Chapter 29

           

           Onreturningfromasecondinspectionofthelines,Napoleonremarked:

           “Thechessmenaresetup,thegamewillbegintomorrow!”

           HavingorderedpunchandsummoneddeBeausset,hebegantotalktohimaboutParisandaboutsomechangeshemeanttomakeintheEmpress’household,surprisingtheprefectbyhismemoryofminutedetailsrelatingtothecourt.

           Heshowedaninterestintrifles,jokedaboutdeBeausset’sloveoftravel,andchattedcarelessly,asafamous,self-confidentsurgeonwhoknowshisjobdoeswhenturninguphissleevesandputtingonhisapronwhileapatientisbeingstrappedtotheoperatingtable.“Thematterisinmyhandsandisclearanddefiniteinmyhead.WhenthetimecomestosettoworkIshalldoitasnooneelsecould,butnowIcanjest,andthemoreIjestandthecalmerIamthemoretranquilandconfidentyououghttobe,andthemoreamazedatmygenius.”

           Havingfinishedhissecondglassofpunch,Napoleonwenttorestbeforetheseriousbusinesswhich,heconsidered,awaitedhimnextday.Hewassomuchinterestedinthattaskthathewasunabletosleep,andinspiteofhiscoldwhichhadgrownworsefromthedampnessoftheevening,hewentintothelargedivisionofthetentatthreeo’clockinthemorning,loudlyblowinghisnose.HeaskedwhethertheRussianshadnotwithdrawn,andwastoldthattheenemy’sfireswerestillinthesameplaces.Henoddedapproval.

           Theadjutantinattendancecameintothetent.

           “Well,Rapp,doyouthinkweshalldogoodbusinesstoday?”Napoleonaskedhim.

           “Withoutdoubt,sire,”repliedRapp.

           Napoleonlookedathim.

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