d to enjoy the high spirit of the mettled
animal, as he tossed his long mane about, and lashed his sides with his
great silken tail.

As the cortege passed we closed up the rear, and followed at a sharp
pace, more than ever puzzled to divine what was going forward. After
about two hours' riding, during which we never drew bridle, we saw a
party of staff-officers in front, who, saluting the Emperor, joined the
cortege. At the same instant General d'Auvergne passed close beside me,
and whispered in my ear. "Bernadotte has just come up, and been most
coldly received." I wished to ask him what was the object of the whole
movement, but he was gone before I could do so. In less than a quarter
of an hour afterwards we left the highroad, and entered upon a large
plain, where the only object I could perceive was an old mill, ruined
and dilapidated. Towards this the imperial staff rode forward, while the
peloton in front wheeled about, and rode to the rear of our squadrons.
The next moment we were halted, and drawn up in order of battle.

While these movements were going forward, I remarked that the Emperor
had dismounted from his horse and dismissed his staff, all save Marshal
Berthier, who stood at a little distance from him. Several dismounted
dragoons were employed in lighting two immense fires,--a process which
Napoleon appeared to watch with great interest for a second or two; and
then, taking out his glass, he remained for several minutes intently
surveying the great road to Holitsch.

In this direction at once every eye was turned; but nothing could we
see. The road led through a wide open country for some miles, and at
last disappeared in the recesses of a dark pine wood, that covered the
horizon for miles on either side. Meanwhile Napoleon, with his hands
clasped behind his back, walked hurriedly backwards and forwards beside
the blazing fires, stopping at intervals to look along the road, and
then resuming his walk as before. He was not more than two hundred paces
from where we stood, and I could mark well his gesture of impatience, as
he closed his glass each time, after looking in vain towards Holitsch.

"I say, Burke," whispered one of my brother officers beside me, "I
should not fancy being the man who keeps him waiting in that fashion.
Look at Berthier, how he keeps aloof; he knows that something is
brewing."

"What can it all mean?" said I. "Who can he be expecting here?"

"They say now," whispered my compa