Russia also seemed disposed to a fight _a outrance_; but if the Czar wanted peace, it was for him, not for France, to take the initiative: "I cannot take the initiative: that would be like capitulating as if I were in a fort: it is for the others to send me their proposals." And he expressed his resolve to accept no disadvantageous terms in these notable words: "If I concluded a dishonourable peace, it would be my overthrow.

I am a new man; I must pay the more heed to public opinion, because I stand in need of it.

The French have lively imaginations: they love fame and excitement, and are nervous.

Do you know the prime cause of the fall of the Bourbons?
It dates from Rossbach." Benevolent assurances as to Napoleon's desire for peace and for the assembly of a Congress were all that Schwarzenberg could gain; and his mission was barren of result, except to increase suspicions on both sides.
In fact, Napoleon was playing his cards at Vienna.

He had sent Count Narbonne thither on a special mission, the purport of which stands revealed in the envoy's "verbal note" of April 7th.