\"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。\"