The French officer

Beta Berlins novel tells the story of young Elise Minnrich and her family, who try to live as inoffensive and co-operative a life as possible in the restrictive, threatening atmosphere when Napoleons Great Army marches in. the story develops, with suspense and intrigue, as the characters develop to deal with situations they would not have met had normal life continued. However, there is always the mysterious presence of the French Officer, in his uniform of navy trousers with a golden stripe on the side and the red gold embroidered cape across his left shoulder, who suddenly appears at various times in Elises day-to-day life. Who is he and why does he appear out of nowhere, it seems, to frighten her?