I was still wondering whether the hussar could be right, and if the smile with which Duroc had greeted me could mean that the Emperor’s intentions towards me were friendly, when a very tall and handsome young man, in a brilliant uniform, came towards me.  In spite of the change in his dress, I recognised him at once as the General Savary who had commanded the expedition of the night before.

‘Well, Monsieur de Laval,’ said he, shaking hands with me very pleasantly, ’you have heard, no doubt, that this fellow Toussac has escaped us.  He was really the only one whom we were anxious to seize, for the other is evidently a mere dupe and dreamer.  But we shall have him yet, and between ourselves we shall keep a very strict guard upon the Emperor’s person until we do, for Master Toussac is not a man to be despised.’

I seemed to feel his great rough thumb upon my chin as I answered that I thought he was a very dangerous man indeed.

‘The Emperor will see you presently,’ said Savary.  ’He is very busy this morning, but he bade me say that you should have an audience.’  He smiled and passed on.

‘Assuredly you are getting on,’ whispered Gerard.  ’There are a good many men here who would risk something to have Savary address them as he addressed you.  The Emperor is certainly going to do something for you.  But attention, friend, for here is Monsieur de Talleyrand himself coming towards us.’

A singular-looking person was shuffling in our direction.  He was a man about fifty years of age, largely made about the shoulders and chest, but stooping a good deal, and limping heavily in one leg.  He walked slowly, leaning upon a silver-headed stick, and his sober suit of black, with silk stockings of the same hue, looked strangely staid among the brilliant uniforms which surrounded him.  But in spite of his plain dress there was an expression of great authority upon his shrewd face, and every one drew back with bows and salutes as he moved across the tent.

‘Monsieur Louis de Laval?’ said he, as he stopped in front of me, and his cold grey eyes played over me from head to heel.

I bowed, and with some coldness, for I shared the dislike which my father used to profess for this unfrocked priest and perjured politician; but his manner was so polished and engaging that it was hard to hold out against it.

‘I knew your cousin de Rohan very well indeed,’ said he.  ’We were two rascals together when the world was not quite so serious as it is at present.  I believe that you are related to the Cardinal de Montmorency de Laval, who is also an old friend of mine.  I understand that you are about to offer your services to the Emperor?’

‘I have come from England for that purpose, sir.’

’And met with some little adventure immediately upon your arrival, as I understand.  I have heard the story of the worthy police agent, the two Jacobins, and the lonely hut.  Well, you have seen the danger to which the Emperor is exposed, and it may make you the more zealous in his service.  Where is your uncle, Monsieur Bernac?’