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