In one of his excursions in the environs of Vienna, the Emperor met a very young conscript who was rejoining his corps.  He stopped him, asked his name, his age, regiment, and country.  “Monsieur,” said the soldier, who did not know him, “my name is Martin; I am seventeen years old, and from the Upper Pyrenees.”—­“you are a Frenchman, then?”—­“yes, Monsieur.”  —­“Ah, you are a miserable’ Frenchman.  Disarm this man, and hang him!”—­ “Yes, you fool, I am French,” repeated the conscript; “and Vive l’Empereur!” His Majesty was much amused; the conscript was undeceived, congratulated, and hastened to rejoin his comrades, with the promise of a reward,—­a promise which the Emperor was not slow to perform.

Two or three days before his departure from Schoenbrunn, the Emperor again came near being assassinated.  This time the attack was to have been made by a woman.

The Countess at this time was well known, both on account of her astonishing beauty and the scandal of her liaisons with Lord Paget, the English ambassador.

It would be hard to find words which would truthfully describe the grace and charms of this lady, whom the best society of Vienna admitted only with the greatest repugnance, but who consoled herself for their scorn by receiving at her own house the most brilliant part of the French army.

An army contractor conceived the idea of procuring this lady for the Emperor, and, without informing his Majesty, made propositions to the countess through one of his friends, a cavalry officer attached to the military police of the town of Vienna.

The cavalry officer thought he was representing his Majesty, and in good faith said to the countess that his Majesty was exceedingly anxious to see her at Schoenbrunn.  One morning, accordingly, he made propositions for that evening, which, appearing somewhat abrupt to the countess, she did not decide at once, but demanded a day for reflection, adding that she must have good proof that the Emperor was really sincere in this matter.  The officer protested his sincerity, promised, moreover, to give every proof she required, and made an appointment for that evening.  Having given the contractor an account of his negotiation, the latter gave orders that a carriage, escorted by the cavalry officer, should be ready for the countess on the evening indicated.  At the appointed hour the officer returned to the countess, expecting her to accompany him, but she begged him to return next day, saying that she had not yet decided, and needed the night for longer reflection.  At the officer’s solicitations she decided, however, and appointed the next day, giving her word of honor to be ready at the appointed hour.