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In vain did the Emperor look around to the courts of Europe for support; in vain did he summon the Spaniards to his assistance, for the bravery of the Flemings afforded them ample employment beyond the Rhine; in vain did he call upon the Roman court and the whole church to come to his rescue.
This threat, made with an air of pretended seriousness, but which was in fact only a jest, such as I have seen the Emperor indulge in a hundred times, produced such an impression on Hebert, that it was impossible for him to finish his work.
"They all prefer death to being taken!" said they. "Eight days of Moscow," exclaimed the emperor, "and the enemy will not be seen again."
At the end of three hours of boding suspense, they came back and said the Emperor would receive us at noon the next day would send carriages for us would hear the address in person. The Grand Duke Michael had sent to invite us to his palace also.
That afternoon a man holding a high position in Germany sent for me. I do not give his name because I do not wish to involve him in any way with the Emperor, so I shall not even indicate whether he is a royalty or an official. He said: "You had an interview today with the Emperor. What happened?" I told of the message given me for the President which was intended for publication by the Emperor.
But when he entered the palace, the courtiers were silent, and the emperor, after a cold and thankless embrace, dismissed him to mingle with the train of slaves.
Among the rest, talking of the Emperor at table to-day one young gentleman, a pretty man, and it seems a Parliament man, did say that he was a sot; He became King of Hungary in 1655, and King of Bohemia in 1658, in which year he received the imperial crown. for he minded nothing of the Government, but was led by the Jesuites.
The dark shadows of the coming night were rapidly falling as I strained my eyes to trace the British position. A hollow, rumbling sound announced the movement of artillery in our front. "What is it, Arnotte?" said the quartermaster to a dragoon officer who rode past. "It is nothing," replied the other, laughing, "but a ruse of the Emperor.
Offended by this invasion of their rights, the estates refused to acknowledge his authority, and could only be brought to receive him as a viceroy for a stated period, and under conditions ratified by oath. Maximilian, after he became Roman Emperor, fancied that he might safely venture to violate the constitution.
"During our stay," says M. de Bausset, "the Emperor wanted to breakfast on the dyke, or jetty, which had been begun in the unhappy reign of the most virtuous of kings. I got there before Their Majesties, on a most lovely day, and had everything arranged.
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