When I came to my senses two French soldiers were propping me up,
and my head was singing like a kettle.
I staggered to my feet and looked around me. The plaster had
fallen, the furniture was scattered, and there were rents in the
bricks, but no signs of a breach. In fact, the walls of the
convent had been so solid that the explosion of the magazine had
been insufficient to throw them down. On the other hand, it had
caused such a panic among the defenders that our stormers had
been able to carry the windows and throw open the doors almost
without assistance. As I ran out into the corridor I found it
full of troops, and I met Marshal Lannes himself, who was
entering with his staff. He stopped and listened eagerly to my
story.
"Splendid, Captain Gerard, splendid!" he cried.
"These facts will certainly be reported to the Emperor."
"I would suggest to your Excellency," said I, "that I have only
finished the work that was planned and carried out by Monsieur
Hubert, who gave his life for the cause.
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