In the middle of the anxious night, full of disquietude and anticipation, the eve of the anniversary of the Emperor’s coronation, the face of Napoleon, lighted up and suddenly displayed by this flame, appeared almost as a vision to the soldiers of the nearest bivouacs. A cry was raised, “It is the anniversary of the coronation! Vive l’Empereur!”--an outburst of loyal ardour which Napoleon in vain attempted to check with the words, “Silence till to-morrow. Now you have only to sharpen your bayonets.” But the same thought, the same cry, was taken up and flew with lightning quickness from bivouac to bivouac. All made torches of whatever material was at hand. Some pulled down the field-shelters for the purpose--some used the straw that had been collected to form their beds; and in an instant, as if by enchantment, thousands of lights flared upwards along the whole French line, and by thousands of voices the cry was repeated, “Vive l’Empereur!” Thus was improvised, within sight of the astonished enemy, the most striking of illuminations, the most memorable of demonstrations, by which the admiration and devotion of a whole army have ever been shown to its general. It is said that the Russians believed the French to be burning their shelters as a preliminary to retreat, and that their confidence was thereby increased. As to Napoleon, though at first annoyed at the outburst, he was soon gratified and deeply touched by the heartfelt enthusiasm displayed, and said that “This night is the happiest of my life.” For some time he continued to move from bivouac to bivouac, telling his soldiers how much he appreciated their affection, and saying those kindly and encouraging words which no one better than he knew how to use. [Illustration: MARSHAL PRINCE MURAT (AFTERWARDS KING OF NAPLES). (_From the Painting by Gérard._)]