rshals_, to the number of 900, altogether ignorant of
the purpose for which they had been convoked. The Emperor took his
station in the centre of the hall; and immediately afterwards the
Empress with the King of Rome (carried in the arms of Countess
Montesquiou), appeared at his side. "Gentlemen," said Napoleon, "France
is invaded; I go to put myself at the head of my troops, and, with God's
help and their valour, I hope soon to drive the enemy beyond the
frontier." Here he took Maria Louisa in one hand and her son in the
other, and continued--"But if they should approach the capital, I
confide to the National Guard the Empress and the King of Rome"--then
correcting himself, he said in a tone of strong emotion--"_my wife and
my child_." Several officers stepped from their places and approached
him; and tears were visible on the cheeks even of those who were known
to be no worshippers of the Emperor, or hearty supporters of his cause.

A Frenchman can rarely resist a scene: and such this was considered, and
laughed at accordingly, ere next morning. It is, nevertheless, difficult
to refuse sympathy to the chief actor. Buonaparte was sincerely attached
to Maria Louisa, though he treated her rather with a parental tenderness
than like a lover; and his affection for his son was the warmest passion
in his heart, unless, indeed, we must except his pride and his ambition,
both of which may be well supposed to have merged for a moment in the
feeling which shook his voice.

[Footnote 65: Now Lord Lynedoch.]

CHAPTER XXXV

The Campaign of France--Battles of Brienne and La
Rothiere--Expedition of the Marne--Battles of Nangis and
Montereau--Schwartzenberg Retreats--Napoleon again marches against
Blucher--Attacks Soissons and is Repulsed--Battles of Craonne and
Laon--Napoleon at Rheims--His Perplexities--He Marches to St.
Dizier.

Napoleon spent part of the 24th of January in reviewing troops in the
courtyard of the Tuileries, in the midst of a fall of snow, which must
have called up ominous recollections, and at three in the morning of the
25th, once more left his capital. He had again appointed Maria Louisa
Regent, placed his brother Joseph at the head of her council, and given
orders for raising military defences around Paris, and for converting
many public buildings into hospitals. He set off in visible dejection;
but recovered all his energy on reaching once more the congenial
atmosphe