principles, of whom the king never spoke but as the tribune and the
_tête de fer_, and who had been more than once suspected of an intention
to revolt, was indeed a symptom of a change in Murat's views. But it all
ended in smoke. Pépé drew up the plan of the legion, and submitted it to
the king, who took no further notice of it. He was engrossed in watching
the final struggle between Napoleon and the allies.

On the 19th April, when about to besiege Piacenza, news reached Murat of
the fall of Paris, and of the treaty of peace concluded with the viceroy
of the kingdom of Italy. The war was suspended, and the Neapolitan army
retired southwards. At Rimini, General Pépé, who commanded the rear
guard, fell in with the Pope, then proceeding to Rome, and was admitted
to an interview. Never oblivious of his political principles, he took an
opportunity of saying, "that it would be worthy of an Italian pontiff to
collect about him the sons of Italy, and to drive the foreigners out of
his native land." His holiness listened attentively, but made no reply.
When Murat was informed of this bold suggestion of Pépé's, he exclaimed,
"He will not leave even the Pope quiet," and this saying became a
standing joke against the tenacious patriot. A few days afterwards,
General Ambrosio, another of the liberal party, had been advocating to
the Pope the advantages of a constitution for Italy, "when a crippled
gentleman was brought to the carriage door, who requested the pontiff to
bestow his blessing upon him, that he might recover the use of his
limbs. The Pope, turning towards Ambrosio, said, 'You see, General,
where we are; Italy is still far from the period you so ardently
desire.'" Ambrosio and his friends, especially Pépé, were of the
contrary opinion, and conspired to compel Murat to grant them a
constitution. Seventeen general officers were implicated in the plot,
but when the moment for action came, the majority faltered, Pépé was
left in the lurch, and became the scapegoat. Urged to fly to Milan, he