the confessional difficulties,
the latter being a Protestant, the former of the Greek Church. The
Emperor shrugged his shoulders in displeasure, and they discharged
their task. Apparently the Czar was not shocked, for, opening the
subject himself, he told Napoleon that his best friends looked with
anxiety to see him consolidate his work and his dynasty by a second
marriage. This of course led to a confidential talk, in which the
possibility of a matrimonial as well as a political alliance was
mentioned. If Napoleon had demanded on the spot the hand of the Czar's
marriageable sister, Catherine, it is doubtful if Alexander would have
refused. But the imperial host still vacillated, for he had not taken
the irrevocable step; a hesitating mention was made of his guest's
younger sister, Anne, who was still a child, as an eventual
possibility, and nothing more was said.

To stamp the success of the meeting, a joint letter was sent to George
III, asking for peace on the principle of "uti possidetis." The two
monarchs parted with every manifestation of personal devotion; but on
Alexander's return to his capital his elder sister was married with
indecent haste to the Duke of Oldenburg.

CHAPTER XIII

THE FAILURE OF THE SPANISH CAMPAIGN[28]

[Footnote 28: See Jomini: Napoleon, III. Cevallos: Exposicion
de los hechos y maquinaciones que han preparado la usurpation
de la corona de Espana, y los medios que el emperador de los
franzeses ha puesto en obra para realizarla. Suchet: Memoires
sur ses campagnes en Espagne, 1808-1814. Rocca: Memoirs,
1808-1812. Also Memoirs of Godoy, Marbot, Massena, and
Murat.]

The Grand Army in France -- Their Entrance to Spain -- The
Opposing Forces -- Napoleon's Strategic Plan -- French Victories
-- Sir John Moore -- The British and the Spaniards -- Napoleon's
Advance to Madrid -- His Return Northward -- Moore's Retreat --
Napoleon at Paris -- Death of Moore -- The Napoleonic
Constitution for Spain -- Spanish Resistance -- Joseph's Weakness
-- Establishment of the New Monarchy.

[Sidenote: 1808-09]

While Alexander was hastening the preparations for his sister's
marriage, Napoleon was hurrying toward Spain, whither, too, the
legions of the grand army, released by the evacuation of Prussia, had
already been ordered. Baylen and Cintra must be retrieved at any cost.
As the splendid array of