whom the first success of his enterprises lies in the esteem of his
enemies.

* * * * *

"Your Excellency will kindly see in me neither a man trembling at
death, nor a mind seduced by the hope of reward. I ask nothing to
tell what I think, for in telling it I satisfy myself. I planned an
insurrection against Napoleon's government, I desired his ruin, if
I have not been able to effect it, it is because I have always been
badly seconded and often betrayed.

"What were my means of entertaining at least the hope of success?
Not wishing to appear absolutely mad in your eyes, I am going to
make them known; but not wishing to betray the confidence of those
who would have served me, I shall withhold the details.

* * * * *

"I was born generous, and a lover of glory. After the amnesty of
the year VIII I was the richest among my comrades: my money, well
dispensed, procured me followers. For several years I watched for a
favourable moment to revolt. The last campaign in Austria offered
this occasion. Every one in the West believed in the defection of
the French armies; I did not believe in it, but was going to profit
by the general opinion. Victory came too quickly, and I had hardly
time to plan anything.

"After having established connections in several departments, I
left for Paris. There, all concurred in fortifying my hopes. Many
republicans shared my wishes; I negotiated with them for a reunion
of parties, to make action more certain and reaction less strong.
The movement must take place in the capital, a provisional
government must be established,--all France would have passed
through a new regime before the Emperor returned.

"But it did not take me long to discover that the republicans had
not all the means they boasted.... I returned to the royalists in
the capital; they were disunited and without plans. I had only a
few men in Paris; I abandoned my designs there, and returned to the
provinces. There I could collect two or three thousand men, and as
soon as I had done that I should have sent to ask the Bourbon
princes to put themselves at the head of my troops....

"But at the opening of the second campaign my plans were postponed.
However, the measures I had been obliged to