s look of anger, and that anger an
Emperor's.

This was precisely my predicament, for, in my confusion, I had not noticed
how, as the Emperor drew near to any individual to converse, the others,
at either side, immediately retired out of hearing, preserving an air of
obedient attention, but without in any way obtruding themselves on the
royal notice. The consequence was, that as his Majesty stood to talk with
Marshal Oudinot, I maintained my place, never perceiving my awkwardness
till I saw that I made one of three figures isolated in the floor of the
chamber. To say that I had rather have stood in face of an enemy's
battery, is no exaggeration. I'd have walked up to a gun with a stouter
heart than I felt at this terrible moment; and yet there was something in
that sidelong glance of angry meaning that actually nailed me to the spot,
and I could not have fallen back to save my life. There were, I afterward
learned, no end of signals and telegraphic notices to me from the officers
in waiting. Gestures and indications for my guidance abounded, but I saw
none of them. I had drawn myself up in an attitude of parade
stiffness--neither looked right nor left--and waited as a criminal might
have waited for the fall of the ax that was to end his sufferings forever.

That the Emperor remained something like two hours and a half in
conversation with the marshal, I should have been quite ready to verify on
oath; but the simple fact was, that the interview occupied under four
minutes; and then General Oudinot backed out of the presence leaving me
alone in front of his Majesty.

The silence of the chamber was quite dreadful, as, with his hands clasped
behind his back, and his head slightly thrown forward, the Emperor stared
steadily at me. I am more than half ashamed of the confession; but what
between the effect of long illness and suffering, the length of time I had
been standing, and the emotion I experienced, I felt myself growing dizzy,
and a sickly faintness began to creep over me, and but for the support of
my sabre, I should actually have fallen.

"You seem weak; you had better sit down," said the Emperor, in a soft and
mild voice.

"Yes, sire, I have not quite recovered yet," muttered I, indistinctly; but
before I could well finish the sentence, Marmont was beside the Emperor,
and speaking rapidly to him.

"Ah, indeed!" cried Napoleon, tapping his snuff-box, and smiling. "This is
Tiernay, then. Parbleu! we have heard s