"They will have to wait to-day likewise until I return from the
conference which is to decide about war or peace. In either case,
woe unto the Venetians! Tell them, Bourrienne, to wait until I
return. And now, my carriage. I cannot let the Austrian
plenipotentiaries wait any longer for my ultimatum."




CHAPTER VIII.

THE TREATY OF CAMPO FORMIO.


The Austrian plenipotentiaries were at the large Alberga of Udine,
waiting for General Bonaparte. Every thing was prepared for his
reception; the table was set, and the cooks were only looking for
the arrival of the French chieftain in order to serve up the
magnificent dejeuner with which to-day's conference was to begin.

Count Louis Cobenzl and the Marquis de Gallo were in the dining-
room, standing at the window and looking at the scenery.

"It is cold to-day," said Count Cobenzl, after a pause in the
conversation. "For my part, I like cold weather, for it reminds me
of the most memorable years of my life--of my sojourn at the court
of the Russian Semiramis. But you, marquis, are probably reminded by
this frosty weather even more sensibly of your beautiful Naples and
the glowing sun of the south. The chilly air must make you
homesick."