"You mistake, monsieur," observed Madame Campan, "he is of very ancient descent; he is one of the nephews of Charlemagne.

All the heroes of our army sprang from the elder branch of that sovereign's family, who never emigrated." When Madame Campan related this circumstance she added: "After the 30th of March, 1814, some officers of the army of Conde presumed to say to certain French marshals that it was a pity they were not more nobly connected.

In answer to this, one of them said, 'True nobility, gentlemen, consists in giving proofs of it.

The field of honour has witnessed ours; but where are we to look for yours?
Your swords have rusted in their scabbards.
Our laurels may well excite envy; we have earned them nobly, and we owe them solely to our valour.

You have merely inherited a name.