frightened I couldn't move; I just stood and
trembled. It seems he has some terrible complaint that makes him cry out
that way. When there are people around he holds in, but as soon as he is
alone it is too much for him, and he groans and shrieks in a way to make
your hair stand on end."

"Do you know where the fighting is this morning?" asked Henriette,
desiring to check her loquacity.

Rose dismissed the question with a wave of her little hand and went on
with her narrative.

"That made me curious to know more, you see, and I went upstairs four or
five times during the night and listened, and every time it was just the
same; I don't believe he was quiet an instant all night long, or got a
minute's sleep. Oh! what a terrible thing it is to suffer like that with
all he has to worry him! for everything is upside down; it is all a most
dreadful mess. Upon my word, I believe those generals are out of their
senses; such ghostly faces and frightened eyes! And people coming all
the time, and doors banging and some men scolding and others crying, and
the whole place like a sailor's boarding-house; officers drinking from
bottles and going to bed in their boots! The Emperor is the best of the
whole lot, and the one who gives least trouble, in the corner where
he conceals himself and his suffering!" Then, in reply to Henriette's
reiterated question: "The fighting? there has been fighting at Bazeilles
this morning. A mounted officer brought word of it to the marshal, who
went immediately to notify the Emperor. The marshal has been gone ten
minutes, and I shouldn't wonder if the Emperor intends to follow him,
for they are dressing him upstairs. I just now saw them combing him and
plastering his face with all sorts of cosmetics."

But Henriette, having finally learned what she desired to know, rose to
go.

"Thank you, Rose. I am in somewhat of a hurry this morning."

The young girl went with her to the street door, and took leave of her
with a courteous:

"Glad to have been of service to you, Madame Weiss. I know that anything
said to you will go no further."

Henriette hurried back to her house in the Rue des Voyards. She felt
quite certain that her husband would have returned, and even reflected
that he would be alarmed at not finding her there, and hastened her
steps in consequence. As she drew near the house she raised her eyes in
the expectation of seeing him at the window watching for her, but the
window, wide open