To take the duty of an officer suddenly ill I happened to be stationed on service near the Emperor at Nogent.

When others were urging him to make terms, I, though a young soldier, ventured to express myself to the contrary." "And then ?" "His Majesty pardoned the liberty, recognized me, gave me his own cross, made me a Major on his staff." "And the Eagle ?" "It is still carried at the head of what remains of the Fifth-of-the-Line," said the young man proudly.
"When we have taken your Emperor we will do away with those Eagles, and after we restore her rightful king to France we shall give her back her ancient flag of golden lilies," said the Russian.
"Precisely," said Marteau sharply.

"When you have taken the Emperor you may do all that.

The men who have made France so great under him will care little what you do, monsieur, under such circumstances." "And why will they be so indifferent, Monsieur Jean ?" asked the Countess curiously.
"They will be dead, mademoiselle, and their Emperor, too, unless God preserve his life for some future use." "Happy," said the young girl, "is the man who can inspire such devotion, monsieur.

Although I have been trained differently I think that----" What the Countess thought was never said for at that instant the door at the farther end of the great room was thrown open suddenly with a violent crash, and into the apartment came crowding the score of villains and scoundrels who had been imprisoned below stairs.