Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/164

154 threads of silver showed themselves already in his chestnut hair. He saluted Michaud courteously; but asked immediately, with a keen and searching look, "Do you not bring me sad tidings, colonel?"

"Very sad, sire;&mdash;the evacuation of Moscow."

"Have they given up my ancient capital without a struggle?"

"Sire, the environs of Moscow offer no position in which we could hazard a battle with our inferior forces. The marshal thought he did well in preserving your army, whose loss without saving Moscow would have been of the greatest consequence; and which, by the reinforcements your Majesty has just procured, and which I met everywhere along my road, will soon resume the offensive, and make the French repent of invading Russia."

"Has the enemy actually entered the city?"

"Yes, sire. At this moment Moscow is in ashes. I left it in flames." Here Michaud stopped abruptly, for the agony depicted on the Emperor's face, "the expression of his eyes," completely unmanned him,&mdash;he could say no more.

It was Alexander who, after a few bitter moments, and maintaining his self-control with a strong effort, resumed the conversation.

"I see that God requires from us great sacrifices. I am ready to submit to his will. But, Michaud, tell me frankly, what of the army? What do my soldiers say upon seeing my ancient capital abandoned without a struggle? Must not this have exercised a most disastrous influence upon the spirit of the troops?"

"Sire, may I speak to you quite frankly, and as a loyal soldier?"

"Colonel, I have always required this frankness; now I entreat of you to use it. Hide nothing from me: I desire absolutely to know the truth."