It was the Duke of Dantzic who first entered Moscow, and the Emperor came only after him.  This entry was made in the night, and never was there a more depressing scene.  There was something truly frightful in this silent march of an army halted at intervals by messages from inside the city, which seemed to be of a most ominous character.  No Muscovite figures could be distinguished except those of a few beggars covered with rags, who watched with stupid astonishment the army file past; and as some few of these appeared to be begging alms, our soldiers threw them bread and a few pieces of money.  I cannot prevent a sad reflection on these unfortunate creatures, whose condition alone remains unchanged through great political upheavals, and who are totally without affection and without national sympathies.

As we advanced on the streets of the faubourgs, we looked through the windows on each side, and were astonished to perceive no human being; and if a solitary light appeared in the windows of a few houses, it was soon extinguished, and these signs of life so suddenly effaced made a terrible impression.  The Emperor halted at the faubourg of Dorogomilow, and spent the night there, not in an inn, as has been stated, but in a house so filthy and wretched that next morning we found in the Emperor’s bed, and on his clothes, vermin which are by no means uncommon in Russia.  We were tormented by them also to our great disgust, and the Emperor did not sleep during the whole night he passed there.  According to custom, I slept in his chamber; and notwithstanding the precaution I had taken to burn vinegar and aloes wood, the odor was so disagreeable that every moment the Emperor called me.

“Are you asleep, Constant?”—­“No, Sire.”—­“My son, burn more vinegar, I cannot endure this frightful odor; it is a torment; I cannot sleep.”  I did my best; but a moment after, when the fumes of the vinegar were evaporated, he again recommended me to burn sugar or aloes wood.

It was two o’clock in the morning when he was informed that a fire had broken out in the city.  The news was received through Frenchmen residing in this country, and an officer of the Russian police confirmed the report, and entered into details too precise for the Emperor to doubt the fact.  Nevertheless, he still persisted in not believing it.  “That is not possible.  Do you believe that, Constant?  Go, and find out if it is true.”  And thereupon he threw himself again on his bed, trying to rest a little; then he recalled me to make the same inquiries.

The Emperor passed the night in extreme agitation, and when daylight came he knew all.  He had Marshal Mortier called, and reprimanded both him and the young guard.  Mortier in reply showed him, houses covered with iron the roofs of which were uninjured, but the Emperor pointed out to him the black smoke which was issuing from them, pressed his hands together, and stamped his heels on the rough planks of his sleeping-room.