uiet in the
midst of the strangers.

This piece of intelligence was followed by more of the like complexion.
Officers of all ranks began to abandon the camp at Fontainebleau, find
present themselves to swear allegiance to the new government. Talleyrand
said wittily when some one called Marmont a traitor, "his watch only
went a little faster than the others."

At length the allied princes signified their resolution to accept of
nothing but an unconditional abdication; making the marshals, however,
the bearers of their unanimous accession to the proposals of Alexander
in favour of Napoleon and his House; which, as finally shaped, were
these:--

1st, The imperial title to be preserved by Napoleon, with the free
sovereignty of Elba, guards, and a navy suitable to the extent of that
island, a pension from France of six millions of francs annually: 2nd,
The Duchies of Parma, Placentia and Guastalla to be granted in
sovereignty to Maria Louisa and her heirs: and 3rd, Two millions and a
half of francs annually to be paid, by the French government, in
pensions to Josephine and the other members of the Buonaparte family.

Napoleon, on hearing the consequences of Marmont's defection, exclaimed,
"Ungrateful man! but I pity him more than myself." Every hour
thenceforth he was destined to meet similar mortifications. Berthier,
his chosen and trusted friend, asked leave to go on private business to
Paris, adding that he would return in a few hours. The Emperor
consented; and, as he left the apartment, whispered with a smile, "He
will return no more." What Napoleon felt even more painfully, was the
unceremonious departure of his favourite Mameluke, Rustan.

Ere the Marshals returned from Paris he reviewed his guard again; and it
was obvious to those about him that he still hankered after the chances
of another field. We may imagine that his thoughts were like those of
the Scottish usurper:--

"I have lived long enough: my May of life
Is fallen into the sear, the yellow leaf....
Come, put mine armour on; give me my staff.
... The Thanes fly from me."

He sometimes meditated a march southwards, collecting on his way the
armies of Augereau and Soult, and re-opening the campaign as
circumstances might recommend, behind either the Loire or the Alps. At
other times the chance of yet rousing the population of Paris recurred
to his imagination. Amidst these dreams, of which every minute more
clearly showed the vanity,