country. Have you seen Louis de Bourbon?'

'I have seen him once, Sire?'

'An insignificant-looking man, is he not?'

'No, Sire, I thought him a fine-looking man.'

For a moment I saw a hard gleam of resentment in those changing blue
eyes. Then he put out his hand and pinched one of my ears.

'Monsieur de Laval was not born to be a courtier,' said he.
'Well, well, Louis de Bourbon will find that he cannot gain a throne by
writing proclamations in London and signing them Louis. For my part, I
found the crown of France lying upon the ground, and I lifted it upon my
sword-point.'

'You have lifted France with your sword also, Sire,' said Talleyrand,
who stood at his elbow.

Napoleon looked at his famous minister, and I seemed to read suspicion
in his eyes. Then he turned to his secretary.

'I leave Monsieur de Laval in your hands, de Meneval,' said he.
'I desire to see him in the council chamber after the inspection of the
artillery.'



CHAPTER XI