‘“Ha! so near?” said he, springing up and approaching the window, from which the bright flashes of the artillery were each moment discernible in the dark sky. At the same moment an aide-de-camp galloped up, and dismounted at the door; in another minute he was in the room. ‘The Saxon troops, left by the Emperor as a guard of honour and protection to the unhappy monarch, had opened a fire on the retreating columns, and a fearful confusion was the result. The Emperor spoke not a word. Macdonald’s corps and Poniatowskf s division were still in Leipsic; but already they had commenced their retiring movement on Lindenau. Lauriston’s brigade was also rapidly approaching the bridge over the Elster, to which now the men were hurrying madly, intent alone on flight. The bridge--the only one by which the troops could pass --had been mined, and committed to the charge of Colonel Montfort of the Engineers, with directions to blow it up when the enemy appeared, and thus gain time for the baggage to retreat. ‘As the aide-de-camp stood awaiting Napoleon’s orders in reply to a few lines written in pencil by the Duke of Tarento, another staff-officer arrived, breathless, to say that the allies had carried the rampart, and were already in Leipsic. Napoleon became deadly pale; then, with a motion of his hand, he signed to the officer to withdraw. ‘“Duroc,” said he, when they were alone, “where is Nansouty?” ‘“With the eighth corps, sire. They have passed an hour since.” ‘“Who commands the picket without?” ‘“Aubuisson, sire.” ‘“Send him to me, and leave us alone.” ‘In a few moments Colonel Aubuisson entered. His arm was in a sling from a sabre-wound he had received the morning before, but which did not prevent his remaining on duty. The stout soldier seemed as unconcerned and fearless in that dreadful moment as though it were a day of gala manoeuvres, and not one of disaster and defeat. ‘“Aubuisson,” said the Emperor, “you were with us at Alexandria?” ‘“I was, sire,” said he, as a deeper tinge coloured his bronzed features. ‘“The first in the rampart--I remember it well,” said Napoleon; “the _ordre du jour_ commemorates the deed. It was at Moscow you gained the cross, I believe?” continued he, after a slight pause. ‘“I never obtained it, sire,” replied Aubuisson, with a struggle to repress some disappointment in his tone. ‘“How, never obtained it!--you, Aubuisson, an ancient _brave_ of the Pyramids! Come, come, there has been a mistake somewhere; we must look to this. Meanwhile, _General_ Aubuisson, take mine.” ‘With that he detached his cordon from the breast of his uniform, and fastened it on the coat of the astonished officer, who could only mutter the words, “Sire, sire!” in reply. ‘“Now, then, for a service you must render me, and speedily, too,” said Napoleon, as he laid his hand on the general’s shoulder. ‘The Emperor whispered for some seconds in his ear, then looked at him fixedly in the face. “What!” cried he, “do you hesitate?”