"Mark my words, you will change your mind, Miss Betsy," cried one of the two as he turned away.
About four o'clock that same afternoon, when it was approaching dusk in the little valley, one of the children reported that the same horsemen they had seen in the morning were again winding around the mountain.
Soon the whole family gathered outside, and as they looked, to their great astonishment they observed the procession halt at the mountain pass above the house, and then, after a few minutes' pause, begin to descend the mountain toward the cottage.
"Oh, mamma, do you suppose they are coming here? I must go and hide myself," cried the excitable Betsy.
"No, my dear, you will do nothing of the kind. I am surprised that a great girl should be so foolish."
"But Napoleon is coming, don't you understand, Napoleon. I could not bear to look at him."
"You will look at him and speak to him, if he comes here. It will be a good chance for you to put your French to use."
Poor Betsy! Up to this time she had been proud of the French acquired during a visit to England a few years before, which she had conscientiously kept up by conversation with a French servant.
It seemed hard that she was now to be called on to do a disagreeable thing just because of this accomplishment. Of course she could not disobey her mother, and in spite of her fright she really had some curiosity to see the distinguished guest.
Not long after the party first came in sight, the French and their escort were at the gate of The Briars. As there was no carriage road to the house, all, except Napoleon, got off their horses. He rode over the grass, while his horse's feet cut into the turf. His horse was jet black, with arched neck, and as he pranced along he seemed to feel conscious of his own importance in carrying so distinguished a man as the Emperor.