France and England can, for a long time yet, by the abuse of their powers, and to the misery of their people, carry on the struggle without exhaustion; but, and I dare say it, the fate of all the civilized nations depends on the conclusion of a war which involves the universe.
Bonaparte paused. "I think that will do," said he. "Read it over, Bourrienne."
Bourrienne read the letter he had just written. After each paragraph the First Consul nodded approvingly; and said: "Go on."
Before the last words were fairly uttered, he took the letter from Bourrienne"s hands and signed it with a new pen. It was a habit of his never to use the same pen twice. Nothing could be more disagreeable to him than a spot of ink on his fingers.
"That"s good," said he. "Seal it and put on the address: "To Lord Grenville.""
Bourrienne did as he was told. At the same moment the noise of a carriage was heard entering the courtyard of the Luxembourg. A moment later the door opened and Roland appeared.
"Well?" asked Bonaparte.
"Didn"t I tell you you could have anything you wanted, general?"
"Have you brought your Englishman?"
"I met him in the Place de Buci; and, knowing that you don"t like to wait, I caught him just as he was, and made him get into the carriage.
Faith! I thought I should have to drive round to the Rue Mazarine, and get a guard to bring him. He"s in boots and a frock-coat."
"Let him come in," said Bonaparte.
"Come in, Sir John," cried Roland, turning round.
Lord Tanlay appeared on the threshold. Bonaparte had only to glance at him to recognize a perfect gentleman. A trifling emaciation, a slight pallor, gave Sir John the characteristics of great distinction. He bowed, awaiting the formal introduction, like the true Englishman he was.
"General," said Roland, "I have the honor to present to you Sir John Tanlay, who proposed to go to the third cataract for the purpose of seeing you, but who has, to-day, obliged me to drag him by the ear to the Luxembourg."
"Come in, my lord; come in," said Bonaparte. "This is not the first time we have seen each other, nor the first that I have expressed the wish to know you; there was therefore positive ingrat.i.tude in trying to evade my desire."
"If I hesitated," said Sir John, in excellent French, as usual, "it was because I could scarcely believe in the honor you do me."
"And besides, very naturally, from national feeling, you detest me, don"t you, like the rest of your countrymen?"
"I must confess, general," answered Sir John, smiling, "that they have not got beyond admiration."
"And do you share the absurd prejudice that claims that national honor requires you to hate to-day the enemy who may be a friend to-morrow?"
"France has been almost a second mother country to me, and my friend Roland will tell you that I long for the moment when, of my two countries, the one to which I shall owe the most will be France."
"Then you ought to see France and England shaking hands for the good of the world, without repugnance."
"The day when I see that will be a happy day for me."
"If you could contribute to bring it about would you do so?"
"I would risk my life to do it."
"Roland tells me you are a relative of Lord Grenville."
"His nephew."
"Are you on good terms with him?"
"He was very fond of my mother, his eldest sister."
"Have you inherited the fondness he bore your mother?"
"Yes; only I think he holds it in reserve till I return to England."
"Will you deliver a letter for me?"
"To whom?"
"King George III."
"I shall be greatly honored."
"Will you undertake to say to your uncle that which cannot be written in a letter?"
"Without changing a syllable; the words of General Bonaparte are history."
"Well, tell him--" but, interrupting himself, he turned to Bourrienne, saying: "Bourrienne, find me the last letter from the Emperor of Russia."
Bourrienne opened a box, and, without searching, laid his hand on a letter that he handed to Bonaparte.
The First Consul cast his eye over the paper and then gave it to Lord Tanlay.
"Tell him," said he, "first and before all, that you have read this letter."
Sir John bowed and read as follows:
CITIZEN FIRST CONSUL--I have received, each armed and newly clothed in the uniform of his regiment, the nine thousand Russians, made prisoners in Holland, whom you have returned to me without ransom, exchange, or condition of any kind.
This is pure chivalry, and I boast of being chivalrous.
I think that which I can best offer you in exchange for this magnificent present, citizen First Consul, is my friendship.
Will you accept it?
As an earnest of that friendship, I am sending his pa.s.sports to Lord Whitworth, the British Amba.s.sador to Saint Petersburg.
Furthermore, if you will be, I do not say my second, but my witness, I will challenge personally every king who will not take part against England and close his ports to her.
I begin with my neighbor the King of Denmark, and you will find in the "Gazette de la Cour" the ultimatum I have sent him.
What more can I say to you? Nothing, unless it be that you and I together can give laws to the world.
I am your admirer and sincere friend, PAUL.