When Buonaparte’s envoys retired from the Autocrat’s presence, it still remained doubtful whether the abdication would be accepted in its present form, or the Allies would insist on an unconditional surrender.  There came tidings almost on the instant which determined the question.  Napoleon had, shortly after the mission left him, sent orders to General Souham, who commanded at Essonne in the absence of Marmont, to repair to his presence at Fontainebleau.  Souham, who, like all the upper officers of Marmont’s corps (with but two exceptions), approved of the convention of the 3rd, was alarmed on receiving this message.  His brethren, being summoned to council, participated in his fears; and the resolution was taken to put the convention at once in execution.  The troops were wholly ignorant of what was intended, when they commenced their march at five in the morning of the 5th; and for the first time suspected the secret views of their chiefs, when they found themselves in the midst of the allied lines, and watched on all sides by overwhelming numbers, in the neighbourhood of Versailles.  A violent commotion ensued; some blood was shed; but the necessity of submission was so obvious, that ere long they resumed the appearance of order, and were cantoned in quiet in the midst of the strangers.

This piece of intelligence was followed by more of the like complexion.  Officers of all ranks began to abandon the camp at Fontainebleau, find present themselves to swear allegiance to the new government.  Talleyrand said wittily when some one called Marmont a traitor, “his watch only went a little faster than the others.”

At length the allied princes signified their resolution to accept of nothing but an unconditional abdication; making the marshals, however, the bearers of their unanimous accession to the proposals of Alexander in favour of Napoleon and his House; which, as finally shaped, were these:—­

1st, The imperial title to be preserved by Napoleon, with the free sovereignty of Elba, guards, and a navy suitable to the extent of that island, a pension from France of six millions of francs annually:  2nd, The Duchies of Parma, Placentia and Guastalla to be granted in sovereignty to Maria Louisa and her heirs:  and 3rd, Two millions and a half of francs annually to be paid, by the French government, in pensions to Josephine and the other members of the Buonaparte family.

Napoleon, on hearing the consequences of Marmont’s defection, exclaimed, “Ungrateful man! but I pity him more than myself.”  Every hour thenceforth he was destined to meet similar mortifications.  Berthier, his chosen and trusted friend, asked leave to go on private business to Paris, adding that he would return in a few hours.  The Emperor consented; and, as he left the apartment, whispered with a smile, “He will return no more.”  What Napoleon felt even more painfully, was the unceremonious departure of his favourite Mameluke, Rustan.