To that hapless monarch he had sent an imperious mandate to come back and order the Saxon troops, who obstinately held Torgau, forthwith to hand it over to the French.

On all sides his behests were obeyed, the Saxon troops grudgingly ranging themselves under the French eagles.

And while he was tearing Saxony away from the national cause, he was summoned by Austria to halt.

The victor met the request with a flash of defiance.

After a reproachful talk with Bubna, on May 17th, he wrote two letters to the Emperor Francis.