there.  I shall always remember the friendship which united us.  He shall have the island of Elba, or something else.”  After taking leave of the Emperor Alexander, on the 5th of April, Napoleon’s Commissioners returned to Fontainebleau to render an account of their mission.  I saw Alexander that same day, and it appeared to me that his mind was relieved of a great weight by the question of the Regency being brought to an end.  I was informed that he intended to quit Paris in a few days, and that he had given full powers to M. Pozzo-di-Borgo, whom he appointed his Commissioner to the Provisional Government.

On the same day, the 5th of April, Napoleon inspected his troops in the Palace yard of Fontainebleau.  He observed some coolness among his officers, and even among the private soldiers, who had evinced such enthusiasm when he inspected them on the 2d of April.  He was so much affected by this change of conduct that he remained but a short time on the parade, and afterwards retired to his apartments.

About one o’clock on the morning of the 6th of April Ney, Macdonald, and Caulaincourt arrived at Fontainebleau to acquaint the Emperor with the issue of their mission, and the sentiments expressed by Alexander when they took leave of him.  Marshal Ney was the first to announce to Napoleon that the Allies required his complete and unconditional abdication, unaccompanied by any stipulation, except that of his personal safety, which should be guaranteed.  Marshal Macdonald and the Duke of Vicenza then spoke to the same effect, but in more gentle terms than those employed by Ney, who was but little versed in the courtesies of speech.  When Marshal Macdonald had finished speaking Napoleon said with some emotion, “Marshal, I am sensible of all that you have done for me, and of the warmth with which you have pleaded the cause of my son.  They wish for my complete and unconditional abdication. . . .  Very well.  I again empower you to act on my behalf.  You shall go and defend my interests and those of my family.”  Then, after a moment’s pause, he added, still addressing Macdonald, “Marshal, where shall I go?” Macdonald then informed the Emperor what Alexander had mentioned in the hypothesis of his wishing to reside in Russia.  “Sire,” added he, “the Emperor of Russia told me that he destined for you the island of Elba, or something else.”—­“Or something else!” repeated Napoleon hastily, “and what is that something else?”—­“Sire, I know not.”—­“Ah! it is doubtless the island of Corsica, and he refrained from mentioning it to avoid embarrassment!  Marshal, I leave all to you.”