(this was at noon) the disasters of the preceding day.
The marshal was then sensible, but too late, of the
horrible fault he had committed in remaining unconcerned
on the right bank of the Dyle. He effected his retreat,
in two columns, by Temploux and Namur.

On the 20th in the morning, his rear-guard was attacked,
and thrown into disorder. The division of Teste, the
cavalry of Excelmans, extricated it from its confusion.
The 20th of dragoons, and its worthy colonel, the young
Briqueville, retook from the enemy two pieces of
artillery, which they had captured. General Clary and
his hussars cut down the horse; and the army reached
Namur in tranquillity. The indefatigable division of
General Teste was appointed to defend this town; and it
maintained its post gloriously, till our wounded and
baggage had evacuated it, and our troops were in safety
on the heights of Dinan and Bouvine.

On the 22d the whole of the army was assembled at
Rocroi. On the 24th it formed a junction with the wreck
of Mont St, Jean, which the Emperor had ordered, to bend
its course towards Rheims. On the 25th it marched for
the capital. During its retreat, it was exposed to the
exasperated attacks of the Prussians. It repulsed them
all with firmness and vigour. The noble desire of
repairing the involuntary evil, that it had done us at
Mont St. Jean, inflamed the minds of the soldiers with
the most spirited ardour; and perhaps this army of brave
fellows would have changed the fate of France under the
walls of Paris, had not the inspirations of its
patriotism, and generous despair, been repressed or
betrayed.]

The Duke of Otranto and his party then perceived the necessity of
keeping terms with Napoleon and in a secret conference, which took
place at the house of the minister of police, and at which M. Manuel
and the deputies of most weight in the party of the Duke of Otranto
were present, it was confessed, that it appeared neither prudent nor
possible, to prevent the acknowledgment of Napoleon II.; and that they
would exert th