“Well, tell him--” but, interrupting himself, he turned to Bourrienne, saying: “Bourrienne, find me the last letter from the Emperor of Russia.” Bourrienne opened a box, and, without searching, laid his hand on a letter that he handed to Bonaparte. The First Consul cast his eye over the paper and then gave it to Lord Tanlay. “Tell him,” said he, “first and before all, that you have read this letter.” Sir John bowed and read as follows: CITIZEN FIRST CONSUL--I have received, each armed and newly clothed in the uniform of his regiment, the nine thousand Russians, made prisoners in Holland, whom you have returned to me without ransom, exchange, or condition of any kind. This is pure chivalry, and I boast of being chivalrous. I think that which I can best offer you in exchange for this magnificent present, citizen First Consul, is my friendship. Will you accept it? As an earnest of that friendship, I am sending his passports to Lord Whitworth, the British Ambassador to Saint Petersburg. Furthermore, if you will be, I do not say my second, but my witness, I will challenge personally every king who will not take part against England and close his ports to her. I begin with my neighbor the King of Denmark, and you will find in the “Gazette de la Cour” the ultimatum I have sent him. What more can I say to you? Nothing, unless it be that you and I together can give laws to the world. I am your admirer and sincere friend, PAUL. Lord Tanlay turned to the First Consul. “Of course you know,” said he, “that the Emperor of Russia is mad.” “Is it that letter that makes you think so, my lord?” asked Bonaparte. “No; but it confirms my opinion.” “It was a madman who gave Henry VI. of Lancaster the crown of Saint-Louis, and the blazon of England still bears--until I scratch them out with my sword--the fleur-de-lis of France.” Sir John smiled; his national pride revolted at this assumption in the conqueror of the Pyramids. “But,” said Bonaparte, “that is not the question to-day; everything in its own time.” “Yes,” murmured Sir John, “we are too near Aboukir.” “Oh, I shall never defeat you at sea,” said Bonaparte; “it would take fifty years to make France a maritime nation; but over there,” and he motioned with his hand to the East, “at the present moment, I repeat, that the question is not war but peace. I must have peace to accomplish my dream, and, above all, peace with England. You see, I play aboveboard; I am strong enough to speak frankly. If the day ever comes when a diplomatist tells the truth, he will be the first diplomatist in the world; for no one will believe him, and he will attain, unopposed, his ends.” “Then I am to tell my uncle that you desire peace.” “At the same time letting him know that I do not fear war. If I can’t ally myself with King George, I can, as you see, do so with the Emperor Paul; but Russia has not reached that point of civilization that I desire in an ally.”