Well，youneednotlooksodismayed;Iknowthatyourintentionsaregood，andIconfideinyou。"
　　"YourmajestyknowsthatIamreadytodieforyou，andthatI
　　shouldshedmybloodforyouunhesitatinglyandjoyously，"exclaimedHudelist，enthusiastically。"Itwas，therefore，onlymyintenseloveandvenerationwhichmademeventuretocommunicatemyviewsfreelyandopenlytoyourmajesty;butIshallneverdosoagain，forIwasunfortunateenoughtodispleaseyourmajestythereby。"
　　"Onthecontrary，youshallalwaysdoso，youshallalwaystellmeyouropinionfreelyandopenly，"criedtheemperor，vehemently。"Youshalltellmeallthatyoubelieve，allthatyouknow，andallthatyouhearandlearnfromothers。Yourears，eyes，andtongue，shallbelongtome。"
　　"Andmyheart，aboveallthings，belongstomyadoredemperor，yourmajesty。"
　　"Haveyoureallygotaheart？"askedtheemperor，smiling。"Idonotbelieveit，Hudelist;youareaclever，sagaciousman，butyouhadbettersaynothingaboutyourheart，forIthinkyouhaveuseditupinyourcountlesslove—affairs。Moreover，Idonotcareforit。Idonotthinkagreatdealofmenwhohavetoomuchheart，andwhoalwaysallowtheirrashhearttoinfluencetheiractions。Mydistinguishedbrother，theArchdukeJohn，forinstance，hasthisfaultandweakness;hisheartfrequentlyrunsawaywithhishead，andhislegsfinallyrunafterit。"
　　"Butheisaverybravegeneral，"saidHudelist，gently;"acourageouscaptain，andamostdefiantandfoolhardyenemyofFrance。HowunwaveringwerethecourageandintrepiditywithwhichhemettheViceroyofItalyeverywhere，andattackedhim，eventhoughheknewbeforehandthathewouldbeunabletoworstthesuperiorenemy！Howgreatwasthemagnanimitywithwhichheriskedall，anddidnotshrinkfromsacrificingthelivesofthousandsinattemptingtocarryoutaninsignificantcoupagainsttheenemy！Andhowsublimewastheheroismwithwhichhehasoftendaredtobravetheordersofthecommander—in—chiefandpursuehisownway，onfindingthattheseordersweredangerousandpernicioustohisarmy！"
　　"Yes，"criedtheemperor，burstingintoscornfullaughter，"itwasowingtothisdisobedienceandstubbornnessthatwelostthebattleofWagram。IftheArchdukeJohnhadbeenmoreobedient，andarrivedwithhistroopsintime，weshouldhavegainedthebattle。IshouldnotbeinthismiserableholeanditwouldnotbenecessaryformetosueBonapartesohumblyandcontritelyforgeneroustermsofpeace。Thegoodheartofmydistinguishedbrothersubjectedmetothisunpleasantnecessity，andIshallonedaymanifesttohimmygratitudeforit。"
　　"Oh，yourmajesty，"saidHudelist，inhisblandestvoice，"ifthearchdukeshouldhaveunwittinglycommittedablunderonthisoccasion，hehasmadeathousandamendsforit。YourmajestyshouldbearinmindallthatthenobleArchdukeJohnaccomplishedintheTyrol。YourmajestyowesitonlytothearchdukethattheTyrolroseasoneman，thatitfought，andisfightingstill，withtheutmostheroism。Hearrangeditall;heorganizedaconspiracyintheTyrolwhilethecountrywasyetundertheBavarianyoke——avast，giganticconspiracy;owingtohissecretinstigation，therevolutionbrokeoutsimultaneouslyinallpartsoftheTyrol，anditisthenameoftheArchdukeJohnwhichfillsthispeopleofheroeswiththesublimecouragewhichitdisplaysinthemostmurderousbattles。"
　　"Itisbadenoughthatitisso，"exclaimedtheemperor，stridinguneasilyupanddowntheroom。"TheArchdukeJohnsowedtheseedsofperniciousweeds，andplayedaverydangerousgame。"
　　"Itistrue，itisdangeroustopreachrebelliontoapeople，andteachithowtoriseininsurrection，"saidHudelist，thoughtfully。
　　"AnditcannotbedeniedthattheinsurrectionoftheTyrolesesetsadeplorableexampleinsomerespects。Itistrue，thearchdukeorganizedtheconspiracyonlyforthegoodofAustriaandheremperor;butwhattheTyrolesearedoingto—dayFORtheemperor，theymightanothertimedoAGAINSThim;andifthearchdukewerenotsoexceedinglyloyalandentirelyabovesuspicion，onemightthinkhehadstirreduptheinsurrectionforhisownpurposesandbenefit。
　　Atallevents，itonlydependsonhimtohavehimselfproclaimedKingoftheTyrol，forhisinfluenceisall—powerfulinthatprovince。"
　　Theemperorutteredacryofrage。Hiseyesshotfire，hislipsquiveredandmutteredincoherentthreats，hischeekshadturnedlivid，andbepacedhisroominindescribableagitation。Then，asiftogiveventtotheragefillinghisbreast，hetookupthefly—flapandstruckviolentlyatthefliesseatedhereandthereonthewall。
　　Hudelistfollowedhiseverymotionwithhiscold，stealthyeyes，andanexpressionofscornandmaliciousjoyilluminatedhissombrefaceforamoment。
　　"Itwaseffectual，"hemurmuredtohimself;"jealousyandsuspicionhavestruckrootsinhisheart，andweshallsucceedinneutralizingtheinfluenceofthearchduke，whoconstantlypreacheswar，andwaratanycost。"
　　Suddenlytheemperorcasthisfly—flapaside，andturnedtoHudelist，whosefacehadquicklyresumeditsquiet，humble，andimpenetrableexpression。
　　"Hudelist，"saidtheemperor，inalowandmysterioustone，"alwaystellmeallyouknowaboutthearchduke，anddonotconcealanythingfromme。Imustknowall，andcountuponyoursincerityandtalentofobservation。"
　　"Yourmajesty，"criedHudelist，ardently，"IswearthatIwillfaithfullycarryouttheordersofmyemperor。Notaword，notastep，notamanifestationofpublicopinionshallbeconcealedfromyourmajesty;for，asyourmajestywasgraciousenoughtoobserve，myears，eyes，andtongue，belongtoyourmajesty。"
　　Atthismomentthedooroftheanteroomopened，andafootmanannouncedCountBubna。
　　"Lethimcomein，"saidtheemperor;andhedismissed，withaquickwaveofhishand，Hudelist，who，bowingrespectfully，andwalkingbackward，lefttheemperor'scabinetatthesamemomentthatCountBubnaappearedonthethresholdoftheoppositedoor。
　　Theemperorhastenedtomeethim。"Nowspeak，count！"heexclaimed，eagerly;"didyouseeBonaparte？Didheadmityou？"
　　"Yes，yourmajesty，"saidCountBubna，withgloomygravity，"theEmperorNapoleondidadmitme。Ihadalonginterviewwithhim。"
　　Theemperornoddedhishead。"Didheofferyoutermsofpeace？"
　　"Hedid，butIcannotconcealfromyourmajestythattheEmperorNapoleonwillimposeveryharshandoppressiveconditions。Heisexceedinglyirritated，andtheheroicresistancewhichourarmyofferedtohim，ourbrilliantvictoryatAspern，andthefactthathisvictoryatWagramwasafteralllittlebetterthanadrawnbattle，seemtohaveexasperatedhimintheextreme。Forthisreasonheisresolvedtoimposerigoroustermsofpeaceonus，because，ifAustriashouldsubmittothem，shewouldtherebyadmitthattheEmperoroftheFrenchgainedagreatvictoryatWagram。"
　　"Well，Iamgladthatheisirritated，"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders;"soamI，andIshallnotacceptanypeacewhichwouldimposehumiliatingtermsonAustria。ThatiswhatIhavepromisedthisverydaytomypeopleintheproclamationlyingonthetableyonder;andIoweit，moreover，tomyself。Eitheranhonorablepeace，oradecisionbythefortuneofwar。Ifneedbe，Iwillcalluponmywholepeopletotakeuparms;Iwillplacemyselfattheheadofthisgrandarmy，andeitherdefeatBonaparte，orsuccumbhonorably。"
　　"Ah，ifyourpeoplecouldseeyourmajestyinyourgenerousexcitement，withhowmuchenthusiasmtheywouldfollowtheiremperorandexpeltheenemy！"exclaimedCountBubna。"Andyeteventhemostintenseenthusiasmmightfail，forcircumstancesaremorepowerfulthanyourmajesty'sheroism。TheEmperorNapoleonisdeterminedtofollowuphissuccesstoitsmostextremeconsequences，andweareatthisjunctureunabletocopewithhiminthelongrun。Allthegapsinhisarmyhavebeenfilledup，andhissoldiersareflushedwithvictory，andeagertomeetourownforces。Ourarmyisgreatlyweakened，disorganized，anddisheartened;and，moreover，ithasnocommander—in—chief，inasmuchasyourmajestyhasacceptedtheresignationofthegeneralissimo。TocontinuethewarwouldbeequivalenttoendangeringtheexistenceofAustriaandtheimperialdynastyitself。"
　　"Ah，youmeanthatBonapartewouldbepleasedtosayofmydynastywhathesaidofNaplesandSpain:'TheBourbonshaveceasedtoreign'？"
　　"Yourmajesty，althoughtheEmperorNapoleondidnotdaretousesuchunmeasuredlanguage，hedidnotfailtohintatsuchanevent。
　　Havingadmittedmeafterrepeatedrefusalsandhearingmyfirstwords，'Myaugustmaster，theEmperorofAustria，'theEmperorNapoleoninterruptedme，andcriedvehemently，'ThereisnolongeranEmperorofAustria，butonlyaPrinceofLorraine！'"
　　"Ah，indeed，hepermitsmeatleasttoretainthetitleofaPrinceofLorraine！Andwhatelsedidhesay？Donotconcealanythingfromme，CountBubna，butbearinmindthatImustknowall，inordertotakemyresolutionsaccordingly。"
　　"Yourmajesty，ifIdidnotbearthisinmind，IshouldneverventuretorepeatwhattheEmperorNapoleonpermittedhimselftosaytome。Heseemedtospeakquiteunreservedlyinmypresence;lyingonthefloorbythesideofhismaps，orsittingonthetableandplacinghisfeetonachair，orstandingbeforemewithfoldedarms，hespoketomewithafranknesswhichalmostfrightenedme，andwhichattimesseemedtomequiteinvoluntary。"
　　"Thereyouweremistaken，atallevents，"saidFrancis，shrugginghisshoulders。"Bonaparteneverdoesanythingunintentionally，andnotawordescapeshimbutwhathewantstoutter。Iknowhimbetterthanyouall，thoughIhaveseenhimonlyonceinmylife;andGodknowsthat，aftermyinterviewwithhimsubsequenttothebattleofAusterlitz，myheartwasfilledwithintensehatredagainsthim。
　　Now，myheartismoreconstantinhatredthaninlove;andifitissaidthatlovemakesusblind，hatred，ontheotherhand，rendersuskeen—sighted，andthatisthereasonwhyIamabletoseethroughBonaparteandknowhimbetterthanyouall。Tellme，therefore，whathesaidsofranklytoyou，andIshallknowwhattothinkofhisstatementswhichseemtoyouunintentionalexpressionsofhisrealsentiments。Whatdoeshethinkofthearmistice？Ishereallyintentondrawingtheswordoncemore，orisheinclinedtoconcludepeace？"
　　"Inclined，yourmajesty，isnottherightword。HeintendstoGRANT
　　peacetoyourmajestyinreturnforheavysacrifices。Yourmajestywillhavetosacrificemuchterritory，manyfortresses，andfinallyagreatdealofmoney，inordertoobtainpeace。"
　　"AndwhatifIshouldnotdoso？"criedFrancis，impetuously。"WhatifIshouldprefertoresumehostilitiesanddiehonorablyontheruinsofmyempireratherthanpurchaseadishonorablepeace？Whatwouldhesaythen？"
　　"Thenhewouldresumehostilitieswithhisstrongandenthusiasticarmy;hewould，ashetoldmemorethanonceinhisthunderingvoice，beinexorable，andnoconsiderationsofgenerositywouldpreventhimfromwreakingvengeanceonhispersonalenemy;forassuchhewouldregardyourmajestyinthatevent。"
　　"ButthepeopleofNurembergdonothanganyonebeforetheyhavegothim，"saidtheemperor，calmly。"Bonapartehasnotgotmeyet，andIthinkhewillnotcatchmesoon。Despiteallhisbraggadocio，hewillbeobligedtoallowthecontinuedexistenceoftheAustrianEmpire，forallEuropewouldriseagainsthim;evenRussiaherselfwouldbecomehisenemy，anddrawtheswordagainsthim，ifheshouldbedaringenoughtoappropriatetheAustrianEmpireandswallowitasheswallowedItaly。"
　　"Yourmajesty，IalsodonotbelievethathewouldmenaceAustriaincaseheshouldbedrivenagaintohostilities;hethreatensonlytheEmperorofAustria。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean，Bubna？"askedtheemperor，vehemently。
　　"Yourmajesty，"saidCountBubna，inalow，timidvoice，"theEmperorNapoleonthinksyouarehispersonalandinexorableenemy，andhebelievesifamonarchmorefavorabletohimwereseatedonthethroneofAustria，hewouldnotonlysoonconcludepeacewithAustria，butalsohaveafaithfulallyinherhereafter。Ifhostilitiesshouldberesumed，andifthefortuneofwarshoulddecideinfavoroftheEmperorNapoleon——"
　　"Proceed，proceed，"criedtheemperor，impatiently，whenCountBubnahesitated;"Imustknowall，andamnotsocowardlyastobefrightenedbymerewords。"
　　"ButI，yourmajesty，amafraidofutteringwordswhosemeaningfillsmewithloathingandhorror——wordswhich，thankGod，willneverbecomedeeds！"
　　"Nopreamble，count，butspeakout，"criedtheemperor，impatiently。
　　"WhatwouldBonapartedoincaseheshoulddefeatusagain？"
　　"Yourmajesty，hewouldplaceanotheremperorontheAustrianthrone。"
　　"Ah，alwaysthesameoldstrain，"exclaimedtheemperor，contemptuously。"Oneofhisbrothersorbrothers—in—lawistobecomeEmperorofAustria，Isuppose？'TheHapsburgdynastyhasceasedtoreign'——thatisit，isitnot？"
　　"No，anotherprinceoftheHapsburgdynastyistobeplacedonthethrone，oneofthebrothersoftheEmperorFrancis。"
　　"Ah，ah！hethinksofmybrothers，"murmuredtheemperor，whosecheeksturnedverypale。"Well，whichofmybrothersdidhedesignateasfutureEmperorofAustria？"
　　"HethoughtitwouldbebestforFranceifthethronewerecededtotheGrand—dukeofWurtzburg，theArchdukeFerdinand。Hesaidhehadhadconfidenceinthegrand—dukeeversincehehadbeeninTuscany，andhebelievedthatthegrand—dukewaslikewisefriendlytohim。HewouldmakehimEmperorofAustria，andaddthegrandduchyofWurtzburgtothekingdomofBavaria。"
　　"AndtheTyrol？"askedtheEmperorFrancis。"WillBonaparte，inhisliberality，givethatalsotoBavaria，orwillheleaveittomybrotherFerdinand，thefutureEmperorofAustria？"
　　"No，yourmajesty。TheEmperorNapoleonseemstohaveentirelynewandrathersingularplansinregardtotheTyrol。Accordingtotheseplans。Bavariaisnottokeepit，forNapoleonsaidangrilythatBavariahadnotatallknownhowtodealwiththesimpleandhonestTyrolese。Headdedthatprofoundtranquillityshouldreigninthemountains;hence，hecouldnotrestoretheTyroltoBavaria，againstwhichtheTyrolesewereanimatedbyintensehatred。AstheTyrolesehadmanifestedtheirattachmentandfidelitytoAustriainsoadmirableamanner，itwouldbebesttomaketheTyrolanindependentprincipality，andgiveitalsotooneofthearch—dukes，thebrothersoftheemperor。"[Footnote:Napoleon'sownwords。——See"Lebensbilder，"vol。v。，p。217。]
　　"BytheEternal！mybrothersseemtobethespecialfavoritesoftheEmperorNapoleon，"exclaimedtheemperor。"WhichofthearchdukesistoreceivethenewprincipalityoftheTyrolatBonaparte'shands？"
　　"Yourmajesty，hesaidtheTyrolshouldbegiventothatarchdukeforwhomtheTyrolesehadalwaysmanifestedthegreatestloveandenthusiasm，theArchdukeJohn。"
　　"John！"criedtheemperor，givingastart;"JohnistobecomesovereignoftheTyrol？Ah，mysagaciousandlearnedbrotherhasspeculatedcorrectly，then！HefirststirreduparebellionintheTyrolintheshrewdestmanner，andhewillnowquietthebelovedTyrol，bybecomingitssovereignandruler。"
　　"Yourmajesty，"exclaimedthecount，indismay，"itisnotthenobleArchdukeJohnwhoconceivedsuchplans，buttheEmperorNapoleon。"
　　"Heseemsatleasttokeepupatouchingunderstandingwithmybrothers。Ishouldliketoknowwhetherhisgenerositywillnotprovidecrownsandstatesfortheotherarch—dukestoo。Andthen，youhavenottoldmeyetwhatheintendstodowithmeafterhurlingmefromthethrone。DoeshewanttokeepmeconfinedliketheKingofSpainandPopePius，orwillhepermitmetoliveasarefugeeinforeignlands，liketheKingofNaples？"
　　"Yourmajesty，Napoleononlydreamedofthefuture，anddreamsneverarelogicalandconsistent。Imyselflistenedtohisdreamsinsilence，andtheyamusedmeasthemerryfairy—storiesofmychildhooddid——fairy—storiesinventedonlyforthepurposeofmakinguslaugh。"
　　"Yes，letuslaughatthem，"exclaimedtheemperor，burstingintoloudlaughter，which，however，soundedsounnaturalthatCountBubnadidnotjoininit。"Andnow，"saidtheemperor，whosefacesuddenlybecameverygloomy，"havingspokenenoughaboutBonaparte'sfunnydreams，letusturntomoreseriousmatters。WhatarethetermsonwhichtheEmperoroftheFrenchwouldmakepeacewithme？Whatdoeshedemand？"
　　"Yourmajesty，hisdemandsaresoexorbitantthatIscarcelydaretorepeatthem。"
　　"Nevermind，"saidtheemperor，dryly。"IfIcouldlistenquietlytotheplanregardingmybrothers，IbelieveIshallbeabletobeartherest。Speak，therefore。WhatarethetermsonwhichNapoleonwouldconcludepeace？"
　　"HedemandsthecessionofalltheprovincesactuallyoccupiedbytheFrencharmies;thesurrenderofthefortressesstilloccupiedbyourtroopsintheseprovinces，withtheirmagazines，arsenals，stores，andsupplies;thesurrenderofthefortressesofGratzandBrunn;andlargecontributionsinkind，tobecollectedbyM。Daru，theFrenchintendant—general。"
　　"HeintendstospoliateAustriaasmercilesslyasheformerlyplunderedHamburgandthewholeofNorthernGermany，"saidtheemperor，shrugginghisshoulders。"AnddoesnotBonapartedemandanymoneythistime？Willhecontenthimselfwithprovinces，fortresses，andcontributionsinkind？Willheextortnomoneyfromus？"
　　"Yourmajesty，hedemandsanenormoussum。Hedemandstheimmediatepaymentoftwohundredandthirty—sevenmillionsoffrancs。"
　　[Footnote:SeeSchlosser's"HistoryoftheNineteenthCentury，"vol。
　　viii。，p。115。]
　　"Well，well，hewilltakelessthanthat，"exclaimedtheemperor。
　　"Thenyourmajestywillgraciouslynegotiatewithhimonhistermsofpeace？"askedCountBubna，joyously。"Bearinginmindonlythewelfareofyourmonarchy，youwillnotrejecthisrigorousdemandsentirely，andnotallowthearmisticetoleadtoaresumptionofhostilities，which，underthepresentcircumstances，couldnotbutinvolveAustriainutterruin？"
　　"Ishallthinkofit，"saidtheemperor;"atallevents，Ihavealreadyshownmydesireforpeacebysendingmyministers，CountsStadionandMetternich，toAltenburg，tonegotiatetherewithBonaparte'sministerChampagny。Ishallnotrecallthem，butallowthemtocontinuethenegotiations。Theyareskilleddiplomatists，andmenofgreatsagacity。Thelaborsofdiplomatistsgenerallymakeslowheadway;hence，itwillbegoodforustolendthemalittlesecretassistance。WhiletheplenipotentiariesarenegotiatingpubliclyatAltenburginHungary，Iwillsecretlybegintonegotiatewiththeemperorhimself;andyou，CountBubna，shallbemyagentforthispurpose。"
　　"Yourmajesty，"exclaimedCountBubna，inatoneofsurpriseratherthanjoy，"yourmajestyreposesinmesomuchconfidence——"
　　"Which，Ihope，youwillappreciate，andstrivetorenderyourselfworthyof，"interruptedtheemperor。"Icountonyourskill，yourzeal，and，aboveall，yourdiscretion。Youwilltakenewproposalsofpeaceto—morrow，onmypart，totheheadquartersoftheEmperorNapoleon，atSchoenbrunn。Butnoonemustlearnofyourmission，and，leastofall，mytwoministerswhoarenegotiatingatAltenburg。"
　　"Sire，Ishallkeepassilentasthegrave。"
　　"Abadcomparison，Bubna，fornewlifeistoblossomforAustriafromyoursecretnegotiations。Well，gonowandrepose;wewillafterwardconferagaininregardtothismatter，andIwillexplainmyviewstoyou。Butsay，Bubna，doyoureallythinkthatBonapartewasinearnestabouthisdreams，andthat，incaseheshoulddefeatusagain，hewouldseriouslythinkofcarryingintoeffecthisplansregardingtheArchdukesFerdinandandJohn？"
　　"Iamafraid，yourmajesty，hewasinearnest。"
　　"TheEmperorNapoleon，then，hatesmeintensely？"
　　"Hebelievesthatyourmajestyhateshimintensely。Hetoldmeoncefranklythatonlyyourmajesty'spersonalhatredhadbroughtaboutthiswar，andthathewasafraidthishatredwouldfrustrateallpeacenegotiations。Iventuredtocontradicthim，butbeshookhisheadvehementlyandexclaimed，'TheEmperorFrancishatesmesointensely，thatIbelievehewouldlosehiscrownandempiresoonerthanallyhimselfwithmeinacordialmanner，eventhoughheshouldderivethegreatestadvantagestherefrom。Doyouthink，forinstance，thattheEmperorFrancis，ifIwishedtobecomehisson—
　　in—law，wouldgivemethehandofhisdaughter，eventhoughIshouldrelinquishhalfthewarcontribution，andrestoretohimalltheprovincesoccupiedbymyarmies？'"
　　"What？DidNapoleonreallysaythat？"askedtheemperor，withunusual，almostjoyfulvivacity。"But，"headded，gloomily，"thisisnothingbutoneofNapoleon'sdreams。Hehasawife，andtheEmpressJosephineissoyoungandgayyetthatshedoesnotthinkofdying。"
　　"ButtheEmperorNapoleon，Ihavebeentold，thinksagreatdealofgettingadivorcefromher。"
　　"Thepope，whomhekeepsimprisoned，willnevergrantittohim，"
　　exclaimedtheemperor。
　　"Ithinkhewillnotevenapplytohimforit，yourmajesty。TheEmperorNapoleonneverhadhisunionwiththeEmpressJosephineconsecratedbytheChurch，andthedissolutionofacivilmarriagedoesnotrequirethepope'sconsent。Theemperorcandissolveitbyvirtueofhisownauthority。"
　　"ThatisaveryconvenientarrangementforM。Bonaparte，"saidFrancis，smiling。"Well，gonow，count，andrepose。Iamverycontentwithyourservices，andIthinkIshallbesohereafteralso。Adieu。Ishallsendforyouagain。"
　　Henoddedkindlytothecount，andstoodstillsmilinglyathiswriting—tableinthemiddleofthecabinet，untilthedooroftheanteroomclosedbehindCountBubna。Butthereuponhisfaceassumedagloomy，bitterexpression，andhelifteduphisclinchedfistwithamenacinggesture。
　　"Mybrothers！"hecried，inanangryvoice;"alwaysmybrothers！
　　Theyarealwayseagertopushmeaside。Iamalwaystobekeptintheshade，thattheirlightmayshinemorebrightly。Ah，weshallseewhoisEmperorofAustria，andtowhomtheTyrolbelongs;weshallseewhoisthemaster，andwhohastoobey。AsyetIamemperor，asyetIhavetodecideonwarandpeace。AndIwilldecide。Iwillhumiliatethemandcompelthemtobeobedient，theseboastfularchdukes，whoalwayspreachwarandareworstedineverybattle！Oh，theyarestirringuprebellion，andstretchingouttheirhandsformyproperty！Butonestrokeofmypenwillshattertheircrowns，stifletheirrebellion，andreducethemtosubmissiveness。I
　　willmakepeacewithNapoleon，andtheseditiousTyrolshallbequietedwithoutbeingbestowedupontheArchdukeJohn。IwouldratherhaveitrestoredtoBavariathanthatitshouldbeconferredonmybrother。Thatwouldbeajustretributionfortheseditiouspeasants;theyhavesetabadexample，andshouldbepunishedforit。Idonotwantanyconspiratorsamongmysubjects。LetBavariaseehowshewillgetalongwiththerebelliousTyrolese！Ishallwithdrawmyhandfromthem。Iwantpeace。IwillremainEmperorofAustriadespiteallmybrothers！"
　　CHAPTERXXXV。
　　ADAYOFTHEEMPEROR'SLIEUTENANT。
　　TheimperialpalaceatInnspruckwasstilltheresidenceofSandwirthAndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，andlieutenantoftheEmperorFrancis。Hehadlivedtheresincethe15thofAugust;butassimply，quietly，andmodestlyashehadlivedwhenhewasahorse—dealerandinnkeeper，sohelivednowwhenhewasruleroftheTyrol，andtheemperor'slieutenant。Insteadofoccupyingthelargestateapartmentsoftheimperialpalace，ashisfriendshadoftenaskedhimtodo，Andreashadselectedtheplainestandhumblestroomsforhisquarters，andhisstyleoflivingwasassimpleandmodestashisdwelling—place。Vainlyhissuitetriedtopersuadehimtoholdleveesandreceiveguestsathisfestivetable。
　　Andreasrejectedallsuchsuggestionswithproudandwithalhumbleindignation。
　　"DoyouthinkItookthisarduoustaskuponmyselftoplaythearistocraticgentleman，andrevelinluxury？"herepliedtothosewhoaskedhimtoadoptsuchacourse。"Ididnotbecometheemperor'slieutenanttodisplayvainandemptysplendor，buttoservemydearTyrolandpreserveittotheemperor。Iamonlyasimplepeasant，anddonotwanttolivelikeaprince。Iamaccustomedtohavebread，butter，andcheeseforbreakfast，andIdonotknowwhyIshouldchangethisnow，merelybecauseIamnolongerathomewithmydearwife，buthereatInnspruckattheemperor'spalace。Iamalsoaccustomedtodineveryplainly，andamthereforeopposedtoanyexpensiverepastsbeinggotupformehere。Idonotlikethemeatspreparedbythecooksofthearistocracy;andwhileI
　　donotwantanythingbutbread，butter，cheese，andwine，IshallsendtoNiederkircher'stavernformydinner。Butitmustnevercostmorethanhalfaflorin。Iwillinviteguests，forIliketohavemerrypeopleaboutme;buttheguestsmustnotcomeforthesakeoftherepast，butforthatofourpleasantconversation。IshallsendtoNiederkircherforthedinnerofallmyguests，andhemustsendenough，lestanyofthemshouldremainhungry。Buttheremustneverbemorethansixguests，foritwouldbetoobadifI，whointendtopreservetheTyroltotheemperor，weretocosthimagreatdealofmoneyhere。Inordertopreventmistake，Niederkirchermustsendinhisbilleverymorningformetoexamine;thefinancialsecretaryshallpayiteveryweek，andsendmethereceipt。"[Footnote:TheexpensesofHoferandhiswholesuite，duringtheirsixweeks'
　　sojourninthecityofInnspruck，costthepublicexchequeronlyfivehundredflorins。]
　　AndreasHoferremainedinthesedaysofhissplendorasactive，industrious，andsimpleashealwayshadbeen。Thewelfareofhisbelovedcountryengrossedallhisthoughts，andhewasdesirousofdevotinghiswholestrengthtoit。Heissuedanumberofusefulandliberaldecrees，which，itistrue，Ennemoser，Doeninger，Kolb，orotherfriendsofhishaddrawnup，butwhichhehadapprovedandsigned。
　　AndreasHofergavepublicaudienceseverymorninglikearealprince，andthesentinelsplacedinfrontoftheimperialpalaceandatthedoorofthecommander—in—chiefhadreceivedstringentordersnottorefuseadmittancetotheaudience—roomtoanyone，butallowalltocomein，howpoorlysoevertheymightbedressed。Andreaslistenedtoeveryonewithkindpatienceandcordialsympathy，andalwaystookcaretohelpconsolethedistressed，makepeace，andconciliate;andeveryonewhoneededcomfortandassistancehastenedtoapplytothealwayshelpfulcommander—in—chief。
　　To—dayagainmanypersonswereintheaudience—room，waitingimpatientlyforthemomentwhenthedoorshouldopen，andwhenAndreasHofershouldmakehisappearanceonthethreshold，greetallwithapleasantnodofhishead，andthenbeckontohimwhowasnearesttothedoortoenterhiscabinet。
　　Butthehourfixedfortheaudiencehadstrucklongago，andthecommander—in—chief，whowasusuallysopunctualandconscientious，hadnotyetopenedthedoorofhisaudience—room。Hehadalreadybeenhalfanhourinhiscabinet，andDoeningersatatthedesk，readytowritedownthenamesofallapplicantsforaudience，andaddabriefstatementoftheirwishesandpetitions。ButAndreaswasstillpacingtheroom，hishandsbehindhisback;andalthoughhehadalreadylaidhishandtwiceonthedoor—knob，hehadsteppedbackasifinterror，andcontinuedstridingupanddown。
　　"Commander—in—chief，"saidDoeninger，afteralongpause，duringwhichhehadwatchedHofer'sirresolutebearingsmilingly，"thereissomethingthatdisquietsyou，istherenot？"
　　"Yes，Cajetan，"sighedAndreas。"Asyouhavefounditout，Iwillnolongerdenythatthereissomethingthatdisquietsme。"
　　"Andwhatisit，commander—in—chief？WillyounotcommunicateittoyourfaithfulanddiscreetCajetan？"
　　"Yes，Iwill，mydearCajetan，"saidHofer。"IamafraidIdidsomethingverystupidyesterday，andIamashamedofit。"
　　"Ah，youalludetothelawsuitwhichyoudecidedyesterday，"
　　exclaimedDoeninger。
　　"Yousee，nosoonerdidIsaythatIdidsomethingverystupid，thanyouatonceknewwhatImeant;whatIdidmust，therefore，havebeenverystupidindeed。Yes，Ialludedtothelawsuit，Cajetan，forIamafraidIdidnotdecideit，butmadeitonlymorecomplicated。"
　　"Onthewhole，therewasnothingtobedecided，"saidDoeninger，dryly。"Thelawsuitwasalreadydecided;thesupremecourthadgivenjudgmentinfavoroftheplaintiffandawardedtohimthesumofonethousandflorins，whichwasatissue，andsentencedthedefendanttopaythatsumandthecosts。Butthedefendant——"
　　"Itwasnoman，Cajetan，"interruptedAndreas;"itwasawoman，andthatwastheworstofit。Icannotbeartoseewomenweep。Theyknowsowellhowtotouchmyheartbytheirtearsandlamentations，thatIlongtohelpthem。LordJesus，howthatwoman，thedefendantinthelawsuit，wept！Andwasitthepoorwoman'sfault，Cajetan，thatherdeceasedhusbandwasheadoverearsindebt，thatheborrowedonethousandflorinsfromafriend，andmeanlyaffixedhiswife'snamewithoutherknowledgetothenotewhichhegaveforit？"
　　"Butthatisjustthetrouble，commander—in—chief;notonlydidsheknowit，butsheherselfputhernameunderthenote。Imyselfaskedthejudgesaboutityesterday。Theysaythatthewomanisknowntobeavaricious，greedy，andmean，andtheywouldnothavegivenjudgmentagainstheriftherehadnotbeenswornevidencetotheeffectthatsheherselfsignedthenote。Theyaddthatsheisrichenoughtopaybackthethousandflorinswhichherhusbandcertainlyborrowedfromhisfriend。"
　　"Icannotbelieveit，"exclaimedAndreas。"Sheweptandlamentedsoveryunaffectedly;duringmywholeweddedlifeIhavenotseenmywifeweepsomuchasthewomanweptduringthatquarterofanhouryesterday;andIthinkonethatcanweepsomuchmustbeinnocent。
　　Hence，IdidwhatIhadaperfectrighttodo;Iwrotetothejudgesandreversedtheirdecision。"
　　"Well，commander—in—chief，ifyouthinkyouwerejustifiedinwhatyoudid，whydoesitdisquietyou？"
　　"Itdoes，"saidAndreasHofer，"becauseIthinknowthattheplaintiff，wholosthissuit，mayfeelverysoreoverit，andblamemefordeprivinghimofwhathethoughtwasduetohim;andI
　　shuddertothinkhemaybeintheotherroom，andintendtoreproachmewithruininghimandtakingfromhimwhatthejudgeshadalreadyawardedtohim。"
　　"And，Andy，becauseyouwouldnotliketoseeoneman，youkeeptheotherswaitingoutside。"
　　"Youareright，Cajetan。Ioughtnottodothat;Iamaselfish，cowardlyfellow，"criedAndreas，contritely。"Iwillnolongerkeepthemwaiting，butadmitthematonce。"
　　Andhewentwithahastysteptothedooroftheaudience—room，threwitopen，andsteppeduponthethreshold。Thelargeroomwascrowdedwithpersonsofeveryageandrank;allthrongedtowardthedoor，andeveryonewasdesirousofbeingthefirsttogreetthecommander—in—chief，andtobeinvitedbyhimintohiscabinet。
　　AndreasHoferbowedkindlytoall;hiseyesfellonanoldmanwithsilver—whitehair，whowasstrivingtopenetratetohim，andcastbeseechingglancesonhim。
　　"Myoldfriend，"saidAndreas，mildly，"itistrueyouarenotnearesttothedoor，butyouaretheoldestpersonintheroom，andthereforeitisrightformetolistentoyoufirst。Comein，then，andtellmewhatyouwantofme。"