a red glare in the dark sky told how
the battle was raging. Up that steep street, at the top of which the
venerable chateau stood, poured the infantry columns in a run. The
struggle was short. The dull sound of the Russian drum soon proclaimed
a retreat; and a rocket darting through the black sky announced to the
Emperor that the position had been won.

The next day the Emperor fixed his headquarters at the chateau, and
a battalion of the guard bivouacked in the park around it. I had sent
forward the letter to General Damremont, and was wondering when and
in what terms the reply might come, when the general himself rode up,
accompanied by a single aide-de-camp.

"I have had the opportunity, sir, to speak of your conduct in the proper
quarter," said he, courteously; "and the result is, your appointment as
major of the Tenth Hussars, or, if you prefer it, the staff."

"Wherever, sir, my humble services can best be employed. I have no other
wish."

"Then take the regimental rank," said he; "your brigade will see enough
of hot work ere long. And now push forward to Mezieres, where you'll
find your regiment. They have received orders to march to-morrow,
early."

I was not sorry to be relieved from the command of my irregular horse,
who went by the title of "brigands" in the army generally; though, if
the truth were to be told, the reproach on the score of honesty came ill
from those who conferred it. Still, it was a more gratifying position to
hold a rank in a regiment of regular cavalry, and one whose reputation
was second to none in the service.

"I wish to present myself to the colonel in command, sir," said I,
addressing an officer, who with two or three others stood chatting at
the door of a cottage.

"You 'll find him here, sir," said he, pointing to the hut. But, as he
spoke, the clank of a sabre was heard, and at the same instant a tall,
soldierlike figure stooped beneath the low doorway, and came forth.

"The colonel of the Tenth, I presume?" said I, handing the despatch from
General Damremont.

"What! my old college friend and companion!" cried the colonel, as he
stepped back in amazement. "Have I such good fortune as to see you in my
regiment?"

"Can it be really so?" said I, in equal astonishment. "Are you Tascher?"

"Yes, my dear friend; the same Tascher you used to disarm so easily
at college,--a colonel at last. But why are you not at the head of a
regiment long since? Oh! I forgot, though," said