ith
that young lady. There, you see, he has said something which would have
passed very well with a vivandiere, but it has made her fly to her
mamma, and he is scratching his head, for he cannot imagine how he has
offended her.'

'Who is the beautiful woman with the white dress and the tiara of
diamonds?' I asked.

'That is Madame Murat, who is the sister of the Emperor. Caroline is
beautiful, but she is not as pretty as her sister Marie, whom you see
over yonder in the corner. Do you see the tall stately dark-eyed old
lady with whom she is talking? That is Napoleon's mother--a wonderful
woman, the source of all their strength, shrewd, brave, vigorous,
forcing respect from everyone who knows her. She is as careful and as
saving as when she was the wife of a small country gentleman in Corsica,
and it is no secret that she has little confidence in the permanence of
the present state of things, and that she is always laying by for an
evil day. The Emperor does not know whether to be amused or exasperated
by her precautions. Well, Murat, I suppose we shall see you riding
across the Kentish hop-fields before long.'

The famous soldier had paused opposite to us, and shook hands with my
companion. His elegant well-knit figure, large fiery eyes, and noble
bearing made this innkeeper's boy a man who would have drawn attention
and admiration to himself in any assembly in Europe. His mop of curly
hair and thick red lips gave that touch of character and individuality
to his appearance which redeem a handsome face from insipidity.

'I am told that it is devilish bad country for cavalry--all cut up into
hedges and ditches,' said he. 'The roads are good, but the fields are
impossible. I hope that we are going soon, Monsieur de Caulaincourt,
for our men will all settle down as gardeners if this continues.
They are learning more about watering-pots and spuds than about horses
and sabres.'

'The army, I hear, is to embark to-morrow.'

'Yes, yes, but you know very well that they will disembark again upon
the wrong side of the Channel. Unless Villeneuve scatters the English
fleet, nothing can be attempted.'

'Constant tells me that the Emperor was whistling "Malbrook" all the
time that he was dressing this morning, and that usually comes before a
move.'

'It was very clever of Constant to tell what tune it was which the
Emperor was whistling,' said Murat, laughing. 'For my part I do not
think that he knows the diffe