Well, you have seen the danger to which
the Emperor is exposed, and it may make you the more zealous in his
service. Where is your uncle, Monsieur Bernac?'
'He is at the Castle of Grosbois.'
'Do you know him well?'
'I had not seen him until yesterday.'
'He is a very useful servant of the Emperor, but--but--' he inclined his
head downward to my ear, 'some more congenial service will be found for
you, Monsieur de Laval,' and so, with a bow, he whisked round, and
tapped his way across the tent again.
'Why, my friend, you are certainly destined for something great,' said
the hussar lieutenant. 'Monsieur de Talleyrand does not waste his
smiles and his bows, I promise you. He knows which way the wind blows
before he flies his kite, and I foresee that I shall be asking for your
interest to get me my captaincy in this English campaign. Ah, the
council of war is at an end.'
As he spoke the inner door at the end of the great tent opened, and a
small knot of men came through dressed in the dark blue coats, with
trimmings of gold oak-leaves, which marked the marshals of the Empire.
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