A deeply pained expression appeared for a moment on the emperor's face. Then he raised his eyes enquiringly to Marshal Niel. "What do you say to this, Monsieur le Maréchal?" he asked. "Sire," replied Niel, "your minister's words must find an echo in every French heart, and my strong conviction of my duty towards your majesty and France alone prevents me from agreeing with him. Immediately after the battle of Sadowa, whilst Germany was still armed, when Austria had not yet concluded peace, when the Prussian army was still much exhausted by the hard blows it had received during a severe struggle, it might have been possible to do what the minister counsels. To-day it would be too dangerous a game for France's glory and greatness; it would be," he added, with a meaning look at the emperor, "a game which your majesty might perhaps dare to play, but which no conscientious general would dare to advise." "And if I dare to play this game," cried the emperor, a brilliant flash sparkling in his eyes, "which of you gentlemen would stand at my side and lead the armies of France?" A deep silence replied to the emperor's question. "Sire," at last cried Marshal MacMahon, fixing his bright blue eyes firmly on the emperor, "we are all ready, if you command, to march at the head of the armies of France, and to die; but first we beg your majesty to listen to Marshal Niel, and not to hazard the fate of France, of imperial France, to such uncertain success." All the marshals bent their heads, and their countenances expressed their full approval of the Duke of Magenta's words. Drouyn de Lhuys allowed his head to sink sorrowfully upon his breast. The emperor fixed his eyes upon Marshal Niel without a sign of emotion. "How long a time should you require to carry out what you have asserted to be needful?" "Two years, sire," replied the marshal, in a calm, clear voice. "My best wishes will accompany the marshal in his work, if your majesty deputes him to carry it out," said Count Randon, bowing to the emperor. After a few moments of deep silence Napoleon rose. "I thank you, gentlemen," he said, quietly, "for your opinions, and the frankness with which you have expressed them. It will make it easier to me to form a decision at this important moment. I shall see you all again to-day at dinner." And with his own peculiar courtesy he greeted them, and returned to his cabinet alone. He looked thoughtfully and gravely before him, and several times paced slowly up and down the room. "Rash indeed would it be to decide on action under these circumstances," said he; "and wherefore, if time can ripen the fruit, if waiting can make our aim more sure? Drouyn de Lhuys, that quiet prudent man, talks like a Jacobin of 1793! He holds intercourse with Orleans," he said, gloomily, as he stood still and fixed his eyes on the ground.