veloped in his Russian disguise, conducted by | hands of Caulaincourt warmly in his own, "I the Grand Duke, passed unrecognized through the brilliant saloons, which were crowded with the exultant enemies of his sovereign and friend. feel for you with all my heart. You may rely upon me as upon a brother. But what can I do for you?" "For me, Sire, nothing," Caulaincourt replied; "but for the Emperor, every thing." "This is just what I dreaded," resumed Alexander. "I must refuse and afflict you. I can do nothing for Napoleon. I am bound by my engagements with the allied sovereigns." "But your Majesty's wish," replied Caulaincourt, "must have great weight. And if Austria should also interpose in behalf of France-for surely the Emperor Francis does not wish to dethrone his daughter and his grandson-a peace may still be concluded which shall insure general tranquillity." Caulaincourt was a man of imposing figure, and endowed with great dignity and elegance of manners. The unaffected majesty of his presence commanded the deference even of those monarchs who stood upon the highest pinnacles of earthly power. He was received by Alexander with great courtesy and kindness, but with much secrecy, in a private apartment. The Russian emperor had formerly loved Napoleon; he had been forced by his nobles into acts of aggression against him; he had even been so much charmed with Napoleon's political principles as to have been accused of the wish to introduce liberal ideas into Russia. They had called him contemptuously the liberal emperor. To sustain his position, he had found" it necessary to yield to the pressure, and to join in the crusade against his old friend. In this hour of triumph he alone, of all the confederates, manifested sympathy for their victim. The Emperor of Russia was alone as Caulaincourt entered his cabinet. He was agitated by a strong conflict between the natural magnanimity of his character and his desire to vindicate his own conduct. Caulaincourt's attachment to Alexander was so strong that Napoleon occasionally had bantered him with it. Caulaincourt considered the pleasantry rather too severe, when Napoleon, evidently himself a little piqued, sometimes, in allusion to these predilections, called the friend whose constancy he could not doubt, The Russian. "Austria, my dear Duke," Alexander replied, will second no proposition which leaves Napoleon on the throne of France. Francis will sacrifice all his personal affections for the repose of Europe. The allied sovereigns have resolved, irrevocably resolved, to be forever done with the Emperor Napoleon. Any endeavor to change this decision would be useless." Caulaincourt was struck, as by a thunderbolt, with this declaration. The idea that the victors would proceed to such an extremity as the dethronement of Napoleon, had not seriously entered his mind. It was a terrible crisis. Not a moment was to be lost. A few hours would settle every thing. After a moment of silence, he said, Be it so! but is it just to include the Em"My dear Duke," said Alexander, clasping both press and the King of Rome in this proscription? The son of Napoleon surely is not an object of fear to the allies. A regency-" "We have thought of that," Alexander exclaimed, interrupting him. "But what shall we do with Napoleon? He will doubtless yield, for the moment, to necessity. But restless ambition will rouse all the energy of his character, and Europe will be once more in flames." "I see," said Caulaincourt sadly, "that the Emperor's ruin has been resolved upon." "Whose fault is it?" eagerly resumed Alexander. "What have I not done to prevent these terrible extremities? In the imprudent sincerity of youth I said to him, 'The Powers, wearied with insults, are forming alliances among themselves against your domination. One signature alone is wanting to the compact, and that is mine.' In reply, he declared war against me. Still, I can not find in my heart any unkind feeling toward him. I wish his fate depended on me alone." "Noblest of monarchs," said Caulaincourt, "I feel assured that I do not vainly invoke your support for so great a man in adversity. Be his defender, Sire. That noble part is worthy of you." "I wish to be so," Alexander replied; "on my honor I wish it. But I can not succeed. To restore the Bourbons is the wish of a very influential party here. With that family we should have no fear of a renewal of the war. We have no wish to impose the Bourbons on the French people. My declaration secures full liberty for France to choose a sovereign. I am assured that the French nation desires the Bourbons. The public voice recalls them." "Sire, you are misinformed," Caulaincourt replied. "The Bourbons have nothing in common with France. The people feel no affection for that family. Time has consecrated the revolution. The ungrateful men who now wish to get rid of the Emperor are not the nation. If the Allies respect the rights of France, an appeal to the majority of votes is the only means whereby they can prove that intention. Let registers be opened in all the municipalities. The Allies will then learn whether the Bourbons are preferred to Napoleon." Alexander seemed impressed by these remarks. For nearly a quarter of an hour he walked to and fro in the room, absorbed in intense thought, during which time not a word was uttered. Then turning to Caulaincourt he remarked, "My dear Duke. I am struck with what you have said. Perhaps the method you suggest would be the best; but it would be attended with much delay, and circumstances hurry us on. We are urged, driven, tormented, to come to a decision. Moreover, a provisional government is already established. It is a real power around which ambition is rallying. It is.long since the schemes for this state of things began to work. The allied sovereigns are constantly surrounded, flattered, pressed and teased to decide in favor of the Bourbons; and they have serious personal injuries to avenge. The absence of the Emperor of Austria is a fatality. Were I to attempt any thing in favor of Napoleon's son, I should be left alone. No one would second me. They have good reason, my dear friend," said he, kindly taking Caulaincourt by the hand, " for making me promise not to see you. This warmth of heart, which renders you so distressed, is infectious. You have roused every generous feeling within me. I will try. To-morrow, at the council, I will advert to the regency.. Every other proposition is impossible. So do not deceive yourself; and let us hope." It was now four o'clock in the morning. The room in which this interesting interview took place was the bedchamber of Napoleon when he inhabited the Elysée. A small room opened from it, which the Emperor had used as a study. Alexander conducted Caulaincourt into this cabinet as a safe retreat, and the embassador threw him-, self upon a sofa, in utter exhaustion. After a few hours of slumber, disturbed by frightful dreams, he awoke. It was eight o'clock in the morning. He heard persons passing in and out of the chamber of the Emperor of Russia. He stepped to a window, and looked through the curtains into the garden. It was filled with hostile troops, as were also the squares of the city. Tormented by the sight, he again threw himself upon the sofa, almost in a state of distraction. The room remained just as it was when the Emperor last left it. The table was covered with maps of Russia, plans, and unfinished writing. Caulaincourt carefully rearranged the books and maps, and tore all the papers and plans into a thousand bits, and buried them in the ashes of the fireplace. The new occupants of the Elysée," said he, "might there have found matter for jests and for mortifying comparisons." At eleven o'clock some one knocked at the door, and the Grand Duke Constantine entered. Duke," said he to Caulaincourt, "the Emperor sends you his compliments. He was unable to see you before leaving the palace. But in the mean time we will breakfast together. I have given orders to have it prepared in Alexander's "Ill-informed persons," continues the Duke, who have contracted unjust prejudices against the Russian sovereign, will tax me with partiality for Aiexander and his family. But I speak in truth and sincerity, and I fulfill an obligation of honor in rendering them that justice which is their due. The base alone disallow benefactors and benefits. Eighteen leagues separated me from the Emperor, but I performed the journey in five hours. In proportion as I approached Fontainebleau I felt my courage fail. Heavens! what a message had I to bear! In the mission which I had just executed, I had experienced all the anguish which could be endured by pride and self-love. But in the present business my heart bled for the pain I was about to inflict on the Emperor, who rose in my affections in proportion as the clouds of misfortune gathered around him." It was just midnight when Caulaincourt approached Fontainebleau. The environs were filled with troops who were bivouacking, impatient for battle. The forest of Fontainebleau and the whole surrounding region were illumined with the campfires of fifty thousand men, who, in a state of intense excitement, were clamoring to be led to battle. As Caulaincourt approached the gate of the chateau, he was recognized. He was known as the firm friend of Napoleon, and was greeted with an impassioned shout of" Vive l'Empereur," which was echoed and re-echoed from rank to rank through the deep aisles of the forest. He entered the little cabinet where our narrative left Napoleon. After breakfast, Caulaincourt, accompanied by Constantine, returned to the cabinet, where he remained, in close concealment, during the day. At six o'clock in the evening the Emperor of Russia again made his appearance. "My dear Caulaincourt," said he, "for your sake I have acted the diplomatist. I intrenched myself behind certain powerful considerations, which did not permit us to decide rashly on a matter so important as the choice of a sovereign. Finding myself safe on that ground, I then resumed the subject of the regency. Hasten back to the Em-ing. peror Napoleon. Give him a faithful account of what has passed here; and return as quickly as possible with Napoleon's abdication in faver of his son." "Sire," said Caulaincourt, earnestly, "what is to be done with the Emperor Napoleon?" “I hope that you know me well enough," Alexander replied, "to be certain that I shall never suffer any insult to be offered to him. Whatever may be the decision, Napoleon shall be properly treated. Return to Fontainebleau as rapidly as possible. I have my reasons for urging you." The Emperor was alone, seated at a table, writ"Ten years seemed to have passed over his noble head," says Caulaincourt, "since last we parted. A slight compression of his lips gave to his countenance an expression of indescribable suffering." What has been done?" inquired Napoleon. "Have you seen the Emperor of Russia? What did he say?" For a moment Caulaincourt, overcome with anguish, was unable to speak. Napoleon took his hand, pressed it convulsively, and said, Speak, Caulaincourt, speak. I am prepared for every thing." "Sire," Caulaincourt replied, "I have seen the Emperor Alexander. I have passed twenty-four hours concealed in his apartments. He is not your enemy. In him alone your cause has a supporter." Napoleon shook his head, expressive of doubt, but said, "What is his wish? What do they intend?" "Sire," Caulaincourt replied, in a voice almost unintelligible through emotion, "your Majesty is required to make great sacrifices-to surrender the crown of France to your son." There was a moment's pause, and then, in accents "terribly impressive," Napoleon rejoined, "That is to say, they will not treat with me. They mean to drive me from my throne which I conquered by my sword. They wish to make a Helot of me, an object of derision, destined to serve as an example to those who, by the sole aseendency of genius and superiority of talent, command men, and make legitimate kings tremble on their worm-eaten thrones. And is it you, Caulaincourt, who are charged with such a mission to me?" For a moment the Emperor paced the floor in great agitation, then threw himself, exhausted, into a chair, and buried his face in his hands. After a brief interval of silence he arose, and, turning to Caulaincourt, continued, "Have not you courage to go on? Let me hear what it is your Alexander has desired you to say." Caulaincourt, deeply wounded by this unkind reproach, replied, "Sire! your Majesty has no mercy. The stroke which is now felt by you lacerated my heart before it reached yours. For forty-eight hours this torture has rankled in my bosom." Napoleon was at once vanquished. Pressing his hand upon his burning brow, he exclaimed, in accents of deepest tenderness, "I am to blame, Caulaincourt, I am to blame, my friend. There are moments when I feel my brain beating within my head, so many misfortunes assail me at once. That powerful organization, which so often sustained me amidst battles and perils, sinks under the repeated strokes which overwhelm me. I can not doubt your fidelity, Caulaincourt. Of all about me you, perhaps, are the only one in whom I place implicit faith. It is only among my poor soldiers, it is only in their grief-expressing eyes, that I still find written fidelity and devoted attachment. When happy, I thought I knew men, but I was destined to know them only in misfortune." He paused, fixed his eyes upon the floor, and remained absorbed in silent thought. Caulaincourt, entirely overcome by exhaustion and mental anguish, was unable to make any reply. At length he said, "Sire, I request permission to take a little rest. I am beyond measure fatigued. You must be correctly informed of the difficulties of your position before you can decide on the course to be adopted. I feel, in my present state, incapable of giving those detailed explanations which the importance of the subject demands." "You are right, Caulaincourt," the Emperor replied. Go and take some rest. I have a presentiment of the subject about which we shall have to discourse, and it is necessary for me to prepare myself for the consequences. Go and repose awhile. I will take care to have you called at ten o'clock." strongest, by proscribing me and my family. But to insure tranquillity to the Bourbons in Paris! Never! Bear in mind my prophecy, Caulaincourt." After a moment's pause, the Emperor, in a more tranquil tone, resumed, "Let us return to the matter in question. My abdication is insisted on. Upon this condition the regency will be given to the Empress, and the crown will descend to my son. I do not know that I have the right to resign the sovereign authority-that I should be justified in taking such a step until all hope was lost. I have fifty thousand men at my dis At ten, Caulaincourt again entered the apart-posal. My brave troops still acknowledge me for ment of the Emperor. Napoleon, in subdued tones, but calm and firm, said, "Take a seat, Caulaincourt, and tell me what they require. What is exacted from us?" Caulaincourt gave a minute recital of his interview with Alexander. When he spoke of the debate of the Allies respecting the restoration of the Bourbons, Napoleon rose from his chair in extreme agitation, and rapidly pacing up and down the room, exclaimed, "They are mad! Restore the Bourbons! it will not last for a single year! The Bourbons are the antipathy of the French nation. And the army? What will they do with the army? My soldiers will never consent to be theirs. It is the height of folly to think of melting down the Empire into a government formed out of elements so heterogeneous. Can it ever be forgotten that the Bourbons have lived twenty years on the charity of foreigners, in open war with the principles and the interests of France? Restore the Bourbons! it is not merely madness, but it shows a desire to inflict on the country every species of calamity. Is it true that such an idea is seriously entertained ?" Caulaincourt informed him unreservedly of the machinations which were carried on for the accomplishment of that purpose. But," Napoleon observed, "the Senate can never consent to see a Bourbon on the throne. Setting aside the baseness of agreeing to such an arrangement, what place, I should like to know, could be assigned to the Senate in a court from which they, or their fathers, dragged Louis XVI. to the scaffold. As for me, I was a new man, unsullied by the vices of the French revolution. In me there was no motive for revenge. I had every thing to reconstruct. I should never have dared to sit on the vacant throne of France, had not my brow been bound with laurels. The French people elevated me, because I had executed, with them and for them, great and noble works. But the Bourbons, what have they done for France? What proportion of the victories, of the glory, of the prosperity of France belongs to them? What could they do to promote the interests or independence of the people? When restored by foreigners, they will be forced to yield to all their demands, and, in a word, to bend the knee before their masters. Advantage may be taken of the stupor into which foreign occupation has thrown the capital to abuse the power of the VOL. IX.-No. 50.-M their sovereign. Full of ardor and devotedness, they call loudly on me to lead them to Paris. The sound of my cannon would electrify the Parisians, and rouse the national spirit, insulted by the presence of foreigners parading in our public places. The inhabitants of Paris are brave; they would support me; and after the victory," he added, in a more animated tone, "after the victory, the nation would choose between me and the Allies, and I would never descend from the throne unless driven from it by the French people. Come with me, Caulaincourt. It is now twelve o'clock. I am going to review the troops.' As the Emperor left the palace, Caulaincourt sadly followed him. The illusions to which the Emperor still clung filled him with anxiety, for he knew that the strength of the Allies was such that all further resistance must be unavailing. The soldiers were delighted in again seeing the Emperor, and received him with acclamations of unbounded joy. The officers thronged enthusiastically around him, shouting, "To Paris-to Paris! Sire, lead us to Paris!" "Yes, my friends," replied the Emperor, "we will fly to the succor of Paris. To-morrow we will commence our march." At these words, tumultuous shouts of "Vive l'Empereur," rang through the air. The ardor was so intense and so universal, that even Caulaincourt thought that there were some chances in Napoleon's favor. As the Emperor returned to the court-yard of the palace, and dismounted from his horse, he said to Caulaincourt, triumphantly, and yet interrogatively, "Well?" as if he would inquire, "What do you think now?" "Sire," Caulaincourt replied, "this is your last step. Your Majesty ought alone to decide." "You approve of my determination, that is clear," Napoleon added with a smile. Passing silently, but with friendly recognitions, through the groups of officers who thronged the saloons, he retired to his room. The young generals, full of ardor, and who had their fortunes to make, expressed an intense desire to march upon Paris. The older officers, however, who had already obtained fame and fortune, which they hoped to retain by yielding to a power which they no longer felt able to resist, were silent. Talleyrand, president of the Senate, now eager to ingratiate himself into the favor of the Allies, |