ecessary condition
of his existence. Still so natural was it to him, that it did not wear
the semblance of hurry. Scarcely had the beat of the drum been heard at
the gate, before the clatter of his heels resounded in the hall, as the
flash of a cannon precedes the report.

This time, however, he seemed fitful and even agitated. On entering the
saloon, he paced it like one who waited with impatience. Having taken a
few turns from one end to the other, he moved to a window, and began
beating a march with his fingers on the window-frame. The rolling of a
carriage was heard in the court, he ceased to beat, and after a short
pause stamped on the floor, as if impatient at seeing something done too
slowly; then stepping hastily to the door, opened it--it was for the
Pope.

Pius VII. entered alone; Bonaparte closed the door after him. The Pope
was tall, but stooped somewhat; his countenance, elongated and sallow,
wore an expression of suffering, which seemed to have been induced upon
a habitual tone of elevation and courtesy. His eyes were black and
large, and on his lips, which were slightly opened, played a smile
indicative at once of urbanity and benevolence. He wore on his head a
white calotte or headpiece, partially covering his hair, which was
naturally black, but now blended with some silver locks; on his
shoulders he had a camail, or cape of red velvet, and his long robe
reached to his feet. Those who have seen his portrait by Lawrence,
though taken ten or eleven years later, will recognize at once the
correctness of this description. As he entered the room he moved slowly,
with a calm and measured step like that of an aged female; and having
taken his seat in an arm-chair, he turned his eyes toward the floor, and
seemed to wait for what the other Italian was going to say.

Bonaparte, as all know, was short in stature, being below the middle
height; but in all other respects he was, at the period here referred
to, very different in personal appearance from what he became
subsequently. Far from having that fullness which approached to
corpulence--that sallow puffiness of cheek which verged on the
unhealthy--or that heaviness of limb, or general obesity, which
threatened infirmity--he was slender in frame, but firm and
well-proportioned; yet there was something which indicated premature
wear, by hardship in the field and toil in the cabinet; he was quick and
nervous in every movement, rapid and almost convulsive in his