按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Majesty； but they refused； and as a faithful servant M。 de Saint…Aignan
performed his duty； and prepared to speak the whole truth； whatever
danger he might incur by so doing。
When he arrived at the wheelwright's shop at Chatres； the Emperor； as we
have just seen； was abandoning himself to most brilliant dreams； which
circumstance was most unfortunate for M。 de Saint…Aignan； since he was
the bearer of disagreeable news。 He came； as we have learned since； to
announce to his Majesty that he should not count upon the public mind at
the capital； since they were murmuring at the prolongation of the war；
and desired that the Emperor should seize the occasion of making peace。
It has even been stated that the word disafection was uttered during this
secret conference by the sincere and truthful lips of M。 de Saint…Aignan。
I cannot assert that this is true； for the door was closely shut； and M。
de Saint…Aignan spoke in a low tone。 It is certain； however； that his
report and his candor excited his Majesty's anger to the highest degree；
and in dismissing him with an abruptness he had certainly not merited；
the Emperor raised his voice to such a pitch as to be heard outside。
When M。 de Saint…Aignan withdrew； and his Majesty summoned me to my
duties near him； I found him much agitated； and pale with anger。 A few
hours after this scene the Emperor ordered his horse； and M。 de Saint…
Aignan； who had resumed his duties as equerry； approached to hold his
stirrup； but as soon as the Emperor perceived him he threw on him an
angry glance； made him a sign to withdraw； exclaiming loudly；
〃Mesgrigny！〃 This was Baron de Mesgrigny； another of his Majesty's
squires。 In compliance with his Majesty's wishes； M。 de Mesgrigny
performed the duties of M。 de Saint…Aignan； who withdrew to the rear of
the army to wait till the storm should be past。 At the end of a few days
his disgrace was ended； and all who knew him rejoiced； for the Baron de
Saint…Aignan was beloved by all for his affability and loyalty。
From Chatres the Emperor marched on Troyes。 The enemy who occupied this
town seemed at first disposed to defend themselves there； but soon
yielded； and evacuated it at the close of a capitulation。 During the
short time the； allies passed at Troyes； the Royalists had publicly
announced their hatred to the Emperor； and their adherence to the allied
powers； who came； they said； only to establish the Bourbons on the
throne； and even had the imprudence to display the white flag and white
cockade； and the foreign troops had consequently protected them； while
exercising extreme harshness and severity towards those inhabitants who
held contrary opinions。
Unfortunately for the Royalists they were in a very feeble minority； and
the favor shown to them by the Russians and Prussians led the populace
oppressed by the latter to hate the proteges as much as their protectors。
Even before the entrance of the Emperor into Troyes； Royalist
proclamations addressed to the officers of his household or the army had
fallen into his hands。 He had showed no anger； but had urged those who
had received； or who might receive； communications of this nature； to
destroy them； and to inform no one of the contents。 On his arrival at
Troyes his Majesty rendered a decree proclaiming penalty of death against
all Frenchmen in the service of the enemy； and those who wore the emblems
and decorations of the ancient dynasty。 An unfortunate emigre； accused
before a council of war； was convicted of having worn the cross of St。
Louis and the white cockade during the stay of the allies at Troyes； and
of having furnished to the foreign generals all the information in his
power。
The council pronounced sentence of death； for the proofs were positive；
and the law not less so； and Chevalier Gonault fell a victim to his ill…
judged devotion to a cause which was still far from appearing national；
especially in the departments occupied by the allied armies； and was
executed according to military usage。
End