The Abbe de Montesquiou, secret agent for the Count de Lille (afterwards Louis XVIII.), prevailed on the Third Consul, Le Brun, to lay before Buonaparte a letter addressed to him by that prince--in these terms: "You are very tardy about restoring my throne to me: it is to be feared that you may let the favourable moment slip.

You cannot establish the happiness of France without me; and I, on the other hand, can do nothing for France without you.

Make haste, then, and point out, yourself, the posts and dignities which will satisfy you and your friends." The First Consul answered thus: "I have received your Royal Highness's letter.

I have always taken a lively interest in your misfortunes and those of your family.

You must not think of appearing in France--you could not do so without marching over five hundred thousand corpses.