Those who were dissatisfied with the events of the 31st of March now saw no hope but in the possibility that the Emperor of Austria would separate from his Allies, or at least not make common cause with them in favour of the re-establishment of the Bourbons.  But that monarch had been brought up in the old policy of his family, and was imbued with the traditional principles of his Cabinet.  I know for a fact that the sentiments and intentions of the Emperor of Austria perfectly coincided with those of his Allies.  Anxious to ascertain the truth on this subject, I ventured, when in conversation with the Emperor Alexander, to hint at the reports I had heard relative to the cause of the Emperor of Austria’s absence.  I do not recollect the precise words of his Majesty’s answer, but it enabled me to infer with certainty that Francis ii. was in no way averse to the overthrow of his son-in-law, and that his absence from the scene of the discussions was only occasioned by a feeling of delicacy natural enough in his situation.

Caulaincourt, who was sent by Napoleon to the headquarters of the Emperor Alexander, arrived there on the night of the 30th of March.  He, however, did not obtain an interview with the Czar until after his Majesty had received the Municipal Council of Paris, at the head of which was M. de Chabrol.  At first Alexander appeared somewhat surprised to see the Municipal Council, which he did not receive exactly in the way that was expected; but this coldness was merely momentary, and he afterwards addressed the Council in a very gracious way, though he dropped no hint of his ulterior intentions.

Alexander, who entertained a personal regard for Caulaincourt, received him kindly in his own character, but not as the envoy of Napoleon.  “You have come too late,” said the Czar.  “It is all over.  I can say nothing to you at present.  Go to Paris, and I will see you there.”  These words perfectly enlightened Caulaincourt as to the result of his mission.  His next interview with the Emperor Alexander at M. de Talleyrand’s did not take place until after the declaration noticed in my last chapter.  The conversation they had together remained a secret, for neither Alexander nor the Duke of Vicenza mentioned it; but there was reason to infer, from some words which fell from the Emperor Alexander, that he had received Caulaincourt rather as a private individual than as the ambassador of Napoleon, whose power, indeed, he could not recognise after his declaration.  The Provisional Government was not entirely pleased with Caulaincourt’s presence in Paris, and a representation was made to the Russian Emperor on the subject.  Alexander concurred in the opinion of the Provisional Government, which was expressed through the medium of the Abbe de Pradt.  M. de Caulaincourt, therefore, at the wish of the Czar, returned to the Emperor, then at Fontainebleau.

CHAPTER, XXXV.