^^ Louder and louder grew the cheers until, from
a faint murmur heard in the distance, they sounded
at last like the roar of thunder as two splendid state
coaches, each drawn by eight horses and preceded
by six of the Emperor's postilions, closed the pro-
cession. The first of these coaches was the identical
vehicle used by Napoleon on the occasion of his
marriage to Marie Louise, and through the clear
glass could be seen the widow of Admiral Bruat,
Governess of the Children of France, holding in her
arms the Prince Imperial half hidden in an ermine-
lined cloak. Mme. Bizot and Mme. de Brancion,
under-governesses, and the nurse were also in this
coach. Marshal Canrobert, the Emperor's Aide-de-
camp, and an equerry rode on the right of the car-
riage, while Marshal Bosquet, Adjutant-general of
the Palace, and another officer, were on the left.
Behind, followed some lackeys on foot and equerries
of the Emperor on horseback.
*' Eight beautiful bay horses, considered the finest
in all the imperial or royal stables of Europe, were

93



MEMOIRS OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE

harnessed to the second state coach, in which were
seated the Emperor and Empress. The coach itself,
enriched with artistic designs and gilded wheels,
had just been re-decorated for the occasion. It was
the coach which had been first used for the corona-
tion of Charles X.
