Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/89

Rh that he had gone to live with the Austrian Emperor, father of his mother, Maria Louisa, and perhaps some of them had heard of his stout resistance to those who came to take him away from his beautiful home, the Tuileries. Already they had seen some of the portraits of the little boy, brought by Napoleon to St. Helena, and they were pleased by the idea of seeing others of the collection.

So they gathered around the Emperor as children will when something interesting is to be shown them.

"How lovely!" cried Jane, gazing at the miniature she was first allowed to hold in her hand.

It was indeed a beautiful picture, showing a baby asleep in his cradle, which was in the shape of a helmet of Mars. Above his head the banner of France was waving and in his tiny right hand was a small globe.

"What does it mean?" asked Betsy, a little timidly now, as she noted the expression of mingled pride and sadness in Napoleon's face.

"Ah, those are the symbols of greatness. He is to be a great warrior and rule the world."

"Yes—in a minute," murmured Betsy, as