rently believed at the time, was secretly intrusted by the
Emperor with the task of accomplishing what in modern phrase is styled,
a 'fusion.'

The real source of all these flattering attentions on the Austrian side,
however, was the well-founded dread of the partition of the empire--a
plan over which Napoleon was then hourly in deliberation, and to the
non-accomplishment of which he ascribed, in the days of his last exile,
all the calamities of his fall. Be this as it may, few thoughts of
the graver interests at stake disturbed the pleasure we felt in the
luxurious life of that delightful city; nor can I, through the whole
of a long and varied career, call to mind any period of more unmixed
enjoyment.

Fortune stood by me in everything. Marshal Marmont required as the head
of his etat-major an officer who could speak and write German, and,
if possible, who understood the Tyrol dialect. I was selected for the
appointment; but then there arose a difficulty. The etiquette of the
service demanded that the _chef d etat-major_ should be at least a
lieutenant-colonel, and I was but a captain.

'No matter,' said he; 'you are _officier delite_, which always gives
brevet rank, and so one step more will place you where we want you. Come
with me to Schonbrunn to-night, and I'll try and arrange it.'

I was still very weak, and unable for any fatigue, as I accompanied
the marshal to the quaint old palace which, at about a league from the
capital, formed the headquarters of the Emperor. Up to this time I had
never been presented to Napoleon, and had formed to myself the most
gorgeous notions of the state and splendour that should surround such
majesty. Guess then my astonishment, and, need I own, disappointment, as
we drove up a straight avenue, very sparingly lighted, and descended at
a large door, where a lieutenant's guard was stationed. It was customary
for the marshals and generals of division to present themselves each
evening at Schoenbrunn, from six to nine o'clock, and we found that eight
or ten carriages were already in waiting when we arrived. An officer of
the household recognised the marshal as he alighted, and as we mounted
the stairs whispered a few words hurriedly in his ear, of which I only
caught one, 'Komorn,' the name of the Hungarian fortress on the Danube
where the Imperial family of Vienna and the cabinet had sought refuge.

'_Diantre!_' exclaimed Marmont--'bad news! My dear Tiernay, we have
fallen on an u