Alexander's overture was unheeded at Vienna, at least for the moment, because Metternich was in Paris wooing Napoleon's good will. Simultaneously and openly, therefore, the fencing between Paris and St. Petersburg went on. A rejoinder to the counter-project was laid on Napoleon's desk, containing the identical words, "that the kingdom of Poland shall never be restored." This persistence angered the recipient, and seemed capable of but one interpretation. If Alexander did not consider the guarantees given by France after Friedland and Wagram to be sufficient, could Napoleon see in this reiterated demand anything more or less than a determination of the Czar not to abide by the engagements of Russia unless new ones were given by himself? He returned therefore a softly worded, non-committal reply, and began to make unmistakable preparations: a journey to Flanders for the purpose of rousing public opinion on his behalf, the strengthening of certain fortresses, and a general rapprochement to Austria in all his relations. The negotiations continued a little longer, Russia insisting on the phrase as first written, France declaring that its use would be a confession of the insinuation contained in it, and therefore incompatible with her dignity. Any other equivalent language she would use, but not that. CHAPTER XXV THE ARRAY OF NATIONS[40] [Footnote 40: References as before, to which add Lehmann: Scharnhorst, Vol. II.] Estrangement of France and Russia -- Premonitions of War -- Alexander's Secret Policy -- The Various Factors in the Situation -- Bernadotte -- The Eve of a General Conflagration -- England and Prussia -- Austria and Prussia -- Alliance between Sweden and Russia -- England and the United States -- The Confederation of the Rhine -- The State of France. [Sidenote: 1811-12]