按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Grenier； those nominated by the Peers were the Duke of Vicenza
（Caulaincourt） and Baron Quinette。 The Commission nominated five persons
to the Allied army for the purpose of proposing peace。 These proceedings
were； however； rendered of little importance by the resolution of the
victors to advance to Paris。
Napoleon's behaviour just before and immediately after the crisis is well
described by Lavallette。 〃The next day；〃 he observes； 〃I returned to the
Emperor。 He had received the most positive accounts of the state of
feeling in the Chamber of Representatives。 The reports had； however；
been given to him with some little reserve； for he did not seem to me
convinced that the resolution was really formed to pronounce his
abdication； I was better informed on the matter； and I came to him
without having the least doubt in my mind that the only thing he could do
was to descend once more from the throne。 I communicated to him all the
particulars I had just received； and I did not hesitate to advise him to
follow the only course worthy of him。 He listened to me with a sombre
air； and though he was in some measure master of himself； the agitation
of his mind and the sense of his position betrayed themselves in his face
and in all his motions。 'I know；' said I； 'that your Majesty may still
keep the sword drawn； but with whom； and against whom？ Defeat has
chilled the courage of every one； the army is still in the greatest
confusion。 Nothing is to be expected from Paris； and the coup d'etat of
the 18th Brumaire cannot be renewed。''That thought；' he replied；
stopping； 'is far from my mind。 I will hear nothing more about myself。
But poor France！' At that moment Savary and Caulaincourt entered； and
having drawn a faithful picture of the exasperation of the Deputies； they
persuaded him to assent to abdication。 Some words he uttered proved to
us that he would have considered death preferable to that step； but still
he took it。
〃The great act of abdication being performed； he remained calm during the
whole day； giving his advice on the position the army should take； and on
the manner in which the negotiations with the enemy ought to be
conducted。 He insisted especially on the necessity of proclaiming his
son Emperor； not so much for the advantage of the child as with a view to
concentrate all the power of sentiments and affections。 Unfortunately；
nobody would listen to him。 Some men of sense and courage rallied found
that proposition in the two Chambers； but fear swayed the majority； and
among those who remained free from it many thought that a public
declaration of liberty； and the resolution to defend it at any price；
would make the enemy and the Bourbons turn back。 Strange delusion of
weakness and want of experience！ It must； however； be respected； for it
had its source in love of their country； but； while we excuse it； can it
be justified？ The population of the metropolis had resumed its usual
appearance； which was that of complete indifference； with a resolution to
cry 'Long live the King！' provided the King arrived well escorted； for
one must not judge of the whole capital by about one…thirtieth part of
the inhabitants； who called for arms； and declared themselves warmly
against the return of the exiled family。
〃On the 23d I returned to the Elysee。 The Emperor had been for two hours
in his bath。 He himself turned the discourse on the retreat he ought to
choose； and spoke of the United States。 I rejected the idea without
reflection； and with a degree of vehemence that surprised him。 'Why not
America？' he asked。 I answered； 'Because Moreau retired there。' The
observation was harsh； and I should never have forgiven myself for having
expressed it； if I had not retracted my advice a few days afterwards。 He
heard it without any apparent ill…humour； but I have no doubt that it
must have made an unfavourable impression on his mind。 I strongly urged
on his choosing England for his asylum。
〃The Emperor went to Malmaison。 He was accompanied thither by the
Duchesse de St。 Leu； Bertrand and his family； and the Duc de Bassano。
The day that he arrived there he proposed to me to accompany him abroad。
Drouot；' he said； 'remains in France。 I see the Minister of War wishes
him not to be lost to his country。 I dare not complain； but it is a
great loss for me； I never met with a better head； or a more upright
heart。 That man was formed to be a prime minister anywhere。' I declined
to accompany him at the time； saying； 'My wife is enceinte； I cannot make
up my mind to leave her。 Allow me some time； and I will join you
wherever you may be。 I have remained faithful to your Majesty in better
times； and you may reckon upon me now。 Nevertheless； if my wife did not
require all my attention； I should do better to go with you； for I have
sad forebodings respecting my fate。〃
〃The Emperor made no answer； but I saw by the expression of his
countenance that he had no better augury of my fate than I had。 However；
the enemy was approaching； and for the last three days he had solicited
the Provisional Government to place a frigate at his disposal； with which
he might proceed to America。 It had been promised him； he was even
pressed to set off； but he wanted to be the bearer of the order to the
captain to convey him to the United States； and that order did not
arrive。 We all felt that the delay of a single hour might put his
freedom in jeopardy。
〃After we had talked the subject over among ourselves； I went to him and
strongly pointed out to him how dangerous it might be to prolong his
stay。 He observed that he could not go without the order。 'Depart；
nevertheless；' I replied； your presence on board the ship will still have
a great influence over Frenchmen； cut the cables； promise money to the
crew； and if the captain resist have him put on shore； and hoist your
sails。 I have no doubt but Fouche has sold you to the Allies。'
'I believe it also； but go and make the last effort with the Minister of
Marine。' I went off immediately to M。 Decres。 He was in bed； and
listened to me with an indifference that made my blood boil。 He said to
me； 'I am only a Minister。 Go to Fouche； speak to the Government。 As
for me； I can do nothing。 Good…night。' And so saying he covered himself
up again in his blankets。 I left him； but I could not succeed in
speaking either to Fouche or to any of the others。 It was two o'clock in
the morning when I returned to Malmaison； the Emperor was in bed。 I was
admitted to his chamber； where I gave him an account of the result of my
mission； and renewed my entreaties。 He listened to me； but made no
answer。 He got up； however； and spent a part of the night in walking up
and down the room。
〃The following day was the last of that sad drama。 The Emperor had gone
to bed again； and slept a few hours。 I entered his cabinet at about
twelve o'clock。 'If I had known you were here；' he said； 'I would have
had you called in。' He then gave me； on a subject that interested him
personally； some instructions which it is needless for me to repeat。
Soon after I left him； full of anxiety respecting his fate； my heart