d. Napoleon must then be here; his equipage
it was which arrived so hurriedly; his the light which burned through
the stillness of the night. As these thoughts followed fast on one
another, I almost trembled to think how nearly I had ventured on his
presence, where none dared to approach unbidden. To retire quickly and
noiselessly was now my care. But my first step entangled my foot; I
stumbled. The noise awoke the sleeping Turk, and with a loud cry for the
guard he sprang to his feet.

"La garde!" called he a second time, forgetting in his surprise that
none was there. But then with a spring he seized me by the arm, and as
his shining weapon gleamed above my head, demanded who I was, and for
what purpose there.

The first words of my reply were scarcely uttered, when a small door was
opened within the vestibule, and the Emperor appeared. Late as was the
hour, he was dressed, and even wore his sword at his side.

"What means this? Who are you, sir?" was the quick, sharp question he
addressed to me.

A few words--the fewest in which I could convey it--told my story, and
expressed my sorrow, that in the sick man's fancy of a moonlight walk I
should have disturbed his Majesty.

"I thought, Sire," added I, "that your Majesty was many a league distant
with the army--"

"There is no army, sir," interrupted he, with a rapid gesture of his
hand; "to-morrow there will be no Emperor. Go, sir; go, while it is yet
the time. Offer your sword and your services where so many others, more
exalted than yourself, have done. This is the day of desertion; see that
you take advantage of it."

"Had my name and rank been less humble, they would have assured your
Majesty how little I merited this reproach."

"I am sorry to have offended you," replied he, in a voice of
inexpressible softness. "You led the assault at Montereau? I remember
you now. I should have given you your brigade, had I--" He stopped
here suddenly, while an expression of suffering passed across his pale
features; he rallied from it, however, in an instant, and resumed, "I
should have known you earlier; it is too late! Adieu!"

He inclined his head slightly as he spoke, and extended his hand. I
pressed it fervently to my lips, and would have spoken, but I could not.
The moment after he was gone.

[Illustration: BrownePartingScene ]

It is too late! too late!--the same terrible words which were uttered
beneath the blackened walls of Moscow; repeated at every new