ABSTRACT

Colonel le Breton forthwith opened the President's letter and read it aloud. As he proceeded his bronzed skin grew swarthy with indignation and the veins on his brow swelled visibly. But he persisted to the end and then threw the document on the floor. Vansittart picked up the fallen letter and passed out on to the veranda into the full light of the moonbeams. When the Chasseurs caught sight of Jerome a great shout of delight went up from all ranks. With a common impulse they drew their swords and saluted. There could be no mistaking the feelings of the army for the man whom they always called 'the Emperor'. Utterly disheartened, cowed, brow-beaten, disgusted and disappointed, the ex-ministers of the Republic passed out into the night. Their only solace was to extensively rail at the stolid Chasseurs who accompanied them to their homes and permitted conversation with no one.