Midnight, Nov. 6, 1813.”
[Illustration: THE REDOUBT OF KABRUNN.]
“IS IT TRUE THAT THINGS ARE GOING SO BADLY?”
In the latter part of the year 1813, Napoleon rode through the _Faubourg
St. Antoine_, accompanied by only two of his aide-de-camps. He was soon
recognized, and surrounded by a crowd so dense as to impede his
progress, and oblige him to stop frequently. The faces of all the people
seemed to express an interrogation; as the great reverse of fortune had
caused general disquietude, at length one of the crowd, bolder than the
rest, questioned the Emperor, “Is it true that things are going so
badly?” To which Napoleon replied, “I regret I cannot say that they go
very well.” “What will be the end of it?” said another. “_Ma foi!_ God
knows!” replied the Emperor coolly. “Will our enemies be able to enter
France?” said a third. “That they may easily do, and even reach Paris,
if none will help me: I cannot prevent them by myself,” said Napoleon.
“We will support you!” was the universal cry. “Then,” said Napoleon, “I
shall still oppose the enemy and maintain our glory.” “What shall we do,
then?” asked several voices. “Enrole yourselves in the army,” answered
the Emperor. “We will do that,” said one, “but we will do it only
conditionally.” “What condition?” he inquired. “We will not pass the
frontier.” “Be it so.” “We wish to be of the guards.” “Well enrole in
the guards.”
[Illustration: “IS IT TRUE THAT THINGS ARE GOING SO BADLY?”]