The powers of the land and of the ocean were face to face whilst
a waiting world stood round to see what would come of it.
CHAPTER XII
THE MAN OF ACTION
De Meneval's tent had been pitched in such a way that he could overlook
the Royal headquarters, but whether it was that we were too absorbed in
the interest of our conversation, or that the Emperor had used the other
entrance in returning from the review, we were suddenly startled by the
appearance of a captain dressed in the green jacket of the Chasseurs of
the Guard, who had come to say that Napoleon was waiting for his
secretary. Poor de Meneval's face turned as white as his beautiful
ruffles as he sprang to his feet, hardly able to speak for agitation.
'I should have been there!' he gasped. 'Oh, what a misfortune!
Monsieur de Caulaincourt, you must excuse me! Where is my hat and my
sword? Come, Monsieur de Laval, not an instant is to be lost!'
I could judge from the terror of de Meneval, as well as from the scene
which I had witnessed with Admiral Bruix, what the influence was which
the Emperor exercised over those who were around him.
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