Read Online Far Flies the Eagle by Evelyn Anthony - Free Book Online

“Sire, he’s never ceased to praise you to me. We’ve talked together for hours, he’s shown me every mark of favour from the moment I arrived! I admit Petersburg society is hostile to me, but the Czar is devoted to the alliance with France. Sire, I assure you, he’s told me over and over again …”
    â€œI don’t care what he’s told you,” Napoleon snapped. “You’re an idiot and he knows it. This isn’t the man I dealt with at Tilsit, he agrees to nothing!”
    Caulaincourt made a wise remark. “He’s stronger than he was at Tilsit.”
    Napoleon’s eyes gleamed. “An intelligent observation, my dear Caulaincourt. It’s a pity you didn’t make others while you were in Russia. Do you know he’s practically refused my offer of marriage with his sister Catherine?”
    â€œI know that, Sire, I spoke to him about it yesterday as you ordered, and he said the right to choose husbands for her daughters remained with his mother the Dowager Empress. He could promise nothing without her consent.”
    â€œBah! That’s what he said to me this morning. Very well, I said. If not the Grand Duchess Catherine, then the younger sister Anne. If he’s his sister’s lover as they say, that might have accounted for the refusal, but by God he practically said no to Anne as well. That’s not jealousy, Caulaincourt, that’s policy! He’s changed towards me. Still charming, yes, but that means nothing. I’ve learnt that in two meetings in twelve months while you, you imbecile, couldn’t discover it seeing him every day!”
    â€œMonsieur Talleyrand suggested that he might talk with him,” Caulaincourt ventured.
    â€œThat snake?” Napoleon paused. “Well, why not. God knows he’s deceitful enough to deal with Satan himself and emerge with the best of the bargain. Talleyrand; very well. Send him to me. And you can go now. I repeat, Caulaincourt, you’ve proved yourself an idiot!”
    The Ambassador bowed and went out.
    That evening Talleyrand paid a visit to the Russian Headquarters. The players of the Comédie Française had been brought to Erfurt to perform before the Emperors, and there was just an hour before Alexander need dress to go to the theatre. He received the French Minister in his private sitting-room, and offered him some wine. In the first few minutes, Talleyrand considered him.
    He was, he decided, a very handsome man, with a gentle, serious expression and immense natural charm. A man who would draw men to him and hypnotize women, yet a man with a tortuous brain, as his dealings proved, a man capable of ruthless action, for he had murdered his own father, and kept his throne under circumstances of great danger. Courageous, and with a very long memory; it was as well to take his measure, for if he defeated Napoleon, he would become the most powerful ruler in the world.
    Talleyrand opened the conversation properly by speaking of his love for France, and Alexander, listening, nodded. He then said that in his opinion Napoleon was bringing his country to absolute ruin by his insane ambition and the wish to conquer the world. As a result, his servants were in the unhappy position of having to choose between their personal loyalty and their duty to France.
    â€œI, Sire, have chosen France,” he said quietly.
    â€œI applaud your decision, Monsieur,” Alexander answered. “Why did he send you to me?”
    â€œTo try and persuade you to agree to his proposals. His temper’s become very short lately; he’s afraid he might lose it with you if he has to press these points himself.”
    â€œAnd what does he want me to agree to?” Alexander asked.
    â€œA marriage with one of your sisters, the recognition of his brother Joseph as King of Spain, and an appeal to the English to do the same. He also wishes you to put pressure on Austria who is rearming, as he