None of the members of the Provisional Government were present at this conference, for no one was willing to appear to influence in any way the determination of the chief of the coalition upon the subject of this important mission.  General Dessolles alone, in quality of commander of the National Guard of Paris, was requested to be present.  At length the Marshals entered the salon where we were, and their appearance created a sensation which it is impossible to describe; but the expression of dissatisfaction which we thought we remarked in their countenances restored the hopes of those who for some hours had been a prey to apprehensions.  Macdonald, with his head elevated, and evidently under the influence of strong irritation, approached Beurnonville, and thus addressed him, in answer to a question which the latter had put to him.  “Speak not to me, sir; I have nothing to say to you.  You have made me forget a friendship of thirty years!” Then turning to Dupont, “As for you, sir,” he continued in the same tone, “your conduct towards the Emperor is not generous.  I confess that he has treated you with severity, perhaps he may even have been unjust to you with respect to the affair of Baylen, but how long has it been the practice to avenge a personal wrong at the expense of one’s country?”

These remarks were made with such warmth, and in so elevated a tone of voice, that Caulaincourt thought it necessary to interfere, and said, “Do not forget, gentlemen, that this is the residence of the Emperor of Russia.”  At this moment M. de Talleyrand returned from the interview with the Emperor which he had had after the departure of the Marshals, and approaching the group formed round Macdonald, “Gentlemen,” said he, “if you wish to dispute and discuss, step down to my apartments.”—­ “That would be useless,” replied Macdonald; “my comrades and I do not acknowledge the Provisional Government.”  The three Marshals, Ney, Macdonald, and Marmont, then immediately retired with Caulaincourt, and went to Ney’s hotel, there to await the answer which the Emperor Alexander had promised to give them after consulting the King of Prussia.

Such was this night-scene; which possessed more dramatic effect than many which are performed on the stage.  In it all was real:  on its denouement depended the political state of France, and the existence of all those who had already declared themselves in favour of the Bourbons.  It is a remarkable fact, and one which affords a striking lesson to men who are tempted to sacrifice themselves for any political cause, that most of those who then demanded the restoration of the Bourbons at the peril of their lives have successively fallen into disgrace.