"Messieurs," said he, "in the present juncture, such advice might displease his Majesty--leave the matter to me." As soon as he presented himself before Napoleon-- "Well, marshal," said he, "how do things go?" "Very ill, sire." "What! Very ill? How is your division disposed?" "It is completely discouraged, sire; recent events at Paris have spread consternation through its ranks." "Think you," asked the Emperor, "it will join with me in a movement upon Paris?" "Trust not to that, sire," was the desponding answer; "should I give such an order, I should hazard being disobeyed." "But what are we to do?" said the Emperor, passionately. "I cannot remain as I am! I shall march against Paris; I will punish these inconstant Parisians, and the folly of the senate! Woe to the government they have plastered up waiting the return of their Bourbons. To-morrow I shall place myself at the head of my Old Guard, and to-morrow we shall be in the Tuileries!" "Sire," urged Macdonald, "are you ignorant that a provisional government has been established?" "I know it." "Then, sire, read this--a letter from Marshal Bournonville, announcing the sentence of forfeiture pronounced by the senate, and the resolution of the allied generals not to treat with you." The countenance of Napoleon became violently contracted. After a pause, he exclaimed, furiously, "I shall march upon Paris!" "March upon Paris, sire," reiterated Macdonald; "that design must be renounced, for not a sword will leave its scabbard to follow you." Finding all indeed over, the bitter subject of his abdication came to be gravely considered, and he handed to the marshal a document, on the 4th April, stating that he was ready to quit the throne of France. The tender and honourable part acted by Macdonald at this humiliating but memorable time was duly appreciated by the Emperor, who has done him ample justice. With Marshal Ney and the Duke of Vicenza, he was named one of the commissioners sent by Napoleon to the Emperor Alexander. "Well, Duke of Tarentum," said the former, before the marshal left Fontainebleau, "do you think a regency is the only thing possible?" "Yes, sire." "Well," continued Napoleon, who had now recovered his composure; "I charge you with my message to the Emperor Alexander; you will go with Ney instead of Marmont. _I rely on you_, and I hope you have entirely forgotten the circumstances which separated us so long?" "Oh, sire, I have never once thought of them since 1809." "I rejoice to hear it," replied Napoleon with emotion; "but marshal--I must now make the acknowledgment--_I was wrong_." "Sire!" exclaimed Macdonald; the Emperor pressed his hand and faltered out but one word, "Go."[28] Macdonald vehemently urged that a regency should be established in France, in the person of Maria Louisa, in favour of her son, the young King of Rome, and violent altercations took place at the conference.