CHAPTER XVII.

The Cumberland Hussars--Warlike Rumours--Expectation and Excitement--A Quiet Morning--Orders to Advance--We come on the Enemy--Our Dilemma--In Sight of Montmartre--First Glimpse of Paris--Prussian Devastations again--Comfortless Bivouac--Progress of the Prussians--A Halt--Davoust’s Country Seat--Devastation in it--Destruction of the Library--Churlishness of our Allies--Rumours of Peace--St Denis--An Excursion--Aspect of the Country--Revolting Destruction--The Destroyers at Work--Visitors for Paris--Inconstancy of the People--Aspect of the Crowd--At Arnouvilles--The Royal Cortège--Louis XVIII., 60