question. They
entered the room slowly, not relishing their task, yet resolute to
discharge their errand. The greater room outside was alight from fire
and from lanterns. Enough illumination came through the door into the
bed-chamber for their purpose--more than enough for the Emperor. He
turned his head away, lest they should see what they should see. The
two marshals bowed and stood silent.

"Well?" said the Emperor at last, his voice unduly harsh, as if to
cover emotion with its roughness, and they noticed that he did not look
at them.

"Sire, the courier of the Duke of Vicenza waits for his answer," said
Maret.

There was another long pause.

"Will not your majesty give way for the good of the people?" urged
Berthier. "Give peace to France, sire. The army is hungry----"

"Am I God, messieurs, to feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes?"
cried the Emperor bitterly.

"No, Sire. Therefore, authorize the duke to sign the treaty, and----"

"What!" said Napoleon fiercely, sitting up on the bed and facing them.
"You would have me sign a treaty like that? Trample under foot my
coronation oath? Unheard-of disaster may have snatched from me the
promise to renounce my own conquests, but give up those before me,
never! Leave France smaller, weaker than I found her! God keep me
from such a disgrace. Reply to Caulaincourt, since you wish it, but
tell him I reject this treaty. We must have better terms. I prefer to
run the uttermost risks of war."

Berthier opened his mouth to speak again, but Napoleon silenced him
with word and gesture.

"No more," he said. "Go."

The two marshals bowed and left the room with downcast heads and
resentful hearts. As they disappeared Napoleon called after them.

"Send me that boy at the door. Lights," he cried, as the young
officer, not waiting for the order to be repeated, promptly entered the
inner room and saluted. "The maps on the table, bring them here, and
the table, too," commanded the Emperor.

Even as the lights which were placed on the table dispelled the dusk of
the room, so something had dispelled the gloom of the great man's soul.
For a moment he looked almost young again. The gray pallor left his
cheeks. Fire sparkled in his eyes.

"Not yet--not yet," he muttered, spreading the maps upon the table.
"We will have one more try with fortune. My star is low on the
horizon, but it has not set yet."

"Nor shall it set, Sire, while I and my comrad