dislike to the party with whom you once fought, would
have been denounced as unofficer-like and ungenerous; and every day saw
men walking arm-inarm in closest intimacy, who but the morning before
stood opposed to each other's weapons. I now perceived the truth of
what Minette had once said, and which at the time I but imperfectly
comprehended. "Maitre Francois will be less troublesome in future; and
you, Lieutenant, will have an easier life also."

"Halt there!" shouted a sentry, as we approached the narrow causeway
that led up to the convent. We now discovered, that by a general order
no one was permitted to approach the hospital save such as were provided
with a leave from the medical staff. A bulletin of the deaths was daily
published on the guard-house, except which no other information was
afforded of the condition of the wounded; and to this we turned eagerly,
and with anxious hearts, lest we might read the name of some friend
lost forever. I ran over with a rapid glance the list, where neither St.
Hilaire nor poor Pioche occurred; and then, setting spurs to my horse,
hurried back to my quarters at the top of my speed. When I arrived, the
preparations for the departure of the _elite_ were already in progress,
and I had but time to make my few arrangements for the road when the
order came to join my comrades.

CHAPTER IX. PARIS IN 1800

A portion of the Luxembourg was devoted to the reception of the
_compagnie d'elite_ for whom a household on the most liberal scale was
provided, a splendid table maintained, and all that wealth and the taste
of a voluptuous age could suggest, procured, to make their life one of
daily magnificence and pleasure. Daru himself, the especial favorite
of the Emperor, took the head of the table each day, to which generally
some of the ministers were invited; while the "Moniteur" of every
morning chronicled the festivities, giving _eclat_ to the most minute
circumstance, and making Paris re-echo to the glories of him of
whose fame they were but the messengers. The most costly equipages,
saddle-horses of great price, grooms in gorgeous liveries, all that
could attract notice and admiration, were put in requisition; while
ceremonies of pomp went forward day by day, and the deputation received
in state the congratulatory visits of different departments of the
Government.

While thus this homage was paid to the semblance of Napoleon's glory,
his progress through Germany was one grand tr