\"ButItoldyou，brother，thatcouriershadarrivedfromthevalleyoftheAdige，andinformedmethattheprospectsofourcauseareverygloomythere。Thepeoplearesplitupintofactions，whichareengagedinbitterwranglings。HowcanIrejoiceattheextraordinaryhonorspaidtome，whentherearesuchdarkspotsinthecountry？\"
[Footnote:AndreasHofer\'sownwords。——See\"BilderundErinnerungenausTyrolsFreiheitskampfenvon1809，\"byLoritza，p。13。]
\"Donotthinkofthatnow，Andy。TheLordhashelpedushitherto，andHewillhelpushenceforward;forourcauseisjust，andnoenemyisabletostandupagainstit。\"
\"Anddoyouthink，brother，thatwhatwearegoingtodonowisalsogoodandjust？\"askedHofer，hesitatingly。
\"Yes，Ido，Barbone。LizzieWallnerisanoble，bravegirl，andthegoodGodandHisangelsloveher。\"
\"Well，ifyousayso，brotherCapuchin，itmustbeallright;foryouareapriestoftheLord，andwouldcertainlynotconsenttocheatGodinsoholyaplace。\"
\"Godcannotbecheated，\"saidtheCapuchin，solemnly;\"onlyshort—
sightedmancan。Now，LizzieWallnerhaskeeneyesandapureheart;
henceshelooksintothefuture，andseeswhattheshort—sightedBavariancannotsee，andhelpshimandherselftoescapefromtheabyssintowhichbothofthemwouldotherwisefall。Sheisagenuineheroine，andIamproudandfondofher。OtherwiseIshouldnothavecometoInnspruckto—day。Icameonlyforhersakeandatherurgentrequest。WeareexceedinglybusyattheearthworksnearthePassofLueg，andlookfromdaytodayfortheBavarianstoattackus。HenceImustreturntherethisverynight，thatImaybewithourmento—
morrowincasethereshouldbeafight。\"
\"Godgrantthatyoumaybevictorious！\"sighedAndreas。
\"Buthark！theclockstrikesnine，andthesextonisalreadylightingthecandlesonthealtar。\"
\"Buthehasbeeninstructedtolightonlytwoofthem，lestthereshouldbetoomuchlight，\"saidtheCapuchin。\"Letusgodownnow，brotherAndreas，anddonotforgetwhatyouhavetodo。Whenthebrideentersbythesmallside—door，yougotomeether，takeherhand，andconducthertothealtar。Aftertheyaremarried，youofferheryourhandagainandbegofherpermissiontoaccompanyhertothedoorofherroom。\"
\"Allright，Iwilldoso，\"saidAndreas。\"Come，letusgodowntothechapel。\"
Adimtwilightreignedinthesmallchapel。Onlytwoofthetallwax—lightsburnedonthealtar，andshedtheirflickeringraysonthevigorousformoftheCapuchin，whowasstandinginfrontofit，andprayinginalowvoicewithclaspedhands。Closetohim，nearthestepsofthealtar，stoodAndreasHofer，hisheadbentdown，andhishandsclaspedonthesmallcrucifixwhichwastobeseenabouthisneckbythesideofthegoldmedalandchain。
Footstepswereheardnowintheaisleofthechapel，andatallmanindarkcivilian\'sdressapproachedthealtar。AndreasHoferdrewhimselfuptohisfullheightandwenttomeethim。
\"Godblessyou，CaptainUlrich！\"hesaid，kindly;\"Ihopeyouwillacceptmeaswitnessofyourmarriage。\"
\"Ithankyou，commander—in—chief，forconsentingtobeourwitness，\"
saidUlrich，cordially;\"andIthankyoualso，FatherHaspinger，forcomingtoInnspruckfromsuchadistancetomarryus。\"
\"IcomewheneverElizaWallnercallsmeandneedsme，\"saidtheCapuchin，solemnly。
Asmallside—doornowopened，andafemaleforminalongwhitesilkdresscamein。Herheadwascoveredandconcealedwithawhiteveil，whichsurroundedherwholeformlikeacloud，andfloweddowntotheground。Onherhead，overtheveil，sheworethediademofthevirginandbride，abloomingmyrtle—wreath。
WhileAndreasHoferwenttomeetherandtookherhandtoconducthertothealtar，Ulrichcontemplatedherwithathrobbingheart，andunutterableblissfilledhisbosom。
\"Shehaskeptherword，\"hethought;\"shehasdoffedthecostumeoftheTyrolesegirlsandtherebydivestedherselfofherwholepast。
Oh，howsplendidherformlooksinthisdress;sheseemstallerandprouder，andyetsolovelyandsweet。\"
Hegazedatherassheapproachedslowlywithalightspringingstep，leaningonAndreasHofer\'sarm;hesawonlyher！
Hedidnothearadooropeningsoftlyyonderinthevestry，whichcontainedseverallatticedwindows;hedidnotseethedarkfemaleformwhichapproachedthewindows，andwhosepalefacelookedoutforamomentandthendisappearedhastily。Hesawonlyher，hisbeloved，hisbride，whostoodnowbyhisside，whosehot，tremblinghandnowrestedinhisown，andwhoreturnedgentlythetenderpressureofhishand。
AndnowFatherHaspingerraisedhisvoiceandspokeindevoutandimpressivewordstothebrideandbridegroomofthesolemnityofthissacredhour，oftheimportanceoftheunionwhichtheywereabouttoenteruponbeforeGod，andofthesacreddutiesthefulfilmentofwhichtheyweretovowbeforethealtar。
\"AndnowIaskyou，CaptainUlrichvonHohenberg，\"hesaid，inaloudvoice，\"willyoutakeyourbetrothedhereforyourwife，andloveandcherishherallyourlifelong？\"
Herepliedinaloud，joyousvoice，\"Yes。\"
\"Andyou，youngmaiden，\"addedtheCapuchin，\"willyoutakeyourbetrothedhereforyourhusband，andloveandcherishhimallyourlifelong？\"
Alow，timid\"Yes\"fellfromherlips。Stifledsobsandgroansresoundedinthedirectionofthevestry。
\"Joinhands，then。\"saidtheCapuchin，solemnly，\"andletmeexchangeyourringsintokenofyourunion。ImarryyounowinthenameofGod，andhenceforthyouaremanandwife。WhatGodhathjoinedtogether，letnotmanputasunder。Kneeldownnowandreceivethebenediction。\"
Thebrideandbridegroomkneltdownhand—in—handbeforethealtar;
theconcealedwomankneltdowninthevestryalone，tremblingandquiveringwithanguish。
Whenthebenedictionhadbeengivenandthebrideandbridegroomarose，sheroselikewisefromherknees。\"HolyVirgin，\"sheprayedinalowvoice，\"givemestrengthnow！Thoubeholdestmyheart，andseestwhatIamsuffering！Oh，bewithmeinThymercy，andgivemestrengthandconstancy！\"
Theceremonywasovernow，andAndreasHoferapproachedthebride。
\"Asyourfatherwaspreventedfrombeingpresent，\"hesaid，\"permitmetotakehisplaceandconductyoutoyourroom。Isupposeyoudonotobjecttoit，CaptainUlrich！\"
\"Onthecontrary，Iamobligedtoyoufortakingtheplaceofmysweetbride\'sfather。Leadtheway，Iwillfollowyou。\"
\"No，sir，waitamoment，\"exclaimedFatherHaspinger，solemnly。\"I
mustspeakafewwordswithyouprivately。\"
\"AndIhavetothankyouforyourkindnessincomingtoourwedding，\"saidUlrich，standingstillinfrontofthealterandfollowingonlywithhiseyeshisbride，whowasjustleavingthechapelwithAndreasHoferbytheside—door。
\"CaptainUlrich，\"saidtheCapuchin，afterthedoorhadclosedbehindthetwo，\"IhavecompliedwithElizaWallner\'srequest，andmarriedyoutoyourbetrothed。Youarenowmanandwife，andnothingbutdeathcanseparateyoufromyourwife。Donotforgetthis，sir。
ButwillyoualsodowhatIamnowabouttoaskofyou？\"
\"Ipromisetodoit，ifitbeinmypower。\"
\"Inthevestryyonderisonewhowishestoseeyou。Gotoher。Butpromisemebyallthatissacredtoyouthatyouwilllistentohercalmly;that，whatevershemaysaytoyou，youwillnotinveighagainsther;andthatyouwillovercomeyourheartandsubmitlikeabravemantothatwhichcannotbehelped。\"
\"Idonotcomprehendwhatyoumean，\"saidUlrich，smilingly，\"butI
promisetosubmitlikeabravemantothatwhichcannotbehelped。\"
\"Go，then，tothevestry，\"saidFatherHaspinger;\"Iwillleavethechapel，fornooneexceptGodshouldhearwhatshehastosaytoyou。\"
HebowedtoUlrich，andquicklywalkeddownthepassagetothelargedoorofthechapel。Ulrichhastenedtothevestry，and，openingthedoor，murmuredtohimself:\"Whatastrangemystery！Whocanawaitmehere？\"
\"Iawaityouhere，sir，\"saidalow，tremulousvoice。
Ulrichlookedup，andstaredatherwhostoodbeforehimwithclaspedhandsandgazedathimwithbeseechingeyes。
\"Eliza！\"heexclaimed，startingbackwithacryofhorror;\"Eliza，youarehere？\"
\"Yes，Iamhere，\"shesaid;\"Iamheretoimploreyourforgiveness。\"
\"Myforgiveness？\"heasked，trembling，andpressingbothhishandstohistemples。\"MyGod！myheadswims——IbelieveIshallgomad！
Elizaishere，shestandsbeforemeinherpeasantcostume，andsheleftmeonlyafewmomentsagoinawhitebridaldress，andwithamyrtle—wreathonherhead。Whatdoesthisquicktransformationmean，andhowwasitpossible？\"
\"Itisnotransformation，sir，\"saidEliza，bashfully。\"IamElizaWallner，thepeasant—girl，andshewholeftyouinthechapelisyourweddedwife，theyoungBaronessvonHohenberg——\"
\"Youaremyweddedwife，youalone？\"hecried，impetuously。
\"No，sir，Iamnot！\"
\"Youarenot？\"hecried，vehemently。\"Andwhoisshewhowentfrommethere？\"
\"Sheisyourwife，wholovesyouwithallherheart，\"saidEliza，solemnly;\"sheisthewifewhomyourparentsselectedforyoufromyourearliestyouth;sheisElzavonHohenberg。\"
Ulrichutteredacryofrageanddespair，andrusheduponElizawithupliftedhand，paleasacorpse，andwithflashingeyes。
Shebentherheadandwholeformbeforehim。\"Strikeme，Ideserveyouranger，\"shesaid，humbly。
Ulrichdroppedhisarmwithagroan。\"Thenyouhavecheatedme，wretchedgirl！\"hecried，furiously。\"Youwishedtorevengeyourselfonme，youliedtome，youbetrayedme，youenmeshedmewithhypocriticalfalsehoods，andplayedaninfamousgamewithme！Well，whydoyounotlaugh？Youreffortsweresuccessful，youhaverevengedyourself。Oh，Iamindespair;myrageandgriefwillbreakmyheart。Whydoyounotlaugh？\"
\"Idonotlaugh，sir，becauseIseethatyougrieve，andbecauseGodknowsthatIwouldgiveupmyheart\'sbloodtospareyouanhourofsuffering。\"
Heburstintoscornfullaughter。\"Andyetyouhavetreatedmesoinfamously？Youhaveplayedamiserablecomedywithme，andperjuredyourself？\"
\"Sir，Ihavenotperjuredmyself，\"criedEliza。\"IhavefulfilledfaithfullytheoathIsworetoyouwhenyoutookleaveofmeandwenttoprocuremyElza\'srelease。\"
\"Youhavefulfilledit？Falsegirl！repeatyouroathtome，thatI
mayconvictyouofperjury。\"
\"IsaidthatifyouwouldbringbackElza，youshouldreceiveyourbride，wholovedyouwithinfinitetenderness，atthehandsofthepriest，whetheritwasearlyinthemorningorlateatnight！\"
\"Well，then，haveyoufulfilledyouroath？Haveyounotperjuredyourself？\"
\"Ihavefulfilledmyoath;Ihavenotperjuredmyself。Elzalovesyou，sir;shelovesyouwithinfinitetenderness。\"
\"Oh，whatmiserable，insidioussophistry！\"criedUlrich，sinkingdespairinglyonachair。\"Yourwordswereasfullofduplicityasyourheartis;andI，poor，short—sighteddupe，believedyourwords！
Andnotyoualone，butElza，too，hascheatedme——shewhomIlovedasasister，andwhomIshouldhavelovedevenbetter，ifyouhadnotsteppedinbetweenus，ifIhadnotseenyou。Elzahasbetrayedmetoo;shedidnotshrinkfromplayingsounworthyapart！Oh，itwillbreakmyheart，itwillbreakmyheart;IloseinthishourallthatIloved！Nothingremainstomebutcontempt，scorn，anddreadfulloneliness！\"
Heburiedhisfaceinhishandsandweptbitterly。
\"Sir，\"exclaimedEliza，withacryofdespair，kneelingdownbeforehim，\"youweep？\"
\"Yes，Iweep，\"hesobbed;\"Iweepformyfallenangels，mylostparadise！Iamaman;thereforeIamnotashamedofmytears。\"
Elizaliftedhereyesandclaspedhandstoheaven。\"HolyVirgin，\"
sheexclaimed，\"givestrengthtomywords，thathemayhearandunderstandme！\"
Sherosefromherknees，steppedcloseuptoUlrich，andlaidherhandonhisshoulder。\"Sir，\"shesaid，\"doyourememberyetwhatI
saidtoyouontakingleaveofyouonthemountain？Iremindedyouofittheotherday，butyouforgotitagain。Isaidtoyou:\'Youareanobleman，andIamapeasant—girl;youareaBavarian，andI，thankGod，amagainanAustrian。Wedonotsuiteachother，andcanneverbecomehusbandandwife。\'ThatiswhatIsaidtoyou，andI
repeatedittoyoutheotherday，butyouwouldnotunderstandit。\"
\"BecauseIlovedyou，Eliza;becauseIfeltthatmylovewouldbestrongenoughtosurmountallobstacles！\"
\"Wasyourlovestrongenoughtoprevailonyou，sir，togotomyfather，AnthonyWallner，andaskhimtoblessyou，hisson—in—law？
See，Iaskedyoutodoso，becauseIknewthatyouwouldrefuse，andbecauseIthoughtitwouldconvinceyouthatwecouldneverbecomemanandwifeandoughttopart。ForwithouttheblessingofmyparentsIcouldneverfollowahusbandintotheworld;norwouldyouwantawifewhodidnotbringwithhereithertheblessingofherparentsorthatofyourown，foryouareagoodandexcellentman。
Thatwasthereason，sir，whywecouldnotbecomemanandwife，eventhoughitshouldbreakourhearts。\"
\"Ourhearts？\"hecried，impetuously。\"Donotspeakofyourheart;itiscoldandhard。\"
\"Whatdoyouknowofmyheart？\"sheasked。\"Idonotbearitonmylips，norinmyeyeseither。Itrestsdeepinmybosom，andGodaloneseesandknowsit。ButI，sir，knowanotherheart;Igazeddeeplyintoit，anddiscoveredinitthemostferventloveforyou，sir。ThisotherheartisthatofmyElza:Elzalovesyou！AndyouknowthatIloveElza，andthereforeyoumustbelieveme，eventhoughyoudistrustmeinotherrespects。IshalllovemyElzaaslongasIlive，andIsworetohernevertoabandonher，nevertodeceiveher。Sheconfidesinme，sir;shedidnotconcealfrommeasinglefoldofherheart。ShouldIhavetoldher，\'CaptainUlrich，whomyoulove，andwhomyourfatherwantstobecomeyourhusband，lovesme;andI，whomyoucallyourbestfriend，althoughsheisbutapeasant—girl，whileyouarethedaughterofanobleman，willtakeyourloverfromyouandmakehimmyhusband？\'No，sir，nevercouldI
havesaidso;nevershouldIhavebeencapableofbreakingElza\'sheart:Ipreferredtobreakmyown！\"
\"ShedoesnotknowthatIloveyou？Sheoughttohaveknownit，inasmuchassheconsentedtoplaythisunworthypartandtakeyourplacebeforethealtar。\"
\"Shedidnotknowanythingaboutit;Ideceivedher。Itoldheryousentmeasalove—messengertoher，andthatIhadtakenituponmyselftoobtainherconsenttoaclandestinemarriagewithyou，becauseyouwereobligedtosetoutforMunichthisverynight，andbecauseyouwishedtotakewithyouthecertaintythatshewouldbeyoursforever，andthatyoumighthavetherightofprotectingherafterGodhadtakenherfatherfromherandmadeheranorphan。Sir，Elzalovesyou，andthereforesheconsented，andbecameyourwife。\"
\"Andherfather？Didhe，too，consenttothedeception？\"
\"Herfather，sir，isverysick，andIbelieveheisonhisdeath—
bed。Elzatoldhimnothingofit，fortheexcitement，thejoymighthavekilledhim。Itoldheritwasyourwillthatsheshouldbesilent;andbecauseshelovesyouandwouldcomplywithallyourwishes，shewassilent，obeyedyourcall，andcameallalonetothealtartobecomeyourwife。\"
\"Mywife！sheisnotmywife！Themarriageisnullandvoid，andI
shallneveracknowledgeit。\"
\"Elzaisyourwife，sir，yourwifebeforeGodandman。Apriestmarriedyou，andyousworebeforethealtartoloveandcherishher。
Oh，sir，Ibeseechyou，donotrepudiatemyElza，forshelovesyou;
andbyrepudiatingElzayouwillrepudiateme，forElzaisthebetterhalfofmyheart。Inmakingherhappy，thinkthatyoumakemehappy;andinlovingher，thinkIfeelthatyouloveoneme！\"
\"Oh，Eliza，\"criedUlrich，gazingatherasshestoodbeforehimwithaglowingcountenance，\"Eliza，youangel，whycanInotpossessyou？\"
\"BecauseitisnotGod\'swill，sir！\'Theblessingoftheparentsbuildshousesforthechildren，\'saystheproverb;hencewecouldnotbuildahouse，sir，forwehadnottheblessingofourparents。
Nowyouhaveit，Elzabringsittoyou，andshebringsyoulove，sir，andhappiness。No，donotshakeyourhead;shebringsyouhappiness。Youdonotbelieveitnow，foryourheartgrieves，andhewhohassuchawoundthinksthatitneverwillheal。Butloveisagoodsurgeon。Elzawilldressyourheartandhealit。\"
\"Andyourheart，Eliza，willitheal，too？Foryourhearthaslikewiseawound，and，whateveryoumaysaytothecontrary，youlovedme。\"
\"Ilovedyou！\"sheexclaimed。\"No，sayratherIstillloveyou！IfI
hadnotlovedyou，shouldIhavebeenstrongenoughtowithstandyoursupplicationsandresistmyownheartinordertosecureyourhappiness？Oh，behappy，then，——behappythroughmeandformysake！
FoldElzatoyourheart，loveherandletherloveyou;andwheninfuturedays，happyinElza\'sarms，andsurroundedbyhersweetchildren，yourememberthepastanditsgriefsmilingly，donotforgetme，butsay，\'Lizziewasrightafterall！Shelovedmefaithfully！\'\"
\"Faithfully？\"heasked，burstingintotears。\"Yourheartwillheallikewise，Eliza;youwillforgetmeinthearmsofanotherhusband。\"
\"No，sir！MyheartIhope，willheal，butGodalonewillhealit，andnootherhusband。Iamnotabletoloveanotherman，andI
believe，moreover，Ihavesomethingelsetodo。Thefatherlandneedsbravehands，andIbelongtomyfatherlandandmyfather。Weshallhavewaragain，sir，warwiththeBavarians。ThankGod，youwillnotbeamongourenemies！Ishallcarryourwoundedoutofthethickestofthefight，andnursethem;andifabullethitsme，well，then，I
shalldieforthefatherland，anditwillgladdenyourheart，also，tohearthatLizzieWallnerdiedasabravedaughteroftheTyrol。I
prayGodtoletmedieinthismanner。Amen！Butnow，sir，gotoyouryoungbride。Shewillbewonderingalreadyatyourlongabsence。Oh，gotoher，sir，andbekindandlovingtoher;letherneversuspectwhathastakenplacebetweenus，andthatyoudidnotmarryherofyourownaccord。\"
\"Icannotdissemble，Eliza;Icannotturnmyheartlikeaglove。\"
\"DoIaskyoutodoso？HaveyounotalwayslovedElza？Lovehernow，then;loveherformysake，lovemeinher！Go，sir;Elzaiswaitingforyou。Ishallgotoo。OurgoodHaspingeriswaitingforme，andIshallgowithhimtomyfather。Weshallnevermeetagain，andthereforeIwillgiveyounowmywedding—present。Youaskedmeforitthismorning，andIrefused;butnowIwillgiveittoyouvoluntarily。Closeyoureyes，sir，foryoumustnotseewhatIgiveyou;anddonotopenthemuntilItellyouto。\"
\"Iwillclosemyeyes，Eliza，butIshallseeyouneverthelessinmyheart。\"
Sheglideduptohimwithanoiselessstep。Faithfultohisword，hehadclosedhiseyesfirmly。Shegazedathimlongandtenderly，asiftoengravehisfeaturesdeeplyonherheart;thenshebentoverhimandimprintedakissonhisforehead。
\"Godblessyou，Ulrich，\"shewhispered，andkissedhisforeheadoncemore。\"Farewell！\"
Andbeforehewasabletopreventit，orevenknowit，sheglidedtothesmalldoorleadingfromthevestryintothestreet。
Ulrichheardthejarofthedoor，andopenedhiseyes。Elizastoodintheopendoor，andcastalast，partingglanceonhim。JoachimHaspingerstoodbehindher。
\"Eliza，\"criedUlrich，hasteningtoher，\"youwillleaveme？\"
Hewouldhaveseizedherhand，butHaspingersteppedbetweenthem。
\"Gotoyourbride，sir，\"hesaid，imperatively。
\"Elizawillaccompanymeandgotoherfather！\"
CHAPTERXXXIX。
THETREATYOFPEACE。
TheEmperorFranciswasstillatPrinceLichtenstein\'scastleofTotis，inHungary，butforsomedayspasttherehadnolongerreignedtheretheprofoundsilenceandcalmmonotonywhichhadprevailedduringthefirstdaysoftheimperialsojourn。Courierscameandwent，equipagesrolledup，andconveyedtothecastlesomeoftheAustriandiplomatists，withwhomtheemperorconversedalongwhileinhiscabinet，whereupontheydepartedagain。EvenBaronvonThugut，theall—powerfulex—minister，hadbeendrawnfromhistranquilretirement，andcalledtotheheadquartersoftheEmperorFrancisatTotis。Francishadlockedhimselfupwithhiminhiscabinet，andconversedwithhiminsolowatonethatHudelist，althoughhehadappliedhiseartothekeyhole，hadbeenunabletohearasinglewordofimportance;andtheemperorwassoreticentastothesubjectofhisconversationwithThugut，thattheEmpressLudovica，although，afterThugut\'sdeparture，shehadsoughtfrequentlytofathomthemeaningofhispresencethereinherinterviewswiththeemperor，didnotreceivetheslightestinformationfromherhusband。
GreatcommotionreignedatCastleTotisalreadyearlyinthemorningofthe12thofOctober。PrinceLichtensteinhadarrivedinthefirstplace，andCountBubnahadcomesoonafterward。Theemperorhadgonewiththetwodiplomatiststohiscabinet;theyhadleftitseveralhoursafterward，anddepartedimmediately。
CountMetternichhadlikewisearrivedatTotis，andrepairedatoncetotheemperor\'srooms。Thecountorderedthefootmanintheanteroomtoannouncehimtohismajesty，buttheservantshookhisheadwithapolitesmile。
\"Itisunnecessaryformetoannounceyourexcellency，\"hesaid。
\"Hismajestyorderedmetoconductyourexcellencyatoncetohiscabinet。Besogracious，therefore，astofollowme，yourexcellency。\"
Andhehastened，withanoiselessstep，throughtheapartments:
CountMetternichfollowedhimquickly，andanimperceptiblesneerplayedoverhisfineyouthfulfaceashewaswalkingthroughthesesumptuousrooms，whosedesertedappearancewasthebestproofoftheprecarioussituationoftheemperor。
Thefootmanstoodnowbeforethedooroftheimperialcabinet;afterwaitinguntilhisexcellencyhadcomecloseuptohim，heopenedthisdoor，andsaid，inaloudvoice，\"Hisexcellency，CountMetternich！\"
Whenthecountenteredthecabinet，theemperorwassittingathiswriting—table，andholdinginhishandapaperwhichhehadread，butwhichhelaiddownnow，toriseandgreetthecount。ItdidnotescapeMetternich\'skeen，pryingeyes，thattheemperor\'sfacewasmoresereneto—daythanithadbeenforalongtimepast;and，onbowingdeeplytohismajesty，heaskedhimselfwhatmightbethecauseofthisunusualserenity，andwhomighthavebroughtthegladtidingswhichhadawakenedsoremarkableachange。
\"Welcome，count，welcome！\"saidtheemperor，inhissonorousvoice，andwithagracefulsmile。\"IsentforyoubecauseIamexceedinglyanxioustolearntheprogressofyourpeace—negotiationsatAltenburg。Istherenoprospectyetofaspeedyterminationofthisabominablewar？\"
\"Yourmajesty，Iregrettosaythatthenegotiationsareprogressingveryslowly，\"saidCountMetternich，mournfully。
\"TheEmperoroftheFrenchpersistswithstubbornpetulancyinallhisdemands，andrefusesfirmlytoabatethem。\"
\"Indeed，isBonapartesostubborn？\"askedtheemperor，kindly。\"HowfarhaveyouadvancedinyourconferenceswithMinisterChampagny？\"
\"Yourmajesty，wehavenotadvancedyetbeyondthedifficultquestionsconcerningthecontributionsinmoneyandthefortresses。
Francerefusesobstinatelytotakelessthantwohundredandthirty—
sevenmillionsoffrancs，andinsistsonthecessionofthefortressesofGratzandBrunn，whichhertroopshavenotevenoccupieduptothistime。\"
\"Thatistosay，youhavenotadvancedinyourpeacenegotiationsbeyondwhatbothsideswerewillingtoconcedeattheoutset？\"
\"Pardonme，yourmajesty。InthebeginningofthenegotiationswewereentirelyignorantofthedemandsofFrance，whilewearefamiliarwiththemnow，andknowwhatcoursetoadoptinregardtothem。Afterlearningtheadversary\'sintentions，onemaymoreeasilydevisewaysandmeanstofrustratethem。\"
\"Butyouhavebeendevisingthemalongtimealreadywithoutobtaininganyresults，\"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"Well，whatdoyouthink，mydearcount，willbetheupshotofyourpeacenegotiations？\"
\"Willyourmajestypermitmetotellyouthetruth？\"askedCountMetternich，withhismostwinningsmile。
Theemperornoddedhishead。
\"Wellthen，yourmajesty，Ibelievethatwarwillbetheupshotofallthesepeacenegotiations。ThedemandsofFrancearesoexorbitantthatAustriacannotsubmittothem。Austria\'sHONORwillcompelustoresumehostilities;foragovernmentmay，ifneedbe，acquiesceinthelossofsomeofitsterritories，butitmustneversubmittoaviolationofitshonor。\"
\"Butdoyouknowthataresumptionofhostilitieswillendangernotonlysomeofourterritories，butourexistence？Ourarmiesaredisorganized，disheartened，andwithoutacompetentcommander—in—
chief;andmydistinguishedbrothers，whoareattheheadofthedifferentcorps，arequarrelingasthoughtheywereoldwomen，andnotprinces。Besides，money，thebestgeneralinwartimes，iswantingtous。\"
\"Onlydeclareyourdeterminationtoresumehostilities，yourmajesty，andmoneywillnotbewantingtoyou。Yourpeoplewillgladlysacrificealltheirpropertyforthispurpose，foryourpeoplehateNapoleonanddesirevehementlythathostilitiesshouldberesumed。\"
\"Seehere，\"exclaimedtheemperor，almostmenacingly，\"letmeadviseyounottoalludetomypeople，ifyouwantmetoremainongoodtermswithyou。Ihavenopeople;Ihavesubjects，andwantonlysubjects。[Footnote:Schlosser\'s\"HistoryoftheEighteenthCentury。\"]IfIneedmoney，Ishallimposeadditionaltaxesonmysubjects，andtheywillbecompelledtopaythem;buttheyneednotoffermeanypresents，forIthinkitwouldbeincompatiblewithmyimperialhonortoacceptthem。Anemperormustnotacceptanythingasapresentatthehandsofhissubjects，noteventheirlove，foritisthedutyofthesubjectstolovetheiremperor。Bearthisinmind，count，anddonotrepeatagainthisnew—fashionedword\'people;\'Icannotbearit，itsmellssomuchoftherepublicandguillotine。Well，Ihavetoldyouthat，ifweresumedhostilities，weshouldbedestituteofthreeveryessentialthings，namely，agoodarmy，agreatcaptain，andmoney。Thereisnodoubtwhateverthatweshouldlosethefirstbattleagain;andifwewerecompelledthentosueforpeace，Bonapartewouldimposestillmorerigoroustermsuponus:weshouldbeobligedtoacceptthem，andshouldlosebothterritoriesandhonor。Nowyouknowmyviews，count，andyoushallknowalsotheprincipalreasonwhyIsentforyou。Lookatthispaper。Doyouknowwhatitcontains？Thetreatyofpeace！\"
\"Thetreatyofpeace？\"criedMetternich，indismay。\"Yourmajestydoesnotmeantosay——\"
\"ImeantosaythatIhavemadepeacewiththeEmperoroftheFrench。Hereisthepaper;takeit。Thewholethingisdonenow。\"
\"Yourmajesty，\"exclaimedMetternich，lookingatthepaperwhichtheemperorhadhandedtohim，\"itisreallytrue，then？Youhavealreadysignedthetreatywithoutbeingsograciousastoemployyourministersoreveninformthemofit？\"
\"Yes，Ihave，forIthoughtweneededpeace;hence，Isignedthetreaty，andPrinceLichtensteinandCountBubnahavetakenacopyofittotheheadquartersoftheEmperorNapoleonatSchoenbrunn，andI
believehewillsignitalso。Well，donotlooksodumbfounded，count，anddonotwonderanylongerthatIsucceededinmakingpeacewithoutyourassistance。IallowedyouandStadiontogoonwiththenegotiations，anddidnotpreventyoufromdisplayingyourwholediplomaticskillatAltenburgagainstBonaparte\'sminister，Champagny;butallthiscouldnotpreventmeeitherfrompromotingtheaffairalittlehereatTotis，aftermyownfashion，andnowallisover。Fortherest，mydearcount，bearinmindwhatInowsaytoyou。Iappointedyoumyminister，becauseyouareanableandclear—
headedman，andanindustriousandreliablefunctionary。Ishallletyouact，decide，andgovern，andnotcomplainifpeoplesaythatyouareall—powerfulinAustria，andthatyourwillaloneguidestheshipofstate。Letpeoplesayandthinkso，butYOUshallnotthinkso，count;youshallknowonceforallwhatourmutualpositionis。
Iallowyoutogovernsolongasyougoverninaccordancewithmyviews;butifIamnotsatisfiedwiththecourseyouarepursuing，I
shallpursuemyowncourse，anditwillonlyremainforyoutofollowme，orretirefrompublicaffairs。Nowdecide，mydearcount;