was consoled in a measure for the loss, as I saw
the price at which I bought the forfeiture. The young officer, who had
fallen three days before, and was a nephew of the General Gambronne, was
a lieutenant in Murat's celebrated corps, the Lancers of 'Berg,' whose
uniform was the handsomest in the French army. Even the undress scarlet
frock and small silver helmet were more splendid than many full parade
uniforms; and as I attired myself in these brilliant trappings, I
secretly vowed that the Austrians should see them in some conspicuous
position ere a month was over. If I had but one sigh for the poor fellow
to whose _galanterie_ I succeeded, I had many a smile for myself as I
passed and repassed before the glass, adjusting a belt, or training an
aigrette to fall more gracefully. While thus occupied, I felt something
heavy clink against my leg, and opening the sabretache, discovered a
purse containing upwards of forty golden Napoleons and some silver. It
was a singular way to succeed to a 'heritage' I thought, but, with the
firm resolve to make honest restitution, I replaced the money where
I found it, and descended the stairs, my sabre jingling and my spurs
clanking, to the infinite admiration of the hostess and her handmaiden,
who looked on my transformation as a veritable piece of magic.

I'm sure Napoleon himself had not framed one-half as many plans for that
campaign as I did while I rode along. By a close study of the map,
and the aid of all the oral information in my power, I had at length
obtained a tolerably accurate notion of the country; and I saw, or I
thought I saw, at least, half-a-dozen distinct ways of annihilating
the Austrians. I have often since felt shame, even to myself, at the
effrontery with which I discussed the great manoeuvres going forward,
and the unblushing coolness with which I proffered my opinions and
my criticisms; and I really believe that General Massena tolerated my
boldness rather for the amusement it afforded him than from any other
cause.

'Well, Tiernay,' said he, as a fresh order reached him, with the
most pressing injunction to hurry forward, 'we are to move at once on
Moosburg--what does that portend?'

'Sharp work, general,' replied I, not noticing the sly malice of the
question; the Austrians are there in force.'

'So your grenadiers say so?' asked he sarcastically.

'Nor general; but as the base of the operations is the Iser, they must
needs guard all the bridges over t