ngeance, it was
offended on the other by feeling how feeble would my efforts prove to
oppose the will of an antagonist who worked with such secret and such
powerful means. The same philosophy which so often stood my part in life
here came to my aid,--to act well my own part, and leave the result to
time. And so, with this patient resolve, I mentally bade defiance to my
adversary, and set out from Paris.

The ardent feeling which filled my heart on the approach of my first
campaign was now changed into a soldierly sense of duty, which, if less
enthusiastic, was a steadier and more sustaining motive. I felt whatever
distinctions it should be my lot to win must be gained in the camp, not
in the Court-, that my place was rather where squadrons were charging
and squares were kneeling, than among the intrigues of the capital, its
wiles and its plottings. In the one, I might win an honorable name; in
the other, I should be but the dupe of more designing heads and less
scrupulous hearts than my own.

Early on the third morning from the time of my leaving Paris, I reached
Mayence. The garrisons which I visited on the road seldom detained me
above half an hour. The few questions which I had to ask respecting the
troops were soon and easily answered; and in most instances the officers
in command had been apprised that their reports would be required, and
came ready at once to afford the information.

The disposable force at that time was not above eighty thousand new
levies,--the conscripts of the past year,--who, although well drilled
and equipped, had never undergone the fatigues of a campaign nor met an
enemy in the field. But beyond the frontier were the veteran legions of
the Austrian campaign, who, while advancing on their return to France,
were suddenly halted, and now only awaited the Emperor's orders whither
they should carry their victorious standards.

As at the outbreak of all Napoleon's wars, the greatest uncertainty
prevailed regarding the direction of the army, and in what place and
against what enemy the first blow was to be struck. The Russian army,
defeated and routed at Austerlitz, was said to be once more in the
field, reorganized and strengthened; Austria, it was rumored, was
faltering in her fealty; but the military preparations of Prussia were
no longer a secret, and to many it seemed as if, as in the days of the
Republic, France was about to contend single-handed against the whole of
Europe.

In Pruss