Be it as it may, Blucher is the bête noire of the Parisians and they are as much afraid of him as the children are of Monsieur Croque-mitaine.

One day Conde was playing cards with some officers on guard over him, when a servant of his who had been permitted to resume attendance on his master, pretending to approach him for the purpose of picking up a card, whispered in his ear, "Our gentleman is croqued."