of surprise and joy; his large eyes only cast a piercing glance upon
the marquis.

"You accept it without subterfuge or reserve?" he asked, slowly.

"Yes, general, precisely as you have stated it. We are ready to sign
the treaty of peace, and accept the ultimatum. Just be kind enough
to alight once more, and continue the conference with us."

"No, sir," said Bonaparte, "nulla vestigia retrorsam! Being already
in my carriage, I shall not return to you. Besides, the delegates of
the Venetian Republic are waiting for me at Passeriano, and I
believe it is time for me to inform them too of my ultimatum. At the
end of three hours, I ask you, marquis, and Count Cobenzl to proceed
to my headquarters at Passeriano. There we will take the various
stipulations of the treaty into consideration, and agree upon the
public and secret articles."

"But you forget, general, that your orderly is already on the way to
the Austrian headquarters in order to announce the reopening of
hostilities."

"That is true," said Napoleon, quietly. "Here, two orderlies. Follow
the first orderly, and command him to return. You see, marquis, I
believe in the sincerity of your assurances. In three hours, then, I
shall expect you at Passeriano for the purpose of settling the
details of the treaty. We shall sign it, however, on neutral ground.
Do you see that tall building on the horizon?"

"Yes, general, it is the decayed old castle of Campo Formio."