"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。"