morrow，onmypart，totheheadquartersoftheEmperorNapoleon，atSchoenbrunn。Butnoonemustlearnofyourmission，and，leastofall，mytwoministerswhoarenegotiatingatAltenburg。\"
\"Sire，Ishallkeepassilentasthegrave。\"
\"Abadcomparison，Bubna，fornewlifeistoblossomforAustriafromyoursecretnegotiations。Well，gonowandrepose;wewillafterwardconferagaininregardtothismatter，andIwillexplainmyviewstoyou。Butsay，Bubna，doyoureallythinkthatBonapartewasinearnestabouthisdreams，andthat，incaseheshoulddefeatusagain，hewouldseriouslythinkofcarryingintoeffecthisplansregardingtheArchdukesFerdinandandJohn？\"
\"Iamafraid，yourmajesty，hewasinearnest。\"
\"TheEmperorNapoleon，then，hatesmeintensely？\"
\"Hebelievesthatyourmajestyhateshimintensely。Hetoldmeoncefranklythatonlyyourmajesty\'spersonalhatredhadbroughtaboutthiswar，andthathewasafraidthishatredwouldfrustrateallpeacenegotiations。Iventuredtocontradicthim，butbeshookhisheadvehementlyandexclaimed，\'TheEmperorFrancishatesmesointensely，thatIbelievehewouldlosehiscrownandempiresoonerthanallyhimselfwithmeinacordialmanner，eventhoughheshouldderivethegreatestadvantagestherefrom。Doyouthink，forinstance，thattheEmperorFrancis，ifIwishedtobecomehisson—
in—law，wouldgivemethehandofhisdaughter，eventhoughIshouldrelinquishhalfthewarcontribution，andrestoretohimalltheprovincesoccupiedbymyarmies？\'\"
\"What？DidNapoleonreallysaythat？\"askedtheemperor，withunusual，almostjoyfulvivacity。\"But，\"headded，gloomily，\"thisisnothingbutoneofNapoleon\'sdreams。Hehasawife，andtheEmpressJosephineissoyoungandgayyetthatshedoesnotthinkofdying。\"
\"ButtheEmperorNapoleon，Ihavebeentold，thinksagreatdealofgettingadivorcefromher。\"
\"Thepope，whomhekeepsimprisoned，willnevergrantittohim，\"
exclaimedtheemperor。
\"Ithinkhewillnotevenapplytohimforit，yourmajesty。TheEmperorNapoleonneverhadhisunionwiththeEmpressJosephineconsecratedbytheChurch，andthedissolutionofacivilmarriagedoesnotrequirethepope\'sconsent。Theemperorcandissolveitbyvirtueofhisownauthority。\"
\"ThatisaveryconvenientarrangementforM。Bonaparte，\"saidFrancis，smiling。\"Well，gonow，count，andrepose。Iamverycontentwithyourservices，andIthinkIshallbesohereafteralso。Adieu。Ishallsendforyouagain。\"
Henoddedkindlytothecount，andstoodstillsmilinglyathiswriting—tableinthemiddleofthecabinet，untilthedooroftheanteroomclosedbehindCountBubna。Butthereuponhisfaceassumedagloomy，bitterexpression，andhelifteduphisclinchedfistwithamenacinggesture。
\"Mybrothers！\"hecried，inanangryvoice;\"alwaysmybrothers！
Theyarealwayseagertopushmeaside。Iamalwaystobekeptintheshade，thattheirlightmayshinemorebrightly。Ah，weshallseewhoisEmperorofAustria，andtowhomtheTyrolbelongs;weshallseewhoisthemaster，andwhohastoobey。AsyetIamemperor，asyetIhavetodecideonwarandpeace。AndIwilldecide。Iwillhumiliatethemandcompelthemtobeobedient，theseboastfularchdukes，whoalwayspreachwarandareworstedineverybattle！Oh，theyarestirringuprebellion，andstretchingouttheirhandsformyproperty！Butonestrokeofmypenwillshattertheircrowns，stifletheirrebellion，andreducethemtosubmissiveness。I
willmakepeacewithNapoleon，andtheseditiousTyrolshallbequietedwithoutbeingbestowedupontheArchdukeJohn。IwouldratherhaveitrestoredtoBavariathanthatitshouldbeconferredonmybrother。Thatwouldbeajustretributionfortheseditiouspeasants;theyhavesetabadexample，andshouldbepunishedforit。Idonotwantanyconspiratorsamongmysubjects。LetBavariaseehowshewillgetalongwiththerebelliousTyrolese！Ishallwithdrawmyhandfromthem。Iwantpeace。IwillremainEmperorofAustriadespiteallmybrothers！\"
CHAPTERXXXV。
ADAYOFTHEEMPEROR\'SLIEUTENANT。
TheimperialpalaceatInnspruckwasstilltheresidenceofSandwirthAndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，andlieutenantoftheEmperorFrancis。Hehadlivedtheresincethe15thofAugust;butassimply，quietly，andmodestlyashehadlivedwhenhewasahorse—dealerandinnkeeper，sohelivednowwhenhewasruleroftheTyrol，andtheemperor\'slieutenant。Insteadofoccupyingthelargestateapartmentsoftheimperialpalace，ashisfriendshadoftenaskedhimtodo，Andreashadselectedtheplainestandhumblestroomsforhisquarters，andhisstyleoflivingwasassimpleandmodestashisdwelling—place。Vainlyhissuitetriedtopersuadehimtoholdleveesandreceiveguestsathisfestivetable。
Andreasrejectedallsuchsuggestionswithproudandwithalhumbleindignation。
\"DoyouthinkItookthisarduoustaskuponmyselftoplaythearistocraticgentleman，andrevelinluxury？\"herepliedtothosewhoaskedhimtoadoptsuchacourse。\"Ididnotbecometheemperor\'slieutenanttodisplayvainandemptysplendor，buttoservemydearTyrolandpreserveittotheemperor。Iamonlyasimplepeasant，anddonotwanttolivelikeaprince。Iamaccustomedtohavebread，butter，andcheeseforbreakfast，andIdonotknowwhyIshouldchangethisnow，merelybecauseIamnolongerathomewithmydearwife，buthereatInnspruckattheemperor\'spalace。Iamalsoaccustomedtodineveryplainly，andamthereforeopposedtoanyexpensiverepastsbeinggotupformehere。Idonotlikethemeatspreparedbythecooksofthearistocracy;andwhileI
donotwantanythingbutbread，butter，cheese，andwine，IshallsendtoNiederkircher\'stavernformydinner。Butitmustnevercostmorethanhalfaflorin。Iwillinviteguests，forIliketohavemerrypeopleaboutme;buttheguestsmustnotcomeforthesakeoftherepast，butforthatofourpleasantconversation。IshallsendtoNiederkircherforthedinnerofallmyguests，andhemustsendenough，lestanyofthemshouldremainhungry。Buttheremustneverbemorethansixguests，foritwouldbetoobadifI，whointendtopreservetheTyroltotheemperor，weretocosthimagreatdealofmoneyhere。Inordertopreventmistake，Niederkirchermustsendinhisbilleverymorningformetoexamine;thefinancialsecretaryshallpayiteveryweek，andsendmethereceipt。\"[Footnote:TheexpensesofHoferandhiswholesuite，duringtheirsixweeks\'
sojourninthecityofInnspruck，costthepublicexchequeronlyfivehundredflorins。]
AndreasHoferremainedinthesedaysofhissplendorasactive，industrious，andsimpleashealwayshadbeen。Thewelfareofhisbelovedcountryengrossedallhisthoughts，andhewasdesirousofdevotinghiswholestrengthtoit。Heissuedanumberofusefulandliberaldecrees，which，itistrue，Ennemoser，Doeninger，Kolb，orotherfriendsofhishaddrawnup，butwhichhehadapprovedandsigned。
AndreasHofergavepublicaudienceseverymorninglikearealprince，andthesentinelsplacedinfrontoftheimperialpalaceandatthedoorofthecommander—in—chiefhadreceivedstringentordersnottorefuseadmittancetotheaudience—roomtoanyone，butallowalltocomein，howpoorlysoevertheymightbedressed。Andreaslistenedtoeveryonewithkindpatienceandcordialsympathy，andalwaystookcaretohelpconsolethedistressed，makepeace，andconciliate;andeveryonewhoneededcomfortandassistancehastenedtoapplytothealwayshelpfulcommander—in—chief。
To—dayagainmanypersonswereintheaudience—room，waitingimpatientlyforthemomentwhenthedoorshouldopen，andwhenAndreasHofershouldmakehisappearanceonthethreshold，greetallwithapleasantnodofhishead，andthenbeckontohimwhowasnearesttothedoortoenterhiscabinet。
Butthehourfixedfortheaudiencehadstrucklongago，andthecommander—in—chief，whowasusuallysopunctualandconscientious，hadnotyetopenedthedoorofhisaudience—room。Hehadalreadybeenhalfanhourinhiscabinet，andDoeningersatatthedesk，readytowritedownthenamesofallapplicantsforaudience，andaddabriefstatementoftheirwishesandpetitions。ButAndreaswasstillpacingtheroom，hishandsbehindhisback;andalthoughhehadalreadylaidhishandtwiceonthedoor—knob，hehadsteppedbackasifinterror，andcontinuedstridingupanddown。
\"Commander—in—chief，\"saidDoeninger，afteralongpause，duringwhichhehadwatchedHofer\'sirresolutebearingsmilingly，\"thereissomethingthatdisquietsyou，istherenot？\"
\"Yes，Cajetan，\"sighedAndreas。\"Asyouhavefounditout，Iwillnolongerdenythatthereissomethingthatdisquietsme。\"
\"Andwhatisit，commander—in—chief？WillyounotcommunicateittoyourfaithfulanddiscreetCajetan？\"
\"Yes，Iwill，mydearCajetan，\"saidHofer。\"IamafraidIdidsomethingverystupidyesterday，andIamashamedofit。\"
\"Ah，youalludetothelawsuitwhichyoudecidedyesterday，\"
exclaimedDoeninger。
\"Yousee，nosoonerdidIsaythatIdidsomethingverystupid，thanyouatonceknewwhatImeant;whatIdidmust，therefore，havebeenverystupidindeed。Yes，Ialludedtothelawsuit，Cajetan，forIamafraidIdidnotdecideit，butmadeitonlymorecomplicated。\"
\"Onthewhole，therewasnothingtobedecided，\"saidDoeninger，dryly。\"Thelawsuitwasalreadydecided;thesupremecourthadgivenjudgmentinfavoroftheplaintiffandawardedtohimthesumofonethousandflorins，whichwasatissue，andsentencedthedefendanttopaythatsumandthecosts。Butthedefendant——\"
\"Itwasnoman，Cajetan，\"interruptedAndreas;\"itwasawoman，andthatwastheworstofit。Icannotbeartoseewomenweep。Theyknowsowellhowtotouchmyheartbytheirtearsandlamentations，thatIlongtohelpthem。LordJesus，howthatwoman，thedefendantinthelawsuit，wept！Andwasitthepoorwoman\'sfault，Cajetan，thatherdeceasedhusbandwasheadoverearsindebt，thatheborrowedonethousandflorinsfromafriend，andmeanlyaffixedhiswife\'snamewithoutherknowledgetothenotewhichhegaveforit？\"
\"Butthatisjustthetrouble，commander—in—chief;notonlydidsheknowit，butsheherselfputhernameunderthenote。Imyselfaskedthejudgesaboutityesterday。Theysaythatthewomanisknowntobeavaricious，greedy，andmean，andtheywouldnothavegivenjudgmentagainstheriftherehadnotbeenswornevidencetotheeffectthatsheherselfsignedthenote。Theyaddthatsheisrichenoughtopaybackthethousandflorinswhichherhusbandcertainlyborrowedfromhisfriend。\"
\"Icannotbelieveit，\"exclaimedAndreas。\"Sheweptandlamentedsoveryunaffectedly;duringmywholeweddedlifeIhavenotseenmywifeweepsomuchasthewomanweptduringthatquarterofanhouryesterday;andIthinkonethatcanweepsomuchmustbeinnocent。
Hence，IdidwhatIhadaperfectrighttodo;Iwrotetothejudgesandreversedtheirdecision。\"
\"Well，commander—in—chief，ifyouthinkyouwerejustifiedinwhatyoudid，whydoesitdisquietyou？\"
\"Itdoes，\"saidAndreasHofer，\"becauseIthinknowthattheplaintiff，wholosthissuit，mayfeelverysoreoverit，andblamemefordeprivinghimofwhathethoughtwasduetohim;andI
shuddertothinkhemaybeintheotherroom，andintendtoreproachmewithruininghimandtakingfromhimwhatthejudgeshadalreadyawardedtohim。\"
\"And，Andy，becauseyouwouldnotliketoseeoneman，youkeeptheotherswaitingoutside。\"
\"Youareright，Cajetan。Ioughtnottodothat;Iamaselfish，cowardlyfellow，\"criedAndreas，contritely。\"Iwillnolongerkeepthemwaiting，butadmitthematonce。\"
Andhewentwithahastysteptothedooroftheaudience—room，threwitopen，andsteppeduponthethreshold。Thelargeroomwascrowdedwithpersonsofeveryageandrank;allthrongedtowardthedoor，andeveryonewasdesirousofbeingthefirsttogreetthecommander—in—chief，andtobeinvitedbyhimintohiscabinet。
AndreasHoferbowedkindlytoall;hiseyesfellonanoldmanwithsilver—whitehair，whowasstrivingtopenetratetohim，andcastbeseechingglancesonhim。
\"Myoldfriend，\"saidAndreas，mildly，\"itistrueyouarenotnearesttothedoor，butyouaretheoldestpersonintheroom，andthereforeitisrightformetolistentoyoufirst。Comein，then，andtellmewhatyouwantofme。\"