‘That is how it is managed,’ said my companion, as we turned from the tent.  ’I have known twenty-three fowls got ready for him before he asked for his meal.  That day he called for his dinner at eleven at night.  He cares little what he eats or drinks, but he will not be kept waiting.  Half a bottle of Chambertin, a red mullet, or a pullet a la Marengo satisfy every need, but it is unwise to put pastry or cream upon the table, because he is as likely as not to eat it before the fowl.  Ah, that is a curious sight, is it not?’

I had halted with an exclamation of astonishment.  A groom was cantering a very beautiful Arab horse down one of the lanes between the tents.  As it passed, a grenadier who was standing with a small pig under his arm hurled it down under the feet of the horse.  The pig squealed vigorously and scuttled away, but the horse cantered on without changing its step.

‘What does that mean?’ I asked.

’That is Jardin, the head groom, breaking in a charger for the Emperor’s use.  They are first trained by having a cannon fired in their ears, then they are struck suddenly by heavy objects, and finally they have the test of the pig being thrown under their feet.  The Emperor has not a very firm seat, and he very often loses himself in a reverie when be is riding, so it might not be very safe if the horse were not well trained.  Do you see that young man asleep at the door of a tent?’

‘Yes, I see him.’

’You would not think that he is at the present moment serving the Emperor?’

‘It seems a very easy service.’

’I wish all our services were as easy, Monsieur de Laval.  That is Joseph Linden, whose foot is the exact size of the Emperor’s.  He wears his new boots and shoes for three days before they are given to his master.  You can see by the gold buckles that he has a pair on at the present moment.  Ah, Monsieur de Caulaincourt, will you not join us at dinner in my tent?’

A tall, handsome man, very elegantly dressed, came across and greeted us.  ’It is rare to find you at rest, Monsieur de Meneval.  I have no very light task myself as head of the household, but I think I have more leisure than you.  Have we time for dinner before the Emperor returns?’

’Yes, yes; here is the tent, and everything ready.  We can see when the Emperor returns, and be in the room before he can reach it.  This is camp fare, Monsieur de Laval, but no doubt you will excuse it.’

For my own part I had an excellent appetite for the cutlets and the salad, but what I relished above all was to hear the talk of my companions, for I was full of curiosity as to everything which concerned this singular man, whose genius had elevated him so rapidly to the highest position in the world.  The head of his household discussed him with an extraordinary frankness.

‘What do they say of him in England, Monsieur de Laval?’ he asked.