general list: in any case, the long-wished reward was mine,--the
proud distinction I had desired for so many a day and night.

The distribution of the "cordons" was always made the occasion of a
grand military spectacle, and the Emperor determined that the present
one should convey a powerful impression of the effective strength of his
army, as well as of its perfect equipment; and accordingly orders
were despatched to the different generals of division within twelve or
fifteen leagues of Berlin, to march their corps to the capital. The 28th
of November was the day fixed for this grand display, and all was bustle
and preparation for the event.

On the morning of the 22d, I received an official note from the bureau
of the adjutant-general desiring me to wait on him before noon that same
day. Concluding it referred to my promised promotion to the "Legion," it
was with somewhat of a fluttered and excited feeling I found myself, at
some few minutes after eleven o'clock, in the antechamber, which already
was crowded with officers, some seeking, some summoned to an interview.

In the midst of the buzz of conversation, which, despite the reserve
of the place, still prevailed, I heard my name called, and followed
an aide-de-camp along a passage into a large room, which opened into
a smaller apartment, where, standing with his back to the fire, I
perceived Marshal Berthier, his only companion being an officer in a
staff uniform, busily engaged writing at a table.

"You are Captain Burke, of the Eighth Hussars, I believe, sir?" said the
marshal, reading slowly from a slip of paper he held twisted round one
finger.

"Yes, sir."

"By birth an Irishman," continued the marshal; "entered at the
Polytechnique in August, 1801. Am I correct?" I bowed. "Subsequently
accused of being concerned in the conspiracy of Georges and Pichegru,"
resumed he, as he raised his eyes slightly from the paper, and fixed
them searchingly upon me.

"Falsely so, sir," was my only reply.

"You were acquitted,--that's enough: a reprimand for imprudence, and
a slight punishment of arrest, was all. Since that time, you have
conducted yourself, as the report of your commanding officer attests,
with zeal and steadiness."

He paused here, and seemed as if he expected me to say something; but
as I thought the whole a most strange commencement to the ceremony of
investing me with a cross of the Legion, I remained silent.

"At Paris, when attached to the _