‘I have heard, Colonel de Lasalle,’ said he, with an icy dignity, ’that your opinion is of great weight upon the subject of light cavalry.  Should I have occasion to seek information about that branch of the army, I shall be very happy to apply to you.  At present, however, the matter concerns diplomacy, and you will permit me to form my own views upon that question.  As long as the welfare of France and the safety of the Emperor’s person are largely committed to my care, I will use every means in my power to secure them, even if it should be against the Emperor’s own temporary wishes.  I have the honour, Colonel de Lasalle, to wish you a very good-day!’

He shot a most unamiable glance in my direction, and, turning upon his heel, he walked with little, quick, noiseless steps out of the room.

I could see from Lasalle’s face that he did not at all relish finding himself at enmity with the powerful Minister.  He rapped out an oath or two, and then, catching up his sabre and his cap, he clattered away down the stairs.  As I looked out of the window I saw the two of them, the big blue man and the limping black one, going up the street together.  Talleyrand was walking very rigidly, and Lasalle was waving his hands and talking, so I suppose he was trying to make his peace.

The Emperor had told me not to think, and I endeavoured to obey him.  I took up the cards from the table where Morat had left them, and I tried to work out a few combinations at ecarte.  But I could not remember which were trumps, and I threw them under the table in despair.  Then I drew my sabre and practised giving point until I was weary, but it was all of no use at all.  My mind would work, in spite of myself.  At ten o’clock I was to meet the Emperor in the forest.  Of all extraordinary combinations of events in the whole world, surely this was the last which would have occurred to me when I rose from my couch that morning.  But the responsibility—–­ the dreadful responsibility!  It was all upon my shoulders.  There was no one to halve it with me.  It made me cold all over.  Often as I have faced death upon the battle-field, I have never known what real fear was until that moment.  But then I considered that after all I could but do my best like a brave and honourable gentleman, and above all obey the orders which I had received, to the very letter.  And, if all went well, this would surely be the foundation of my fortunes.  Thus, swaying between my fears and my hopes, I spent the long, long evening until it was time to keep my appointment.

I put on my military overcoat, as I did not know how much of the night I might have to spend in the woods, and I fastened my sword outside it.  I pulled off my hussar boots also, and wore a pair of shoes and gaiters, that I might be lighter upon my feet.  Then I stole out of my quarters and made for the forest, feeling very much easier in my mind, for I am always at my best when the time of thought has passed and the moment for action arrived.