CHAPTER XI.
THE SECRETARY Emperor, generals, and officials all streamed away to the review, leaving me with a gentle-looking, large-eyed man in a black suit with very white cambric ruffles, who introduced himself to me as Monsieur de Meneval, private secretary to His Majesty.
'We must get some food, Monsieur de Laval,' said he.

'It is always well, if you have anything to do with the Emperor, to get your food whenever you have the chance.

It may be many hours before he takes a meal, and if you are in his presence you have to fast also.

I assure you that I have nearly fainted from hunger and from thirst.' 'But how does the Emperor manage himself ?' I asked.

This Monsieur de Meneval had such a kindly human appearance that I already felt much at my ease with him.
'Oh, he, he is a man of iron, Monsieur de Laval.