CONTENTS
　　CHAPTER
　　I1809
　　IITheEmperorFrancisIIITheCourierandtheAmbassadorIVTheEmperorandhisBrothersVThePerformanceof"TheCreation"
　　VIAndreasHoferVIIAndreasHoferattheTheatreVIIIConsecrationoftheFlags，andFarewellIXTisTime！
　　XAnthonyWallnerofWindisch—MatreyXITheDeclarationofLoveXIIFarewell！
　　XIIITheBridegroomXIVTheBridgeofSt。LawrenceXVTheBridgeofLaditchXVIOntheSterzingerMoosXVIITheHay—WagonsXVIIICaptureofInnspruckXIXTheCapitulationofWiltauXXElizaWallner'sReturnXXITheCatastropheXXIIElizaandUlrichXXIIITheTriumphofDeathXXIVTheArchdukeJohnatComornXXVTheEmperorFrancisatWolkersdorfXXVITheReplyoftheKingofPrussiaXXVIITheBattleofWagramXXVIIITheArmisticeofZnaymXXIXHoferandSpeckbacherXXXTheCapuchin'sOathXXXITheFirstBattleXXXIITheFifteenthofAugustatInnspruckXXXIIIAndreasHofer，theEmperor'sLieutenantXXXIVTheFifteenthofAugustatComornXXXVADayoftheEmperor'sLieutenantXXXVITheLoversXXXVIIElza'sReturnXXXVIIITheWeddingXXXIXTheTreatyofPeaceXLDreadfulTidingsXLIBetrayalandSeizureofHoferXLIITheWarningXLIIITheFlightXLIVAndreasHofer'sDeathCHAPTERI。
　　1809。
　　Theyear1809hadcome;butthewaragainstFrance，sointenselylongedforbyallAustria，hadnotyetbrokenout，andthepeopleandthearmywerevainlywaitingforthewar—cryoftheirsovereign，theEmperorFrancis。Itistrue，notafewgreatthingsbadbeenaccomplishedinthecourseofthepastyear:Austriahadarmed，organizedthemilitia，strengthenedherfortresses，andfilledhermagazines;buttheemperorstillhesitatedtotakethelastandmostdecisivestepbycrowninghismilitarypreparationswithaformaldeclarationofwar。
　　Noonelookedforthisdeclarationofwarmoreintenselythantheemperor'ssecondbrother，theArchdukeJohn，ayoungmanofscarcelytwenty—seven。Hehadbeenthesoulofallthepreparationswhich，sincethesummerof1808，hadbeenmadethroughoutAustria;hehadconceivedtheplanoforganizingthemilitiaandthereserves;andhaddrawnuptheproclamationofthe12thofMay，1808，bywhichallable—bodiedAustrianswerecalledupontotakeuparms。Butthisexhaustedhispowers;hecouldorganizethearmy，butcouldnotsaytoit，"Takethefieldagainsttheenemy！"Theemperoralonecouldutterthisword，andhewassilent。
　　"Andhewillbesilentuntilthefavorablemomenthaspassed，"
　　sighedtheArchdukeJohn，when，onreturningfromaverylonginterviewwiththeemperor，hewasalonewithhisfriend，GeneralNugent，inhiscabinet。
　　Hehadcommunicatedtothisconfidantthefulldetailsofhisinterviewwiththeemperor，andconcludedhisreportbysaying，withadeepsigh，"Theemperorwillbesilentuntilthefavorablemomenthaspassed！"
　　CountNugentgazedwithalookofheart—feltsympathyintothearchduke'smournfulface;hesawthetearsfillingJohn'slargeblueeyes;hesawthathefirmlycompressedhislipsasiftostifleacryofpainorrage，andthatheclinchedhishandsintheagonyofhisdespair。Animatedbytendercompassion，thegeneralapproachedthearchduke，whohadsunkintoachair，andlaidhishandgentlyonhisshoulder。"Courage，courage！"hewhispered;"nothingislostasyet，andyourimperialhighness——"
　　"Ah，whydoyouaddressmewith`imperialhighness'？"criedthearchduke，almostindignantly。"Doyounotsee，then，thatthisisamiserabletitlebywhichFateseemstomockme，andwhichitthundersconstantly，and，asitwere，sneeringlyintomyears，inordertoremindmeagainandagainofmydeplorablepowerlessness？
　　Thereisnothing'imperial'aboutmebuttheyokeunderwhichIamgroaning;andmy`highness'istobecomparedonlywiththecrumbsofLazaruswhichfellfromtherichman'stable。Andyettherearepersons，Nugent，whoenvymethesecrumbs——menwhothinkitabrilliantandgloriouslottobean'imperialhighness，'thebrotherofasovereignemperor！Ah，theydonotknowthatthistitlemeansonlythatIamdoomedtoeverlastingdependenceandsilence，andthattheemperor'svaletdechambreandhisprivatesecretaryaremoreinfluentialmenthantheArchdukeJohn，whocannotdoanythingbutsubmit，besilent，andlookoninidleness。"
　　"Nowyourimperialhighnessslandersyourself，"exclaimedCountNugent。"Youhavenotbeensilent，youhavenotlookedoninidleness，buthaveworkedincessantlyandcourageouslyforthesalvationofyourpeopleandyourcountry。Whodrewuptheoriginalplanfortheorganizationofthemilitiaandthereserves？Whoelaborateditsmostminutedetailswithadmirablesagacity？ItwastheArchdukeJohn——thearchdukeinwhomallAustriahopes，andwhoisthelastrefugeandcomfortofallpatriots！"
　　"Ah，howmuchallofyouaretobepitied，myfriend，ifyouhopeinme！"sighedJohn。"WhatamI，then？Apooratomwhichisallowedtomoveintheglareoftheimperialsun，butwhichwouldbeannihilatedsosoonasitshouldpresumetobeanindependentluminary。Pray，Nugent，donotspeakofsuchhopes;for，iftheemperorshouldhearofit，notonlywouldmylibertybeendangered，butalsoyoursandthatofallwhoareofyouropinion。Theemperordoesnotliketoseetheeyesofhissubjectsfixeduponme;everykindwordutteredaboutmesourshimandincreasestheill—willwithwhichheregardsme。"
　　"Thatisimpossible，yourhighness，"exclaimedthecount。"Howcanourexcellentemperorhelplovinghisbrother，whoissogifted，sohigh—mindedandlearned，andwithalsomodestandkind—hearted？Howcanhehelpbeinghappytoseethatothersloveandappreciatehimtoo？"
　　"DoestheemperorlovemybrotherCharles，whoismuchmoregiftedandhigh—mindedthanIam？"askedJohn，shrugginghisshoulders。
　　"Didhenotarresthisvictoriouscareer，andrecallhimfromthearmy，although，orratherBECAUSE，heknewthatthearmyidolizedhim，andthatallAustrialovedhimandhopedinhim？Ah，believeme，theemperorisdistrustfulofallhisbrothers，andallourprotestationsofloveanddevotednessdonottouchhim，butreboundpowerlesslyfromthearmorofjealousywithwhichhehassteeledhisheartagainstus。Yousee，Itellyouallthiswithperfectcomposure，butIconfessitcostmeoncemanytearsandinwardstruggles，anditwaslongbeforemyheartbecamecalmandresigned。
　　Myheartlongyearnedforlove，confidence，andfriendship。Ihavegotovertheseyearningsnow，andresignedmyselftobelonely，andremainsoallmylifelong。Thatistosay，"addedthearchduke，withagentlesmile，holdingouthishandtothecount，"lonely，withoutasister，withoutabrother——lonelyinmyfamily。However，I
　　havefoundamostdelightfulcompensationforthisloneliness，forI
　　callyouandHormayrfriends;Ihavemybooks，whichalwayscomfort，divert，andamuseme;andlast，Ihavemygreatandglorioushopesregardingthefutureofthefatherland。Ah，howcouldIsaythatI
　　waspoorandlonelywhenIamsorichinhopes，andhavetwonobleandfaithfulfriends？Iamsure，Nugent，youwillneverdesertme，butstandbymetotheend——tothegreatdayofvictory，ortotheendofourhumiliationanddisgrace？"
　　"Yourimperialhighnessknowsfullwellthatmyheartwillneverturnfromyou;thatIloveandrevereyou;thatyouaretometheembodimentofallthatisnoble，great，andbeautiful;thatIwouldbejoyfullyreadyatanyhourtosufferdeathforyou;andthatneitherprosperitynoradversitycouldinducemetoforsakeyou。Youarethehopeofmyheart，youarethehopeofmycountry——nay，thehopeofallGermany。Weallneedyourassistance，yourheart，yourarm;forweexpectthatyouwillplaceyourselfattheheadofGermany，andleadustogloriousvictories！"
　　"Godgrantthatthehourwhenweshalltakethefieldmaysooncome！
　　Then，myfriend，IshallprovethatIamready，likeallofyou，toshedmyheart'sbloodforthefatherland，andconquerordieforthelibertyofAustria，thelibertyofGermany。ForinthepresentstateofaffairsthefateofGermany，too，dependsonthesuccessofourarms。IfwesuccumbandhavetosubmittothesamehumiliationsasPrussia，thewholeofGermanywillbebutaFrenchprovince，andthefreedomandindependenceofourfatherlandwillbedestroyedforlongyearstocome。Iamtooweaktosurvivesuchadisgrace。IfAustriafalls，Ishallfalltoo;ifGermanlibertydies，Ishalldietoo。"[Footnote:TheArchdukeJohn'sownwords。——See"Forty—eightLettersfromArchdukeJohnofAustriatoJohannesvonMuller，"p。
　　90。]
　　"Germanlibertywillnotdie！"exclaimedCountNugent，enthusiastically;"itwilltakethefieldonedayagainstallthepowerfulandpettytyrantsofthefatherland。ThenitwillchoosetheArchdukeJohnitsgeneral—in—chief，andhewillleadittovictory！"
　　"No，no，myfriend，"saidJohn，mournfully;"Faterefusestoletmeplayadecisivepartinthehistoryoftheworld。Myrolewillalwaysbebutasecondaryone;mywillwillalwaysbeimpeded，myarmwillbeparalyzedforever。Youknowit。YouknowthatIamconstantlysurroundedbysecretspiesandeavesdroppers，whowatchmewithlynx—eyedmistrustandmisrepresenteverystepItake。Itwasalwaysso，andwillremainsountilIdieorbecomeadecrepitoldman，whosearmisnolongerabletowieldtheswordoreventhepen。ThatIamyoung，thatIhaveaheartforthesufferingsofmycountry，aheartnotonlyforthehonorofAustria，butforthatofGermany——thatiswhatgivesumbragetothem，whatrendersmesuspiciousintheireyes，andcausesthemtoregardmeasarevolutionist。Ihadtosufferagooddealformyconvictions;agreatmanyobstacleswereraisedagainstallmyplans;andyetI
　　desiredonlytocontributetothewelfareofthewhole;Idemandednothingformyself，buteverythingforthefatherland。TothefatherlandIwishedtodevotemybloodandmylife;forthefatherlandIwishedtoconquerinthedisastrouscampaignof1805。
　　However，suchwerenottheplansofmyadversaries;theydidnotwishtocarryonthewarwithsufficientenergyandperseverance;
　　theywouldnotgivemybrotherCharlesandmeanopportunitytodistinguishourselvesandgainapopularname。WheneverIplannedavigorousattack，Iwasnotpermittedtocarryitintoeffect。
　　Whenever，withmycorps，Imighthaveexertedadecisiveinfluenceuponthefortunesofthewar，Iwasorderedtoretreatwithmytroopstosomedistantpositionofnoimportancewhatever;andwhenIremonstrated，theychargedmewithrebellingagainsttheemperor'sauthority。Ah，Isufferedagreatdealinthosedays，andthewoundswhichmyheartreceivedatthatjuncturearebleedingyet。Ihadtosuccumb，whenthemenwhohadcommencedthewaratahighlyunfavorabletime，conducteditatanequallyunfavorablemoment，andmadepeace。AndbythatpeaceAustrialosthermostloyalprovince，thebeautifulTyrol，oneoftheoldeststatesoftheHapsburgs;andhermostfertileprovince，theterritoryofVenetiaandDalmatia，forwhichIdidnotgrievesomuch，becauseitalwayswasasourceofpoliticaldissensionsandquarrelsforthehereditaryprovincesofAustria。WhatafflictedmemostsorelywasthelossoftheTyrol，andevennowIcannotthinkofitwithoutthemostprofoundemotion。
　　ItseemedasthoughFatewerebentonblottingoutfromourmemoryallthatmightremindusofourancestors，theirvirtues，theirpatriotism，andtheirperseveranceinthedaysofuniversaladversity;andasthough，inconsequenceofthis，thespirit，oftheHapsburgshadalmostbecomeextinct，andweweretoloseallthattheybadgainedinthedaysoftheirgreatness。[Footnote:John'sownwords。——See"Forty—eightLettersfromArchdukeJohntoJohannesvonMuller，"p。103。]ButnowFateiswillingtogiveusanotheropportunitytorepairourfaultsandshowthatweareworthyofourancestors。Ifweallowthistopasstoo，allislost，notonlythethroneoftheHapsburgs，butalsotheirhonor！"
　　"Thisopportunitywillnotpass！"exclaimedthecount。"ThethroneoftheHapsburgswillbepreserved，foritisprotectedbytheArchdukesJohnandCharles，abravearmythatiseagerforawarwithFrance，andafaithful，intrepidpeople，whichissincerelydevotedtoitsimperialdynasty，whichneverwillacknowledgeanotherruler，andwhichneverwilldesertitsHapsburgs。"
　　"Yes，thepeoplewillnotdesertus，"saidJohn，"butworsethingsmayhappen;wemaydesertourselves。Justlookaround，Nugent，andseehowlamewehavesuddenlybecomeagain;howwehaveallatoncestoppedhalfway，unabletodecidewhetheritmightnotbebetterforustolaydownourarmsagainandsurrenderatdiscretiontotheEmperoroftheFrench。"
　　"Fortunately，itistoolatenowtotakesucharesolution;forAustriahasalreadygonesofarthatahesitatingpolicyatthisjuncturewillnolongersucceedinpacifyingtheEmperoroftheFrench。Anditisowingtotheeffortsofyourimperialhighnessthatitisso;weareindebtedforittoyourzeal，yourenergy，andyourenthusiasmforthegoodcause，whichisnownolongerthecauseofAustria，butthatofGermany。Andthiscausewillnotsuccumb;
　　Godwillnotallowagreatandnoblepeopletobetrampledunderfootbyaforeigntyrant，whobidsdefiancetothemostsacredtreatiesandthelawofnations，andwhowouldliketooverthrowallthronestoconverttheforeignkingdomsandempiresintoprovincesofhisempire，blotoutthehistoryofthenationsanddynasties，andhaveallengulfedbyhisuniversalmonarchy。"
　　"Godmaynotdecreethis，butHemayperhapsallowitifthewillofthenationsandtheprincesshouldnotbestrongenoughtosetboundstosuchmischief。Whenthefeelingoflibertyandindependencedoesnotincitethenationstoriseenthusiasticallyanddefendtheirrights，Godsendsthematyrantasascourgetochastisethem。Andsuch，Iamafraid，isourcase。Germanyhaslostfaithinherself，inherhonor;sheliesexhaustedatthefeetofthetyrant，andisreadytobetrampledinthedustbyhim。JustlookaroundinourGermanfatherland。Whatdoyouseethere？Allthesovereignprinceshaverenouncedtheirindependence，andbecomeNapoleon'svassals;theyobeyhiswill，theysubmittohisorders，andsendtheirarmiesnotagainsttheenemyofGermany，butagainsttheenemiesofFrance，nomatterwhetherthoseenemiesaretheirGermanbrethrenornot。TheGermanprinceshaveformedtheConfederationoftheRhine，andtheobjectofthisconfederationisnottopreservethefrontieroftheRhinetoGermany，buttosecuretheRhinetoFrance。TheGermanprincesarebeggingforhonorsandterritoriesatthecourtofNapoleon;theydonotshrinkfrommanifestingtheirfealtytotheirmaster，theEmperoroftheFrench，bybetrayingtheinterestsofGermany;theyareplayinghereatViennathepartofthemeanestspies;theyarewatchingalloursteps，andareshamelessenoughtohavetheEmperorNapoleonrewardtheirinfamybyconferringroyaltitlesonthem，andtoacceptathishandsGermanterritorieswhichhetookfromGermanprinces。
　　Bavariadidnotdisdaintoaggrandizeherterritoriesatourexpense;WurtembergacceptswithoutblushingtheterritoriesofotherGermanprincesatthebandsofNapoleon，whothusrewardsherfortheincessantwarningsbywhichtheKingofWurtembergurgestheEmperoroftheFrenchtobeonhisguardagainstAustria，andalwaysdistrusttheintentionsoftheEmperorFrancis。[Footnote:
　　Schlosser，"HistoryoftheEighteenthCentury，"vol。vii。，p。488。]
　　InthemiddleoftheGermanempireweseeanewFrenchkingdom;
　　Westphalia，establishedbyNapoleon'sorders;itisformedofthespoilstakenfromPrussiaandHanover;andtheGermanprincessufferit，andtheGermanpeoplebowtheirheads，silentlytothedisgracefulforeignyoke！Ah，Nugent，myheartisfullofgriefandanger，fullofthebitternessofdespair;forIhavelostfaithinGermany，andseeshudderinglythatshewilldecayanddie，asPolanddied，ofherownweakness。Ah，itwouldbedreadful，dreadful，ifwetoo，hadtofall，astheunfortunateKosciuskodid，withthedespairingcryof'FinisGermaniae！'"
　　"No，thatwillneverhappen！"criedNugent。"No，GermanywillneverendurethedisgraceanddebasementofPoland;shewillneversinktoruinandperishlikePoland。Itistrue，amajorityoftheGermanprincesbowtoNapoleon'spower，andwemaychargethemwithinfidelityandtreasonagainstGermany;butwecannotpreferthesamechargeagainsttheGermanpeopleandthesubjectsofthetraitorousGermanprinces。Theyhaveremainedfaithful，andhavenotyetlostfaithintheirfatherland。Theyareindignantlychampingthebitwithwhichtheirdespotshaveshuttheirmouth;and，insilence，harmony，andconfidenceinGod，theyarepreparingforthegreathourwhentheywillrise，forthesacreddaywhentheywillbreaktheirshackleswiththedivinestrengthofaunitedandhigh—
　　mindedpeople。Everywheretheembersaresmoulderingundertheashes;everywheresecretsocietiesandleagueshavebeenformed;
　　everywherethereareconspirators，depotsofarms，andpasswords;
　　everywherethepeopleofGermanyarewaitingonlyforthemomentwhentheyaretostrikethefirstblow，andforthesignaltorise。
　　AndtheyareinhopesnowthatAustriawillgivethesignal。OurpreparationsforwarhavebeenhailedwithexultationthroughoutGermany:everywherethepeoplearereadytotakeuparmssosoonasAustriadrawsthesword。TheexampleofSpainandPortugalhastaughttheGermanshowthearrogantconquerormustbemet;theexampleofAustriawillfillthemwithboundlessenthusiasm，andleadthemtothemostgloriousvictories！"
　　"Andwearestilltemporizingandhesitating，"exclaimedJohn，mournfully;"wearenotcourageousenoughtostrikethefirstblow！
　　Allisready;theemperorhasonlytoutterthedecisiveword，butherefusestodoso！"
　　"Theenthusiasmofhispeoplewillsooncompelhimandhisadviserstoutterthatword，"saidNugent。"Austriacannolongerretracehersteps;shemustadvance。AustriamustleadGermanyinthesacredstruggleforliberty;shecannolongerretracehersteps。"
　　"Godgrantthatyourwordsmaybeverified！"criedJohn，liftinghistearfuleyestoheaven;"Godgrantthat——"
　　Alowrappingatthedoorleadingtothesmallsecretcorridorcausedthearchduketopauseandturnhiseyeswithasearchingexpressiontothisdoor。
　　Therappingwasrepeated，morerapidlythanbefore。
　　"ItisHormayr，"exclaimedthearchduke，joyfully;andhehastenedtothesecretdoorandopeneditquickly。
　　Atallyoungman，intheuniformofanAustriansuperiorofficer，appearedintheopendoor。Thearchdukegraspedbothhishandsanddrewhimhastilyintothecabinet。
　　"Hormayr，myfriend，"hesaid，breathlessly，"youhavereturnedfromtheTyrol？YouhavesucceededinfulfillingthemissionwithwhichI
　　intrustedyou？YouhavecarriedmygreetingstotheTyrolese？Oh，speak，speak，myfriend！Whatdomypoor，desertedTyrolesesay？"
　　BaronvonHormayrfixedhisflashingdarkeyeswithanexpressionofjoyfultendernessontheexcitedfaceofthearchduke。
　　"TheTyrolesesendgreetingtotheArchdukeJohn，"hesaid;"theTyrolesehopethattheArchdukeJohnwilldeliverthemfromthehatefulyokeoftheBavarians;theTyrolesebelievethatthehourhasarrived，whentheymayrecovertheirliberty;andtoprovethis—
　　—"
　　"Toprovethis？"askedthearchduke，breathlessly，whenHormayrpausedamoment。
　　"Toprovethis，"saidHormayr，inalowervoice，steppingupclosertotheprince，"someofthemostinfluentialandrespectablecitizensoftheTyrolhaveaccompaniedmetoVienna;theydesiretoassureyourimperialhighnessoftheirloyaldevotedness，andreceiveinstructionsfromyou。"
　　"IsAndreasHofer，thelandwirth，amongthem？"askedthearchduke，eagerly。
　　"Heis，andsoareWallnerandSpeckbacher。IbringtoyourimperialhighnesstheleadingmenoftheTyrolesepeasants，andwouldliketoknowwhenImayintroducethemtoyou，andatwhathouryouwillgrantaprivateaudiencetomyTyrolesefriends？"
　　"Oh，Iwillseethematonce！"exclaimedJohn，impatiently。"Myheartlongstogazeintothefaithful，beautifuleyesoftheTyrolese，andreadintheirhonestfacesiftheyreallyarestilldevotedandattachedtome。Bringthemtome，Hormayr;makehaste——
　　butno，Iforgotthatitisbroaddaylight，andthatthespieswatchingmehaveeyestosee，earstohear，andtonguestoreporttotheemperorasdreadfulcrimesallthattheyhaveseenandheardhere。Wemustwait，therefore，untilthespieshaveclosedtheireyes，untildarkandreticentnighthasdescendedonearth，and——。
　　Well，Conrad，whatisit？"thearchdukeinterruptedhimself，lookingathisvaletdechambre，whohadjustenteredhastilybythedooroftheanteroom。
　　"Pardonme，yourimperialhighness，"saidConrad;"amessengerofhermajestytheempressisintheanteroom。Hermajestyhasorderedhimtodeliverhismessageonlytothearchdukehimself。"
　　"Lethimcomein，"saidthearchduke。
　　Conradopenedthedoor，andtheimperialmessengerappearedonthethreshold。
　　"HermajestytheEmpressLudovicasendsherrespectstothearchduke，"saidthemessenger，approachingthearchdukerespectfully。"Hermajestythanksyourimperialhighnessforthebookwhichyoulenther;andshereturnsitwithsincerethanks。"
　　AnexpressionofastonishmentoverspreadJohn'sface，butitsoondisappeared，andthearchdukereceivedwithacalmsmilethesmallsealedpackagewhichthemessengerhandedtohim。
　　"Allright，"hesaid;"tellhermajestytoacceptmythanks。"
　　Themessengerreturnedtotheanteroom，andConradclosedthedoorbehindhim。
　　"Placeyourselfbeforethedoor，Nugent，thatnobodymaybeabletolookthroughthekey—hole，"whisperedJohn，"foryouknowthatIdonottrustConrad。Andyou，Hormayr，watchthesecretdoor。"
　　Thetwogentlemenhastenednoiselesslytoobey。Thearchdukecastasearchingglancearoundthewalls，asifafraidthateventhesilkenhangingsmightcontainsomewhereanopeningfortheeyesofaspy，orserveasacovertoanearofDionysius。
　　"Somethingofimportancemusthaveoccurred，"whisperedJohn;
　　"otherwisetheempresswouldnothaveventuredtosendmeadirectmessage。Ididnotlendherabook，andyouknowweagreedwiththeladiesofourpartytocommunicatedirectnewstoeachotheronlyincasesofpressingnecessity。Letusseenowwhatitis。"
　　Hehastilytoreopenthesealedpackageanddrewfromitasmallprayer—bookboundinblackvelvet。Whilehewasturningovertheleaveswithasmile，asmallpieceofpaperflutteredfrombetweenthegilt—edgedleavesanddroppedtothefloor。
　　"Thatisit，"saidJohn，smiling，pickingupthepaper，andfixinghiseyesonit。"Thereisnothingonit，"hethenexclaimed，contemplatingbothsidesofthepaper。"Thereisnotawordonit。
　　Itisonlyabook—mark，thatisall。But，perhaps，somethingiswritteninthebook，ortheremaybeanotherpaper。"
　　"No，yourimperialhighness，"whisperedNugent，steppingbackafewpacesfromthedoor。"ThePrincessLichtensteinwhisperedtomeyesterday，atthecourtconcert，thatshehadobtainedanexcellentwayofsendingawrittenmessagetoherfriendsandallies，andthat，ifwereceivedapieceofwhitepaperfromtheladiesofourparty，wehadbetterpreserveitandreaditafterwardnearthefireplace。"
　　"Ah，sympatheticink，"exclaimedJohn;"well，wewillsee。"
　　Hehastilyapproachedthefireplace，whereabrightfirewasburning，andheldthepieceofpaperclosetotheflames。
　　Immediatelyanumberofblackdotsandlinesappearedonthepaper;
　　thesedotsandlinesassumedgraduallytheshapeoffinely—writtenwords。
　　Thearchdukefollowedwithraptattentioneveryline，everyletterthatappearedonthewhitepaper，andnowhereadasfollows:
　　"TheFrenchambassadorhasrequestedtheemperortogranthimanaudienceateleveno'clockthismorning。AcourierfromMetternichinParishasarrived，and，Ibelieve，broughtimportantnews。Thedecisivehourisathand。Hastentotheemperor;leavenothingundonetoprevailonhimtotakeaboldstand。SendsomebodytotheArchdukeCharles;requesthimtorepairlikewisetotheemperorandinfluencehiminthesamedirection。Ihavepavedthewayforyou。I
　　hopetheFrenchambassadorwill，inspiteofhimself，beourally，andbyhisdefiantandarrogantbearing，attainforustheobjectwhichwehavehithertobeenunabletoaccomplishbyourpersuasionandourarguments。Makehaste！Burnthispaper。"
　　Thearchdukesignedtohistwoconfidantstocometohim，andpointedtothepaper。Whentheyhadhastilyreadthelines，hethrewthepaperintotheflames，andturnedtothetwogentlemenwhostoodbehindhim。
　　"Well，whatdoyouthinkofit？"heinquired。"ShallIdowhatthesemysteriouslinesaskofme？ShallIgototheemperorwithoutbeingsummonedtohim？"
　　"Theempressrequestsyoutodoso，andsheisasprudentassheisenergetic，"saidCountNugent。
　　"Isay，liketheempress，thedecisivehourisathand，"exclaimedBaronvonHormayr。"Hastentotheemperor;tryoncemoretoforcetheswordintohishand，andtowrestatlengththemuch—wished—forwords，'WaragainstFrance！'fromhislips。TheTyroleseareonlywaitingforthesewords，torisefortheiremperorandbecomeagainhislovinganddevotedsubjects。AllAustria，nay，allGermany，islongingforthesewords，whichwillbethesignalofthedeliveranceofthefatherlandfromtheFrenchyoke。Oh，mylordandprince，hastentotheemperor;speaktohimwiththeimpassionedeloquenceofthecherubim，breakthefatalcharmthatholdsAustriaandtheTyrolenthralled！"
　　Atthismomentthelargeclockstandingonthemantelpiececommencedstriking。
　　"Eleveno'clock，"saidthearchduke——"thehourwhentheemperoristogiveanaudiencetotheFrenchambassador。Itishightime，therefore。Nugent，hastentomybrother;implorehimtorepairforthwithtotheemperor，andtoactthistimeatleastinunisonwithme。Tellhimthateverythingisatstake，andthatwemustriskalltowinall。Butyou，Hormayr，gotomydearTyrolese;tellthemthatIwillreceivethemhereattwelveo'clockto—night，andconductthemtomeatthathour，myfriend。Wewillholdacouncilofwaratmidnight。"
　　"Andyourimperialhighnessdoesnotforgetthatyoupromisedtogototheconcertto—night？"askedNugent。"Yourhighnessisawarethatourfriendsnotonlyintendto—nighttogiveanovationtotheveteranmasterofGermanart，JosephHaydn，butwishalsotoprofitbytheGermanmusictomakeapoliticaldemonstration;andtheylongforthepresenceoftheimperialcourt，thattheemperorandhisbrothersmaywitnessthepatrioticenthusiasmofVienna。"
　　"Ishallcertainlybepresent，"saidthearchduke，earnestly，"andI
　　hopetheempresswillsucceedinprevailingontheemperortogototheconcert。——Well，then，myfriends，letusgotowork，andnayGodgrantsuccesstoourefforts！"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　THEEMPERORFRANCIS。
　　TheEmperorFrancishadto—dayenteredhisstudyatanearlierhourthanusual，andwasindustriouslyengagedthereinfinishingaminiaturecupwhichhehadcommencedcuttingfromapeach—stoneyesterday。Onthetablebeforehimlaythedrawingofthemodelafterwhichhewasshapingthecup;andFrancisliftedhisevesonlyfromtimetotimetofixthemonthedrawing，andcompareitwithhisownwork。Thesecomparisons，however，apparentlydidnotleadtoacheeringresult，fortheemperorfrownedandputthecupratherimpetuouslyclosetothedrawingonthetable。
　　"Ibelieve，forsooth，thecupisnotstraight，"murmuredtheemperortohimself，contemplatingfromallsidesthediminutiveobjectwhichhadcosthimsomuchlabor。"Sureenough，itisnotstraight，ithasahumpononeside。Yes，yes，nothingisstraight，nowadays;andevenGodinheavencreatesHisthingsnolongerstraight，anddoesnotshrinkfromlettingthepeach—stonesgrowcrooked。Butnomatter——whatGoddoesiswelldone，"addedtheemperor，crossinghimselfdevoutly;"evenanemperormustnotcensureit，andmustnotgrumblewhenhiscupisnotstraightbecauseGodgavethepeach—
　　stoneahump。Well，perhaps，Imaychangeityet，andmakethecupstraight。"
　　Heagaintookupthelittlecup，andcommencedindustriouslyworkingatitwithhissharpfiles，pointedknives，andgimlets。Itwashardwork;largedropsofsweatstoodontheemperor'sforehead;hisarmsached，andhisfingersbecamesoreunderthepressureoftheknivesandfiles;buttheemperordidnotmindit，onlyfromtimetotimewipingthesweatfromhisbrow，andthencontinuinghislaborwithrenewedzeal。
　　Closetothesmalltablecontainingthetoolsstoodtheemperor'slargewriting—table。Largepilesofdocumentsandpaperslayonthistable，andamongthemwerescatteredalsomanylettersanddispatcheswithbroadofficialseals。Buttheemperorhadnotyetthoughtofopeningthesedispatchesorunsealingtheseletters。Thepeach—stonehadengrossedhisattentionthismorning，andhehadunsealedonlyoneofthepapers;theemperorhadreadonlythereportofthesecretpoliceontheeventsofthepreviousday。ThesereportsofthesecretpoliceandtheChiffre—CabinetwerethefavoritereadingmatteroftheEmperorFrancis，andhewouldhaveflownintoatoweringpassionifhehadnotfoundthemonhiswriting—tableearlyeverymorning。
　　Thankstothesereports，theemperorkneweverymorningallthathadoccurredinViennaduringthepreviousday;whattheforeignambassadorshaddone，and，aboveallthings，whathisbrothers，theArchdukesCharles，Ferdinand，Joseph，andJohn，hadsaid，done，andperhapsonlythought。To—day'sreporthadnotcommunicatedmanyimportantthingstotheemperor;ithadonlyinformedhimthat，atdaybreak，acourierfromParishadarrivedatthehouseoftheFrenchambassador，CountAndreossi，andthatthereweregoodreasonstobelievethatbehadbroughthighlyimportantnews。