"That disease is unknown to me, count," said the marquis. "I am at
home wherever I can serve my king and my country."

"But to-day, my dear marquis, you have to serve a foreign prince."

"Austria is the native country of my noble Queen Caroline," said the
marquis, gravely, "and the empress is my king's daughter. The
Austrian court, therefore, may command my whole power and ability."

"I am afraid that we are going to have hard work to-day, marquis,"
remarked Count Cobenzl, gloomily. "This French general is really a
sans-culotte of the worst kind. He is entirely devoid of noblesse,
bon ton, and refinement."

"My dear count, for my part I take this Bonaparte to be a very long-
headed man, and I am sure we must be greatly on our guard to be able
to wrest a few concessions from him."

"Do you really believe that, marquis?" asked the count, with an
incredulous smile. "You did not see, then, how his marble face
lighted up when I handed him the other day that autograph letter
from his majesty the emperor? You did not see how he blushed with
pleasure while reading it? Oh, I noticed it, and, at that moment, I
said to myself: 'This republican bear is not insensible to the
favors and affability of the great.' Flattery is a dish which he
likes to eat; we will, therefore, feed him with it, and he will be
ours, and do whatever we may want without even noticing it. The
great Empress Catharine used to say: 'Bears are best tamed by
sweetmeats, and republicans by titles and decorations.' Just see,