Jacqueline sank back disheartened. Not even Napoleon would help her. The Sphinx had not the courage of his own designs, and she contemptuously flung him out of her way. She would strive alone, and against him, Napoleon, among the rest. First of all, there was his captain general, the man before her. "Monsieur le Marechal," she began, as impersonally as though quoting a dry paragraph of history, "there is a party among the Mexicans who fear the republicans and what the Republic would do. Yet their hope for the Empire is gone, and they want no more of it. These, monsieur, are the moderate liberals, and strange to say, they are the clericals too; in a word, the great landowners. They are for what is good in Mexico. They demand order. But they would not take it from the United States. They look to France--to France, which is Catholic, and liberal." "I know," said the marshal. "They have already hinted at annexation." "Annexation to France, of course. Now then, monsieur, if we stay at all, we shall have to fight the United States. But do you imagine that we would undertake such a fight for Maximilian? Parbleu, the French people would mob Napoleon over night. But, supposing we were to do it for ourselves, and not for an impecunious archduke----" His Excellency's eyes blazed. "Ah, it would be a fight superb!" "And you commanding, Monsieur le Marechal. And behind you, with our own pantalons rouges, those Confederates against their old enemies. _Then_ would be the moment to set your knight on the chess board. And," she added insidiously, "France would need a viceroy over here." The plain soldier started as though shot. "Mademoiselle," he gasped, "you--_you_ are Napoleon! The _great_ Napoleon, I salute you, mademoiselle!" "Helas, monsieur, that I am not in a position to credit Napoleon III. with what I have said!" "Yet you wish me to believe that you are only inspired by him? Pardon me, mademoiselle, but _he_ is the inspired one, and--mon Dieu, I do not blame him!" "But it's very simple," said Jacqueline, "and honorable too. Maximilian's bad faith nullifies our treaty with him. Tres bien, we are free, free to withdraw our troops. At least we may threaten as much. Then he will, he must abdicate, unless--well, unless he first sees Your Excellency's prisoner." She arose, feeling that she was leaving a good Frenchman behind her. But Madame la Marechale appeared to bid her adieu, and Madame la Marechale looked sharply from one to another, noting especially Bazaine's flush of enthusiasm. The good Frenchman straightway became uneasy. And Jacqueline, riding back to Chapultepec in her carriage with its coronet and arms and footmen, did not know that Driscoll had not been incommunicado against Madame la Marechale. Who could be? And Madame la Marechale betimes had paid her respects to a third woman, who also was but little more than a girl. She and the Empress Charlotte had discussed both the prisoner and Jacqueline. CHAPTER XXX THE AMBASSADOR