and write German, and if
possible, who understood the Tyrol dialect. I was selected for the
appointment; but then there arose a difficulty. The etiquette of the
service demanded that the chef d'Etat-major should be at least a
lieutenant-colonel, and I was but a captain.

"No matter," said he; "you are officier d'elite, which always gives brevet
rank, and so one step more will place you where we want you. Come with me
to Schoenbrunn to-night and I'll try to arrange it."

I was still very weak and unable for any fatigue, as I accompanied the
Marshal to the quaint old palace which, at about a league from the
capital, formed the head-quarters of the Emperor. Up to this time I had
never been presented to Napoleon, and had formed to myself the most
gorgeous notions of the state and splendor that should surround such
majesty. Guess then my astonishment, and, need I own, disappointment, as
we drove up a straight avenue, very sparingly lighted, and descended at a
large door, where a lieutenant's guard was stationed. It was customary for
the Marshals and Generals of Division to present themselves each evening
at Schoenbrunn, from six to nine o'clock, and we found that eight or ten
carriages were already in waiting when we arrived. An officer of the
household recognized the Marshal as he alighted, and as we mounted the
stairs whispered a few words hurriedly in his ear, of which I only caught
one, "Komorn," the name of the Hungarian fortress on the Danube where the
Imperial family of Vienna and the cabinet had sought refuge.

"Diantre!" exclaimed Marmont, "bad news! My dear Tiernay, we have fallen
on an unlucky moment to ask a favor! The dispatches from Komorn are, it
would seem, unsatisfactory. The Tyrol is far from quiet. Kuffstein, I
think that's the name, or some such place, is attacked by a large force,
and likely to fall into their hands from assault."

"That can scarcely be, sir," said I, interrupting; "I know Kuffstein well.
I was two years a prisoner there; and, except by famine, the fortress is
inaccessible."

"What! are you certain of this?" cried he, eagerly; "is there not one side
on which escalade is possible?"

"Quite impracticable on every quarter, believe me, sir. A hundred men of
the line and twenty gunners might hold Kuffstein against the world."

"You hear what he says, Lefebre," said Marmont to the officer; "I think I
might venture to bring him up?" The other shook his head doubtfully, and
said nothing.