The Marshals withdrew, and Napoleon was left alone with Caulaincourt.  He told the latter that what had most displeased him in the proceedings which had just taken place was the reading of Beurnonville’s letter.  “Sire,” observed the Duke of Vicenza, “it was by your order that the letter was read.”—­“That is true. . . .  But why was it not addressed directly to me by Macdonald?”—­“Sire, the letter was at first addressed to Marshal Macdonald, but the aide de camp who was the bearer of it had orders to communicate its contents to Marmont on passing through Essonne, because Beurnonville did not precisely know where Macdonald would be found.”  After this brief explanation the Emperor appeared satisfied, and he said to Caulaincourt, “Vicenza, call back Macdonald.”

The Duke of Vicenza hastened after the Marshal, whom he found at the end of the gallery of the Palace, and he brought him back to the Emperor.  When Macdonald returned to the cabinet the Emperor’s warmth had entirely subsided, and he said to him with great composure, “Well, Duke of Tarantum, do you think that the Regency is the only possible thing?”—­ “Yes, Sire.”—­“Then I wish you to go with Ney to the Emperor Alexander, instead of Marmont; it is better that he should remain with his corps, to which his presence is indispensable.  You will therefore go with Ney.  I rely on you.  I hope you have entirely forgotten all that has separated us for so long a time.”—­“Yes, Sire, I have not thought of it since 1809.”—­“I am glad of it, Marshal, and I must acknowledge to you that I was in the wrong.”  While speaking to the Marshal the Emperor manifested unusual emotion.  He approached him and pressed his hand in the most affectionate way.

The Emperor’s three Commissioners—­that is to say, Marshals Macdonald and Ney and the Duke of Vicenza had informed Marmont that they would dine with him as they passed through Essonne, and would acquaint him with all that had happened at Fontainebleau.  On their arrival at Essonne the three Imperial Commissioners explained to the Due of Ragusa the object of their mission, and persuaded him to accompany them to the Emperor Alexander.  This obliged the Marshal to inform them how he was situated.  The negotiations which Marmont had opened and almost concluded with Prince Schwartzenberg were rendered void by the mission which he had joined, and which it was necessary he should himself explain to the Commander of the Austrian army.  The three Marshals and the Duke of Vicenza repaired to Petit Bourg, the headquarters of Prince Schwartzenberg, and there the Prince released Marmont from the promise he had given.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

1814.