and he will not pardon your refusal.”—­“He may do as he pleases, but no consideration shall induce me to go to Switzerland.”—­“You are wrong:  but you will reflect on the matter between this and tomorrow morning.  Night will bring good counsel, At any rate, do not fail to go to-morrow at one o’clock to Caulaincourt, he expects you, and directions will be given to admit you immediately.”

Next morning the first thing I did was to call on M. de Talleyrand.  I told him what had taken place, and as he was intimately acquainted with Caulaincourt, I begged him to speak to that Minister in favour of my, resolution.  M. de Talleyrand approved of my determination not to go to Switzerland, and at one o’clock precisely I proceeded to M. de Caulaincourt’s.  He told me all he had been instructed to say.  From the manner in which he made the communication I concluded that he himself considered the proposed mission a disagreeable one, and unlikely to be attended by any useful result.  I observed that he must have heard from Savory that I had already expressed my determination to decline the mission which the Emperor had been pleased to offer me.  The Duc de Vicence then, in a very friendly way, detailed the reasons which ought to induce me to accept the offer, and did not disguise from me that by persisting in my determination I ran the risk of raising Napoleon’s doubts as to my opinions and future intentions.  I replied that, having lived for three years as a private individual, unconnected with public affairs, I should have no influence at the headquarters of the Allies, and that whatever little ability I might be supposed to possess, that would not counterbalance the difficulties of my situation, and the opinion that I was out of favour.  I added that I should appear at the headquarters without any decoration, without even that of the Cordon of the Legion of Honour to which the Emperor attached so much importance, and the want of which would almost have the appearance of disgrace; and I said that these trifles, however slightly valued by reasonable men, were not, as he well knew, without their influence on the men with whom I should have to treat.  “If that be all,” replied.  Caulaincourt, “the obstacle will speedily be removed.  I am authorised by the Emperor to tell you that he will create you a Duke, and give you the Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honour.”

After these words I thought I was dreaming, and I was almost inclined to believe that Caulaincourt was jesting with me.  However, the offer was serious, and I will not deny that it was tempting; yet I nevertheless persisted in the refusal I had given.  At length, after some further conversation, and renewed, but useless, entreaties on the part of M. de Caulaincourt, he arose, which was a signal that our interview was terminated.  I acknowledge I remained for a moment in doubt how to act, for I felt we had come to no understanding.  M. de’ Caulaincourt advanced slowly towards the door of his cabinet:  If I went