The Emperor's attitude was unchanged as the chevalier rode up; and when Duchesne himself seemed to listen with a respectful manner to the words of his Majesty, I could see by his easy bearing that his self-possession had never deserted him. The interview lasted not many minutes, when the Emperor waved his hand haughtily; and the chevalier, saluting with his sabre, backed his horse some paces, and then, wheeling round, rapidly galloped towards the gate, through which he passed. “This evening, then, Mademoiselle,” said he, with a smile, “I hope to have the honor.” And, with a courteous bow, rode on towards the archway opening on the quay. “What has happened?” said I, eagerly, to the officer at my side. He shook his head as if doubtful, and half fearing even to whisper at the moment. “His privilege of the _élite_ is withdrawn, sir,” said an old general officer. “He must leave Paris to join his regiment in twenty-four hours.” “Poor fellow!” muttered I, half aloud, when a savage frown from the veteran officer corrected my words. “What, sir!” said he, in a low voice, where every word was thickened to a guttural sound--“what, sir! is the court of the Tuileries no more than a canteen or a bivouac? _Pardieu!_ if it was not for his laced jacket he had been degraded to the ranks; ay, and deserved it too!” The coarse accents and underbred tone of the speaker showed me at once that it was one of the old generals of the Republican army, who never could endure the descendants of aristocratic families in the service, and who were too willing always to attribute to insolence and premeditated affront even the slightest breaches of military etiquette. Meanwhile the Emperor mounted, and accompanied by the officers of his staff, rode forward towards the Champs Élysées, while all of lesser note followed at a distance. From the garden of the Tuileries to the Barrière de l'Étoile the troops were ranged in four lines, the cavalry of the Guard and the artillery forming the ranks along the road by which the convoy must pass. It was a bright day, with a clear, frosty atmosphere and a blue sky, and well suited the brilliant spectacle.