Like others who give way to their passions and make life, as they call it, short and sweet, the Gilets had died in the almshouse in the utmost poverty.

Immediately after his return, the news of Napoleon's landing at Cannes spread through France; Max could do no better than go to Paris and ask for his rank as major and for his cross.

The marshal who was at that time minister of war remembered the brave conduct of Captain Gilet in Portugal.

He put him in the Guard as captain, which gave him the grade of major in the infantry; but he could not get him the cross.

"The Emperor says that you will know how to win it at the first chance," said the marshal.