To-day the generals resorted to another method also of amusing him. They proposed cards. He agreed, and they commenced a game of _vingt-et-un_. Formerly, the emperor, on playing, had always been in excellent spirits, and did not disdain even to cheat a little, frequently concealing a card or two. But now he played gravely and honestly, and the consequence was that he lost. Throwing the cards indignantly aside, and greeting the marshals with a silent nod, he crossed the room with hasty steps, and retired to his cabinet.
"He has not yet forgotten the affair of Eylau," grumbled Marshal Lannes. "It is true, we boasted of our victory there, and ordered a _Te Deum_ to be sung, but he knows very well how things stood, and feels badly because the Emperor of Russia also had a _Te Deum_ sung."
"I do not believe, Marshal, that that is the cause of the emperor's grief," said Talleyrand, shrugging his shoulders. "Napoleon is not in the habit of mourning for past events, but a failure incites him to renewed exertions, and inspires his genius to perform fresh and daring exploits. Although the lion for once may have seen his prey slip from his grasp, it does not render him dispirited. He only shakes his mane, and crouches for a new bound."
"Then you believe, M. Minister, that the emperor is planning another battle?" joyfully asked Lannes.
"I am convinced of it, but do not believe that to be the reason of his ill-humor. The furrows on his brow express his sorrow for the death of young Napoleon--his little nephew--the grandson of the empress!"
"Ah, bah!" exclaimed Lannes, "it would really be worth while for a great chieftain to mourn for a child eight years of age!"
"He does not mourn for the child, but for the successor," said Talleyrand. "You know, the son of his brother Louis and his stepdaughter Hortense was to be his heir--the future Emperor of France. You see how difficult it is to say in advance who is to be the heir of a throne. Some accident--a brick falling from a roof, an attack of the measles, a contemptible cough--may bring about the ruin of dynasties and the rise of new ones. The hopes of Josephine have been buried with young Napoleon Louis. Poor empress! her downfall is inevitable, for the emperor must think henceforth of an heir--of a legitimate union. Alas! how many tears will that cost poor Josephine's heart!"
