“How is that bear to be kept here?” asked the count, sighing, and shrugging his shoulders.
At this moment Bonaparte’s powerful voice was heard in the anteroom, calling out:
“An orderly—quick!”
“He calls out of the window,” whispered the marquis. “Let us hear what he has got to say.”
The two plenipotentiaries slipped on tiptoe to the window, cautiously peeping from behind the curtains. They saw a French lancer galloping up below, and stopping and saluting under the window of the adjoining room.
Again they heard Bonaparte’s thundering voice. “Ride over to the headquarters of Archduke Charles,” shouted Bonaparte. “Tell him on my behalf that the armistice is at an end, and that hostilities will recommence from the present hour. That is all. Depart!”
Then they heard him close the window with a crash, and walk with loud steps through the anteroom.
The two plenipotentiaries looked at each other in dismay. “Count,” whispered the marquis, “listen! he leaves and has threatened to shatter Austria. He is the man to fulfil his threat. My God, must we suffer him to depart in anger? Have you been authorized to do that?”
“Will you try to command the storm to stand still?” asked Count Cobenzl.
“Yes, I will try, for we must not break off the negotiations in this way and recommence hostilities. We must conciliate this terrible warrior!”