Here also were his
ministers, and the generals of the army corps which were scattered up
and down the coast came thither to make their reports and to receive
their orders. For these consultations a plain wooden house had been
constructed containing one very large room and three small ones. The
pavilion which we had observed from the Downs served as an ante-chamber
to the house, in which those who sought audience with the Emperor might
assemble. It was at the door of this, where a strong guard of
grenadiers announced Napoleon's presence, that my guardian sprang down
from his horse and signed to me to follow his example. An officer of
the guard took our names and returned to us accompanied by General
Duroc, a thin, hard, dry man of forty, with a formal manner and a
suspicious eye.
'Is this Monsieur Louis de Laval?' he asked, with a stiff smile.
I bowed.
'The Emperor is very anxious to see you. You are no longer needed,
Lieutenant.'
'I am personally responsible for bringing him safely, General.'
'Very good. You may come in, if you prefer it!' And he passed us into
the huge tent, which was unfurnished, save for a row of wooden benches
round the sides.
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