proposition, in fact."

"What? You struck while you had the opportunity? That was well."

"But, unlike you, Sire, I struck unavailingly."

"The lady refused?"

"Positively. She is of the oldest family in France, while I----"

"Marteau," said the Emperor sharply, "no more of that. If you cannot
be a descendant, be an ancestor. Look at me. My family began at
Montemotte, and to-day the mother of my son is a Hapsburg!"

"But she is engaged to the son of that Englishman, Sire."

"Bah, what of that? Engagements can be broken, marriages even
dissolved. The Holy Father at Rome will refuse me nothing. When I
have beaten the allies I will take your affair in hand. There are few
powers in Europe that will turn a deaf ear to the suggestions of the
Emperor of the French, believe me. The lady shall be yours."

"Your Majesty's power," said the young officer dubiously, "does not
extend to women's hearts."

"Does it not?" laughed the Emperor grimly. "You shall see. My word
shall be law again everywhere. With my favor you will go far. There
are no patents of nobility that stand higher than mine, for mine are
based on my recognition of merit alone, not on accident of birth. You
served me well, and you shall see that I am not ungrateful. Meanwhile,
to you a new duty is assigned."

"I welcome it gladly."

Napoleon took an order prepared the night before from a table.

"This to General Nansouty. I want him to march at once. Read it. You
will see," he continued, "that Nansouty's cavalry is to hold Sacken in
check until I have seized Montmirail. He has guns with him. Let him
deploy, attack vigorously. Keep the enemy occupied and gradually fall
back upon Montmirail. Ride with him yourself, and rejoin me at
Montmirail about ten in the morning. We should be up then. You
understand?" said the Emperor, ready to explain his orders more fully,
believing that an order could be more intelligently delivered if the
purport were explained verbally to the bearer, especially in the case
of a skilled and trusted young soldier like Marteau.

"I understand, Sire."

"Away, then. Continue to merit my favor, for upon that favor
rests"--he laughed, he was in high good spirits and humor that
morning--"the lady."

Marteau saluted. In spite of himself a certain hope began to spring up
in his heart. That Emperor was almost a demi-god to his men. Whatever
he had essayed he had generally achieved in times past, and who cou