still confident in his good fortune, he looked forward to new
conquests which would throw those of the past into the shade, and as his
eyes rested on that mighty city of the czars, the intoxication of glory
filled his soul.

The conqueror gave but little time to these dreams. The steps to realize
them must be taken. Murat was bidden to march forward quickly and to
repress all disorders which might break out in the city. Denniee was
ordered to hasten and arrange for the food and lodging of the soldiers.
Durosnel received orders to communicate with the authorities, to calm
their fears, and to lead them to the conqueror, that he might receive
their homage. Fancying that the inhabitants awaited his coming in
trembling fear, Napoleon halted until these preliminaries should be
arranged, before making his triumphant entry into the conquered capital
of Muscovy.

Murat, at the head of the light cavalry, galloped rapidly forward,
quickly reaching the bridge over the Moskowa. Here he found a rear-guard
of the Russian army, in rapid retreat. The meeting was not a hostile
one; Murat rode to the Russian line, and asked if there was an officer
among them who spoke French. A young Russian immediately presented
himself, and asked him what he wanted.

"Who is the commander of this rear-guard?" he asked.

The Russian pointed to a white-haired officer, who wore a long cloak of
fur. Murat advanced and held out his hand. The officer took and pressed
it warmly.

"Do you know me?" asked the Frenchman.

"Yes," answered the Russian, courteously; "we have seen enough of you
under fire to know you."

A short colloquy succeeded, during which Murat could not keep his eyes
from the officer's fur cloak, which looked as if it would be very
comfortable in a winter bivouac. The Russian, noticing his looks, took
off the mantle and offered it to him, begging him to accept it as a
present from an admiring foe. Murat courteously accepted it, and in
return presented the officer with a beautiful and valuable watch, which
was accepted in the same spirit of courteous good-will.

The Russian officer now joined his men, who were filing rapidly away,
and Murat rode onward into the streets of the captured city, his staff
and a detachment of cavalry accompanying him. Through street after
street he passed, here finding himself moving between rows of narrow
wooden houses, there through avenues bordered by palatial residences,
which rose from rich and ample ga