This blunt and hasty question, so directly at the point,
disconcerted the two diplomatists.

"We will weigh and consider with you what can be done," said Count
Cobenzl, timidly. "France asks too much and offers too little.
Austria is ready to cede Belgium to France, and give up Lombardy,
but in return she demands the whole territory of Venice, Mantua
included."

"Mantua must remain with the new Cisalpine Republic!" exclaimed
Bonaparte, vehemently. "That is one of the stipulations of my
ultimatum, and you seem to have forgotten it, count. And you say
nothing about the frontier of the Rhine, and of the fortress of
Mentz, both of which I have claimed for France."

"But, general, the Rhine does not belong to Austria, and Mentz is
garrisoned by German troops. We cannot give away what does not
belong to us."

"Do not I give Venice to you?" exclaimed Bonaparte--"Venice, which,
even at the present hour, is a sovereign state, and whose delegates
are at my headquarters, waiting for my reply! The Emperor of Germany
has certainly the right to give away a German fortress if he
choose."

"Well, Austria is not indisposed to cede the frontier of the Rhine
to France," remarked the Marquis de Gallo. "Austria is quite willing
and ready to form a close alliance with France, in order to resist
the ambitious schemes of Prussia."