The queen, thus pursued, had arrived in sight of the gate of Weimar, when a strong detachment of Klein’s dragoons were perceived coming at full speed, the chief having orders to capture the queen at any cost; but, the instant she entered the city, the gates swung to behind her, and the hussars and the detachment of dragoons returned disappointed to the battle-field.

The particulars of this singular pursuit soon reached the Emperor’s ears, and he summoned the hussars to his presence, and having in strong terms testified his disapproval of the improper jests that they had dared to make regarding the queen; at a time when her misfortunes should have increased the respect due both to her rank and her sex, the Emperor then performed the duty of rewarding these two brave fellows for the manner in which they had borne themselves on the field of battle.  Knowing that they had dons prodigies of valor, his Majesty gave them the cross, and ordered three hundred francs to be given each one as gratuity.

The Emperor exercised his clemency toward the Duke of Weimar, who had commanded a Prussian division.  The day after the battle of Jena, his Majesty, having reached Weimar, lodged at the ducal palace, where he was received by the duchess regent, to whom he said, “Madame, I owe you something for having awaited me; and in appreciation of the confidence you have manifested in me, I pardon your husband.”

While we were in the army I slept in the Emperor’s tent, either on a little rug, or on the bearskin which he used in his carriage; or when it happened that I could not make use of these articles, I tried to procure a bed-of straw, and remember one evening having rendered a great service to the King of Naples, by sharing with him the bundle of straw which was to have served as my bed.

I here give a few details from which the reader can form an idea of the manner in which I passed the nights on the campaign.

The Emperor slept on his little iron bedstead, and I slept where I could.  Hardly did I fall asleep before the Emperor called me, “Constant.”—­“Sire.”—­“See who is on duty” (it was the aides-de-camp to whom he referred).—­“Sire, it is M.——­“—­“Tell him to come to me.”  I then went out of the tent to summon the officer, and brought him back with me.  On his entrance the Emperor said to him, “Report to such a corps, commanded by such a marshal; you will request him to send such a regiment to such a position; you will ascertain the position of the enemy, then you will return to report.”  The aide-de-camp, having left on horseback to execute these orders, I lay down again, and the Emperor now seemed to be going to sleep; but, at the end of a few moments, I heard him call again, “Constant.”—­“Sire.”—­“Have the Prince de Neuchatel summoned.”  I sent for the prince, who came at once; and during the conversation I must remain at the door of the tent, until the prince wrote several orders and withdrew.  These interruptions took place many times during the night, and at last towards morning his Majesty slept, when I also had a few moments of repose.