The conversation in the hall was not animated. The Countess Laure,
womanlike, at last began to ask questions.

"Monsieur Marteau," she asked persuasively, "will you hear reason?"

"I will hear anything, mademoiselle, from you," was the instant reply.

"Think of the unhappy state of France."

"I have had reason enough to think of it to-night, mademoiselle. My
father and my sister----" his voice faltered.

"I know," said the girl sympathetically, and, indeed, she was deeply
grieved for the misfortunes of the faithful and devoted old man and the
young girl she had loved. She waited a moment and then continued.
"The Emperor is at last facing defeat. His cause is hopeless."

"He yet lives," answered the soldier softly.

"Yes, of course," said the woman. "I do not understand the military
situation, but my friends----"

"Will monsieur allow me the favor of a word?" interposed the chief
Russian officer courteously.

"If it is not to summon assistance you may speak," replied Marteau.

"As a soldier you know the situation as well as I," continued the
Russian. "Prince Von Schwarzenberg has Napoleon in his grasp. He will
hold him until he is ready to seize him, while Field-Marshal Bluecher
takes Paris."

"The Emperor yet lives," said Marteau, repeating his former remark with
more emphasis and smiling somewhat scornfully. "It is not wise to
portion the lion's skin while it covers his beating heart," he added
meaningly.

"Not even the genius of your Emperor," persisted the Russian more
earnestly, "will avail now, monsieur. He is lost, his cause as well.
Why, this very convoy tells the story. We intercepted letters that
told how pressing was its need. Your army is without arms, without
food, without clothes."

"It still has its Emperor."

"Death!" cried the Russian impatiently. "Must we kill him in order to
teach you a lesson?"

"You will not kill him while there is a soldier in France to interpose
his body."

"Very heroic, doubtless," sneered the Russian, beginning to get angry.
"But you know your cause is lost."

"And if it were?"

"Be reasonable. There are many Frenchmen with the allied armies. Your
rank is----?"

"I am a Major on the Emperor's staff if you are interested to know."

"Major Marteau, I have no doubt that my interest with my Emperor, the
Czar Alexander, with whom I am remotely connected--I may say I am a
favorite officer in his guard--would doubtless insure you a Colonel's
co