imagining that she already saw him leaping out of bed saber and pistol in hand, turned and ran as fast as she could, still holding the candle in her hand, and leaving the Empress in complete darkness, and did not stop to take breath until she reached the Empress’s bedroom, when she remembered that the latter had been left in the corridor with no light.  Madame de Remusat went back to meet her, and saw her returning, holding her sides with laughter, and forgetting her chagrin in the amusement caused by this adventure.  Madame de Remusat attempted to excuse herself.  “My dear friend,” said her Majesty, “you only anticipated me, for that pigheaded Roustan frightened me so that I should have run first, if you had not been a greater coward than I.”

I do not know what these ladies would have discovered if their courage had not failed them before reaching the end of their expedition, but probably nothing at all, for the Emperor rarely received at the Tuileries any one for whom he had a temporary fancy.  I have already stated that, under the consulate, he had his meetings in a small house in the allee des Veuves; and after he became Emperor, such meetings still took place outside the chateau; and to these rendezvous he went incognito at night, exposing himself to all the chances that a man runs in such adventures.

One evening, between eleven o’clock and midnight, the Emperor called me, asked for a black frock coat and round hat, and ordered me to follow him; and with Prince Murat as the third party, we entered a close carriage with Caesar as driver, and only a single footman, both without livery.  After a short ride, the Emperor stopped in the rue de —–­, alighted, went a few steps farther, and entered a house alone, while the prince and I remained in the carriage.  Some hours passed, and we began to be uneasy; for the life of the Emperor had been so often menaced, that it was very natural to fear some snare or surprise, and imagination takes the reins when beset by such fears.  Prince Murat swore and cursed with all his might, sometimes the imprudence of his Majesty, then his gallantry, then the lady and her complaisance.  I was not any better satisfied than he, but being calmer I tried to quiet him; and at last, unable longer to restrain his impatience, the prince sprang out of the carriage, and I followed; but, just as his hand was on the knocker of the door, the Emperor came out.  It was then already broad daylight, and the Prince informed him of our anxiety, and the reflections we had made upon his rashness.  “What childishness!” said his Majesty; “what is there to fear?  Wherever I am, am I not in my own house?”

It was as volunteers that any courtiers mentioned to the Emperor any young and pretty persons who wished to make his acquaintance, for it was in no wise in keeping with his character to give such commissions.  I was not enough of a courtier to think such an employment honorable, and never voluntarily took part in any business of the kind.