Vanity Fair - Page 252/573

"The King of France is at Ghent, fellow," replied Jos, affecting

incredulity.

"He fled last night to Bruges, and embarks today from Ostend. The Duc

de Berri is taken prisoner. Those who wish to be safe had better go

soon, for the dykes will be opened to-morrow, and who can fly when the

whole country is under water?"

"Nonsense, sir, we are three to one, sir, against any force Boney can

bring into the field," Mr. Sedley objected; "the Austrians and the

Russians are on their march. He must, he shall be crushed," Jos said,

slapping his hand on the table.

"The Prussians were three to one at Jena, and he took their army and

kingdom in a week. They were six to one at Montmirail, and he

scattered them like sheep. The Austrian army is coming, but with the

Empress and the King of Rome at its head; and the Russians, bah! the

Russians will withdraw. No quarter is to be given to the English, on

account of their cruelty to our braves on board the infamous pontoons.

Look here, here it is in black and white. Here's the proclamation of

his Majesty the Emperor and King," said the now declared partisan of

Napoleon, and taking the document from his pocket, Isidor sternly

thrust it into his master's face, and already looked upon the frogged

coat and valuables as his own spoil.

Jos was, if not seriously alarmed as yet, at least considerably

disturbed in mind. "Give me my coat and cap, sir," said he, "and follow

me. I will go myself and learn the truth of these reports." Isidor was

furious as Jos put on the braided frock. "Milor had better not wear

that military coat," said he; "the Frenchmen have sworn not to give

quarter to a single British soldier."

"Silence, sirrah!" said Jos, with a resolute countenance still, and

thrust his arm into the sleeve with indomitable resolution, in the

performance of which heroic act he was found by Mrs. Rawdon Crawley,

who at this juncture came up to visit Amelia, and entered without

ringing at the antechamber door.

Rebecca was dressed very neatly and smartly, as usual: her quiet sleep

after Rawdon's departure had refreshed her, and her pink smiling cheeks

were quite pleasant to look at, in a town and on a day when everybody

else's countenance wore the appearance of the deepest anxiety and

gloom. She laughed at the attitude in which Jos was discovered, and

the struggles and convulsions with which the stout gentleman thrust

himself into the braided coat.

"Are you preparing to join the army, Mr. Joseph?" she said. "Is there

to be nobody left in Brussels to protect us poor women?" Jos succeeded

in plunging into the coat, and came forward blushing and stuttering out

excuses to his fair visitor. "How was she after the events of the

morning--after the fatigues of the ball the night before?" Monsieur

Isidor disappeared into his master's adjacent bedroom, bearing off the

flowered dressing-gown.