THE ALLIES IN FRANCE. CHAPTER I. RAPID FALL OF NAPOLEON. § 1. The Invasion of France. `HE victory of Waterloo, so complete and overwhelm THE ing, opened the road to Paris, and the flight of Napoleon was the signal for an invasion of France from the Alps to the Sambre. It is not a brilliant picture which we have now to paint. The element of heroism vanishes from the scene with the last files of the Imperial Guard, amid the carnage of Planchenoit and the tumultuous rush from La Belle Alliance. The retreat of Grouchy, it is true, is a gleam of light amidst the pervading gloom; but the retreat of Grouchy stands alone. As skilful and decided, when left to his own resources, as he had been timid and wavering, when under the influence of Napoleon, he had carried the bulk of his army from out the very midst of his foes; and four days after the battle of Waterloo he was marching through Rocroi, en route for Soissons. But at this moment Napoleon had abdicated, and ere the troops of Grouchy were behind the Aisne, Napoleon was a quasi prisoner at La Malmaison, the house of the deserted Josephine. We left Napoleon driving from Marcinelle to Philippeville, and the fragments of the army under his command pillaging the baggage and stores in the streets of Charleroi, and hurrying over the bridge at Marchienne. The Emperor kept well in advance of his soldiers. When they crossed the frontier, hundreds fled to their homes; the infantry threw away their arms, the cavalry sold their horses for what they could get. Officers, as well as privates, gave way to despair, and several generals rode off to Paris. The fugitives forced the posts of the National Guards, spreading terror on all sides. The peasants, catching the contagion, concealed their goods, horses, vehicles, both from the enemy and their own countrymen. Nevertheless, the real soldiers sought out their colours, and wept with joy to find so many eagles saved. Jerome rallied those who had hurried to Avesnes; Soult, Morand, Pelet, gathered up the men of all arms and ranks who crowded under the guns of Philippeville. But Ney, unable to find his late. chief on the frontier, had hastened to Paris. It is a significant fact, that the beaten army believed the treason of the generals to have been the cause of their defeat and disgrace, so thoroughly were they imbued with the true imperial spirit. The men, rallied at Avesnes and Philippeville, and reduced to some order by Soult, d'Erlon, and Reille, marched upon Laon; and there, on the 22nd, they mustered some 20,000 strong. Grouchy's corps, as we have said, saved by his skill from capture and destruction, and preserved almost intact, was directed to march on Soissons. At this time the Allies were,-Wellington, at Le Cateau Cambresis; Blucher, at Chatillon sur Sambre. On the 23rd of June they met at the latter place to concert a plan of operations. Two projects were before them: either to move in a mass upon Laon, and press upon the front of the rallied French army, or to disregard the corps of Soult |