Warily and steadfastly he advanced, step by step, determined to take no risk that could by the utmost care be changed into security, but equally resolved to dare the hazard, if by the military movements set in action by his unsurpassed genius, he could for a moment obtain the particular combination which would, to use his own phrase, make him master of the world.

What if the soldiers of the Grand Army never returned from England?
There were still in France men enough, as good as they were before his energizing spirit wrought them into the force which in its might trod the Continent under foot.

Like Nelson dying at Trafalgar, it too would have laid down its life, leaving its work finished.

Neither man nor army could have a prouder memorial.
The particular combination upon which Napoleon was willing to stake everything was a naval control of the Straits of Dover for a very few days, coincident with the presence there of an army ready and equipped to cross at once.

The latter condition was merely a question of preparation--long, tedious, and expensive, but perfectly feasible.