He rode with all the grace and ease of a boy.
Yes, there were the colors, too, the white flag of France with the golden lily in the place of the Eagle on the staff, at the head of the column.
With ruffling of drums and presenting of arms the flag had been escorted to its place, and from the little group of cavalry had come the words not heard till recently for so many years in France: "_Vive le Roi_!" The troops had assembled silently, somewhat sullenly.

They stood undemonstrative now.

What they would do no one could tell.

The couriers who had dashed into the town yesterday night had told the story to the Marquis.

Napoleon had landed five days before.