He had not yet resigned all hope, and therefore he joyfully received a piece of intelligence communicated to him by General Allix.  The General informed the Emperor that he had met an Austrian officer who was sent by Francis ii. to Prince Schwartzenberg, and who positively assured him that all which had taken place in Paris was contrary to the wish of the Emperor of Austria.  That this may have been the opinion of the officer is possible, and even probable.  But it is certain from the issue of a mission of the Duc de Cadore (Champagny), of which I shall presently speak, that the officer expressed merely his own personal opinion.  However, as soon as General Allix had communicated this good news, as he termed it, to Napoleon, the latter exclaimed to the persons who were about him, “I told you so, gentlemen.  Francis ii. cannot carry his enmity so far as to dethrone his daughter.  Vicenza, go and desire the Marshals to return my act of abdication.  I will send a courier to the Emperor of Austria.”

Thus Bonaparte in his shipwreck looked round for a saving plank, and tried to nurse himself in illusions.  The Duke of Vicenza went to Marshals Ney and Macdonald, whom he found just stepping into a carriage to proceed to Paris.  Both positively refused to return the act to Caulaincourt, saying, “We are sure of the concurrence of the Emperor of Austria, and we take everything upon ourselves.”  The result proved that they were better informed than General Allix.

During the conversation with Marshal Macdonald which has just been described the Emperor was seated.  When he came to the resolution of signing the abdication he arose and walked once or twice up and down his cabinet.  After he had written and signed the act he said, “Gentlemen, the interests of my son, the interests of the army, and above all, the interests of France, must be defended.  I therefore appoint as my commissioners to the Allied powers the Duke of Vicenza, the Prince of the Moskowa, and the Duke of Ragusa. . . .  Are you satisfied?” added he, after a pause.  “I think these interests are consigned to good hands.”  All present answered, as with one voice.  “Yes, Sire.”  But no sooner was this answer pronounced than the Emperor threw himself upon a small yellow sofa, which stood near the window, and striking his thigh with his hand with a sort of convulsive motion, he exclaimed, “No, gentlemen:  I will have no Regency!  With my Guards and Marmont’s corps I shall be in Paris to-morrow.”  Ney and Macdonald vainly endeavoured to undeceive him respecting this impracticable design.  He rose with marked ill-humour, and rubbing his head, as he was in the habit of doing when agitated, he said in a loud and authoritative tone, “Retire.”