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34
Recollections of
[Ch. IV.

extremity of the external compartment there was a small tent bed, with green silk hangings, on which General Gourgaud slept. It was the bedstead used by the emperor in all his campaigns. Between the two divisions of the tent was a crown, which his devoted servants had carved out of the turf floor, and it was so placed, that the emperor could not pass through, without placing his foot on this emblem of royal dignity.

Napoleon seemed to have no penchant for the pleasures of the table. He lived very simply, and cared little or nothing about what he ate. He dined at nine, and at that hour Cipriani, the maître d'hótel, made his appearance, and with a profound reverence said, in a solemn tone, "Le dîner de votre Majesté est servi." He then retreated backwards, followed by Napoleon and those of his suite who were to dine with him. When he had

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