Ah, Monsieur de Caulaincourt, will you not join us at dinner in my tent ?' A tall, handsome man, very elegantly dressed, came across and greeted us.

'It is rare to find you at rest, Monsieur de Meneval.

I have no very light task myself as head of the household, but I think I have more leisure than you.

Have we time for dinner before the Emperor returns ?' 'Yes, yes; here is the tent, and everything ready.

We can see when the Emperor returns, and be in the room before he can reach it.