"`I most ardently desire,` writes the King of Prussia to Bonaparte, `that Your Majesty should be received and treated in my palace in a manner agreeable to yourself, and in so far as circumstances allowed, I have hastened to take all steps to that end. May I have succeeded!` The Prussian generals pride themselves on being polite to the French and lay down their arms at the first demand.

That soldier passed on, and after him came another sitting on a cart.