ave this day achieved over the army of the
King of Prussia."

"Ah, general, this time I am in advance of you," cried Loudon; "the
dispatches are already sent off in which I announced to my empress the
victory which the Austrian troops gained over the Prussians."

Soltikow threw his head back scornfully, and his little gray eyes
flashed at the Austrian.

Loudon went on, calmly: "I assure your excellency that enthusiasm at
our glorious victory has made me eloquent. I pictured to my empress
the picturesque moment in which the conquering Prussians were rushing
forward to take possession of the batteries deserted by the flying
Russians, at which time the Austrian horsemen sprang, as it were, from
the ground, checked the conquerors, and forced them back; and by deeds
of lionlike courage changed the fate of the day."

While Loudon, seeming entirely cool and careless, thus spoke, the face
of the Russian general was lurid with rage. Panting for breath, he
pressed his doubled fist upon the table.

Every one looked at him in breathless excitement and horror--all knew
his passionate and unrestrained rage. But the Marquis Montalembert
hastened to prevent this outburst of passion, and before Soltikow found
breath to speak, he turned with a gay and conciliating expression to
Loudon.

"If you have painted the battle of to-day so much in detail," said he,
"you have certainly not forgotten to depict the gallant conduct of
the Russian troops to describe that truly exalted movement, when the
Russians threw themselves to the earth, as if dead, before advancing
columns of the Prussian army, and allowed them to pass over them; then,
springing up, shot them in the back." [Footnote: Archenholtz, Seven
Years' War, p. 257.]

"Certainly I did not forget that," said Loudon, whose noble, generous
heart already repented his momentary passion and jealousy; "certainly,
I am not so cowardly and so unconscionable as to deny the weighty share
which the Russian army merit in the honor of this day; but you can well
understand that I will not allow the gallant deeds of the Austrians to
be swept away. We have fought together and conquered together, and now
let us rejoice together over the glorious result."

Loudon gave his hand to Soltikow with so friendly an expression that he
could not withstand it. "You are right, Loudon; we will rejoice together
over this great victory," cried he. "Wine, here! We will first drink a
glass in honor of the triumph