ort to the sword," said Sir Gervaise,
looking at his bloody blade, for he had fought valiantly with the rest
and would have been killed but he had been knocked senseless with that
billet of wood which had hit him on the head and felled him to the
floor.

"You are, by your language, an Englishman."

"I am, and proud of it."

"The English," said Napoleon slowly, "have been my bitterest enemies."

"Pardon, Sire," said the Russian bluntly, "we children of the white
Czar will dispute that honor with them."

"And you sought to kill me?" said the Emperor, turning upon the other.
"You are a brave man," he added.

"And I would have done so but for----"

"Bah!" interrupted Napoleon contemptuously. "The bullet is not molded
that is destined for me. My career is not to be cut short by the hand
of any young boy who wears the uniform of the Russian guard. Silence,
monsieur! Take him prisoner. See that he be kept under close guard.
When we have taken Olsuvieff's division to-morrow and then Sacken's
there will be many of his comrades to bear him company to Paris. Did
any of the men outside escape?"

"No, Sire," answered General Maurice, entering the room just in time to
hear the question. "The wood around the chateau was completely filled
with my men. Those we have not killed here we have taken prisoner.
Most of them were shot down as they strove to break through."

"That is well," said the Emperor.

"And the convoy?" asked General Maurice.

"Detach a regiment to escort it back to Sezanne. Let it be distributed
to the regiments and divisions as they arrive."

"And those who have gone on ahead?"

"Their arms, equipment and provisions are in the hands of the
Prussians. We shall march immediately. As for you, mademoiselle, what
is your name?"

"I am the Comtesse Laure d'Aumenier."

"H'm, the daughter of the Comte Robert d'Aumenier, who made his
submission to the Empire and received back his estates, I believe?"

"The same, Sire."

"Where is he?"

"Dead, Sire, these two years."

"And you?"

"I went to my uncle in England."

"To the enemy!" exclaimed Napoleon sharply.

"To the enemy," answered the Countess, looking at him courageously.

"And you came back for what purpose?"

"The estates are to be sold. There were certain papers of which I
alone knew the hiding place. There was no way for me to reach them
save by the courtesy of the Czar Alexander. He sent me to
Field-Marshal Bluecher with inst