ide-de-camp entered,
and whispered a few words to the Field-Marshal.

"No, no," said the old man, peevishly; "we are marching on to dishonor
fast enough. We want no priestly aid to hasten our steps."

The young officer appeared to hesitate, and still lingered in the
chamber.

"It is your friend, the Abbe, has arrived," said the General, addressing
the Commissioner; "and I have said we can dispense with his arguments.
He can add little to what you have so ably spoken; and if we are to
depose our arms, let it be at the bidding of our Emperor, and not at the
beck of a priest."

"But D'Esmonde must have come from the south," interposed the civilian;
"he may have some tidings worth hearing."

"Let him come in, then," said the Field-Marshal, abruptly; and the
officer retired.

D'Esmonde had scarcely passed the threshold when his quick, keen glance
around the room revealed to him the nature of their gloomy counsels. A
dogged look of submission sat on every face, and the wily priest read in
their fallen countenances all the bitterness of defeat.

The stern coldness of the reception that met him never abashed the Abbe
in the least; and he made his compliments to the principal personages
of the council with a _suave_ dignity the very opposite to their
uncourteous manner. Even when he had completed the little circle of his
attentions, and stood in expectation of a request to be seated, his air
was calm and unembarrassed, although not a word, or even a gesture, gave
the invitation. All felt that this should come from the Field-Marshal
himself, and none dared to usurp the prerogative of his rank. Too deeply
lost in his own brooding thoughts to attend to anything else, the old
General sat still, with his head bent down over the hilt of his sabre.

"His Holiness commissions me to greet you, Herr Feld-Marshal," said the
Abbe, in a low, soft voice, "and to say that those ancient medals you
once spoke of shall be speedily transmitted to your palace at Milan."

"My palace at Milan, sir!" exclaimed the old man, fiercely. "When shall
I see that city again? Ask that gentleman yonder, who has just arrived
from Vienna, what the cabinet counsels are; he will tell you the
glorious tidings that the army will read to-morrow in a general order!"

"I have later news than even _his_!" said the Abbe, coolly seating
himself at the table, and placing a roll of papers before him. "Baron
Brockhausen," said he, addressing the Commissioner, "if I