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Austria had no wish but to drive a good bargain for herself, and asked
broadly, _What is your price? Will Illyria satisfy you? I only wish you
to be neutral--I can deal with these Russians and Prussians
single-handed._ Metternich stated plainly that the time in which Austria
could be neutral was past; that the situation of Europe at large must be
considered. Napoleon insinuated that he would be happy to dismember
Prussia, and give half her territories to Austria. Metternich replied
that his government was resolved to be gained by no share in the spoils
of others; that events had proved the impossibility of a steadfast
peace, unless the sovereigns of the continent were restored to the rank
of independence; in a word, that the Rhenish Confederacy must be broken
up; that France must be contented with the boundary of the Rhine, and
pretend no longer to maintain her usurped and unnatural influence in
Germany. Napoleon replied by a gross personal insult: _Come,
Metternich_, said he, _tell me honestly how much the English have given
you to take their part against me?_

The Austrian court at length sent a formal document, containing its
_ultimatum_: the tenor of which Metternich had sufficiently indicated in
this conversation. Talleyrand and Fouche, who had now arrived from
Paris, urged the Emperor to accede to the proffered terms. They
represented to him the madness of rousing all Europe to conspire for his
destruction, and insinuated that the progress of discontent was rapid in
France itself. Their arguments were backed by intelligence of the most
disastrous character from Spain. Wellington, on perceiving that Napoleon
had somewhat weakened his armies in that country, when preparing for his
Saxon campaign, had once more advanced from the Portuguese frontier. He
was now in possession of the supreme authority over the Spanish armies,
as well as the Portuguese and English, and had appeared in greater force
than ever. The French line of defences on the Douro had been turned and
abandoned: their armies had concentrated to withstand him at Vittoria,
and there, on the 21st of June, Joseph and Marshal Jourdan had sustained
a total defeat. The "Intrusive King" was now retreating towards the
Pyrenees, chased from post to post by an enemy who, as it seemed, bade
fair to terminate his campaign by an invasion of the south-western
provinces of France. Napoleon was urged by his military, as well as
political advisers, to appreciate duly t