of Russia want with him?  Did he pretend to resist him?  He was only a parade general.  As to himself, his head was his counsellor; from that every thing proceeded.  But as to Alexander,—­who was there to counsel him?  Whom had he to oppose to him?  He had only three generals,—­Kutusof, whom he did not like, because he was a Russian; Beningsen, superannuated six years ago, and now in his second childhood; and Barclay:  the last could certainly manoeuvre; he was brave; he understood war; but he was a general only good for a retreat.”  And he added, “You all believe yourselves to understand the art of war, because you have read Jomini; but if his book could have taught it you, do you think that I should have allowed it to be published?” In this conversation, of which the above is the Russian version, it is certain that he added, “that, however, the Emperor Alexander had friends even in the imperial head-quarters.”  Then, pointing out Caulaincourt to the Russian minister, “There,” said he, “is a knight of your emperor; he is a Russian in the French camp.”

Probably Caulaincourt did not sufficiently comprehend, that by that expression Napoleon only wished to point him out as a negotiator who would be agreeable to Alexander; for as soon as Balachoff was gone, he advanced towards the emperor, and in an angry tone, asked him why he had insulted him? exclaiming, “that he was a Frenchman! a true Frenchman! that he had proved it already; and would prove it again by repeating, that this war was impolitic and dangerous; that it would destroy his army, France, and himself.  That, as to the rest, as he had just insulted him, he should quit him; that all that he asked of him was a division in Spain, where nobody wished to serve, and the furthest from his presence possible.”  The emperor attempted to appease him; but not being able to obtain a hearing, he withdrew, Caulaincourt still pursuing him with his reproaches.  Berthier, who was present at this scene, interposed without effect.  Bessieres, more in the back-ground, had vainly tried to detain Caulaincourt by holding him by the coat.

The next day, Napoleon was unable to bring his grand equerry into his presence, without formal and repeated orders.  At length he appeased him by caresses, and by the expression of an esteem and attachment which Caulaincourt well deserved.  But he dismissed Balachoff with verbal and inadmissible proposals.

Alexander made no reply to them; the full importance of the step he had just taken was not at the time properly comprehended.  It was his determination neither to address nor even answer Napoleon any more.  It was a last word before an irreparable breach; and that circumstance rendered it remarkable.

Meantime, Murat pursued the flying steps of that victory which was so much coveted; he commanded the cavalry of the advanced guard; he at last reached the enemy on the road to Swentziani, and drove him in the direction of Druia.  Every morning, the Russian rear-guard appeared to have escaped him; every evening he overtook it again, and attacked it, but always in a strong position, after a long march, too late, and before his men had taken any refreshment; there were, consequently, every day fresh combats, producing no important results.