related were uttered only between intervals of repose, or rather of stupor.  While my eyes were fastened on the Emperor’s countenance, I noticed on it a sudden contraction, which was the premonition of a convulsion which frightened me terribly; fortunately this convulsion brought on a slight attack of vomiting, which gave me some hope.  The Emperor, amidst his complicated physical and mental sufferings, maintained perfect selfpossession, and said to me, after the first vomiting spell, “Constant, call M. Yvan and Caulaincourt.”  I half opened the door, and gave the order to M. Pelard, without leaving the Emperor’s room, and returning to his bed, besought and entreated him to take a soothing potion; but all my efforts were in vain, so strong was his determination to die, even when in the presence of death.

In spite of the obstinate refusal of the Emperor, I was still entreating him when M. de Caulaincourt and M. Yvan entered the room.  His Majesty made a sign to the Duke of Vicenza to approach his bed, and said to him, “Caulaincourt, I recommend to you my wife and child; serve them as you have served me.  I have not long to live!” At this moment the Emperor was interrupted by another fit of vomiting, but slighter than the first, during which I tried to tell the duke that the Emperor had taken poison; he understood rather than heard me, for sobs stifled my voice to such an extent that I could not pronounce a word distinctly.  M. Yvan drew near, and the Emperor said to him, “Do you believe the dose was strong enough?” These words were really an enigma to M. Yvan; for he was not aware of the existence of this sachet, at least not to my knowledge, and therefore answered, “I do not know what your Majesty means;” to which his Majesty made no reply.

The Duke of Vicenza, M. Yvan, and I, having united our entreaties to the Emperor, were so fortunate at length as to induce him, though not without much difficulty, to drink a cup of tea, which he had refused when I had made it in much haste and presented it to him, saying, “Let me alone, Constant; let me alone.”  But, as a result of our redoubled efforts, he drank it at last, and the vomiting ceased.  Soon after taking the tea the Emperor appeared calmer and fell asleep.  These gentlemen quietly retired; and I remained alone in his room, where I awaited until he woke.

After a sleep of a few hours the Emperor awoke, seeming almost as usual, although his face still bore traces of what he had suffered, and while I assisted him in his morning toilet did not utter a word relating in the most indirect manner to the frightful night he had just passed.  He breakfasted as usual, only a little later than ordinary.  His appearance had resumed its usual calm, and he seemed more cheerful than for a long time past.  Was it the result of his satisfaction at having escaped death, which a momentary despair had made him desire?  Or did it not rather arise from the certainty of no longer fearing it in his bed more than on the battlefield?  However that may be, I attribute the remarkable preservation of the Emperor’s life to the fact that the poison contained in the bag had lost its efficacy.