sown broadcast throughout Paris, the Emperor of Austria was to be seen sitting in an elegant open carriage; the Emperor Alexander sat on the coachman’s box, the Regent of England as postilion on the lead-horse, and the King of Prussia stood up behind as a lackey.  Napoleon ran along on foot at the side of the carriage, holding fast to it, and crying out to the Emperor of Austria, “Father-in-law, they have thrown me out”—­“And taken me in,” was the reply of Francis I.

The exultation of the ladies of the Faubourg St. Germain was great, now that their king was at last restored to them, and they eagerly embraced every means of showing their gratitude to the Emperor of Russia.  But Alexander remained entirely insusceptible to their homage; he even went so far as to avoid attending the entertainments given by the new king at the Tuileries, and society was shocked at seeing the emperor openly displaying his sympathy for the family of the Emperor Napoleon, and repairing to Malmaison, instead of appearing at the Tuileries.

Count Nesselrode at last conjured his friend Louise de Cochelet to inform the czar of the feeling of dismay that pervaded the Faubourg St. Germain, when he should come to Queen Hortense’s maid-of-honor, as he was in the habit of doing from time to time, for the purpose of discussing the queen’s interests with her.

“Sire,” said she to the czar, “the Faubourg St. Germain regards your majesty’s zeal in the queen’s behalf with great jealousy.  It has even caused Count Nesselrode much concern.  ‘Our emperor,’ said he to me, recently, ’goes to Malmaison much too often; the high circles of society, and the diplomatic body, are already in dismay about it; it is feared that he is there subjected to influences to which policy requires he should not be exposed.’”

“This is characteristic of my Nesselrode,” replied the emperor, laughing, “he is so easily disquieted.  What do I care for the Faubourg St. Germain?  It speaks ill enough for these ladies that they have not made a conquest of me!  I prefer the noble qualities of the soul to all outward appearances; and I find united in the Empress Josephine, in the Queen of Holland, and in Prince Eugene, all that is admirable and lovable.  I am better pleased to be here with you in quiet, confidential intercourse, than with those who really demean themselves as though they were crazed, and who, instead of enjoying the triumph we have prepared for them, are only intent on destroying their enemies, and have commenced with those who formerly accorded them such generous protection; they really weary one with their extravagances.

“Frenchwomen are coquettish,” said the emperor in the course of the conversation; “I came here in great fear of them, for I knew how far their amiability could extend; but their heart is undoubtedly no longer their own.  I am therefore on my guard against being deceived by it, and I fancy these ladies love to please so well, that they are even angry with those who respond to the attentions which are so lavishly showered on them, with conventional politeness only.”