promise you a motherly surveillance."

The emperor laughed, and, pointing to Hortense's two sons, who had just
been brought in, he said: "Ah, madame, it would be much less dangerous
for my brothers if they were of the age of these boys."

He approached the two boys with extended hands, and while conversing
with them in a kindly and affectionate manner, addressed them with the
titles "monseigneur" and "imperial highness."

The children regarded him wonderingly, for the Russian emperor was the
first to address the little Napoleon and his younger brother, Louis
Napoleon, with these imposing titles. The queen had never allowed them
to be called by any but their own names. She wished to preserve them
from vain pride, and teach them to depend on their own intrinsic merit.

Shortly afterward the King of Prussia and his sons were announced, and
the emperor and his brothers left the young princes, and advanced to
meet the king.

While the emperor and the king were exchanging salutations, Hortense's
two sons inquired of their governess the names of the gentlemen who had
just entered.

"It is the King of Prussia," whispered the governess; "and the gentleman
who has just spoken with you is the Emperor of Russia."

The little Louis Napoleon regarded the tall figures of those princes
thoughtfully for a moment, by no means impressed by their imposing
titles. He was so accustomed to see his mother surrounded by kings, and
these kings had always been his uncles.

"Mademoiselle," said the little Louis Napoleon, after a short pause,
"are these two new gentlemen, the emperor and the king, also our uncles,
like all the others and must we call them so?"

"No, Louis, you must simply call them 'sire.'"

"But," said the boy, after a moment's reflection, "why is it that they
are not our uncles?"

The governess withdrew with the two children to the back of the parlor,
and explained to them, in a low voice, that the emperors and kings then
in Paris, far from being their uncles, were their vanquishers.

"Then," exclaimed the elder boy, Napoleon Louis, his face flushing with
anger, "then they are the enemies of my uncle, the emperor! Why did this
Emperor of Russia embrace us?"

"Because he is a noble and generous enemy, who is endeavoring to serve
you and your mother in your present misfortune. Without him you would
possess nothing more in the world, and the fate of your uncle, the
emperor, would be much sadder than it already is."