troops could pass
--had been mined, and committed to the charge of Colonel Montfort of the
Engineers, with directions to blow it up when the enemy appeared, and
thus gain time for the baggage to retreat.

'As the aide-de-camp stood awaiting Napoleon's orders in reply to a few
lines written in pencil by the Duke of Tarento, another staff-officer
arrived, breathless, to say that the allies had carried the rampart,
and were already in Leipsic. Napoleon became deadly pale; then, with a
motion of his hand, he signed to the officer to withdraw.

'"Duroc," said he, when they were alone, "where is Nansouty?"

'"With the eighth corps, sire. They have passed an hour since."

'"Who commands the picket without?"

'"Aubuisson, sire."

'"Send him to me, and leave us alone."

'In a few moments Colonel Aubuisson entered. His arm was in a sling
from a sabre-wound he had received the morning before, but which did not
prevent his remaining on duty. The stout soldier seemed as unconcerned
and fearless in that dreadful moment as though it were a day of gala
manoeuvres, and not one of disaster and defeat.

'"Aubuisson," said the Emperor, "you were with us at Alexandria?"

'"I was, sire," said he, as a deeper tinge coloured his bronzed
features.

'"The first in the rampart--I remember it well," said Napoleon; "the
_ordre du jour_ commemorates the deed. It was at Moscow you gained the
cross, I believe?" continued he, after a slight pause.

'"I never obtained it, sire," replied Aubuisson, with a struggle to
repress some disappointment in his tone.

'"How, never obtained it!--you, Aubuisson, an ancient _brave_ of the
Pyramids! Come, come, there has been a mistake somewhere; we must look
to this. Meanwhile, _General_ Aubuisson, take mine."

'With that he detached his cordon from the breast of his uniform, and
fastened it on the coat of the astonished officer, who could only mutter
the words, "Sire, sire!" in reply.

'"Now, then, for a service you must render me, and speedily, too," said
Napoleon, as he laid his hand on the general's shoulder.

'The Emperor whispered for some seconds in his ear, then looked at him
fixedly in the face. "What!" cried he, "do you hesitate?"

'"Hesitate, sire!" said Aubuisson, starting back. "Never! If your
Majesty had ordered me to the mouth of a mortar--but I wish to know----"

'Napoleon did not permit him to conclude, but drawing him closer,
whispered again a few words in his ear. "And, mark me