THE LIBRARY OF GROSBOIS And now, my friends, I am coming to the end of those singular adventures which I encountered upon my arrival in France, adventures which might have been of some interest in themselves had I not introduced the figure of the Emperor, who has eclipsed them all as completely as the sun eclipses the stars.

Even now, you see, after all these years, in an old man's memoirs, the Emperor is still true to his traditions, and will not brook any opposition.

As I draw his words and his deeds I feel that my own poor story withers before them.

And yet if it had not been for that story I should not have had an excuse for describing to you my first and most vivid impressions of him, and so it has served a purpose after all.
You must bear with me now while I tell you of our expedition to the Red Mill and of what befell in the library of Grosbois.
Two days had passed away since the reception of the Empress Josephine, and only one remained of the time which had been allowed to my cousin Sibylle in which she might save her lover, and capture the terrible Toussac.

For my own part I was not so very anxious that she should save this craven lover of hers, whose handsome face belied the poor spirit within him.