Part 9 (2/2)

”An orderly--quick!”

”He calls out of the window,” whispered the marquis. ”Let us hear what he has got to say.”

The two plenipotentiaries slipped on tiptoe to the window, cautiously peeping from behind the curtains. They saw a French lancer galloping up below, and stopping and saluting under the window of the adjoining room.

Again they heard Bonaparte's thundering voice. ”Ride over to the headquarters of Archduke Charles,” shouted Bonaparte. ”Tell him on my behalf that the armistice is at an end, and that hostilities will recommence from the present hour. That is all. Depart!”

Then they heard him close the window with a crash, and walk with loud steps through the anteroom.

The two plenipotentiaries looked at each other in dismay. ”Count,”

whispered the marquis, ”listen! he leaves and has threatened to shatter Austria. He is the man to fulfil his threat. My G.o.d, must we suffer him to depart in anger? Have you been authorized to do that?”

”Will you try to command the storm to stand still?” asked Count Cobenzl.

”Yes, I will try, for we must not break off the negotiations in this way and recommence hostilities. We must conciliate this terrible warrior!”

He rushed out of the room, and hastened through the anteroom and down-stairs to the front door.

Bonaparte had already entered his carriage; his escort had formed in line, the driver had seized the reins and whip in order to give the impatient horses the signal to start.

At this moment, the pale and humble face of the Marquis de Gallo appeared at the carriage door. Bonaparte did not seem to see him.

Leaning back into the cus.h.i.+ons, he gloomily looked up to heaven.

”General,” said the marquis, imploringly, ”I beseech you not to depart!”

”Marquis,” replied Bonaparte, shrugging his shoulders, ”it does not become me to remain peaceably among my enemies. War has been declared, for you have not accepted my ultimatum.”

”But, general, I take the liberty to inform you that the Austrian plenipotentiaries have resolved to accept your ultimatum.” Bonaparte's marble countenance did not betray the slightest emotion of surprise and joy; his large eyes only cast a piercing glance upon the marquis.

”You accept it without subterfuge or reserve?” he asked, slowly.

”Yes, general, precisely as you have stated it. We are ready to sign the treaty of peace, and accept the ultimatum. Just be kind enough to alight once more, and continue the conference with us.”

”No, sir,” said Bonaparte, ”nulla vestigia retrorsam! Being already in my carriage, I shall not return to you. Besides, the delegates of the Venetian Republic are waiting for me at Pa.s.seriano, and I believe it is time for me to inform them too of my ultimatum. At the end of three hours, I ask you, marquis, and Count Cobenzl to proceed to my headquarters at Pa.s.seriano. There we will take the various stipulations of the treaty into consideration, and agree upon the public and secret articles.”

”But you forget, general, that your orderly is already on the way to the Austrian headquarters in order to announce the reopening of hostilities.”

”That is true,” said Napoleon, quietly. ”Here, two orderlies. Follow the first orderly, and command him to return. You see, marquis, I believe in the sincerity of your a.s.surances. In three hours, then, I shall expect you at Pa.s.seriano for the purpose of settling the details of the treaty.

We shall sign it, however, on neutral ground. Do you see that tall building on the horizon?”

”Yes, general, it is the decayed old castle of Campo Formio.”

”Well, in that castle, the treaty shall be signed. In three hours, then.

Until then, farewell.”

He nodded carelessly to the marquis, who, as humble as a va.s.sal, at the feet of the throne, stood at the carriage door, constantly bowing deeply, and waving his plumed hat.

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