NEY at length received the information he had solicited, in a despatch from SOULT, wherein the result of the Battle of Ligny was briefly described. It also stated that NAPOLEON was proceeding, with the principal portion of his forces, to the Mill of Bry, close to which the high road leads from Namur to Quatre Bras, and that therefore it would not be practicable for the Anglo-Allied Army to act against him (NEY); but that, should such a case happen, the Emperor would march directly upon it by that road, while NEY should attack it in front, and in this manner that Army would at once be destroyed. The despatch required from NEY a report of the exact position of his forces, and an account of all that was going on in his front. Hence it is evident that NEY's opinion, that a victory at Ligny ought to be followed up by a combined attack upon WELLINGTON, perfectly coincided with NAPOLEON's views; but while NEY was thus justified in remaining inactive during the early part of the day, the fact of the Emperor's not moving directly upon Genappe with the morning's dawn, and his excessive delay in breaking up his bivouac at Ligny, are inexplicable. A glorious opportunity had presented itself for the attainment of his original design of defeating both Armies in detail, but which was completely lost by a most extraordinary and fatal want of energy and vigour in seizing upon the advantages which the victory of Ligny had placed within his reach. NEY, having ascertained that NAPOLEON's forces were in motion, had commenced the advance of his own troops, when a second despatch reached him, dated, "in front of Ligny, at noon," intimating that the Emperor had just posted a Corps of Infantry and the Imperial Guard in advance of Marbais, that he wished him to attack the Enemy at Quatre Bras, and force him from his position; and that his operations would be seconded by the Corps at Marbais, to which point his Majesty was proceeding in person. Upon discovering that the Anglo-Allied Infantry had retired, and that the troops around, and in rear of, Quatre Bras, consisted of Cavalry covering the retreat, NEY brought forward his own Cavalry in advance, and appeared to regulate its movements so that its attack might be directed against the Front of the British simultaneously with that of the Cavalry which he now perceived advancing along the Namur road against its Flank.