At the levée of the Emperor on the morning before, an old general of brigade advanced to pay his respects, when Napoleon observed some drops of rain glistening on the embroidery of his uniform. He immediately turned towards one of his suite, and gave orders to ascertain by what carriage the general had arrived. The answer was, that he had come in a _fiacre_,--a hired vehicle, which by the rules of the Court was not admitted within the court of the Tuileries, and thus he was obliged to walk above one hundred yards before he could obtain shelter. The old officer, who knew nothing of the tender solicitude of the Emperor, was confounded with astonishment to observe at his departure a handsome _calèche_ and two splendid horses at his service. “Whose carriage is this?” said he. “Yours, Monsieur le Général.” “And the servant, and the horses?” “Yours, also. His Majesty has graciously been pleased to order them for you; and desires you will remember that the sum of six thousand francs will be deducted from your pay to meet the cost of the equipage which the Emperor deems befitting your rank in the service.” “It is thus,” said the narrator, “the Emperor would enforce that liberality on others he so eminently displays himself. The spoils of Italy and Austria are destined, not to found a new _noblesse_, but to enrich the _bourgeoisie_ of this good city of Paris. I say, Edward, is not that Duchesne yonder? I thought he was above patronizing the _salons_ of a mere commissary-general.” “You don't know the chevalier,” replied the other; “no game flies too high or too low for his mark. Depend upon it, he's not here for nothing.” “If mademoiselle be the object,” said a third, “I'll swear he shall have no rivalry on my side. By Jove I I 'd rather face a charge of Hulans than speak to her.” “If thou wert a Marshal of France, Claude, thou wouldst think differently.” “If I were a Marshal of France,” repeated he, with energy, “I'd rather marry Minette, the vivandière of ours.” “And no bad choice either,” broke in a large! heavy-looking officer. “There is but one objection to such an arrangement.” “And that, if I might ask--” “Simple enough. She would n't have you.” The young man endeavored to join in the laugh this speech excited among the rest, though it was evident he felt ill at ease from the ridicule. “A thousand pardons, my dear Burke,” said Duchesne, at this moment, as he slipped his arm through mine; “but I thought I should have been in need of your services a few minutes ago.” “Ah! how?”