There is a good deal
to bear in mind, Monsieur de Laval. For example, I have, as you have
seen, my one little drawer full of the ships upon the sea. I have
another which contains all the harbours and forts of France. As an
example, I may tell you that when my minister of war was reading me a
report of all the coast defences, I was able to point out to him that he
had omitted two guns in a battery near Ostend. In yet another of my
brain-drawers I have the regiments of France. Is that drawer in order,
Marshal Berthier?'
A clean-shaven man, who had stood biting his nails in the window, bowed
at the Emperor's question.
'I am sometimes tempted to believe, Sire, that you know the name of
every man in the ranks,' said he.
'I think that I know most of my old Egyptian grumblers,' said he.
'And then, Monsieur de Laval, there is another drawer for canals,
bridges, roads, manufactures, and every detail of internal
administration. The law, finance, Italy, the Colonies, Holland, all
these things demand drawers of their own. In these days, Monsieur de
Laval, France asks something more of its ruler than that he should carry
eight yards of ermine with dignity, or ride after a stag in the forest
of Fontainebleau.
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