The curtain which hung over the door leading to the private secretary's room moved, and Piétri's fine intelligent head appeared from behind the portière.
"Sire," he said, "Monsieur Benedetti is here, and asks whether your majesty is inclined to receive him?"
"Immediately!" said the emperor with animation, "bring him here!"
A minute afterwards the portière opened and the ambassador entered the cabinet.
He was in black morning dress, his pale features showed traces of fatigue from his journey, his eyes shone with nervous excitement.
He bowed deeply to the emperor, and shook hands with Drouyn de Lhuys.
"I have expected you with impatience," said Napoleon, "be seated, and tell me how matters stand in Berlin."
"Sire," said Benedetti, as he took a chair, and placed himself opposite to the emperor and Drouyn de Lhuys, "I had driven to the Quai d'Orsay to announce myself to the minister, and as I heard he was here, I took the liberty of coming at once."
"You were right," said the emperor, "you now find the whole apparatus of the constitutional government together," he added laughingly; "relate,--I listen with impatience."
Monsieur Benedetti drew a deep breath and said: