Onreturningfromasecondinspectionofthelines, Napoleonremarked:
"Thechessmenaresetup, thegamewillbegintomorrow!"
HavingorderedpunchandsummoneddeBeausset, hebegantotalktohimaboutParisandaboutsomechangeshemeanttomakeintheEmpress' household, surprisingtheprefectbyhismemoryofminutedetailsrelatingtothecourt.
Heshowedaninterestintrifles, jokedaboutdeBeausset'sloveoftravel, andchattedcarelessly, asafamous, self-confidentsurgeonwhoknowshisjobdoeswhenturninguphissleevesandputtingonhisapronwhileapatientisbeingstrappedtotheoperatingtable.", butnowIcanjest, andthemoreIjestandthecalmerIamthemoretranquilandconfidentyououghttobe, andthemoreamazedatmygenius."
Havingfinishedhissecondglassofpunch, Napoleonwenttorestbeforetheseriousbusinesswhich, heconsidered, , andinspiteofhiscoldwhichhadgrownworsefromthedampnessoftheevening, hewentintothelargedivisionofthetentatthreeo'clockinthemorning, , andwastoldthattheenemy'.
Theadjutantinattendancecameintothetent.
"Well, Rapp, doyouthinkweshalldogoodbusinesstoday?" Napoleonaskedhim.
"Withoutdoubt, sire," repliedRapp.
Napoleonlookedathim.
"Doyouremember, sire, whatyoudidmethehonortosayatSmolensk?" continuedRapp."Thewineisdrawnandmustbedrunk."
Napoleonfrownedandsatsilentforalongtimeleaninghisheadonhishand.
"Thispoorarmy!" hesuddenlyremarked.", , Rapp, theGuardsareintact?" heremarkedinterrogatively.
"Yes, sire," repliedRapp.
Napoleontookalozenge, putitinhismouth, , fortheordershadallbeengivenandwerenowbeingexecuted.
