me a very gratifying reception on my return from Kiow, and I see no reason why I should complain, when I am so well used.  During the conversation the Emperor much extolled the conduct of the Duke of Orleans.  He then gave me some description of his passage from the Isle of Elba and his journey to Paris.  He complained of being accused of ambition; and observing that I looked astonished and doubtful—­`What?’ he continued, ‘am I ambitious then?’ And patting his belly with both his hands, ‘Can a man,’ he asked, ‘so fat as I am be ambitious?’ I could not for my soul help saying, ‘Ah!  Sire, your Majesty is surely joking.’  He pretended, however, to be serious, and after a few moments, noticing my decorations, he began to banter me about the Cross of St. Louis and the Cross of the Lily, which I still wore.”

I asked Rapp whether all was true that had been said about the enthusiasm which was manifested along the whole of Napoleon’s route from the Gulf of Juan to Paris.  “Ma foe!” he replied, “I was not there any more than you, but all those who accompanied him have assured me of the truth of the details which have been published; but I recollect having heard Bertrand say that on one occasion he was fearful for the safety of the Emperor, in case any assassin should have presented himself.  At Fossard, where the Emperor stopped to breakfast on his way to Paris, his escort was so fatigued as to be unable to follow, so that he was for some time almost alone on the road, until a squadron which was in garrison at Melun met him and escorted him to Fontainebleau.  As to anything else, from all I have heard, the Emperor was exposed to no danger.”

We then began to talk of our situation, and the singular chances of our fortune.  Rapp told me how, within a few days only, he had ceased to be one of the discontented; for the condition of the generals who had commanded army corps in the campaign of Waterloo was very different in 1815 from what it had been in 1814.  “I had determined,” he said, “to live a quiet life, to meddle with nothing, and not even to wear my uniform.  I had, therefore, since the King’s return never presented myself at Court; when, a week ago, while riding on horseback two or three hundred paces from this spot, I saw a group of horsemen on the other side of the avenue, one of whom galloped towards me.  I immediately recognised the Duc de Berry, ‘How, Monseigneur, is it you?’ I exclaimed.  ’It is, my dear General; and since you will not come to us, I must come to you.  Will you breakfast with me tomorrow morning?’—­’Ma foi!” continued Rapp, “what could I do?  The tone of kindness in which he gave this invitation quite charmed me.  I went, and I was treated so well that I shall go again.  But I will ask for nothing:  I only want these Prussians and English rascals out of the way!” I complimented Rapp on his conduct, and told him that it was impossible that so loyal and honest a man as he should not, at some time or other, attract the King’s notice.  I had the happiness to see this prediction accomplished.  Since that time I regularly saw Rapp whenever we both happened to be in Paris, which was pretty often.