In false positions every thing is a danger; the king comprehended the extent of his perils, and hastened to avert the most impending.
He despatched a secret emissary to the king of Prussia and the emperor, to entreat them, as they valued his safety, to suspend hostilities, and to precede the invasion by a conciliating manifesto, which might allow France to retire from the contest without disgrace, and would place the life of the royal family under the safeguard of the nation.

This secret agent was Mallet-Dupan, a young journalist of Geneva, established in France, and mixed up with the counter-revolutionary movement.
Mallet-Dupan was attached to the monarchy by principle, and to the king by personal devotion.

He left Paris under pretext of returning to Geneva, and from thence went to Germany, where he had an interview with the Marechal de Castries, the foreign confidant of Louis XVI., and one of the leaders of the _emigres_.

Accredited by the Duc de Castries, he presented himself at Coblentz to the Duke of Brunswick, at Frankfort to the ministers of the king of Prussia and the emperor; they however refused to place any faith in his communications, unless he produced a letter in the king's own hand.

On this the king transmitted him a slip of paper, about two inches long, on which was written: "_The person who will produce this note knows my intentions; implicit credence may be given to all he says in my name._" This royal sign of recognition gave Mallet-Dupan access to the cabinets of the coalition.
Conferences were opened between the French negotiator, the Comte de Cobentzel, the Comte d'Haugwitz, and general Heyman, the plenipotentiaries of the emperor, and the king of Prussia.