Laurence understood then why the carriage remained there, and why the Emperor's escort respected it.
She was seized with a convulsive tremor--the hour had come! She heard the heavy sound of the tramp of men and the clang of their arms as they arrived at a quick step on the plateau.

The batteries had a language, the caissons thundered, the brass glittered.
"Marechal Lannes will take position with his whole corps in the advance; Marechal Lefebvre and the Guard will occupy this hill," said the other officer, who was Major-general Berthier.
The Emperor dismounted.

At his first motion Roustan, his famous mameluke, hastened to hold his horse.

Laurence was stupefied with amazement; she had never dreamed of such simplicity.
"I shall pass the night on the plateau," said the Emperor.
Just then the Grand-marechal Duroc, whom the gendarme had finally found, came up to the Marquis de Chargeboeuf and asked the reason of his coming.

The marquis replied that a letter from the Prince de Talleyrand, of which he was the bearer, would explain to the marshal how urgent it was that Mademoiselle de Cinq-Cygne and himself should obtain an audience of the Emperor.
"His Majesty will no doubt dine at his bivouac," said Duroc, taking the letter, "and when I find out what your object is, I will let you know if you can see him.