Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/275

 BETWEEN THE CZAR AND THE SULTAN. 233 go, there he was at last, standing in the very cir- chap. cumstanees which he had brought about with long ' design aforethought. I3ut then his nature failed him. Becoming agitated, and losing his presence of mind,* he could not govern the result of the struggle by the resources of his intellect; and being also without the tire and the joy fulness which come to warlike men in moments of crisis and of danger, he was ill qualified to kindle the hearts of the bewildered soldiery. So, when at last a firm, angry officer^ forced his way into the barrack-yard, he conquered the Prince almost in- stantly by the strength of a more resolute nature, and turned him out into the street with all his fifty armed followers, with his flag and his eagle, £ and his counterfeit headquarters Staff, as though he w r ere dealing with a mere troop of strolling players. § Yet only a few weeks afterwards this same Prince Louis Napoleon was able to show, by his demeanour before the Chamber of Peers, that where the occasion gave him leisure for thought, and for the exercise of mental control, he knew how to comport himself with dignity, and with a generous care for the safety and welfare of his followers. Chamber of Peers. The flutter he was in caused him, as lie ex- plained, to let his pistol go oil' without intending it, and to hit a soldier who was not taking part against him. — 'Moniteur* for 1340, p. 2031-203-1. + Captain Col-Puygellier. J The eagle here spoken of is the wooden one. § ' Moniteur,' ali ante.
 * This is his own explanation of his state given before the