Theywerealmostunknowntothenewgeneration，forgottenbymanyoftheold，andfearedbytheconventionalists;atthattimetheypossessedonlythefrailsupportofthecoteriesoftheFaubourgSt.Germain，andsomeremainsoftheemigration.ButasitiscertainthattheemigrantscouldofferonlyvaindemonstrationsandwishesinsupportoftheoldfamilyofourKings，theydidlittletoassisttherestorationoftheBourbons.
　　Anotherthingequallycertainis，thattheyalone，bytheirfolliesandabsurdpretensions，broughtaboutthereturnofBonaparteandthesecondexileofLouisXVIII.inthefollowingyear.
　　Onthe28thofMarchwasconvokedanextraordinaryCouncilofRegency，atwhichMariaLouisapresided.Thequestiondiscussedwas，whethertheEmpressshouldremaininParisorproceedtoBlois.JosephBonapartestronglyurgedherdeparture，becausealetterfromtheEmperorhaddirectedthatincaseofParisbeingthreatenedtheEmpress—RegentandalltheCouncilofRegencyshouldretiretoBlois.TheArch—ChancellorandthemajorityoftheCouncilwereofthesameopinion，butoneofthemostinfluentialmembersoftheCouncilobservedtoJosephthattheletterreferredtohadbeenwrittenundercircumstancesverydifferentfromthosethenexisting，andthatitwasimportanttheEmpressshouldremaininParis，whereshewould，ofcourse，obtainfromtheEmperorherfatherandtheAlliedsovereigns，moreadvantageousconditionsthanifshewerefiftyleaguesfromParis.Theadoptionofthisopinionwouldonlyhaveretardedforafewdaysachangewhichhadbecomeinevitable;
　　neverthelessitmighthavegivenrisetogreatdifficulties.ItmustbeadmittedthatfortheinterestsofNapoleonitwasthewisestcounselthatcouldbesuggested.However，itwasoverruledbyJoseph’sadvice.
　　M.deTalleyrand，asamemberoftheCouncilofRegency，alsoreceivedtheordertoquitParisonthe30thofMarch.AtthisperiodIwasathishouseeveryday.WhenIwenttohimthatdayIwastoldhehadstarted.HoweverIwentup，andremainedsometimeinhishotelwithseveralofhisfriendswhohadmetthere.Wesoonsawhimreturn，andformypartIheardwithsatisfactionthattheyhadnotallowedhimtopassthebarriers.Itwassaidthen，andithasbeenrepeatedsince，thatM.deTalleyrandwasnotastrangertothegentleviolenceusedtowardshim.ThesamedayofthisvisittoM.deTalleyrandIalsowenttoseetheDucdeRovigo（Savary），withthefriendlyobjectofgettinghimtoremain，andtoprofitbyhispositiontopreventdisturbances.
　　Herefusedwithouthesitating，asheonlythoughtoftheEmperor.
　　Ifoundhimbyhisfireside，wheretherewasalargefile，inwhichhewasburningallthepaperswhichmighthavecompromisedeveryonewhohadservedhisministry（Police）.Icongratulatedhimsincerelyonthisloyaloccupation：firealonecouldpurifythemassoffilthanddenunciationswhichencumberedthepolicearchives.
　　OnthedepartureoftheEmpressmanypersonsexpectedapopularmovementinfavourofachangeofGovernment，butthecapitalremainedtranquil.
　　Manyoftheinhabitants，indeed，thoughtofdefence，notforthesakeofpreservingNapoleon’sgovernment，butmerelyfromthatardouroffeelingwhichbelongstoournationalcharacter.StrongindignationwasexcitedbythethoughtofseeingforeignersmastersofParis——acircumstanceofwhichtherehadbeennoexamplesincethereignofCharlesVII.
　　Meanwhilethecriticalmomentapproached.Onthe29thofMarchMarshalsMarmontandMortierfellbacktodefendtheapproachestoParis.DuringthenightthebarrierswereconsignedtothecareoftheNationalGuard，andnotaforeigner，notevenoneoftheiragents，wasallowedtoenterthecapital.
　　Atdaybreakonthe30thofMarchthewholepopulationofPariswasawakenedbythereportofcannon，andtheplainofSt.DeniswassooncoveredwithAlliedtroops，whoweredebouchinguponitfromallpoints.
　　Theheroicvalourofourtroopswasunavailingagainstsuchanumericalsuperiority.ButtheAlliespaiddearlyfortheirentranceintotheFrenchcapital.TheNationalGuard，underthecommandofMarshalMoncey，andthepupilsofthePolytechnicSchooltransformedintoartillerymen，behavedinamannerworthyofveterantroops.TheconductofMarmontonthatdayalonewouldsufficetoimmortalisehim.Thecorpshecommandedwasreducedtobetween7000and8000infantryand800cavalry，withwhom，forthespaceoftwelvehourshemaintainedhisgroundagainstanarmyof55，000men，ofwhomitissaid14，000werekilled，wounded，andtaken.
　　MarshalMarmontputhimselfsoforwardintheheatofthebattlethatadozenofmenwerekilledbythebayonetathisside，andhishatwasperforatedbyaball.Butwhatwastobedoneagainstoverwhelmingnumbers！
　　InthisstateofthingstheDukeofRagusamadeknownhissituationtoJosephBonaparte，whoauthorisedhimtonegotiate.
　　Joseph’sanswerissoimportantinreferencetotheeventswhichsucceededthatIwilltranscribeithere.
　　IftheDukesofRagusaandTrevisocannolongerholdout，theyareauthorisedtonegotiatewithPrinceSchwartzenbergandtheEmperorofRussia，whoarebeforethem.
　　TheywillfallbackontheLoire.
　　（Signed）JOSEPH
　　Montmartre，30thMarch1814，12oclockItwasnotuntilaconsiderabletimeafterthereceiptofthisformalauthoritythatMarmontandMortierceasedtomakeavigorousresistanceagainsttheAlliedarmy，forthesuspensionofarmswasnotagreeduponuntilfourintheafternoon.ItwasnotwaitedforbyJoseph;ataquarterpasttwelve——thatistosay，immediatelyafterhehadaddressedtoMarmonttheauthorityjustalludedtoJosephrepairedtotheBoisdeBoulognetoregaintheVersaillesroad，andfromthencetoproceedtoRambouillet.TheprecipitateflightofJosephastonishedonlythosewhodidnotknowhim.Iknowforafactthatseveralofficersattachedtohisstaffweremuchdissatisfiedathisalacrityonthisoccasion.
　　InthesecircumstanceswhatwastobedonebuttosaveParis，whichtherewasnopossibilityofdefendingtwohourslonger.MethinksIstillseeMarmontwhen，ontheeveningofthe30thofMarch，hereturnedfromthefieldofbattletohishotelintheRuedeParadis，whereIwaswaitingforhim，togetherwithabouttwentyotherpersons，amongwhomwereMM.
　　PerregauaandLafitte.Whenheenteredhewasscarcelyrecognisable：hehadabeardofeightdays’growth;thegreatcoatwhichcoveredhisuniformwasintatters，andhewasblackenedwithpowderfromheadtofoot.Weconsideredwhatwasbesttobedone，andallinsistedonthenecessityofsigningacapitulation.TheMarshalmustrecollectthattheexclamationofeveryoneabouthimwas，"Francemustbesaved."
　　MM.PerregausandLafittedeliveredtheiropinionsinaverydecidedway，anditwillreadilybeconceivedhowgreatwastheinfluenceoftwomenwhowereattheheadofthefinancialworld.TheyallegedthatthegeneralwishoftheParisians，whichnobodyhadabetteropportunityofknowingthanthemselves，wasdecidedlyaversetoaprotractedconflict，andthatFrancewastiredoftheyokeofBonaparte.Thislastdeclarationgaveawiderrangetothebusinessunderconsideration.
　　ThequestionwasnolongerconfinedtothecapitulationofParis，butachangeinthegovernmentwasthoughtof，andthenameoftheBourbonswaspronouncedforthefirsttime.Idonotrecollectwhichofusitwaswho，onhearingmentionmadeofthepossiblerecalloftheolddynasty，remarkedhowdifficultitwouldbetobringaboutarestorationwithoutretrogradingtothepast.ButIthinkIamperfectlycorrectinstatingthatM.Lafittesaid，"Gentlemen，weshallhavenothingtofearifwehaveagoodconstitutionwhichwillguaranteetherightsofall."Themajorityofthemeetingconcurredinthiswiseopinion，whichwasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonMarshalMarmont.
　　Duringthispainfulmeetinganunexpectedincidentoccurred.OneoftheEmperor’saidesdecamparrivedatMarmont’s.Napoleon，beinginformedoftheadvanceoftheAlliesonParis，hadmarchedwiththeutmostspeedfromthebanksoftheMarneontheroadofFontainebleau.IntheeveninghewasinpersonatFroidmanteau，whencehedespatchedhisenvoytoMarshalMarmont.FromthelanguageoftheaidedecampitwaseasytoperceivethatthestateofopinionattheImperialheadquarterswasverydifferentfromthatwhichprevailedamongthepopulationofParis.Theofficerexpressedindignationattheveryideaofcapitulating，andheannouncedwithinconceivableconfidencetheapproachingarrivalofNapoleoninParis，whichheyethopedtosavefromtheoccupationoftheenemy.TheofficerinformedusthatNapoleontrustedtothepeoplerisinginspiteofthecapitulation，andthattheywouldunpavethestreetstostonetheAlliesontheirentrance.Iventuredtodissentfromthisabsurdideaofdefence，andIobservedthatitwasmadnesstosupposethatPariscouldresistthenumeroustroopswhowerereadytoenteronthefollowingday;thatthesuspensionofarmshadbeenconsentedtobytheAlliesonlytoaffordtimefordrawingupamoreregularcapitulation，andthatthearmisticecouldnotbebrokenwithouttramplingonallthelawsofhonour.Iaddedthatthethoughtsofthepeopleweredirectedtowardsabetterfuture;thattheFrenchweretiredofadespoticGovernmentandofthedistresstowhichcontinualwarhadreducedtradeandindustry;"for，"saidI，"whenanationissunktosuchastateofmiseryitshopescanonlybedirectedtowardsthefuture;itisnaturaltheyshouldbesodirected，evenwithoutreflection."Mostoftheindividualspresentconcurredinmyopinion，andthedecisionofthemeetingwasunanimous.MarshalMarmonthassincesaidtome，"Ihavebeenblamed，mydearBourrienne：butyouwerewithmeonthe30thofMarch.YouwereawitnesstothewishesexpressedbyaportionoftheprincipalinhabitantsofParis.IactedasIwasurgedtodoonlybecauseIconsideredthemeetingtobecomposedofmenentirelydisinterested，andwhohadnothingtoexpectfromthereturnoftheBourbons."
　　SuchisacorrectstatementofthefactswhichsomepersonshavepervertedwiththeviewofenhancingNapoleon’sglory.WithrespecttothoseversionswhichdifferfrommineIhaveonlyonecommenttooffer，whichis，thatIsawandheardwhatIdescribe.
　　ThedayafterthecapitulationofParis——MarmontwentintheeveningtoseetheEmperoratFontainebleau.Hesuppedwithhim.NapoleonpraisedhisdefenceofParisAftersuppertheMarshalrejoinedhiscorpsatEssonne，andsixhoursaftertheEmperorarrivedtheretovisitthelines.OnleavingParisMarmonthadleftColonelsFabvierandDent’stodirecttheexecutionofthecapitulation.TheseofficersjoinedtheEmperorandtheMarshalastheywereproceedingupthebanksoftheriveratEssonne.TheydidnotdisguisetheeffectwhichtheentranceoftheAllieshadproducedinParis.AtthisintelligencetheEmperorwasdeeplymortified，andhereturnedimmediatelytoFontainebleau，leavingtheMarshalatEssonne.
　　Atdaybreakonthe31stofMarchParispresentedanovelandcuriousspectacle.NosoonerhadtheFrenchtroopsevacuatedthecapitalthantheprincipalstreetsresoundedwithcriesof"DownwithBonaparte！"——
　　"Noconscription！"——"Noconsolidatedduties（droitsreunis）！"Withthesecriesweremingledthatof"TheBourbonsforever！"butthislattercrywasnotrepeatedsofrequentlyastheothers：ingeneralIremarkedthatthepeoplegapedandlistenedwithasortofindifference.AsIhadtakenaveryactivepartinallthathadhappenedduringsomeprecedingdaysIwasparticularlycurioustostudywhatmightbecalledthephysiognomyofParis.Thiswasthesecondopportunitywhichhadoffereditselfforsuchastudy，andInowsawthepeopleapplaudthefallofthemanwhomtheyhadreceivedwithenthusiasmafterthe18thBrumaire.Thereasonwas，thatlibertywasthenhopedfor，asitwashopedforin1814.
　　Iwentoutearlyinthemorningtoseethenumerousgroupsofpeoplewhohadassembledinthestreets.Isawwomentearingtheirhandkerchiefsanddistributingthefragmentsastheemblemsoftherevivedlily.ThatsamemorningImetontheBoulevards，andsomehoursafterwardsonthePlaceLouisXV.，apartyofgentlemenwhoparadedthestreetsofthecapitalproclaimingtherestorationoftheBourbonsandshouting，"ViveleRoi！"and"ViveLouisXVIII！"AttheirheadIrecognisedMM.SosthenesdelaRochefoucauld，ComtedeFroissard，theDucdeLuxembourg，theDucdeCrussol，Seymour，etc.Thecavalcadedistributedwhitecockadesinpassingalong，andwasspeedilyjoinedbyanumerouscrowd，whorepairedtothePlaceVendome.Thescenethatwasactedthereiswellknown，andtheenthusiasmofpopularjoycouldscarcelyexcusethefurythatwasdirectedagainsttheeffigyofthemanwhosemisfortunes，whethermeritedornot，shouldhaveprotectedhimfromsuchoutrages.Theseexcessesserved，perhapsmorethanisgenerallysupposed，tofavourtheplansoftheleadersoftheRoyalistparty，towhomM.NesselrodehaddeclaredthatbeforehewouldpledgehimselftofurthertheirviewshemusthaveproofsthattheyweresecondedbythepopulationofParis.
　　Iwasafterwardsinformedbyaneye—witnessofwhattookplaceontheeveningofthe31stofMarchinoneoftheprincipalmeetingsoftheRoyalists，whichwasheldinthehoteloftheComtedeMorfontaine，whoactedaspresidentontheoccasion.AmidstachaosofabortivepropositionsandcontradictorymotionsM.SosthenesdelaRochefoucauldproposedthatadeputationshouldbeimmediatelysenttotheEmperorAlexandertoexpresstohimthewishofthemeeting.Thismotionwasimmediatelyapproved，andthemoverwaschosentoheadthedeputation.
　　OnleavingthehotelthedeputationmetM.deChateaubriand，whohadthatverydaybeen，asitwere，theprecursoroftherestoration，bypublishinghisadmirablemanifesto，entitled"BonaparteandtheBourbons."Hewasinvitedtojointhedeputation;butnothingcouldovercomehisdiffidenceandinducehimtospeak.Onarrivingatthehote1intheRueSt.FlorentinthedeputationwasintroducedtoCountNesselrode，towhomM.SosthenesdelaRochefoucauldbrieflyexplaineditsobject;hespokeofthewishesofthemeetingandofthemanifestdesireofParisandofFrance.HerepresentedtherestorationoftheBourbonsastheonlymeansofsecuringthepeaceofEurope;andobserved，inconclusion，thatastheexertionsofthedaymusthavebeenveryfatiguingtotheEmperor，thedeputationwouldnotsolicitthefavourofbeingintroducedtohim，butwouldconfidentlyrelyonthegoodfaithofhisImperialMajesty."IhavejustlefttheEmperor，"repliedM.
　　Nesselrode，"andcanpledgemyselfforhisintentions.ReturntothemeetingandannouncetotheFrenchpeoplethatincompliancewiththeirwisheshisImperialMajestywilluseallhisinfluencetorestorethecrowntothelegitimatemonarch：hisMajestyLouisXVIII.shallreascendthethroneofFrance."WiththisgratifyingintelligencethedeputationreturnedtothemeetingintheRued’Anjou.
　　ThereisnoquestionthatgreatenthusiasmwasdisplayedontheentranceoftheAlliesintoParis.Itmaybepraisedorblamed，butthefactcannotbedenied.Icloselywatchedallthatwaspassing，andIobservedtheexpressionofasentimentwhichIhadlonganticipatedwhen，afterhisalliancewiththedaughteroftheCaesars，theambitionofBonaparteincreasedinproportionasitwasgratified：IclearlyforesawNapoleon’sfall.WhoeverwatchedthecourseofeventsduringthelastfouryearsoftheEmpiremusthaveobserved，asIdid，thatfromthedateofNapoleon’smarriagewithMariaLouisatheformoftheFrenchGovernmentbecamedailymoreandmoretyrannicalandoppressive.Theintolerableheightwhichthisevilhadattainedisevidentfromthecircumstancethatattheendof1813theLegislativeBody，throwingasidethemutecharacterwhichithadhithertomaintained，presumedtogivealecturetohimwhohadneverbeforereceivedalecturefromanyone.Onthe31stofMarchitwasrecollectedwhathadbeentheconductofBonaparteontheoccasionalludedto，andthoseofthedeputieswhoremainedinParisrelatedhowthegendarmeshadopposedtheirentranceintothehalloftheAssembly.
　　AllthiscontributedwonderfullytoirritatethepublicmindagainstNapoleon.HehadbecomemasterofFrancebythesword，andtheswordbeingsheathed，hispowerwasatanend，fornopopularinstitutionidentifiedwiththenationthenewdynastywhichhehopedtofound
　　ThenationadmiredbutdidnotloveNapoleon，foritisimpossibletolovewhatisfeared，andhehaddonenothingtoclaimtheaffectionsofFrance.
　　IwaspresentatallthemeetingsandconferenceswhichwereheldatMdeTalleyrand’shotel，wheretheEmperorAlexanderhadtakenuphisresidence.OfallthepersonspresentatthesemeetingsM.deTalleyrandwasmostdisposedtoretainNapoleonattheheadoftheGovernment，withrestrictionsontheexerciseofhispower.Intheexistingstateofthingsitwasonlypossibletochooseoneofthreecourses：first，tomakepeacewithNapoleon，withtheadoptionofpropersecuritiesagainsthim;second，toestablishaRegency;andthird，torecalltheBourbons.
　　Onthe13thofMarchIwitnessedtheentranceoftheAlliedsovereignsintoParis，andaftertheprocessionhadpassedthenewstreetoftheLuxembourgIrepairedstraighttoM.deTalleyrand’shotel，whichI
　　reachedbeforetheEmperorAlexander，whoarrivedataquarter—pastone.
　　WhenhisImperialMajestyenteredM.deTalleyrand’sdrawing—roommostofthepersonsassembled，andparticularlytheAbbedePradt，theAbbedeMontesquieu，andGeneralDessolles，urgentlydemandedtherestorationoftheBourbons.TheEmperordidnotcometoanyimmediatedecision.
　　Drawingmeintotheembrasureofawindow，whichlookeduponthestreet，hemadesomeobservationswhichenabledmetoguesswhatwouldbehisdetermination."M.deBourrienne，"saidhe，"youhavebeenthefriendofNapoleon，andsohaveI.Iwashissincerefriend;butthereisnopossibilityofremainingatpeacewithamanofsuchbadfaith."Theselastwordsopenedmyeyes;andwhenthedifferentpropositionswhichweremadecameunderdiscussionIsawplainlythatBonaparte，inmakinghimselfEmperor，hadmadeupthebedfortheBourbons.
　　AdiscussionensuedonthethreepossiblemeasureswhichIhaveabovementioned，andwhichwereproposedbytheEmperorAlexanderhimself.I
　　thought，ifImaysoexpressmyself，thathisMajestywasplayingapart，when，pretendingtodoubtthepossibilityofrecallingtheBourbons，whichhewishedaboveallthings，heaskedM.deTalleyrandwhatmeansheproposedtoemployfortheattainmentofthatobject？BesidestheFrench，therewerepresentatthismeetingtheEmperorAlexander，theKingofPrussia，PrinceSchwartzenberg，M.Nesselrode，M.Pozzo—di—Borgo，andPrinceLiechtenstein.DuringthediscussionAlexanderwalkedaboutwithsomeappearanceofagitation."Gentlemen，"said，he，addressingusinanelevatedtoneofvoice，"youknowthatitwasnotIwhocommencedthewar;youknowthatNapoleoncametoattackmeinmydominions.Butwearenotdrawnherebythethirstofconquestorthedesireofrevenge.
　　YouhaveseentheprecautionsIhavetakentopreserveyourcapital，thewonderofthearts，fromthehorrorsofpillage，towhichthechancesofwarwouldhaveconsignedit.NeithermyAlliesnormyselfareengagedinawarofreprisals;andIshouldbeinconsolableifanyviolencewerecommittedonyourmagnificentcity.WearenotwagingwaragainstFrance，butagainstNapoleon，andtheenemiesofFrenchliberty.
　　William，andyou，Prince"（heretheEmperorturnedtowardstheKingofPrussiaandPrinceSchwartzenberg，whorepresentedtheEmperorofAustria），"youcanbothbeartestimonythatthesentimentsIexpressareyours."BothbowedassenttothisobservationofAlexander，whichhisMajestyseveraltimesrepeatedindifferentwords.HeinsistedthatFranceshouldbeperfectlyfree;anddeclaredthatassoonasthewishesofthecountrywereunderstood，heandhisAllieswouldsupportthem，withoutseekingtofavouranyparticulargovernment.
　　TheAbbedePradtthendeclared，inatoneofconviction，thatwewereallRoyalists，andthatthesentimentsofFranceconcurredwithours.
　　TheEmperorAlexander，advertingtothedifferentgovernmentswhichmightbesuitabletoFrance，spokeofthemaintenanceofBonaparteonthethrone，theestablishmentofaRegency，thechoiceofBernadotte，andtherecalloftheBourbons.M.deTalleyrandnextspoke，andIwellrememberhissayingtotheEmperorofRussia，"Sire，onlyoneoftwothingsispossible.WemusteitherhaveBonaparteorLouisXVIII.Bonaparte，ifyoucansupporthim;butyoucannot，foryouarenotaloneWewillnothaveanothersoldierinhisstead.Ifwewantasoldier，wewillkeeptheonewehave;heisthefirstintheworld.Afterhimanyotherwhomaybeproposedwouldnothavetenmentosupporthim.Isayagain，Sire，eitherBonaparteorLouisXVIII.Anythingelseisanintrigue."
　　TheseremarkablewordsofthePrincedeBeneventoproducedonthemindofAlexanderalltheeffectwecouldhopefor.Thusthequestionwassimplified，beingreducednowtoonlytwoalternatives;andasitwasevidentthatAlexanderwouldhavenothingtodowitheitherNapoleonorhisfamily，itwasreducedtothesinglepropositionoftherestorationoftheBourbons.
　　Onbeingpressedbyusall，withtheexceptionofM.deTalleyrand，whostillwishedtoleavethequestionundecidedbetweenBonaparteandLouisXVIII.，AlexanderatlengthdeclaredthathewouldnolongertreatwithNapoleon.WhenitwasrepresentedtohimthatthatdeclarationreferredonlytoNapoleonpersonally，anddidnotextendtohisfamily，headded，"Norwithanymemberofhisfamily."Thusasearlyasthe31stofMarchtherestorationoftheBourbonsmightbeconsideredasdecided.
　　IcannotomitmentioningthehurrywithwhichLaborie，whomM.deTalleyrandappointedSecretarytotheProvisionalGovernment，rushedoutoftheapartmentassoonashegotpossessionoftheEmperorAlexander’sdeclaration.HegotitprintedwithsuchexpeditionthatinthespaceofanhouritwaspostedonallthewallsinParis;anditcertainlyproducedanextraordinaryeffect.AsyetnothingwarrantedadoubtthatAlexanderwouldnotabidebyhisword.ThetreatyofPariscouldnotbeanticipated;andtherewasreasontobelievethatFrance，withanewGovernment，wouldobtainmoreadvantageousconditionsthaniftheAllieshad，treatedwithNapoleon.Butthisillusionspeedilyvanished.
　　Ontheeveningofthe31stofMarchIreturnedtoM.deTalleyrand’s.
　　IagainsawtheEmperorAlexander，who，steppinguptome，said，"M.deBourrienneyoumusttakethesuperintendenceofthePost—officedepartment."IcouldnotdeclinethispreciseinvitationonthepartoftheCzar;andbesides，Lavalettehavingdepartedontheprecedingday，thebusinesswouldhavebeenforatimesuspended;acircumstancewhichwouldhavebeenextremelyprejudicialtotherestorationwhichwewishedtofavour.
　　IwentatoncetothehotelintheRueJ.J.Rousseau，where，indeed，I
　　foundthatnotonlywastherenoordertosendoutthepostnextday，butthatithadbeenevencountermanded.Iwentthatnighttotheadministrators，whoyieldedtomyrequestsand，secondedbythem，nextmorningIgotalltheclerkstobeattheirpost.Ireorganisedtheservice，andthepostwentoutonthe1stofAprilasusual.Sucharemyremembrancesofthe31stofMarch.
　　AProvisionalGovernmentwasestablished，ofwhichM.deTalleyrandwasappointedPresident.TheothermemberswereGeneralBeurnonville，ComteFrancoisdeJaucourt，theDueDalberg，whohadmarriedoneofMariaLouisa’sladiesofhonour，andtheAbbydeMontesquieu.TheplaceofChancelloroftheLegionofHonourwasgiventotheAbbedePradt.ThusthereweretwoabbesamongthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernment，andbyasingularchancetheyhappenedtobethesamewhohadofficiatedatthemasswhichwasperformedintheChampdeMarsonthedayofthefirstfederation.
　　Thosewhoweredissatisfiedwiththeeventsofthe31stofMarchnowsawnohopebutinthepossibilitythattheEmperorofAustriawouldseparatefromhisAllies，oratleastnotmakecommoncausewiththeminfavourofthere—establishmentoftheBourbons.Butthatmonarchhadbeenbroughtupintheoldpolicyofhisfamily，andwasimbuedwiththetraditionalprinciplesofhisCabinet.IknowforafactthatthesentimentsandintentionsoftheEmperorofAustriaperfectlycoincidedwiththoseofhisAllies.Anxioustoascertainthetruthonthissubject，Iventured，wheninconversationwiththeEmperorAlexander，tohintatthereportsIhadheardrelativetothecauseoftheEmperorofAustria’sabsence.
　　IdonotrecollecttheprecisewordsofhisMajesty’sanswer，butitenabledmetoinferwithcertaintythatFrancisII.wasinnowayaversetotheoverthrowofhisson—in—law，andthathisabsencefromthesceneofthediscussionswasonlyoccasionedbyafeelingofdelicacynaturalenoughinhissituation.
　　Caulaincourt，whowassentbyNapoleontotheheadquartersoftheEmperorAlexander，arrivedthereonthenightofthe30thofMarch.He，however，didnotobtainaninterviewwiththeCzaruntilafterhisMajestyhadreceivedtheMunicipalCouncilofParis，attheheadofwhichwasM.deChabrol.AtfirstAlexanderappearedsomewhatsurprisedtoseetheMunicipalCouncil，whichhedidnotreceiveexactlyinthewaythatwasexpected;butthiscoldnesswasmerelymomentary，andheafterwardsaddressedtheCouncilinaverygraciousway，thoughhedroppednohintofhisulteriorintentions.
　　Alexander，whoentertainedapersonalregardforCaulaincourt，receivedhimkindlyinhisowncharacter，butnotastheenvoyofNapoleon.
　　"Youhavecometoolate，"saidtheCzar."Itisallover.Icansaynothingtoyouatpresent.GotoParis，andIwillseeyouthere."
　　ThesewordsperfectlyenlightenedCaulaincourtastotheresultofhismission.HisnextinterviewwiththeEmperorAlexanderatM.deTalleyrand’sdidnottakeplaceuntilafterthedeclarationnoticedinmylastchapter.Theconversationtheyhadtogetherremainedasecret，forneitherAlexandernortheDukeofVicenzamentionedit;buttherewasreasontoinfer，fromsomewordswhichfellfromtheEmperorAlexander，thathehadreceivedCaulaincourtratherasaprivateindividualthanastheambassadorofNapoleon，whosepower，indeed，hecouldnotrecogniseafterhisdeclaration.TheProvisionalGovernmentwasnotentirelypleasedwithCaulaincourt’spresenceinParis，andarepresentationwasmadetotheRussianEmperoronthesubject.AlexanderconcurredintheopinionoftheProvisionalGovernment，whichwasexpressedthroughthemediumoftheAbbedePradt.M.deCaulaincourt，therefore，atthewishoftheCzar，returnedtotheEmperor，thenatFontainebleau.
　　CHAPTER，XXXV.
　　1814.
　　SituationofBonaparteduringtheeventsofthe30thand31stofMarch——HisarrivalatFontainebleau——PlanofattackingParis——
　　ArrivaloftroopsatFontainebleau——TheEmperor’saddresstotheGuard——ForfeiturepronouncedbytheSenate——LetterstoMarmont——
　　CorrespondencebetweenMarmontandSchwartzenberg——MacdonaldinformedoftheoccupationofParis——ConversationbetweentheEmperorandMacdonaldatFontainebleau——Beurnonville’sletter——
　　AbdicationonconditionofaRegency——Napoleon’swishtoretracthisactofabdication——MacdonaldNey，andCaulaincourtsenttoParis——
　　MarmontreleasedfromhispromisebyPrinceSchwartzenberg.
　　Onthemorningofthe30thofMarch，whilethebattlebeforethewallsofPariswasatitsheight，BonapartewasstillatTroyes.Hequittedthattownatteno’clock，accompaniedonlybyBertrand，Caulaincourt，twoaidesdecamp，andtwoorderlyofficers.Hewasnotmorethantwohoursintravelingthefirsttenleagues，andheandhisslenderescortperformedthejourneywithoutchanginghorses，andwithoutevenalighting.TheyarrivedatSensatoneo’clockintheafternoon.
　　EverythingwasinsuchconfusionthatitwasimpossibletoprepareasuitablemodeofconveyancefortheEmperor.Hewasthereforeobligedtocontenthimselfwithawretchedcariole，andinthisequipage，aboutfourinthemorning，hereachedFroidmanteau，aboutfourleaguesfromParis.
　　ItwastherethattheEmperorreceivedfromGeneralBelliard，whoarrivedattheheadofacolumnofartillery，thefirstintelligenceofthebattleofParis.Heheardthenewswithanairofcomposure，whichwasprobablyaffectedtoavoiddiscouragingthoseabouthim.Hewalkedforaboutaquarterofanhouronthehighroad，anditwasafterthatpromenadethathesentCaulaincourttoParis.Napoleonafterwardswenttothehouseofthepostmaster，whereheorderedhismapstobebroughttohim，and，accordingtocustom，markedthedifferentpositionsoftheenemy’stroopswithpine，theheadsofwhichweretouchedwithwaxofdifferentcolours.Afterthisdescriptionofwork，whichNapoleondideveryday，orsometimesseveraltimesaday，herepairedtoFontainebleau，wherehearrivedatsixinthemorning.Hedidnotorderthegreatapartmentsofthecastletobeopened，butwentuptohisfavouritelittleapartment，whereheshuthimselfup，andremainedaloneduringthewholeofthe31stofMarch.
　　IntheeveningtheEmperorsentfortheDukeofRagusa，whohadjustarrivedatEssonnewithhistroops.TheDukereachedFontainebleaubetweenthreeandfouro’clockonthemorningofthe1stofApril.
　　Napoleonthenreceivedadetailedaccountoftheeventsofthe30thfromMarmont，onwhosegallantconductbeforeParishebestowedmuchpraise.
　　AllwasgloomandmelancholyatFontainebleau，yettheEmperorstillretainedhisauthority，andIhavebeeninformedthathedeliberatedforsometimeastowhetherheshouldretirebehindtheLoire，orimmediatelyhazardaboldstrokeuponParis，whichwouldhavebeenmuchmoretohistastethantoresignhimselftothechanceswhichanuncertaintemporisingmightbringabout.Thislatterthoughtpleasedhim;andhewasseriouslyconsideringhisplanofattackwhenthenewsofthe31st，andtheunsuccessfulissueofCaulaincourt’smission，gavehimtounderstandthathissituationwasmoredesperatethanhehadhithertoimagined.
　　Meanwhiletheheadsofhiscolumns，whichtheEmperorhadleftatTroves，arrivedonthe1stofAprilatFontainebleau，thetroopshavingmarchedfiftyleaguesinlessthanthreedays，oneofthemostrapidmarcheseverperformed.Onthe2dofAprilNapoleoncommunicatedtheeventsofParistotheGeneralswhowereabouthim，recommendingthemtoconcealthenewslestitshoulddispiritthetroops，uponwhomheyetrelied.Thatday，duringaninspectionofthetroops，whichtookplaceinthecourtofthePalace，BonaparteassembledtheofficersofhisGuard，andharanguedthemasfollows：
　　Soldiers！theenemyhasstolenthreemarchesuponus，andhasmadehimselfmasterofParis.Wemustdrivehimthence.Frenchmen，unworthyofthename，emigrantswhomwehavepardoned，havemountedthewhitecockade，andjoinedtheenemy.Thewretchesshallreceivetherewardduetothisnewcrime.Letussweartoconquerordie，andtoenforcerespecttothetri—colouredcockade，whichhasfortwentyyearsaccompaniedusonthepathofgloryandhonour.
　　HealsoendeavouredtoinducetheGeneralstosecondhismaddesignsuponParis，bymakingthembelievethathehadmadesincereeffortstoconcludepeace.HeassuredthemthathehadexpressedtotheEmperorAlexanderhiswillingnesstopurchaseitbysacrifices;thathehadconsentedtoresigneventheconquestsmadeduringtheRevolution，andtoconfinehimselfwithintheoldlimitsofFrance."Alexander，"addedNapoleon，"refused;and，notcontentwiththatrefusal，hehasleaguedhimselfwithapartyofemigrants，whom，perhaps，IwaswronginpardoningforhavingbornearmsagainstFrance.ThroughtheirperfidiousinsinuationsAlexanderhaspermittedthewhitecockadetobemountedonthecapital.Wewillmaintainours，andinafewdayswewillmarchuponParis.Irelyonyou."
　　WhentheboundlessattachmentoftheGuardstotheEmperorisconsidereditcannotappearsurprisingthattheselastwords，utteredinanimpressivetone，shouldhaveproducedafeelingofenthusiasm，almostelectrical，inalltowhomtheywereaddressed.Theoldcompanionsofthegloryoftheirchiefexclaimedwithonevoice，"Paris！Paris！"But，fortunately，duringthenight，theGeneralshavingdeliberatedwitheachothersawthefrightfulabyssintowhichtheywereabouttoprecipitateFrance.TheythereforeresolvedtointimateindiscreettermstotheEmperorthattheywouldnotexposeParistodestruction，sothatonthe3dofApril，prudentideassucceededtheinconsiderateenthusiasmoftheprecedingday.
　　ThewreckofthearmyassembledatFontainebleau，whichwastheremnantof1，000，000oftroopsleviedduringfifteenmonths，consistedonlyofthecorpsoftheDukeofReggio（Oudinot），Ney，Macdonald，andGeneralGerard，which’altogetherdidnotamountto25，000men，andwhich，joinedtotheremaining7000oftheGuard，didnotleavetheEmperoradisposableforceofmorethan32，000men.Nothingbutmadnessordespaircouldhavesuggestedthethoughtofsubduing，withsuchscantyresources，theforeignmasseswhichoccupiedandsurroundedParis.
　　Onthe2dofApriltheSenatepublisheda’Senatus—consulte’，declaringthatNapoleonhadforfeitedthethrone，andabolishingtherightofsuccession，whichhadbeenestablishedinfavourofhisfamily.
　　Furnishedwiththisset，andwithoutawaitingtheconcurrenceoftheLegislativeBody，whichwasgivennextday，theProvisionalGovernmentpublishedanaddresstotheFrencharmies.InthisaddressthetroopswereinformedthattheywerenolongerthesoldiersofNapoleon，andthattheSenatereleasedthemfromtheiroaths.Thesedocumentswerewidelycirculatedatthetime，andinsertedinallthepublicjournals.
　　TheaddressoftheSenatewassentroundtotheMarshals，andwasofcoursefirstdeliveredtothosewhowerenearestthecapital;ofthislatternumberwasMarmont，whoseallegiancetotheEmperor，aswehavealreadyseen，yieldedonlytothesacredinterestsofhiscountry.
　　MontessuiswasdirectedbytheProvisionalGovernmenttoconveytheaddresstoMarmont，andtousesuchargumentsaswerecalculatedtostrengthenthosesentimentswhichhadtriumphedoverhisdearestpersonalaffections.IgaveMontessuisalettertoMarmont，inwhichIsaid：
　　"MYDEARFRIEND——Anoldacquaintanceofminewillconveytoyoutheremembrancesofourfriendship.Hewill，Itrust，influenceyourresolution：asinglewordwillsufficetoinduceyoutosacrificeallforthehappinessofyourcountry.Tosecurethatobjectyou，whoaresogoodaFrenchmanandsoloyalaknight，willnotfeareitherdangersorobstacles.Yourfriendsexpectyou，longforyou，andItrustwillsoonembraceyou."
　　MontessuisalsotookonefromGeneralDessolles，whomtheProvisionalGovernmenthadappointedGovernoroftheNationalGuardintheroomofMarshalMoncey，whohadleftParisontheoccupationoftheAllies.
　　GeneralDessollesandIdidnotcommunicatetoeachotherourcorrespondence，butwhenIafterwardssawtheletterofDeasollesIcouldnothelpremarkingthecoincidenceofourappealtoMarmont’spatriotism.
　　PrinceSchwartzenbergalsowrotetoMarmonttoinducehimtoespouseaclausewhichhadnowbecomethecauseofFrance.TothePrince’sletterMarmontreplied，thathewasdisposedtoconcurintheunionofthearmyandthepeople，whichwouldavertallchanceofcivilwar，andstoptheeffusionofFrenchblood;andthathewasreadywithhistroopstoquitthearmyoftheEmperorNapoleonontheconditionthathistroopsmightretirewiththehonoursofwar，andthatthesafetyandlibertyoftheEmperorwereguaranteedbytheAllies.
　　AfterPrinceSchwartzenbergaccededtotheseconditionsMarmontwasplacedincircumstanceswhichobligedhimtorequestthathemightbereleasedfromhispromise.
　　IhappenedtolearnthemannerinwhichMarshalMacdonaldwasinformedofthetakingofParis.HehadbeentwodayswithoutanyintelligencefromtheEmperor，whenhereceivedanorderinthehandwritingofBerthier，couchedinthefollowingterms："TheEmperordesiresthatyouhaltwhereveryoumayreceivethisorder."AfterBerthier’ssignaturethefollowingwordswereaddedasapostscript："You，ofcourse，knowthattheenemyisinpossessionofParis."WhentheEmperorthusannounced，withapparentnegligence，aneventwhichtotallychangedthefaceofaffairs，IamconvincedhisobjectwastomaketheMarshalbelievethathelookedupon，thateventaslessimportantthanitreallywas.
　　However，thisobjectwasnotattained，forIrecollecthavingheardMacdonaldsaythatBerthier’ssingularpostscript，andthetoneofindifferenceinwhichitwasexpressed，filledhimwithmingledsurpriseandalarm.MarshalMacdonaldthencommandedtherear—guardofthearmywhichoccupiedtheenvironsofMontereau.SixhoursafterthereceiptoftheorderherereferredtoMacdonaldreceivedasecondorderdirectinghimtoputhistroopsinmotion，andhelearnedtheEmperor’sintentionofmarchingonPariswithallhisremainingforce.
　　OnreceivingtheEmperor’ssecondorderMacdonaldlefthiscorpsatMontereauandrepairedinhastetoFontainebleau.WhenhearrivedtheretheEmperorhadalreadyintimatedtotheGeneralscommandingdivisionsinthecorpsassembledatFontainebleauhisdesignofmarchingonParis.
　　AlarmedatthisdeterminationtheGenerals，mostofwhomhadleftinthecapitaltheirwives，children，andfriends，requestedthatMacdonaldwouldgowiththemtowaituponNapoleonandendeavourtodissuadehimfromhisintention."Gentlemen，"saidtheMarshal，"intheEmperor’spresentsituationsuchaproceedingmaydispleasehim.Itmustbemanagedcautiously.Leaveittome，gentlemen，Iwillgotothechateau."
　　MarshalMacdonaldaccordinglywenttothePalaceofFontainebleau，wherethefollowingconversationensuedbetweenhimandtheEmperor，andIbegthereadertobearinmindthatitwasrelatedtomebytheMarshalhimself.AssoonasheenteredtheapartmentinwhichNapoleonwasthelattersteppeduptohimandsaid，"Well，howarethingsgoingon？"——
　　"Verybadly，Sire."——"How？badly！Whatthenarethefeelingsofyourarmy？"——"Myarmy，Sire，isentirelydiscouraged
　　appalledbythefateofParis."——"WillnotyourtroopsjoinmeinanadvanceonParis？"——"Sire，donotthinkofsuchathing.IfIweretogivesuchanordertomytroopsIshouldruntheriskofbeingdisobeyed."——"Butwhatistobedone？IcannotremainasIam;Ihaveyetresourcesandpartisans.ItissaidthattheAllieswillnolongertreatwithme.Well！nomatter.IwillmarchonParis.IwillberevengedontheinconstancyoftheParisiansandthebasenessoftheSenate.WoetothemembersoftheGovernmenttheyhavepatchedupforthereturnoftheirBourbons;thatiswhattheyarelookingforwardto.
　　Butto—morrowIshallplacemyselfattheheadofmyGuards，andto—
　　morrowweshallbeintheTuileries."
　　TheMarshallistenedinsilence，andwhenatlengthNapoleonbecamesomewhatcalmheobserved，"Sire，itappears，then，thatyouarenotawareofwhathastakenplaceinParis——oftheestablishmentofaProvisionalGovernment，and——"——"Iknowitall：andwhatthen？"——"Sire，"
　　addedtheMarshal，presentingapapertoNapoleon，"hereissomethingwhichwilltellyoumorethanIcan."MacdonaldthenpresentedtohimaletterfromGeneralBeurnonville，announcingtheforfeitureoftheEmperorpronouncedbytheSenate，andthedeterminationoftheAlliedpowersnottotreatwithNapoleon，oranymemberofhisfamily.
　　"Marshal，"saidtheEmperor，beforeheopenedtheletter，"maythisbereadaloud？"——"Certainly，Sire."TheletterwasthenhandedtoBarre，whoreadit.AnindividualwhowaspresentontheoccasiondescribedtometheimpressionwhichthereadingoftheletterproducedonNapoleon.
　　HiscountenanceexhibitedthatviolentcontractionofthefeatureswhichIhaveoftenremarkedwhenhismindwasdisturbed.However，hedidnotlosehisself—command，whichindeedneverforsookhimwhenpolicyorvanityrequiredthatheshouldretainit;andwhenthereadingofBeurnonville’sletterwasendedheaffectedtopersistinhisintentionofmarchingonParis."Sire，"exclaimedMacdonald，"thatplanmustberenounced.Notaswordwouldbeunsheathedtosecondyouinsuchanenterprise."AfterthisconversationbetweentheEmperorandMacdonaldthequestionoftheabdicationbegantobeseriouslythoughtof.
　　CaulaincourthadalreadyhintedtoNapoleonthatincaseofhisabdicatingpersonallytherewasapossibilityofinducingtheAlliestoagreetoaCouncilofRegency.Napoleonthendeterminedtosigntheactofabdication，whichhehimselfdrewupinthefollowingterms：——
　　TheAlliedpowershavingdeclaredthattheEmperorNapoleonistheonlyobstacletothere—establishmentofpeaceinEurope，theEmperorNapoleon，faithfultohisoath，declaresthatheisreadytodescendfromthethrone，toleaveFrance，andeventolaydownhislifeforthewelfareofthecountry，whichisinseparablefromtherightsofhisson，thoseoftheRegencyoftheEmpress，andthemaintenanceofthelawsoftheEmpire.GivenatourPalaceofFontainebleau，2dApril1814.
　　（Signed）NAPOLEON.
　　AfterhavingwrittenthisacttheEmperorpresentedittotheMarshals，saying，"Here，gentlemen！areyousatisfied？"
　　ThisabdicationofNapoleonwascertainlyveryuseless，butincaseofanythingoccurringtorenderitamatterofimportancetheactmighthaveprovedentirelyillusory.Itsmeaningmightappearunequivocaltothegeneralityofpeople，butnottome，whowassowellinitiatedinthecunningtowhichNapoleoncouldresortwhenitsuitedhispurpose.ItisnecessarytoobservethatNapoleondoesnotsaythat"hedescendsfromthethrone，"butthat"heisreadytodescendfromthethrone."Thiswasasubterfuge，bytheaidofwhichheintendedtoopennewnegotiationsrespectingtheformandconditionsoftheRegencyofhisson，incaseoftheAlliedsovereignsaccedingtothatproposition.Thiswouldhaveaffordedthemeansofgainingtime.
　　Hehadnotyetresignedallhope，andthereforehejoyfullyreceivedapieceofintelligencecommunicatedtohimbyGeneralAllix.TheGeneralinformedtheEmperorthathehadmetanAustrianofficerwhowassentbyFrancisII.toPrinceSchwartzenberg，andwhopositivelyassuredhimthatallwhichhadtakenplaceinPariswascontrarytothewishoftheEmperorofAustria.Thatthismayhavebeentheopinionoftheofficerispossible，andevenprobable.ButitiscertainfromtheissueofamissionoftheDucdeCadore（Champagny），ofwhichIshallpresentlyspeak，thattheofficerexpressedmerelyhisownpersonalopinion.
　　However，assoonasGeneralAllixhadcommunicatedthisgoodnews，ashetermedit，toNapoleon，thelatterexclaimedtothepersonswhowereabouthim，"Itoldyouso，gentlemen.FrancisII.cannotcarryhisenmitysofarastodethronehisdaughter.Vicenza，goanddesiretheMarshalstoreturnmyactofabdication.IwillsendacouriertotheEmperorofAustria."
　　ThusBonaparteinhisshipwrecklookedroundforasavingplank，andtriedtonursehimselfinillusions.TheDukeofVicenzawenttoMarshalsNeyandMacdonald，whomhefoundjuststeppingintoacarriagetoproceedtoParis.BothpositivelyrefusedtoreturntheacttoCaulaincourt，saying，"WearesureoftheconcurrenceoftheEmperorofAustria，andwetakeeverythinguponourselves."TheresultprovedthattheywerebetterinformedthanGeneralAllix.
　　DuringtheconversationwithMarshalMacdonaldwhichhasjustbeendescribedtheEmperorwasseated.Whenhecametotheresolutionofsigningtheabdicationhearoseandwalkedonceortwiceupanddownhiscabinet.Afterhehadwrittenandsignedtheacthesaid，"Gentlemen，theinterestsofmyson，theinterestsofthearmy，andaboveall，theinterestsofFrance，mustbedefended.IthereforeappointasmycommissionerstotheAlliedpowerstheDukeofVicenza，thePrinceoftheMoskowa，andtheDukeofRagusaAreyousatisfied？"addedhe，afterapause."Ithinktheseinterestsareconsignedtogoodhands."
　　Allpresentanswered，aswithonevoice."Yes，Sire."ButnosoonerwasthisanswerpronouncedthantheEmperorthrewhimselfuponasmallyellowsofa，whichstoodnearthewindow，andstrikinghisthighwithhishandwithasortofconvulsivemotion，heexclaimed，"No，gentlemen：IwillhavenoRegency！WithmyGuardsandMarmont’scorpsIshallbeinParisto—morrow."NeyandMacdonaldvainlyendeavouredtoundeceivehimrespectingthisimpracticabledesign.Herosewithmarkedill—humour，andrubbinghishead，ashewasinthehabitofdoingwhenagitated，hesaidinaloudandauthoritativetone，"Retire."
　　TheMarshalswithdrew，andNapoleonwasleftalonewithCaulaincourt.HetoldthelatterthatwhathadmostdispleasedhimintheproceedingswhichhadjusttakenplacewasthereadingofBeurnonville’sletter.
　　"Sire，"observedtheDukeofVicenza，"itwasbyyourorderthattheletterwasread."——"ThatistrueButwhywasitnotaddresseddirectlytomebyMacdonald？"——"Sire，theletterwasatfirstaddressedtoMarshalMacdonald，buttheaidedecampwhowasthebearerofithadorderstocommunicateitscontentstoMarmontonpassingthroughEssonne，becauseBeurnonvilledidnotpreciselyknowwhereMacdonaldwouldbefound."AfterthisbriefexplanationtheEmperorappearedsatisfied，andhesaidtoCaulaincourt，"Vicenza，callbackMacdonald."
　　TheDukeofVicenzahastenedaftertheMarshal，whomhefoundattheendofthegalleryofthePalace，andhebroughthimbacktotheEmperor.
　　WhenMacdonaldreturnedtothecabinettheEmperor’swarmthhadentirelysubsided，andhesaidtohimwithgreatcomposure，"Well，DukeofTarantum，doyouthinkthattheRegencyistheonlypossiblething？"——
　　"Yes，Sire."——"ThenIwishyoutogowithNeytotheEmperorAlexander，insteadofMarmont;itisbetterthatheshouldremainwithhiscorps，towhichhispresenceisindispensable.YouwillthereforegowithNey.I
　　relyonyou.Ihopeyouhaveentirelyforgottenallthathasseparatedusforsolongatime."——"Yes，Sire，Ihavenotthoughtofitsince1809."——"Iamgladofit，Marshal，andImustacknowledgetoyouthatI
　　wasinthewrong."WhilespeakingtotheMarshaltheEmperormanifestedunusualemotion.Heapproachedhimandpressedhishandinthemostaffectionateway.
　　TheEmperor’sthreeCommissioners——thatistosay，MarshalsMacdonaldandNeyandtheDukeofVicenzahadinformedMarmontthattheywoulddinewithhimastheypassedthroughEssonne，andwouldacquainthimwithallthathadhappenedatFontainebleau.OntheirarrivalatEssonnethethreeImperialCommissionersexplainedtotheDueofRagusatheobjectoftheirmission，andpersuadedhimtoaccompanythemtotheEmperorAlexander.ThisobligedtheMarshaltoinformthemhowhewassituated.
　　ThenegotiationswhichMarmonthadopenedandalmostconcludedwithPrinceSchwartzenbergwererenderedvoidbythemissionwhichhehadjoined，andwhichitwasnecessaryheshouldhimselfexplaintotheCommanderoftheAustrianarmy.ThethreeMarshalsandtheDukeofVicenzarepairedtoPetitBourg，theheadquartersofPrinceSchwartzenberg，andtherethePrincereleasedMarmontfromthepromisehehadgiven.
　　CHAPTERXXXVI.
　　1814.
　　UnexpectedreceiptsinthePost—officeDepartment——ArrivalofNapoleon’sCommissionersatM.deTalleyrand’s——ConferenceoftheMarshalswithAlexander——AlarmingnewsfromEssonne——Marmont’scourage——Thewhitecockadeandthetri—colouredcockade——
　　Asuccessfulstratagem——ThreeGovernmentsinFrance——TheDucdeCadoresentbyMariaLouisatotheEmperorofAustria——MariaLouisa’sproclamationtotheFrenchpeople——InterviewbetweentheEmperorofAustriaandtheDucdeCadore——TheEmperor’sprotestationoffriendshipforNapoleon——M.MetternichandM.Stadion——MariaLouisa’sdepartureforOrleans——Blucher’svisittome——AudienceoftheKingofPrussia——HisMajesty’sreceptionofBerthier，Clarke，andmyself——BernadotteinParis——CrossofthePolarStarpresentedtomebyBernadotte.
　　AftermynominationasDirector—GeneralofthePostofficethebusinessofthatdepartmentproceededasregularlyasbefore.HavinglearnedthatagreatmanyinterceptedlettershadbeenthrownasideIsent，onthe4thofApril，anadvertisementtothe’Moniteur’，statingthattheletterstoandfromEnglandorotherforeigncountrieswhichhadbeenlyingatthePost—officeformorethanthreeyearswouldbeforwardedtotheirrespectiveaddresses.ThisproducedtothePost—officeareceiptofnearly300，000francs，afactwhichmayaffordanideaoftheenormousnumberofinterceptedletters.
　　OnthenightafterthepublicationoftheadvertisementIwasawakenedbyanexpressfromtheProvisionalGovernment，bywhichIwasrequestedtoproceedwithallpossiblehastetoM.deTalleyrand’shotel.Irose，andIsetoffimmediately，andIgottheresomeminutesbeforethearrivaloftheEmperor’sCommissioners.Iwentuptothesalononthefirstfloor，whichwasoneofthesuiteofapartmentsoccupiedbytheEmperorAlexander.TheMarshalsretiredtoconferwiththemonarch，anditwouldbedifficulttodescribetheanxiety——or，Imayrathersay，consternation——which，duringtheirabsence，prevailedamongsomeofthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentandotherpersonsassembledinthesalonwhereIwas.
　　WhiletheMarshalswerewithAlexander，IlearnedthattheyhadpreviouslyconversedwithM.deTalleyrand，whoobservedtothem，"Ifyousucceedinyourdesignsyouwillcompromiseallwhohavemetinthishotelsincethe1stofApril，andthenumberisnotsmall.Formypart，takenoaccountofme，Iamwillingtobecompromised."IhadpassedtheeveningofthisdaywithM.deTalleyrand，whothenobservedtotheEmperorAlexanderinmypresence，"WillyousupportBonaparte？No，youneithercannorwill.IhavealreadyhadthehonourtotellyourMajestythatwecanhavenochoicebutbetweenBonaparteandLouisXVIII.;
　　anythingelsewouldbeanintrigue，andnointriguecanhavepowertosupporthimwhomaybeitsobject.Bernadotte，Eugene，theRegency，allthosepropositionsresultfromintrigues.Inpresentcircumstancesnothingbutanewprincipleissufficientlystrongtoestablishtheneworderofthingswhichmustbeadopted.LouisXVIII.isaprinciple."
　　NoneofthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentwerepresentatthisconference，fornoonewaswillingtoappeartoinfluenceinanywaythedeterminationofthechiefofthecoalitionuponthesubjectofthisimportantmission.GeneralDessollesalone，inqualityofcommanderoftheNationalGuardofParis，wasrequestedtobepresent.AtlengththeMarshalsenteredthesalonwherewewere，andtheirappearancecreatedasensationwhichitisimpossibletodescribe;buttheexpressionofdissatisfactionwhichwethoughtweremarkedintheircountenancesrestoredthehopesofthosewhoforsomehourshadbeenapreytoapprehensions.Macdonald，withhisheadelevated，andevidentlyundertheinfluenceofstrongirritation，approachedBeurnonville，andthusaddressedhim，inanswertoaquestionwhichthelatterhadputtohim.
　　"Speaknottome，sir;Ihavenothingtosaytoyou.Youhavemademeforgetafriendshipofthirtyyears！"ThenturningtoDupont，"Asforyou，sir，"hecontinuedinthesametone，"yourconducttowardstheEmperorisnotgenerous.Iconfessthathehastreatedyouwithseverity，perhapshemayevenhavebeenunjusttoyouwithrespecttotheaffairofBaylen，buthowlonghasitbeenthepracticetoavengeapersonalwrongattheexpenseofone’scountry？"
　　Theseremarksweremadewithsuchwarmth，andinsoelevatedatoneofvoice，thatCaulaincourtthoughtitnecessarytointerfere，andsaid，"Donotforget，gentlemen，thatthisistheresidenceoftheEmperorofRussia."AtthismomentM.deTalleyrandreturnedfromtheinterviewwiththeEmperorwhichhehadhadafterthedepartureoftheMarshals，andapproachingthegroupformedroundMacdonald，"Gentlemen，"saidhe，"ifyouwishtodisputeanddiscuss，stepdowntomyapartments."——
　　"Thatwouldbeuseless，"repliedMacdonald;"mycomradesandIdonotacknowledgetheProvisionalGovernment."ThethreeMarshals，Ney，Macdonald，andMarmont，thenimmediatelyretiredwithCaulaincourt，andwenttoNey’shotel，theretoawaittheanswerwhichtheEmperorAlexanderhadpromisedtogivethemafterconsultingtheKingofPrussia.
　　Suchwasthisnight—scene;whichpossessedmoredramaticeffectthanmanywhichareperformedonthestage.Initallwasreal：onitsdenouementdependedthepoliticalstateofFrance，andtheexistenceofallthosewhohadalreadydeclaredthemselvesinfavouroftheBourbons.Itisaremarkablefact，andonewhichaffordsastrikinglessontomenwhoaretemptedtosacrificethemselvesforanypoliticalcause，thatmostofthosewhothendemandedtherestorationoftheBourbonsattheperiloftheirliveshavesuccessivelyfallenintodisgrace.
　　WhentheMarshalsandCaulaincourthadretiredwewereallanxioustoknowwhathadpassedbetweenthemandtheEmperorofRussia.IlearnedfromDessolles，who，asIhavestated，waspresentattheconferenceinhisrankofcommanderoftheNationalGuardofParis，thattheMarshalswereunanimousinurgingAlexandertoaccedetoaRegency.Macdonaldespeciallysupportedthatpropositionwithmuchwarmth;andamongtheobservationshemadeIrecollectDessollesmentionedthefollowing：——
　　"IamnotauthorisedtotreatinanywayforthefatereservedfortheEmperor.WehavefullpowerstotreatfortheRegency，thearmy，andFrance;buttheEmperorhaspositivelyforbiddenustospecifyanythingpersonallyregardinghimself."Alexandermerelyreplied，"Thatdoesnotastonishme."TheMarshalsthen，resumingtheconversation，dweltmuchontherespectwhichwasduetothemilitarygloryofFrance.Theystronglymanifestedtheirdisinclinationtoabandonthefamilyofamanwhohadsooftenledthemtovictory;andlastly，theyremindedtheEmperorAlexanderofhisowndeclaration，inwhichheproclaimed，inhisownnameaswellasonthepartofhisAllies，thatitwasnottheirintentiontoimposeonFranceanygovernmentwhatever.
　　Dessolles，whohadallalongdeclaredhimselfinfavouroftheBourbons，inhisturnenteredintothediscussionwithasmuchwarmthasthepartisansoftheRegency.HerepresentedtoAlexanderhowmanypersonswouldbecompromisedformerelyhavingactedordeclaredtheiropinionsbehindtheshieldofhispromises.HerepeatedwhatAlexanderhadalreadybeentold，thattheRegencywould，infact，benothingbutBonaparteindisguise.However，DessollesacknowledgedthatsuchwastheeffectofMarshalMacdonald’spowerfulandpersuasiveeloquencethatAlexanderseemedtowaver;and，unwillingtogivetheMarshalsapositiverefusal，hehadrecoursetoasubterfuge，bywhichhewouldbeenabledtoexecutethedesignhehadirrevocablyformedwithoutseemingtotakeonhimselfalonetheresponsibilityofachangeofgovernment.DessollesaccordinglyinformedusthatAlexanderatlastgavethefollowinganswertotheMarshals："Gentlemen，Iamnotalone;inanaffairofsuchimportanceImustconsulttheKingofPrussia，forIhavepromisedtodonothingwithoutconsultinghim.Inafewhoursyoushallknowmydecision."ItwasthisdecisionwhichtheMarshalswenttowaitforatNey’s.
　　MostofthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentattributedtheevasivereplyoftheEmperorAlexandertotheinfluenceofthespeechofDessolles.Formypart，whileIdojusticetothemannerinwhichhedeclaredhimselfonthisimportantoccasion，IdonotascribetohiseloquencethepoweroffixingAlexander’sresolution，forIwellknowbyexperiencehoweasyitistomakeprincesappeartoadopttheadviceofanyonewhenthecounselgivenispreciselythatwhichtheywishtofollow.FromthesentimentsofAlexanderatthistimeIhadnottheslightestdoubtastothecoursehewouldfinallypursue，andI
　　consideredwhathesaidaboutconsultingtheKingofPrussiatobemerelyapoliteexcuse，bywhichheavoidedthedisagreeabletaskofgivingtheMarshalsadirectrefusal.
　　IthereforereturnedhomequitesatisfiedastotheresultoftheEmperorAlexander’svisittotheKingofPrussia.Iknew，fromthepersonsabouttheCzar，thathecherishedahatred，whichwasbuttoowelljustified，towardsBonaparte.FrederickWilliamisoftoofirmacharactertohaveyieldedtoanyoftheconsiderationswhichmightonthissubjecthavebeenpressedonhimastheyhadbeenontheEmperorofRussia.But，besidesthattheKingofPrussiahadlegitimatereasonsfordislikingNapoleon，policywouldatthattimehaverequiredthatheshouldappeartobehisenemy，fortodosowastorenderhimselfpopularwithhissubjects.ButtheKingofPrussiadidnotneedtoactunderthedictatesofpolicy;hefollowedhisownopinioninrejectingthepropositionsoftheMarshals，whichhedidwithouthesitation，andwithmuchenergy.
　　WhiletheMarshalshadgonetoParisBonapartewasanxioustoascertainwhetherhisCommissionershadpassedtheadvancedpostsoftheforeignarmies，andincaseofresistancehedeterminedtomarchonParis，forhecouldnotbelievethathehadlosteverychance.HesentanaidedecamptodesireMarmonttocomeimmediatelytoFontainebleau：suchwasNapoleon’simpatiencethatinsteadofwaitingforthereturnofhisaidedecamphesentoffasecondandthenathirdofficeronthesameerrand.
　　ThisrapidsuccessionofenvoysfromtheEmperoralarmedthegeneralwhocommandedthedifferentdivisionsofMarmont’scorpsatEssonne.TheyfearedthattheEmperorwasawareoftheConventionconcludedthatmorningwithPrinceSchwartzenberg，andthathehadsentforMarmontwiththeviewofreprimandinghim.Thefactwas，Napoleonknewnothingofthematter，forMarmont，ondepartingforPariswithMacdonaldandNey，hadleftordersthatitshouldbesaidthathehadgonetoinspecthislines.
　　Souham;LebrundesEssarts，andBordessoulle，whohadgiventheirassenttotheConventionwithPrinceSchwartzenberg，deliberatedintheabsenceofMarmont，and，perhapsbeingignorantthathewasreleasedfromhispromise，andfearingthevengeanceofNapoleon，theydeterminedtomarchuponVersailles.OnarrivingtherethetroopsnotfindingtheMarshalattheirheadthoughtthemselvesbetrayed，andaspiritofinsurrectionbrokeoutamongthem.OneofMarmont’saidesdecamp，whomhehadleftatEssonne，exertedeveryendeavourtopreventthedepartureofhisgeneral’scorps，but，findingallhiseffortsunavailing，hehastenedtoParistoinformtheMarshalofwhathadhappened.’WhenMarmontreceivedthisnewshewasbreakfastingatNey’swithMacdonaldandCaulaincourt：
　　theywerewaitingfortheanswerwhichtheEmperorAlexanderhadpromisedtosendthem.ThemarchofhiscorpsonVersaillesthrewMarmontintodespair.HesaidtotheMarshals，"Imustbeofftojoinmycorpsandquellthismutiny;"andwithoutlosingamomentheorderedhiscarriageanddirectedthecoachmantodrivewiththeutmostspeed.Hesentforwardoneofhisaidesdecamptoinformthetroopsofhisapproach.
　　Havingarrivedwithinahundredpacesoftheplacewherehistroopswereassembledhefoundthegeneralswhowereunderhisordersadvancingtomeethim.Theyurgedhimnottogofarther，asthemenwereinopeninsurrection."Iwillgointothemidstofthem，"saidMarmont."Inamomenttheyshalleitherkillmeoracknowledgemeastheirchief："Hesentoffanotheraidedecamptorangethetroopsintheorderofbattle.
　　Then，alightingfromthecarriageandmountingahorse，headvancedalone，andthusharanguedhistroops："How！Istheretreasonhere？Isitpossiblethatyoudisownme？AmInotyourcomrade？HaveInotbeenwoundedtwentytimesamongyou？HaveInotsharedyourfatiguesandprivations？AndamInotreadytodosoagain？"HereMarmontwasinterruptedbyageneralshoutof"ViveleMarechal！ViveleMarechal！"
　　ThealarmcausedamongthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentbythemissionoftheMarshalswasincreasedbythenewsofthemutinyofMarmont’stroops.Duringthewholeofthedaywewereinastateoftormentinganxiety.Itwasfearedthattheinsurrectionaryspiritmightspreadamongothercorpsofthearmy，andthecauseofFranceagainbeendangered.ButthecourageofMarmontsavedeverything：ItwouldbeimpossibletoconveyanyideaofthemannerinwhichhewasreceivedbyusatTalleyrand’swhenherelatedtheparticularsofwhathadoccurredatVersailles.
　　OntheeveningofthedayonwhichMarmonthadactedsonoblyitwasproposedthatthearmyshouldadoptthewhitecockade.InreplytothispropositiontheMarshalsaid，"Gentlemen，IhavemademytroopsunderstandthenecessityofservingFrancebeforeallthings.Theyhave，consequently，returnedtoorder，andIcannowanswerforthem.ButwhatIcannotanswerforistoinducethemtoabandonthecolourswhichhaveledthemtovictoryforthelasttwentyyears.ThereforedonotcountuponmeforathingwhichIconsidertobetotallyhostiletotheinterestsofFrance.IwillspeaktotheEmperorAlexanderonthesubject."SuchwereMarmont’swords.Everyoneappearedtoconcurinhisopinion，andthediscussionterminated.Formyownpart，IfindbymynotesthatIdeclaredmyselfstronglyinfavourofMarmont’sproposition.
　　TheMarshal’sopinionhavingbeenadopted，atleastprovisionally，anarticlewaspreparedfortheMoniteurinnearlythefollowingterms：
　　Thewhitecockadehasbeen，duringthelastfourdays，abadgeforthemanifestationofpublicopinioninfavouroftheoverthrowofanoppressiveGovernment：ithasbeentheonlymeansofdistinguishingthepartisansoftherestorationoftheolddynasty，towhichatlengthwearetobeindebtedforrepose.ButasthelateGovernmentisatanend，allcoloursdifferingfromournationalcoloursareuseless：letus，therefore，resumethosewhichhavesooftenledustovictory.
　　Suchwasthespiritofthearticle，thoughpossiblytheabovecopymaydifferinafewwords.Itmetwiththeunqualifiedapprobationofeveryonepresent.Iwasthereforeextremelysurprised，onlookingatthe’Moniteur’nextday，tofindthatthearticlewasnotinserted.Iknewnotwhatcourtlyinterferencepreventedtheappearanceofthearticle，butIrememberthatMarmontwasveryillpleasedatitsomission.HecomplainedonthesubjecttotheEmperorAlexander，whopromisedtowrite，andinfactdidwrite，totheProvisionalGovernmenttogetthearticleinserted.However，itdidnotappear，andinafewdaysweobtainedasolutionoftheenigma，aswemightperhapshavedonebeforeifwehadtried.TheEmperorAlexanderalsopromisedtowritetotheComted’Artois，andtoinformhimthattheopinionofFrancewasinfavourofthepreservationofthethreecolours，butIdonotknowwhethertheletterwaswritten，or，ifitwas，whatansweritreceived.
　　MarshalJourdan，whowasthenatRouen，receivedaletter，writtenwithouttheknowledgeofMarmont，informinghimthatthelatterhadmountedthewhitecockadeinhiscorps.JourdanthoughthecouldnotdootherwisethanfollowMarmont’sexample，andheannouncedtotheProvisionalGovernmentthatinconsequenceoftheresolutionoftheDukeofRagusahehadjustorderedhiscorpstowearthewhitecockade.
　　Marmontcouldnowbeboldlyfaced，andwhenhecomplainedtotheProvisionalGovernmentofthenon—insertionofthearticleintheMoniteurthereplywas，"Itcannotnowappear.YouseeMarshalJourdanhasmountedthewhitecockade：youwouldnotgivethearmytwosetsofcolours！"
　　Marmontcouldmakenoanswertosopositiveafact.ItwasnottillsometimeafterthatIlearnedJourdanhaddeterminedtounfurlthewhiteflagonlyonthepositiveassurancethatMarmonthadalreadydoneso.ThuswelostthecolourswhichhadbeenwornbyLouisXVI.，whichLouisXVIII.，whenaPrince，hadadopted，andinwhichtheComted’ArtoisshowedhimselfonhisreturntotheParisians，forheenteredthecapitalintheuniformoftheNationalGuard.ThefraudplayedoffbysomemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentwasattendedbyfatalconsequences;manyevilsmighthavebeensparedtoFrancehadMarmont’sadvicebeenadopted.
　　AttheperiodofthedissolutionoftheEmpiretheremightbesaidtobethreeGovernmentsinFrance，viz.theProvisionalGovernmentinParis，Napoleon’satFontainebleau，andthedoubtfulandambulatoryRegencyof"MariaLouisa.DoubtfulandambulatorytheRegencymightwellbecalled，fortherewassolittledecisionastothecoursetobeadoptedbytheEmpressthatitwasatfirstproposedtoconducthertoOrleans，thentoTours，andshewentfinallytoBlois.TheuncertaintywhichprevailedrespectingthedestinyofMariaLouisaisprovedbyadocumentwhichI
　　haveinmypossession，andofwhichtherecannotbemanycopiesinexistence.ItisacircularaddressedtotheprefectsbyM.deMontalivet，theMinisteroftheInterior，whoaccompaniedtheEmpress.
　　InitablankisleftfortheseatoftheGovernment，towhichtheprefectsaredesiredtosendtheircommunications.InthecopyIpossesstheblankisfilledupwiththeword"Blois"inmanuscript.
　　AssoonasMariaLouisawasmadeacquaintedwiththeeventsthathadtakenplacearoundParisshesentfortheDucdeCadore，andgavehimaletteraddressedtotheEmperorofAustria，saying，"Takethistomyfather，whomustbeatDijon.IrelyonyoufordefendingtheinterestsofFrance，thoseoftheEmperor，andaboveallthoseofmyson."
　　CertainlyMariaLouisa’sconfidencecouldnotbebetterplaced，andthosegreatinterestswouldhavebeendefendedbytheDucdeCadore’sidefendipossent.’
　　AfterthedepartureoftheDuedeCadoreMariaLouisapublishedthefollowingproclamation，addressedtotheFrenchpeople：
　　BYTHEEMPRESSREGENT.
　　AProclamationTheeventsofthewarhaveplacedthecapitalinthepowerofforeigners.TheEmperorhasmarchedtodefenditattheheadofhisarmies，sooftenvictorious.TheyarefacetofacewiththeenemybeforethewallsofParis.FromtheresidencewhichIhavechosen，andfromtheMinistersoftheEmperor，willemanatetheonlyorderswhichyoucanacknowledge.Everytowninthepowerofforeignersceasestobefree，andeveryorderwhichmayproceedfromthemisthelanguageoftheenemy，orthatwhichitsuitshishostileviewstopropagate.Youwillbefaithfultoyouroaths.YouwilllistentothevoiceofaPrincesswhowasconsignedtoyourgoodfaith，andwhosehighestprideconsistsinbeingsFrenchwoman，andinbeingunitedtothedestinyofthesovereignwhomyouhavefreelychosen.
　　Mysonwaslesssureofyouraffectionsinthetimeofourprosperity;hisrightsandhispersonareunderyoursafeguard.
　　（Byorder）MONTALIVET.（Signed）MARIALOUISA
　　BLOIS，3dApril1814.
　　ItistobeinferredthattheRegencyhadwithinthreedaysadoptedtheresolutionofnotquittingBlois，fortheabovedocumentpresentsnoblanks，norwordsfilledupinwriting.TheEmpress’proclamation，thoughapowerfulappealtothefeelingsoftheFrenchpeople，producednoeffect.MariaLouisa’sproclamationwasdatedthe4thofApril，ontheeveningofwhichdayNapoleonsignedtheconditionalabdication，withthefateofwhichthereaderhasalreadybeenmadeacquainted.M.deMontalivettransmittedtheEmpress’proclamation，accompaniedbyanothercircular，totheprefects，ofwhomveryfewreceivedit.