oth armies would not
have remained on the field of Waterloo, and perhaps have joined battle
again in the morning, for the French had been expecting fresh
reinforcements after their defeat; but these not arriving and we being
increased in numbers, no resource was left them but to retreat.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Advance to Paris -- Lawrence on the general fickleness of
humanity -- Flight and surrender of Napoleon -- Enthusiastic
reception of Louis XVIII. by the Parisians rather snubbed by Lord
Wellington -- Lawrence assists in escorting Louis to his throne
-- Comfortable quarters in Paris -- Various historical events of
more or less importance -- Review and sham fight -- Sequel to the
story of the sickly recruit -- An incorrigible subject -- Flogged
four times, and then drummed out of the regiment -- Another very
simple tale of true love, but one in which Lawrence is this time
more immediately concerned -- Married, though not exactly settled
-- Departure from Paris.

Our march now lay in the direction of Paris, and being made all in the
daytime, caused us very little fatigue, as we halted often, besides
always encamping or billeting at night. We never fell in with the
enemy ourselves, though some few collisions took place between the
Prussians and French after this, and likewise some towns were taken by
our army; but beyond that our march was generally quiet, and we
continued on to within a few miles of, and in sight of Paris, where we
remained for a short time, coming up here with our allies the
Prussians. They had already opened fire on that city of despotism,
which was returned faintly by the enemy; but once the balance is
turned, and once a man, however great, is defeated, all seem to
forsake him, and he immediately becomes an usurper, as was shown to be
true in this Napoleon's case. There is not a doubt that the populace
would have held to him if he had been a conqueror, but as it was, the
whole city now changed its sentiments from Napoleon to Louis XVIII.,
who had advanced with us with about fifty of his own guards.

On our approach to the city the inhabitants soon sent a flag of truce
for terms, and the firing having ceased on both sides, these were
agreed upon, and the city gates were opened. Napoleon Buonaparte had
previously flown to the coast to get a ship to America, but not
finding one at hand, and fearing that if he stayed on land he might on
acco