After Prince Schwartzenberg acceded to these conditions Marmont was placed in circumstances which obliged him to request that he might be released from his promise.

I happened to learn the manner in which Marshal Macdonald was informed of the taking of Paris.  He had been two days without any intelligence from the Emperor, when he received an order in the handwriting of Berthier, couched in the following terms:  “The Emperor desires that you halt wherever you may receive this order.”  After Berthier’s signature the following words were added as a postscript:  “You, of course, know that the enemy is in possession of Paris.”  When the Emperor thus announced, with apparent negligence, an event which totally changed the face of affairs, I am convinced his object was to make the Marshal believe that he looked upon, that event as less important than it really was.  However, this object was not attained, for I recollect having heard Macdonald say that herthier’s singular postscript, and the tone of indifference in which it was expressed, filled him with mingled surprise and alarm.  Marshal Macdonald then commanded the rear-guard of the army which occupied the environs of Montereau.  Six hours after the receipt of the order here referred to Macdonald received a second order directing him to put his troops in motion, and he learned the Emperor’s intention of marching on Paris with all his remaining force.

On receiving the Emperor’s second order Macdonald left his corps at Montereau and repaired in haste to Fontainebleau.  When he arrived there the Emperor had already intimated to the Generals commanding divisions in the corps assembled at Fontainebleau his design of marching on Paris.  Alarmed at this determination the Generals, most of whom had left in the capital their wives, children, and friends, requested that Macdonald would go with them to wait upon Napoleon and endeavour to dissuade him from his intention.  “Gentlemen,” said the Marshal, “in the Emperor’s present situation such a proceeding may displease him.  It must be managed cautiously.  Leave it to me, gentlemen, I will go to the chateau.”

Marshal Macdonald accordingly went to the Palace of Fontainebleau, where the following conversation ensued between him and the Emperor, and I beg the reader to bear in mind that it was related to me by the Marshal himself.  As soon as he entered the apartment in which Napoleon was the latter stepped up to him and said, “Well, how are things going on?”—­ “Very badly, Sire.”—­“How? . . . badly! . . .  What then are the feelings of your army?”—­“My army, Sire, is entirely discouraged . . . appalled by the fate of Paris.”—­“Will not your troops join me in an advance on Paris?”—­“Sire, do not think of such a thing.  If I were to give such an order to my troops I should run the risk of being disobeyed.”—­“But what is to be done?  I cannot remain as I am; I have yet resources and partisans.  It is said that the Allies will no longer treat with me.  Well! no matter.  I will march on Paris.  I will be revenged on the inconstancy of the Parisians and the baseness of the Senate.  Woe to the members of the Government they have patched up for the return of their Bourbons; that is what they are looking forward to.  But to-morrow I shall place myself at the head of my Guards, and to-morrow we shall be in the Tuileries.”