In an open caleche drawn by four beautiful brown horses, preceded by two piqueurs in green and gold, with an officer riding near the door, drove the emperor amongst the lively varied throng. Beside him sat General Fleury. Napoleon's face beamed with good humour, he conversed with animation to the general, responding with gracious empressement, right and left, to the salutes he received, whilst the brilliant equipage drove slowly three times round the lake. An hour later all Paris knew that the emperor was in excellent health, and that affairs must be going on well, since his majesty showed such remarkable cheerfulness.
The emperor was in the same good spirits at the dinner to which the marshals and several distinguished officers were invited. The cercle was over, the sun had set, and the warm darkness of evening was spread over the gigantic city.
The emperor entered his cabinet. He laid aside the uniform he had worn at dinner, and put on a plain black frock coat.
As soon as his valet had gone he called Piétri.
"Is my carriage without livery ready?" he asked.
"It is waiting at the side door as your majesty commanded."
"You have told me of that remarkable pupil of Lenormand," said the emperor. "Morny, too, has spoken to me of her, Madame Moreau, is she not?"
Piétri smiled.
"She has really foretold things in a wonderful way; I once visited her myself, and I was much struck by her prophecies."
"And were they fulfilled?" asked the emperor.