the
early hours of the morning to bury his father and sister, saying such
prayers as he could remember, in default of the parish priest, who had
been murdered. The Emperor having sent a courier with an escort back
to Nogent, the Countess Laure and her English friend had elected to go
with them. They feared to be left alone in the chateau all day, in the
disturbed state of the country, and it was easier, perhaps, to reach
Paris from Nogent by way of the Seine than by going direct from
Sezanne. Marteau had approved of their decision.

The parting between the young people had been as formal as possible.
The Englishman, on the contrary, with true British hospitality, had
said that if peace ever came he would indeed be glad to welcome him at
his home in England. Marteau had sworn to hold the chateau and its
land in trust for the Countess, although she protested she would not
hear of anything of the kind. And then he had bade her farewell. He
had arrived in time to take part in the hard fighting at the close of
the day, and had been busy during the early part of the night in
carrying messages and resuming his duties at headquarters.

At two o'clock in the morning Napoleon threw himself down on a
peasant's bed in a hut and slept until four. At that hour he awakened
and summoned the officer on duty. Marteau presented himself. The
Emperor, as refreshed by his two hours of sleep as if he had spent the
night in a comfortable bed, addressed the young man familiarly. None
could unbend better than he.

"My good Marteau," he began. "But stop--Monsieur le Comte
d'Aumenier"--he smiled--"I have not forgot. Berthier has orders to
send to Paris to have your patent of nobility made out and to see that
the confiscated Aumenier lands are transferred to you."

"I thank your Majesty," said the young aide, deeming it wiser to say
nothing of his ultimate intentions regarding the patent of nobility and
the estates.

"It would be a fine thing," said the Emperor, "if you and that girl
should come together. She is the last of her line, I understand, save
her old uncle in England, who is unmarried and childless. Is it not
so?"

"That is true, Sire."

"Well, you couldn't do better. She is a woman of spirit and
resolution. Her prompt action in the chateau last night showed it. I
commend her to your consideration. Were I your age and in your station
I should like nothing better."

"Your Majesty anticipated my desire, my own