Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/254

238 Before I decidedly resolve what I must do, and in case my determination should be to leave this country. . ..

When he had read the French document, Maximilian could no longer feel any doubt: he then became certain that the French policy, having completely sacrificed him to its own interest without a shadow of regret, had decisively severed their two respective fortunes, and that all the measures which the French commander was taking were intended to substitute some new state of things in place of the empire. M. Eloïn's predictions were realised! Impatient to have done with France, being informed too by Miramon of the favourable change which had taken place in some of the state authorities, who were preparing to come down to La Jalapilla at their sovereign's appeal, Maximilian forwarded a despatch to Marshal Bazaine inviting him to a private interview. In a conversation of this kind he hoped that the commander-in-chief would let out the full import of the policy of the Tuileries.

[Confidential and important.]

I must thank you, as well as General Castelnau and M. Dano, for having arranged those points which concern me so closely. But one important point still remains to be settled: a firm government to protect the interests which are compromised. This point cannot be discussed without a personal interview with you. The continuance of my fever will not allow me to come up to Mexico. I therefore request you to come here some day soon, and, in a few words, we shall be able to arrange everything in a satisfactory manner. I have summoned here for Saturday my council of state and my president of the council.

These Mexican officials, who a short time back dreaded endangering themselves even in Mexico, would never have consented to traverse sixty leagues of