The formal despatch containing these concessions was to be signed next morning, on February eighth, but in the interval came news of Bluecher's movements. Maret found the Emperor buried in the study of his map. "I have an entirely different matter in hand," was the greeting; "I am at present occupied in dealing Bluecher a blow in the eye." The signature was indefinitely postponed. On the tenth Alexander suspended the congress on the plea of Caulaincourt's refusal to state his own or accept the offered terms. Then followed the three victories, and Napoleon, on the night of the twelfth, wrote to Chatillon demanding the Frankfort proposals. Caulaincourt urgently besought the allies for an armistice, and begged Napoleon to be less exacting. Prussia and Austria were eager for the armistice, but Alexander obstinately refused to reopen the congress until the eighteenth, when everything seemed changed, and all the allies really desired peace. Caulaincourt, warned by Napoleon's letter of the twelfth, refused to treat without full instructions, and as he had none he began to procrastinate. In the end he bore the blame for not having used the carte blanche when he had it in order to save his country, for subsequently he had no opportunity. CHAPTER VII THE GREAT CAPTAIN AT BAY[8] [Footnote 8: References: Houssaye: 1814. Jensen: Napoleons Feldzug, 1814. Weil: La campagne de 1814, d'apres les documents des archives imperiales et royales de la guerre a Vienne. La cavalerie des armees alliees pendant la campagne de 1814.] Victor's Failure at Montereau -- Schwarzenberg's Ruse -- The French Advance and the Austrian Retreat -- Napoleon's Effort to Divide the Coalition -- Vain Negotiations -- The Treaty of Chaumont -- Bluecher's Narrow Escape -- The Prussians Defeated at Craonne -- Napoleon's Determination to Fight -- His Misfortunes at Laon -- Dissensions at Bluecher's Headquarters -- Napoleon at Soissons -- Rheims Recaptured -- Another Phase in Napoleon's Eclipse.