We learned afterwards that an indirect route through Donchery had been taken, as the Emperor was particularly anxious not to pass through Sedan. The hussars went as far as the frontier near Bouillon, the nearest Belgian town. The Emperor was not treated with disrespect by the French prisoners whom the party passed on the way. The officers on the other hand had occasionally to listen to some unpleasant remarks. Naturally they were “traitors,” as indeed from this time forward everybody was who lost a battle or suffered any other mishap. It seems to have been a particularly painful moment for these gentlemen when they passed a great number of French field pieces that had fallen into our hands. Boyen related the following anecdote. One of the Emperor’s aides-de-camp, I believe it was the Prince de la Moscowa, thought the guns belonged to us, as they were drawn by our horses, yet was apparently struck by something in their appearance. He asked:-- “Quoi, est-ce que vous avez deux systèmes d’artillerie?” “Non, monsieur, nous n’avons qu’un seul,” was the reply. “Mais ces canons-là?” “Ils ne sont pas les nôtres, monsieur.” CHAPTER VII FROM THE MEUSE TO THE MARNE I again quote from my diary. _Saturday, September 3rd._--We left Donchery shortly before 1 o’clock. On the way we were overtaken by a short but severe storm, the thunder echoing along the valleys. This was followed by a heavy rain, which thoroughly drenched the Chancellor, who sat in an open carriage, as he told us in the evening at table. Happily it had no serious consequences: it depends more on diplomacy, and if the Chief were to fall ill who could replace him?