The announcement staggered Napoleon, but he replied with words destined to have great significance: "Very well; I shall remain faithful to my promise; but if I have new reasons to complain, I shall consider myself absolved." Further, he touched on various topics as if seeking to talk against time, remarking that Francis had impiously sought the dissolution of his daughter's marriage; that Russia and Prussia had made Austria's position dangerous; that the Czar and Frederick William had shown little delicacy in visiting Maria Louisa at Rambouillet; that he himself was no usurper; and that he had been wrong not to make peace at Prague or Dresden. Then, suddenly changing tone and topic, he asked with interest what would occur if Elba refused to accept him. Koller thought he might still take refuge in England. Napoleon rejoined that he had thought of that; but, having always sought to do England harm, would the English make him welcome? Koller replied that, as all the projects against her welfare had come to naught, England would feel no bitterness. Finally, about noon Napoleon descended into the courtyard, where the few grenadiers of the old guard were drawn up. The officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, were called forward, and in a few touching words their former leader thanked all who had remained true for their loyalty. With their aid he could have continued the war beyond the Loire, but he had preferred to sacrifice his personal interests to those of France. "Continue to serve France," runs the Napoleonic text of this fine address: but the commissioners thought they heard "to serve the sovereign which the nation has chosen." He could have ended his life, he went on to say, but he wished to live and record for posterity the great deeds of his warriors. Then he embraced Petit, the commanding officer, and, snatching to his breast the imperial eagle, his standard in so many glorious battles, he pressed it to his lips, and entered the waiting carriage. A swelling sob burst from the ranks, and tears bedewed the weather-beaten cheeks of men who had not wept for years. CHAPTER XII THE EMPEROR OF ELBA[14] [Footnote 14: References: Czartoryski, Memoirs, Vol. II. Houssaye, Napoleon a l'ile d'Elbe, in Revue historique, tom. 51, pp. 1-25, Paris, 1893. Ussher, Napoleon's Last Voyage. Peyrusse: Memorial.] Napoleon and the Popular Frenzy -- Serious Dangers Incurred -- The Exile under the British Flag -- The Voyage to Elba -- The Napoleonic Court at Porto Ferrajo -- Mysterious Visitors -- Estrangement of Maria Louisa -- Napoleon's "Isle of Repose" -- The Congress of Vienna -- Its Violation of Treaty Agreement -- Discontent in France -- Revival of Imperialism -- Bitterness of the Army -- Intrigues against the Bourbons -- Napoleon's Behavior -- His Fears of Assassination. [Sidenote: 1814-15]