myself with a civil acknowledgment of his
attention, I bowed and returned to my horse, which the little peasant
child had been holding.

"This way, Monsieur," said the groom, who, dressed in a plain dark brown
livery, was mounted on a horse of great size and symmetry.

As he spoke, he dashed forward at a gallop which all my efforts could
not succeed in overtaking. In less than ten minutes the man halted,
and, waiting till I came up, he pointed to a gentle acclivity before me,
across which the highroad led.

"There lies the road, sir; continue your speed, and in twenty minutes
you reach Goeding."

"One word," said I, drawing forth my purse as I spoke,--"one word. Tell
me, who is your master?"

The groom smiled, slightly touched his hat, and without uttering a word,
wheeled round his horse, and before I could repeat my question, was far
on his road back to the chateau.

Before me lay the river, and the little bridge of Goeding, across which
now the Russian columns were marching in rapid but compact order. Their
cavalry had nearly all passed, and was drawn with some field-guns along
the bank; while at half-cannon-shot distance, the corps of Davoust were
drawn up in order of battle, and standing spectators of the scene. On an
eminence of the field a splendid staff were assembled, accompanied by a
troop of Tartar horsemen, whose gay colors and strange equipment were
a remarkable feature of the picture; and here, I learned, the Emperor
Alexander then was, accompanied by General Savary.

As I drew near, my French uniform caught the eye of the latter, and he
cantered forward to meet me. Tearing open the despatch with eagerness,
he rapidly perused the few lines it contained; then, seizing me by the
arm in his-strong grasp, he exclaimed,--

"Look yonder, sir! You see their columns extending to Serritz. Go back
and tell his Majesty. But no; my own mission here is ended. You may
return to Austerlitz."

So saying, he rode back to the group around the Emperor, where I saw
him a few minutes after addressing his Majesty; and then, after a formal
leave-taking, turn his horse's head and set out towards Brunn.

As I retraced my steps towards the camp, I began to muse over the events
which had just occurred; and even by the imperfect glimpses I
could catch of the negotiations, could perceive that the Czar had
out-manoeuvred Napoleon. It is true, I was not aware by what means
the success had been obtained; nor was it for many a