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