other officers of the first rank, not admitted to the
council at Fontainebleau, and considering the events of the two
preceding days in the capital as decisive, had already sent in their
adhesion to the provisional government; and Marmont, the commander of
Napoleon's division in advance, had not only taken the same step for
himself personally, but entered into a separate convention the night
before, under which it had been settled that he should forthwith march
his troops within the lines of the allied armies. The Marshals of the
mission entreated Marmont to suspend his purpose, and repair with
themselves to Paris. He complied; and on arriving in the capital they
found themselves surrounded on all sides with the shouts of _Vive le
Roi_! Such sounds accompanied them to the hotel Talleyrand, where they
were forthwith admitted to the presence of the Czar. The act of
abdication was produced; and Alexander expressed his surprise that it
should have contained no stipulations for Napoleon personally; "but I
have been his friend," said he, "and I will willingly be his advocate. I
propose that he should retain his imperial title, with the sovereignty
of Elba or some other island."

When Buonaparte's envoys retired from the Autocrat's presence, it still
remained doubtful whether the abdication would be accepted in its
present form, or the Allies would insist on an unconditional surrender.
There came tidings almost on the instant which determined the question.
Napoleon had, shortly after the mission left him, sent orders to General
Souham, who commanded at Essonne in the absence of Marmont, to repair to
his presence at Fontainebleau. Souham, who, like all the upper officers
of Marmont's corps (with but two exceptions), approved of the convention
of the 3rd, was alarmed on receiving this message. His brethren, being
summoned to council, participated in his fears; and the resolution was
taken to put the convention at once in execution. The troops were wholly
ignorant of what was intended, when they commenced their march at five
in the morning of the 5th; and for the first time suspected the secret
views of their chiefs, when they found themselves in the midst of the
allied lines, and watched on all sides by overwhelming numbers, in the
neighbourhood of Versailles. A violent commotion ensued; some blood was
shed; but the necessity of submission was so obvious, that ere long
they resumed the appearance of order, and were cantoned in q