He stood alone on the continent of Europe face to face with the man who was subjugating it.

His army was broken in pieces, and perhaps an invasion of his own empire was at hand.

Should he make terms with this man whose career had so revolted him ?--or should he defy him and accept the risk of an invasion, which, by offering freedom to the serfs and independence to the Poles, might give the invader the immediate support of millions of his own subjects?
Then added to the conflict with his old self, there was the irresistible magic of Napoleon's personal influence.

A two-hours' interview on the raft at Tilsit--June 25, 1807--changed the whole direction of Alexander's policy, and made him an ally of the despot he had detested, whom he now joined in determining the fate of Europe.
Together they decided who should occupy thrones and who should not; to whom there should be recompense, and who should be despoiled; and the Emperor of Russia consented to join the Emperor of the French in a war upon the commercial prosperity of England--his old friend and ally--by means of a continental blockade.
Times were changed.

It was not so long ago--just one hundred years--since Peter the Great had opened one small window for the light from civilized Europe to glimmer through; and now the Tsar of that same Russia, in a two-hours' interview on a raft, was deciding what should be the fate of Europe! The Emperor's young companions, with small experience and lofty aims, were keenly disappointed in him.