A Conspiracy of the Carbonari | Page 6

the walls themselves hear what we determine. So
form a circle around me, and let one after another put his lips to my ear
and whisper the name of him who should be Napoleon's successor."
Marshals and generals obeyed the command and formed a close circle
around Oudet, whose tall, slender figure towered above them all, and
whose handsome pale face, with its enthusiastic blue eyes, formed a
strange contrast to the grave, defiant countenances which encircled
him.
"Marmont, do you begin!" said Oudet, in his gentle, solemn tones.

The general bent close to Oudet and whispered something into his ear,
then he stepped back and made way for another, who was followed by
a third, and a fourth.
"My brothers," said Oudet, after all had spoken, "my brothers, I see
with pleasure that the same spirit, the same conviction rules among you.
You have all uttered the same name; you have all said that Eugene
Beauharnais, the Viceroy of Italy, would be the fitting and desired
successor of Napoleon. I rejoice in this unanimity, and, in my position
as one of the heads of the great society, I give your choice my approval.
The invisible ones--the heads who are above us all, and from whom I,
like the other three chiefs of the league, receive my orders--the
invisible ones have also chosen Eugene Beauharnais for the future
emperor of France. Thereby the succession would be secured, and as
soon as, by the emperor's death or imprisonment, the throne of France
is free, we will summon Eugene de Beauharnais to be emperor of the
French. May God grant His blessing upon our work and permit us soon
to find the hands we need to rid France of her tyrant."
At that moment the door opening into the emperor's study, which had
remained ajar, was flung open and Napoleon stood on the threshold.
His iron face, which his officers had just seen in the repose of sleep,
was now again instinct with power and energy; his large eyes were
fixed upon his generals with an expression of strange anger, and
seemed striving to read the very depths of their hearts; his thin lips
were firmly compressed as if to force back an outburst of indignation
which the gloomy frown on his brow nevertheless revealed.
But the wrathful, threatening expression soon vanished from the
emperor's countenance, and his features resumed their cold,
impenetrable expression.
He moved swiftly forward several steps and greeted with a hasty nod
the officers who had all bowed respectfully before him, and stood
motionless in absolute silence.
"General Bertrand," said the emperor, in his sonorous, musical voice,
"you will proceed at once to the island of Lobau to make preparations

for the great bridge-building which must be commenced at once and
completed within a week. The restoration and strengthening of the
bridges which connect the island of Lobau and the other little islands
with the right bank of the Danube is our principal task for the moment.
Be mindful of that, general, and act accordingly. General Massena, you
will undertake with me the principal direction of this bridge-building,
and accompany me daily to the island of Lobau. Bertrand will direct
the building of the four firm bridges which will connect Lobau with the
shore of the Danube. We will select the places for six bridges of boats
which must also be thrown across. To prevent interruption, the
Austrians must be occupied, and Generals Fouchet and Roguet will
therefore post batteries of fifty cannon and bomb-proof storehouses for
ammunition, in order not only to keep the enemy from the left bank,
but also to drive him out of all the islands in the Danube. You will all
take care to execute my orders with the utmost rapidity and
punctiliousness. The Austrians disputed the victory with us at Esslingen;
in their arrogance they will perhaps even go so far as to assert that they
obtained it; so I will give them a battle in which the victory will be on
my side so undoubtedly that the Austrians must bow without resistance
beneath its heavy, imperious hand. The bridge-building is the first and
most necessary condition of this conquest. It must be carried on swiftly,
cautiously, secretly--the enemy must not suspect where the bridges will
be erected; all the portions of the structures must be made on the island
of Lobau, then the bridges must appear out of nothingness, like a
miracle before the astonished eyes of the foe. These bridges, gentlemen,
will be the road for us all to gain new laurels, win fresh victories, and
surround the immortal fame of our eagles with new glory. I went to
Germany to chastise and force into submission and obedience the
insolent German princes who wished to oppose me. I know that they
are