With a jocular courtesy that veiled the deepest irony, he complimented him on having waged _a fine campaign in_ 1812.

Austria's present requests were not reassuring.

While professing the utmost regard for the welfare of Napoleon, she renewed her offer of mediation in a more pressing way.

In fact, Metternich's aim now was to free Austria from the threatening pressure of Napoleon on the west and of Russia on the east.

She must now assure to Europe a lasting peace--"not a mere truce in disguise, like all former treaties with Napoleon"-- but a peace that would restrict the power of France and "establish a balance of power among the chief States."[289] Such was the secret aim of Austria's mediation.