lish was, I suspect, mainly founded
on the great superiority of our forces to the enemy's in all attacks of
this kind.'

'Our _esprit "tapageur"_ eh?' said he, laughing, and pinching my arm
familiarly, and I joined in the laugh with pleasure. 'Well, Monsieur de
Tiernay, let us endeavour to sustain this good impression. The attempt
is to be made to-night.'

'To-night!' exclaimed I, in amazement, for everything within the city
seemed tranquil and still.

'To-night, sir; and, by the kind favour of General Massena, I am to lead
the attack--the reserve, if we are ever to want it, being under his own
command It is to be at your own option on which staff you will serve.'

'On yours, of course, sir,' cried I hastily. 'A man who stands unknown
and unvouched for among his comrades, as I do, has but one way to
vindicate his claim to credit--by partaking the peril he counsels.'

'There could be no doubt either of your judgment, or the sound reasons
for it,' replied the colonel; 'the only question was, whether you might
be unequal to the fatigue.'

'Trust me, sir, you'll not have to send me to the rear,' said I,
laughing.

'Then you are extra on my staff, Monsieur de Tiernay.'

As we walked along, he proceeded to give me the details of our
expedition, which was to be on a far stronger scale than I anticipated.
Three battalions of infantry, with four light batteries, and as many
squadrons of dragoons, were to form the advance.

'We shall neither want the artillery nor cavalry, except to cover a
retreat,' said he; 'I trust, if it come to that, there will not be many
of us to protect; but such are the general's orders, and we have but to
obey them.'

With the great events of that night on my memory, it is strange that
I should retain so accurately in my mind the trivial and slight
circumstances, which are as fresh before me as if they had occurred but
yesterday.

It was about eleven o'clock, of a dark but starry night, not a breath of
wind blowing, that, passing through a number of gloomy, narrow streets,
I suddenly found myself in the courtyard of the Balbe Palace. A large
marble fountain was playing in the centre, around which several lamps
were lighted; by these I could see that the place was crowded with
officers, some seated at tables drinking, some smoking, and others
lounging up and down in conversation. Huge loaves of black bread, and
wicker-covered flasks of country wine, formed the entertainment;
but even these