第27章

类别:其他 作者:Lousia Muhlbach字数:13415更新时间:18/12/18 08:33:45
Well,youneednotlooksodismayed;Iknowthatyourintentionsaregood,andIconfideinyou。\" \"YourmajestyknowsthatIamreadytodieforyou,andthatI shouldshedmybloodforyouunhesitatinglyandjoyously,\"exclaimedHudelist,enthusiastically。\"Itwas,therefore,onlymyintenseloveandvenerationwhichmademeventuretocommunicatemyviewsfreelyandopenlytoyourmajesty;butIshallneverdosoagain,forIwasunfortunateenoughtodispleaseyourmajestythereby。\" \"Onthecontrary,youshallalwaysdoso,youshallalwaystellmeyouropinionfreelyandopenly,\"criedtheemperor,vehemently。\"Youshalltellmeallthatyoubelieve,allthatyouknow,andallthatyouhearandlearnfromothers。Yourears,eyes,andtongue,shallbelongtome。\" \"Andmyheart,aboveallthings,belongstomyadoredemperor,yourmajesty。\" \"Haveyoureallygotaheart?\"askedtheemperor,smiling。\"Idonotbelieveit,Hudelist;youareaclever,sagaciousman,butyouhadbettersaynothingaboutyourheart,forIthinkyouhaveuseditupinyourcountlesslove—affairs。Moreover,Idonotcareforit。Idonotthinkagreatdealofmenwhohavetoomuchheart,andwhoalwaysallowtheirrashhearttoinfluencetheiractions。Mydistinguishedbrother,theArchdukeJohn,forinstance,hasthisfaultandweakness;hisheartfrequentlyrunsawaywithhishead,andhislegsfinallyrunafterit。\" \"Butheisaverybravegeneral,\"saidHudelist,gently;\"acourageouscaptain,andamostdefiantandfoolhardyenemyofFrance。HowunwaveringwerethecourageandintrepiditywithwhichhemettheViceroyofItalyeverywhere,andattackedhim,eventhoughheknewbeforehandthathewouldbeunabletoworstthesuperiorenemy!Howgreatwasthemagnanimitywithwhichheriskedall,anddidnotshrinkfromsacrificingthelivesofthousandsinattemptingtocarryoutaninsignificantcoupagainsttheenemy!Andhowsublimewastheheroismwithwhichhehasoftendaredtobravetheordersofthecommander—in—chiefandpursuehisownway,onfindingthattheseordersweredangerousandpernicioustohisarmy!\" \"Yes,\"criedtheemperor,burstingintoscornfullaughter,\"itwasowingtothisdisobedienceandstubbornnessthatwelostthebattleofWagram。IftheArchdukeJohnhadbeenmoreobedient,andarrivedwithhistroopsintime,weshouldhavegainedthebattle。IshouldnotbeinthismiserableholeanditwouldnotbenecessaryformetosueBonapartesohumblyandcontritelyforgeneroustermsofpeace。Thegoodheartofmydistinguishedbrothersubjectedmetothisunpleasantnecessity,andIshallonedaymanifesttohimmygratitudeforit。\" \"Oh,yourmajesty,\"saidHudelist,inhisblandestvoice,\"ifthearchdukeshouldhaveunwittinglycommittedablunderonthisoccasion,hehasmadeathousandamendsforit。YourmajestyshouldbearinmindallthatthenobleArchdukeJohnaccomplishedintheTyrol。YourmajestyowesitonlytothearchdukethattheTyrolroseasoneman,thatitfought,andisfightingstill,withtheutmostheroism。Hearrangeditall;heorganizedaconspiracyintheTyrolwhilethecountrywasyetundertheBavarianyoke——avast,giganticconspiracy;owingtohissecretinstigation,therevolutionbrokeoutsimultaneouslyinallpartsoftheTyrol,anditisthenameoftheArchdukeJohnwhichfillsthispeopleofheroeswiththesublimecouragewhichitdisplaysinthemostmurderousbattles。\" \"Itisbadenoughthatitisso,\"exclaimedtheemperor,stridinguneasilyupanddowntheroom。\"TheArchdukeJohnsowedtheseedsofperniciousweeds,andplayedaverydangerousgame。\" \"Itistrue,itisdangeroustopreachrebelliontoapeople,andteachithowtoriseininsurrection,\"saidHudelist,thoughtfully。 \"AnditcannotbedeniedthattheinsurrectionoftheTyrolesesetsadeplorableexampleinsomerespects。Itistrue,thearchdukeorganizedtheconspiracyonlyforthegoodofAustriaandheremperor;butwhattheTyrolesearedoingto—dayFORtheemperor,theymightanothertimedoAGAINSThim;andifthearchdukewerenotsoexceedinglyloyalandentirelyabovesuspicion,onemightthinkhehadstirreduptheinsurrectionforhisownpurposesandbenefit。 Atallevents,itonlydependsonhimtohavehimselfproclaimedKingoftheTyrol,forhisinfluenceisall—powerfulinthatprovince。\" Theemperorutteredacryofrage。Hiseyesshotfire,hislipsquiveredandmutteredincoherentthreats,hischeekshadturnedlivid,andbepacedhisroominindescribableagitation。Then,asiftogiveventtotheragefillinghisbreast,hetookupthefly—flapandstruckviolentlyatthefliesseatedhereandthereonthewall。 Hudelistfollowedhiseverymotionwithhiscold,stealthyeyes,andanexpressionofscornandmaliciousjoyilluminatedhissombrefaceforamoment。 \"Itwaseffectual,\"hemurmuredtohimself;\"jealousyandsuspicionhavestruckrootsinhisheart,andweshallsucceedinneutralizingtheinfluenceofthearchduke,whoconstantlypreacheswar,andwaratanycost。\" Suddenlytheemperorcasthisfly—flapaside,andturnedtoHudelist,whosefacehadquicklyresumeditsquiet,humble,andimpenetrableexpression。 \"Hudelist,\"saidtheemperor,inalowandmysterioustone,\"alwaystellmeallyouknowaboutthearchduke,anddonotconcealanythingfromme。Imustknowall,andcountuponyoursincerityandtalentofobservation。\" \"Yourmajesty,\"criedHudelist,ardently,\"IswearthatIwillfaithfullycarryouttheordersofmyemperor。Notaword,notastep,notamanifestationofpublicopinionshallbeconcealedfromyourmajesty;for,asyourmajestywasgraciousenoughtoobserve,myears,eyes,andtongue,belongtoyourmajesty。\" Atthismomentthedooroftheanteroomopened,andafootmanannouncedCountBubna。 \"Lethimcomein,\"saidtheemperor;andhedismissed,withaquickwaveofhishand,Hudelist,who,bowingrespectfully,andwalkingbackward,lefttheemperor\'scabinetatthesamemomentthatCountBubnaappearedonthethresholdoftheoppositedoor。 Theemperorhastenedtomeethim。\"Nowspeak,count!\"heexclaimed,eagerly;\"didyouseeBonaparte?Didheadmityou?\" \"Yes,yourmajesty,\"saidCountBubna,withgloomygravity,\"theEmperorNapoleondidadmitme。Ihadalonginterviewwithhim。\" Theemperornoddedhishead。\"Didheofferyoutermsofpeace?\" \"Hedid,butIcannotconcealfromyourmajestythattheEmperorNapoleonwillimposeveryharshandoppressiveconditions。Heisexceedinglyirritated,andtheheroicresistancewhichourarmyofferedtohim,ourbrilliantvictoryatAspern,andthefactthathisvictoryatWagramwasafteralllittlebetterthanadrawnbattle,seemtohaveexasperatedhimintheextreme。Forthisreasonheisresolvedtoimposerigoroustermsofpeaceonus,because,ifAustriashouldsubmittothem,shewouldtherebyadmitthattheEmperoroftheFrenchgainedagreatvictoryatWagram。\" \"Well,Iamgladthatheisirritated,\"saidtheemperor,shrugginghisshoulders;\"soamI,andIshallnotacceptanypeacewhichwouldimposehumiliatingtermsonAustria。ThatiswhatIhavepromisedthisverydaytomypeopleintheproclamationlyingonthetableyonder;andIoweit,moreover,tomyself。Eitheranhonorablepeace,oradecisionbythefortuneofwar。Ifneedbe,Iwillcalluponmywholepeopletotakeuparms;Iwillplacemyselfattheheadofthisgrandarmy,andeitherdefeatBonaparte,orsuccumbhonorably。\" \"Ah,ifyourpeoplecouldseeyourmajestyinyourgenerousexcitement,withhowmuchenthusiasmtheywouldfollowtheiremperorandexpeltheenemy!\"exclaimedCountBubna。\"Andyeteventhemostintenseenthusiasmmightfail,forcircumstancesaremorepowerfulthanyourmajesty\'sheroism。TheEmperorNapoleonisdeterminedtofollowuphissuccesstoitsmostextremeconsequences,andweareatthisjunctureunabletocopewithhiminthelongrun。Allthegapsinhisarmyhavebeenfilledup,andhissoldiersareflushedwithvictory,andeagertomeetourownforces。Ourarmyisgreatlyweakened,disorganized,anddisheartened;and,moreover,ithasnocommander—in—chief,inasmuchasyourmajestyhasacceptedtheresignationofthegeneralissimo。TocontinuethewarwouldbeequivalenttoendangeringtheexistenceofAustriaandtheimperialdynastyitself。\" \"Ah,youmeanthatBonapartewouldbepleasedtosayofmydynastywhathesaidofNaplesandSpain:\'TheBourbonshaveceasedtoreign\'?\" \"Yourmajesty,althoughtheEmperorNapoleondidnotdaretousesuchunmeasuredlanguage,hedidnotfailtohintatsuchanevent。 Havingadmittedmeafterrepeatedrefusalsandhearingmyfirstwords,\'Myaugustmaster,theEmperorofAustria,\'theEmperorNapoleoninterruptedme,andcriedvehemently,\'ThereisnolongeranEmperorofAustria,butonlyaPrinceofLorraine!\'\" \"Ah,indeed,hepermitsmeatleasttoretainthetitleofaPrinceofLorraine!Andwhatelsedidhesay?Donotconcealanythingfromme,CountBubna,butbearinmindthatImustknowall,inordertotakemyresolutionsaccordingly。\" \"Yourmajesty,ifIdidnotbearthisinmind,IshouldneverventuretorepeatwhattheEmperorNapoleonpermittedhimselftosaytome。Heseemedtospeakquiteunreservedlyinmypresence;lyingonthefloorbythesideofhismaps,orsittingonthetableandplacinghisfeetonachair,orstandingbeforemewithfoldedarms,hespoketomewithafranknesswhichalmostfrightenedme,andwhichattimesseemedtomequiteinvoluntary。\" \"Thereyouweremistaken,atallevents,\"saidFrancis,shrugginghisshoulders。\"Bonaparteneverdoesanythingunintentionally,andnotawordescapeshimbutwhathewantstoutter。Iknowhimbetterthanyouall,thoughIhaveseenhimonlyonceinmylife;andGodknowsthat,aftermyinterviewwithhimsubsequenttothebattleofAusterlitz,myheartwasfilledwithintensehatredagainsthim。 Now,myheartismoreconstantinhatredthaninlove;andifitissaidthatlovemakesusblind,hatred,ontheotherhand,rendersuskeen—sighted,andthatisthereasonwhyIamabletoseethroughBonaparteandknowhimbetterthanyouall。Tellme,therefore,whathesaidsofranklytoyou,andIshallknowwhattothinkofhisstatementswhichseemtoyouunintentionalexpressionsofhisrealsentiments。Whatdoeshethinkofthearmistice?Ishereallyintentondrawingtheswordoncemore,orisheinclinedtoconcludepeace?\" \"Inclined,yourmajesty,isnottherightword。HeintendstoGRANT peacetoyourmajestyinreturnforheavysacrifices。Yourmajestywillhavetosacrificemuchterritory,manyfortresses,andfinallyagreatdealofmoney,inordertoobtainpeace。\" \"AndwhatifIshouldnotdoso?\"criedFrancis,impetuously。\"WhatifIshouldprefertoresumehostilitiesanddiehonorablyontheruinsofmyempireratherthanpurchaseadishonorablepeace?Whatwouldhesaythen?\" \"Thenhewouldresumehostilitieswithhisstrongandenthusiasticarmy;hewould,ashetoldmemorethanonceinhisthunderingvoice,beinexorable,andnoconsiderationsofgenerositywouldpreventhimfromwreakingvengeanceonhispersonalenemy;forassuchhewouldregardyourmajestyinthatevent。\" \"ButthepeopleofNurembergdonothanganyonebeforetheyhavegothim,\"saidtheemperor,calmly。\"Bonapartehasnotgotmeyet,andIthinkhewillnotcatchmesoon。Despiteallhisbraggadocio,hewillbeobligedtoallowthecontinuedexistenceoftheAustrianEmpire,forallEuropewouldriseagainsthim;evenRussiaherselfwouldbecomehisenemy,anddrawtheswordagainsthim,ifheshouldbedaringenoughtoappropriatetheAustrianEmpireandswallowitasheswallowedItaly。\" \"Yourmajesty,IalsodonotbelievethathewouldmenaceAustriaincaseheshouldbedrivenagaintohostilities;hethreatensonlytheEmperorofAustria。\" \"Whatdoyoumean,Bubna?\"askedtheemperor,vehemently。 \"Yourmajesty,\"saidCountBubna,inalow,timidvoice,\"theEmperorNapoleonthinksyouarehispersonalandinexorableenemy,andhebelievesifamonarchmorefavorabletohimwereseatedonthethroneofAustria,hewouldnotonlysoonconcludepeacewithAustria,butalsohaveafaithfulallyinherhereafter。Ifhostilitiesshouldberesumed,andifthefortuneofwarshoulddecideinfavoroftheEmperorNapoleon——\" \"Proceed,proceed,\"criedtheemperor,impatiently,whenCountBubnahesitated;\"Imustknowall,andamnotsocowardlyastobefrightenedbymerewords。\" \"ButI,yourmajesty,amafraidofutteringwordswhosemeaningfillsmewithloathingandhorror——wordswhich,thankGod,willneverbecomedeeds!\" \"Nopreamble,count,butspeakout,\"criedtheemperor,impatiently。 \"WhatwouldBonapartedoincaseheshoulddefeatusagain?\" \"Yourmajesty,hewouldplaceanotheremperorontheAustrianthrone。\" \"Ah,alwaysthesameoldstrain,\"exclaimedtheemperor,contemptuously。\"Oneofhisbrothersorbrothers—in—lawistobecomeEmperorofAustria,Isuppose?\'TheHapsburgdynastyhasceasedtoreign\'——thatisit,isitnot?\" \"No,anotherprinceoftheHapsburgdynastyistobeplacedonthethrone,oneofthebrothersoftheEmperorFrancis。\" \"Ah,ah!hethinksofmybrothers,\"murmuredtheemperor,whosecheeksturnedverypale。\"Well,whichofmybrothersdidhedesignateasfutureEmperorofAustria?\" \"HethoughtitwouldbebestforFranceifthethronewerecededtotheGrand—dukeofWurtzburg,theArchdukeFerdinand。Hesaidhehadhadconfidenceinthegrand—dukeeversincehehadbeeninTuscany,andhebelievedthatthegrand—dukewaslikewisefriendlytohim。HewouldmakehimEmperorofAustria,andaddthegrandduchyofWurtzburgtothekingdomofBavaria。\" \"AndtheTyrol?\"askedtheEmperorFrancis。\"WillBonaparte,inhisliberality,givethatalsotoBavaria,orwillheleaveittomybrotherFerdinand,thefutureEmperorofAustria?\" \"No,yourmajesty。TheEmperorNapoleonseemstohaveentirelynewandrathersingularplansinregardtotheTyrol。Accordingtotheseplans。Bavariaisnottokeepit,forNapoleonsaidangrilythatBavariahadnotatallknownhowtodealwiththesimpleandhonestTyrolese。Headdedthatprofoundtranquillityshouldreigninthemountains;hence,hecouldnotrestoretheTyroltoBavaria,againstwhichtheTyrolesewereanimatedbyintensehatred。AstheTyrolesehadmanifestedtheirattachmentandfidelitytoAustriainsoadmirableamanner,itwouldbebesttomaketheTyrolanindependentprincipality,andgiveitalsotooneofthearch—dukes,thebrothersoftheemperor。\"[Footnote:Napoleon\'sownwords。——See\"Lebensbilder,\"vol。v。,p。217。] \"BytheEternal!mybrothersseemtobethespecialfavoritesoftheEmperorNapoleon,\"exclaimedtheemperor。\"WhichofthearchdukesistoreceivethenewprincipalityoftheTyrolatBonaparte\'shands?\" \"Yourmajesty,hesaidtheTyrolshouldbegiventothatarchdukeforwhomtheTyrolesehadalwaysmanifestedthegreatestloveandenthusiasm,theArchdukeJohn。\" \"John!\"criedtheemperor,givingastart;\"JohnistobecomesovereignoftheTyrol?Ah,mysagaciousandlearnedbrotherhasspeculatedcorrectly,then!HefirststirreduparebellionintheTyrolintheshrewdestmanner,andhewillnowquietthebelovedTyrol,bybecomingitssovereignandruler。\" \"Yourmajesty,\"exclaimedthecount,indismay,\"itisnotthenobleArchdukeJohnwhoconceivedsuchplans,buttheEmperorNapoleon。\" \"Heseemsatleasttokeepupatouchingunderstandingwithmybrothers。Ishouldliketoknowwhetherhisgenerositywillnotprovidecrownsandstatesfortheotherarch—dukestoo。Andthen,youhavenottoldmeyetwhatheintendstodowithmeafterhurlingmefromthethrone。DoeshewanttokeepmeconfinedliketheKingofSpainandPopePius,orwillhepermitmetoliveasarefugeeinforeignlands,liketheKingofNaples?\" \"Yourmajesty,Napoleononlydreamedofthefuture,anddreamsneverarelogicalandconsistent。Imyselflistenedtohisdreamsinsilence,andtheyamusedmeasthemerryfairy—storiesofmychildhooddid——fairy—storiesinventedonlyforthepurposeofmakinguslaugh。\" \"Yes,letuslaughatthem,\"exclaimedtheemperor,burstingintoloudlaughter,which,however,soundedsounnaturalthatCountBubnadidnotjoininit。\"Andnow,\"saidtheemperor,whosefacesuddenlybecameverygloomy,\"havingspokenenoughaboutBonaparte\'sfunnydreams,letusturntomoreseriousmatters。WhatarethetermsonwhichtheEmperoroftheFrenchwouldmakepeacewithme?Whatdoeshedemand?\" \"Yourmajesty,hisdemandsaresoexorbitantthatIscarcelydaretorepeatthem。\" \"Nevermind,\"saidtheemperor,dryly。\"IfIcouldlistenquietlytotheplanregardingmybrothers,IbelieveIshallbeabletobeartherest。Speak,therefore。WhatarethetermsonwhichNapoleonwouldconcludepeace?\" \"HedemandsthecessionofalltheprovincesactuallyoccupiedbytheFrencharmies;thesurrenderofthefortressesstilloccupiedbyourtroopsintheseprovinces,withtheirmagazines,arsenals,stores,andsupplies;thesurrenderofthefortressesofGratzandBrunn;andlargecontributionsinkind,tobecollectedbyM。Daru,theFrenchintendant—general。\" \"HeintendstospoliateAustriaasmercilesslyasheformerlyplunderedHamburgandthewholeofNorthernGermany,\"saidtheemperor,shrugginghisshoulders。\"AnddoesnotBonapartedemandanymoneythistime?Willhecontenthimselfwithprovinces,fortresses,andcontributionsinkind?Willheextortnomoneyfromus?\" \"Yourmajesty,hedemandsanenormoussum。Hedemandstheimmediatepaymentoftwohundredandthirty—sevenmillionsoffrancs。\" [Footnote:SeeSchlosser\'s\"HistoryoftheNineteenthCentury,\"vol。 viii。,p。115。] \"Well,well,hewilltakelessthanthat,\"exclaimedtheemperor。 \"Thenyourmajestywillgraciouslynegotiatewithhimonhistermsofpeace?\"askedCountBubna,joyously。\"Bearinginmindonlythewelfareofyourmonarchy,youwillnotrejecthisrigorousdemandsentirely,andnotallowthearmisticetoleadtoaresumptionofhostilities,which,underthepresentcircumstances,couldnotbutinvolveAustriainutterruin?\" \"Ishallthinkofit,\"saidtheemperor;\"atallevents,Ihavealreadyshownmydesireforpeacebysendingmyministers,CountsStadionandMetternich,toAltenburg,tonegotiatetherewithBonaparte\'sministerChampagny。Ishallnotrecallthem,butallowthemtocontinuethenegotiations。Theyareskilleddiplomatists,andmenofgreatsagacity。Thelaborsofdiplomatistsgenerallymakeslowheadway;hence,itwillbegoodforustolendthemalittlesecretassistance。WhiletheplenipotentiariesarenegotiatingpubliclyatAltenburginHungary,Iwillsecretlybegintonegotiatewiththeemperorhimself;andyou,CountBubna,shallbemyagentforthispurpose。\" \"Yourmajesty,\"exclaimedCountBubna,inatoneofsurpriseratherthanjoy,\"yourmajestyreposesinmesomuchconfidence——\" \"Which,Ihope,youwillappreciate,andstrivetorenderyourselfworthyof,\"interruptedtheemperor。\"Icountonyourskill,yourzeal,and,aboveall,yourdiscretion。Youwilltakenewproposalsofpeaceto—morrow,onmypart,totheheadquartersoftheEmperorNapoleon,atSchoenbrunn。Butnoonemustlearnofyourmission,and,leastofall,mytwoministerswhoarenegotiatingatAltenburg。\" \"Sire,Ishallkeepassilentasthegrave。\" \"Abadcomparison,Bubna,fornewlifeistoblossomforAustriafromyoursecretnegotiations。Well,gonowandrepose;wewillafterwardconferagaininregardtothismatter,andIwillexplainmyviewstoyou。Butsay,Bubna,doyoureallythinkthatBonapartewasinearnestabouthisdreams,andthat,incaseheshoulddefeatusagain,hewouldseriouslythinkofcarryingintoeffecthisplansregardingtheArchdukesFerdinandandJohn?\" \"Iamafraid,yourmajesty,hewasinearnest。\" \"TheEmperorNapoleon,then,hatesmeintensely?\" \"Hebelievesthatyourmajestyhateshimintensely。Hetoldmeoncefranklythatonlyyourmajesty\'spersonalhatredhadbroughtaboutthiswar,andthathewasafraidthishatredwouldfrustrateallpeacenegotiations。Iventuredtocontradicthim,butbeshookhisheadvehementlyandexclaimed,\'TheEmperorFrancishatesmesointensely,thatIbelievehewouldlosehiscrownandempiresoonerthanallyhimselfwithmeinacordialmanner,eventhoughheshouldderivethegreatestadvantagestherefrom。Doyouthink,forinstance,thattheEmperorFrancis,ifIwishedtobecomehisson— in—law,wouldgivemethehandofhisdaughter,eventhoughIshouldrelinquishhalfthewarcontribution,andrestoretohimalltheprovincesoccupiedbymyarmies?\'\" \"What?DidNapoleonreallysaythat?\"askedtheemperor,withunusual,almostjoyfulvivacity。\"But,\"headded,gloomily,\"thisisnothingbutoneofNapoleon\'sdreams。Hehasawife,andtheEmpressJosephineissoyoungandgayyetthatshedoesnotthinkofdying。\" \"ButtheEmperorNapoleon,Ihavebeentold,thinksagreatdealofgettingadivorcefromher。\" \"Thepope,whomhekeepsimprisoned,willnevergrantittohim,\" exclaimedtheemperor。 \"Ithinkhewillnotevenapplytohimforit,yourmajesty。TheEmperorNapoleonneverhadhisunionwiththeEmpressJosephineconsecratedbytheChurch,andthedissolutionofacivilmarriagedoesnotrequirethepope\'sconsent。Theemperorcandissolveitbyvirtueofhisownauthority。\" \"ThatisaveryconvenientarrangementforM。Bonaparte,\"saidFrancis,smiling。\"Well,gonow,count,andrepose。Iamverycontentwithyourservices,andIthinkIshallbesohereafteralso。Adieu。Ishallsendforyouagain。\" Henoddedkindlytothecount,andstoodstillsmilinglyathiswriting—tableinthemiddleofthecabinet,untilthedooroftheanteroomclosedbehindCountBubna。Butthereuponhisfaceassumedagloomy,bitterexpression,andhelifteduphisclinchedfistwithamenacinggesture。 \"Mybrothers!\"hecried,inanangryvoice;\"alwaysmybrothers! Theyarealwayseagertopushmeaside。Iamalwaystobekeptintheshade,thattheirlightmayshinemorebrightly。Ah,weshallseewhoisEmperorofAustria,andtowhomtheTyrolbelongs;weshallseewhoisthemaster,andwhohastoobey。AsyetIamemperor,asyetIhavetodecideonwarandpeace。AndIwilldecide。Iwillhumiliatethemandcompelthemtobeobedient,theseboastfularchdukes,whoalwayspreachwarandareworstedineverybattle!Oh,theyarestirringuprebellion,andstretchingouttheirhandsformyproperty!Butonestrokeofmypenwillshattertheircrowns,stifletheirrebellion,andreducethemtosubmissiveness。I willmakepeacewithNapoleon,andtheseditiousTyrolshallbequietedwithoutbeingbestowedupontheArchdukeJohn。IwouldratherhaveitrestoredtoBavariathanthatitshouldbeconferredonmybrother。Thatwouldbeajustretributionfortheseditiouspeasants;theyhavesetabadexample,andshouldbepunishedforit。Idonotwantanyconspiratorsamongmysubjects。LetBavariaseehowshewillgetalongwiththerebelliousTyrolese!Ishallwithdrawmyhandfromthem。Iwantpeace。IwillremainEmperorofAustriadespiteallmybrothers!\" CHAPTERXXXV。 ADAYOFTHEEMPEROR\'SLIEUTENANT。 TheimperialpalaceatInnspruckwasstilltheresidenceofSandwirthAndreasHofer,commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol,andlieutenantoftheEmperorFrancis。Hehadlivedtheresincethe15thofAugust;butassimply,quietly,andmodestlyashehadlivedwhenhewasahorse—dealerandinnkeeper,sohelivednowwhenhewasruleroftheTyrol,andtheemperor\'slieutenant。Insteadofoccupyingthelargestateapartmentsoftheimperialpalace,ashisfriendshadoftenaskedhimtodo,Andreashadselectedtheplainestandhumblestroomsforhisquarters,andhisstyleoflivingwasassimpleandmodestashisdwelling—place。Vainlyhissuitetriedtopersuadehimtoholdleveesandreceiveguestsathisfestivetable。 Andreasrejectedallsuchsuggestionswithproudandwithalhumbleindignation。 \"DoyouthinkItookthisarduoustaskuponmyselftoplaythearistocraticgentleman,andrevelinluxury?\"herepliedtothosewhoaskedhimtoadoptsuchacourse。\"Ididnotbecometheemperor\'slieutenanttodisplayvainandemptysplendor,buttoservemydearTyrolandpreserveittotheemperor。Iamonlyasimplepeasant,anddonotwanttolivelikeaprince。Iamaccustomedtohavebread,butter,andcheeseforbreakfast,andIdonotknowwhyIshouldchangethisnow,merelybecauseIamnolongerathomewithmydearwife,buthereatInnspruckattheemperor\'spalace。Iamalsoaccustomedtodineveryplainly,andamthereforeopposedtoanyexpensiverepastsbeinggotupformehere。Idonotlikethemeatspreparedbythecooksofthearistocracy;andwhileI donotwantanythingbutbread,butter,cheese,andwine,IshallsendtoNiederkircher\'stavernformydinner。Butitmustnevercostmorethanhalfaflorin。Iwillinviteguests,forIliketohavemerrypeopleaboutme;buttheguestsmustnotcomeforthesakeoftherepast,butforthatofourpleasantconversation。IshallsendtoNiederkircherforthedinnerofallmyguests,andhemustsendenough,lestanyofthemshouldremainhungry。Buttheremustneverbemorethansixguests,foritwouldbetoobadifI,whointendtopreservetheTyroltotheemperor,weretocosthimagreatdealofmoneyhere。Inordertopreventmistake,Niederkirchermustsendinhisbilleverymorningformetoexamine;thefinancialsecretaryshallpayiteveryweek,andsendmethereceipt。\"[Footnote:TheexpensesofHoferandhiswholesuite,duringtheirsixweeks\' sojourninthecityofInnspruck,costthepublicexchequeronlyfivehundredflorins。] AndreasHoferremainedinthesedaysofhissplendorasactive,industrious,andsimpleashealwayshadbeen。Thewelfareofhisbelovedcountryengrossedallhisthoughts,andhewasdesirousofdevotinghiswholestrengthtoit。Heissuedanumberofusefulandliberaldecrees,which,itistrue,Ennemoser,Doeninger,Kolb,orotherfriendsofhishaddrawnup,butwhichhehadapprovedandsigned。 AndreasHofergavepublicaudienceseverymorninglikearealprince,andthesentinelsplacedinfrontoftheimperialpalaceandatthedoorofthecommander—in—chiefhadreceivedstringentordersnottorefuseadmittancetotheaudience—roomtoanyone,butallowalltocomein,howpoorlysoevertheymightbedressed。Andreaslistenedtoeveryonewithkindpatienceandcordialsympathy,andalwaystookcaretohelpconsolethedistressed,makepeace,andconciliate;andeveryonewhoneededcomfortandassistancehastenedtoapplytothealwayshelpfulcommander—in—chief。 To—dayagainmanypersonswereintheaudience—room,waitingimpatientlyforthemomentwhenthedoorshouldopen,andwhenAndreasHofershouldmakehisappearanceonthethreshold,greetallwithapleasantnodofhishead,andthenbeckontohimwhowasnearesttothedoortoenterhiscabinet。 Butthehourfixedfortheaudiencehadstrucklongago,andthecommander—in—chief,whowasusuallysopunctualandconscientious,hadnotyetopenedthedoorofhisaudience—room。Hehadalreadybeenhalfanhourinhiscabinet,andDoeningersatatthedesk,readytowritedownthenamesofallapplicantsforaudience,andaddabriefstatementoftheirwishesandpetitions。ButAndreaswasstillpacingtheroom,hishandsbehindhisback;andalthoughhehadalreadylaidhishandtwiceonthedoor—knob,hehadsteppedbackasifinterror,andcontinuedstridingupanddown。 \"Commander—in—chief,\"saidDoeninger,afteralongpause,duringwhichhehadwatchedHofer\'sirresolutebearingsmilingly,\"thereissomethingthatdisquietsyou,istherenot?\" \"Yes,Cajetan,\"sighedAndreas。\"Asyouhavefounditout,Iwillnolongerdenythatthereissomethingthatdisquietsme。\" \"Andwhatisit,commander—in—chief?WillyounotcommunicateittoyourfaithfulanddiscreetCajetan?\" \"Yes,Iwill,mydearCajetan,\"saidHofer。\"IamafraidIdidsomethingverystupidyesterday,andIamashamedofit。\" \"Ah,youalludetothelawsuitwhichyoudecidedyesterday,\" exclaimedDoeninger。 \"Yousee,nosoonerdidIsaythatIdidsomethingverystupid,thanyouatonceknewwhatImeant;whatIdidmust,therefore,havebeenverystupidindeed。Yes,Ialludedtothelawsuit,Cajetan,forIamafraidIdidnotdecideit,butmadeitonlymorecomplicated。\" \"Onthewhole,therewasnothingtobedecided,\"saidDoeninger,dryly。\"Thelawsuitwasalreadydecided;thesupremecourthadgivenjudgmentinfavoroftheplaintiffandawardedtohimthesumofonethousandflorins,whichwasatissue,andsentencedthedefendanttopaythatsumandthecosts。Butthedefendant——\" \"Itwasnoman,Cajetan,\"interruptedAndreas;\"itwasawoman,andthatwastheworstofit。Icannotbeartoseewomenweep。Theyknowsowellhowtotouchmyheartbytheirtearsandlamentations,thatIlongtohelpthem。LordJesus,howthatwoman,thedefendantinthelawsuit,wept!Andwasitthepoorwoman\'sfault,Cajetan,thatherdeceasedhusbandwasheadoverearsindebt,thatheborrowedonethousandflorinsfromafriend,andmeanlyaffixedhiswife\'snamewithoutherknowledgetothenotewhichhegaveforit?\" \"Butthatisjustthetrouble,commander—in—chief;notonlydidsheknowit,butsheherselfputhernameunderthenote。Imyselfaskedthejudgesaboutityesterday。Theysaythatthewomanisknowntobeavaricious,greedy,andmean,andtheywouldnothavegivenjudgmentagainstheriftherehadnotbeenswornevidencetotheeffectthatsheherselfsignedthenote。Theyaddthatsheisrichenoughtopaybackthethousandflorinswhichherhusbandcertainlyborrowedfromhisfriend。\" \"Icannotbelieveit,\"exclaimedAndreas。\"Sheweptandlamentedsoveryunaffectedly;duringmywholeweddedlifeIhavenotseenmywifeweepsomuchasthewomanweptduringthatquarterofanhouryesterday;andIthinkonethatcanweepsomuchmustbeinnocent。 Hence,IdidwhatIhadaperfectrighttodo;Iwrotetothejudgesandreversedtheirdecision。\" \"Well,commander—in—chief,ifyouthinkyouwerejustifiedinwhatyoudid,whydoesitdisquietyou?\" \"Itdoes,\"saidAndreasHofer,\"becauseIthinknowthattheplaintiff,wholosthissuit,mayfeelverysoreoverit,andblamemefordeprivinghimofwhathethoughtwasduetohim;andI shuddertothinkhemaybeintheotherroom,andintendtoreproachmewithruininghimandtakingfromhimwhatthejudgeshadalreadyawardedtohim。\" \"And,Andy,becauseyouwouldnotliketoseeoneman,youkeeptheotherswaitingoutside。\" \"Youareright,Cajetan。Ioughtnottodothat;Iamaselfish,cowardlyfellow,\"criedAndreas,contritely。\"Iwillnolongerkeepthemwaiting,butadmitthematonce。\" Andhewentwithahastysteptothedooroftheaudience—room,threwitopen,andsteppeduponthethreshold。Thelargeroomwascrowdedwithpersonsofeveryageandrank;allthrongedtowardthedoor,andeveryonewasdesirousofbeingthefirsttogreetthecommander—in—chief,andtobeinvitedbyhimintohiscabinet。 AndreasHoferbowedkindlytoall;hiseyesfellonanoldmanwithsilver—whitehair,whowasstrivingtopenetratetohim,andcastbeseechingglancesonhim。 \"Myoldfriend,\"saidAndreas,mildly,\"itistrueyouarenotnearesttothedoor,butyouaretheoldestpersonintheroom,andthereforeitisrightformetolistentoyoufirst。Comein,then,andtellmewhatyouwantofme。\"