CHAPTERXXII.
　　1799.
　　EffectproducedbyBonaparte’sreturn——Hisjustification——
　　Melancholylettertomywife——Bonaparte’sintendeddinneratSens——
　　LouisBonaparteandJosephine——Hechangeshisintendedroute——
　　Melancholysituationoftheprovinces——Necessityofachange——
　　Bonaparte’sambitiousviews——Influenceofpopularapplause——
　　ArrivalinParis——HisreceptionofJosephine——Theirreconciliation——
　　Bonaparte’svisittotheDirectory——HiscontemptuoustreatmentofSieyes.
　　TimeffectproducedinFranceandthroughoutEuropebythemereintelligenceofBonaparte’sreturniswellknown.Ishallnotyetspeakofthevasttrainofconsequenceswhichthatevententailed.Imust，however，noticesomeaccusationswhichwerebroughtagainsthimfromthetimeofourlandingtothe9thofNovember.HewasreproachedforhavingleftEgypt，anditwasallegedthathisdeparturewastheresultoflongpremeditation.ButI，whowasconstantlywithhim，amenabledpositivelytoaffirmthathisreturntoFrancewasmerelytheeffectofasuddenresolution.Ofthisthefollowingfactisinitselfsufficientevidence.
　　WhilewewereatCairo，afewdaysbeforeweheardofthelandingoftheAnglo—Turkishfleet，andatthemomentwhenwewereonthepointofsettingofftoencampatthePyramids，BonapartedespatchedacouriertoFrance.Itookadvantageofthisopportunitytowritetomywife.I
　　almostbadeheraneternaladieu：MyletterbreathedexpressionsofgriefsuchasIhadnotbeforeevinced.Isaid，amongotherthings，thatwe.
　　knewnotwhenorhowitwouldbepossibleforustoreturntoFrance.IfBonapartehadthenentertainedanythoughtofaspeedyreturnImusthaveknownit，andinthatcaseIshouldnotcertainlyhavedistressedmyfamilybyadespondingletter，whenIhadnothadanopportunityofwritingforsevenmonthsbefore.
　　TwodaysafterthereceiptofmylettermywifewasawokeveryearlyinthemorningtobeinformedofourarrivalinFrance.Thecourierwhobroughtthisintelligencewasthebearerofasecondletterfromme，whichIhadwrittenonboardship，anddatedfromFrejus.InthisletterImentionedthatBonapartewouldpassthroughSeasanddinewithmymother.
　　InfulfilmentofmydirectionsMadamedeBourriennesetoffforParisatfiveinthemorning.Havingpassedthefirstpost—houseshemetaBerlincontainingfourtravellers，amongwhomsherecognisedLouisBonapartegoingtomeettheGeneralontheLyonsroad.OnseeingMadamedeBourrienneLouisdesiredthepostilliontostop，andaskedherwhethershehadheardfromme.SheinformedhimthatweshouldpassthroughSens，wheretheGeneralwishedtodinewithmymother，whohadmadeeverypreparationforreceivinghim.Louisthencontinuedhisjourney.Aboutnineo’clockmywifemetanotherBerlin，inwhichwereMadameBonaparteandherdaughter.Astheywereasleep，andbothcarriagesweredrivingataveryrapidrate，MadamedeBourriennedidnotstopthem.JosephinefollowedtheroutetakenbyLouis.BothmissedtheGeneral，whochangedhismindatLyons，andproceededbywayofBourbonnais.Hearrivedfifteenhoursaftermywife;andthosewhohadtakentheBurgundyroadproceededtoLyonsuselessly.
　　DeterminedtorepairinallhastetoParis，BonapartehadleftFrejusontheafternoonofthedayofourlanding.HehimselfhaddespatchedthecouriertoSenstoinformmymotherofhisintendedvisittoher;anditwasnotuntilhegottoLyonsthathedeterminedtotaketheBourbonnaisroad.Hisreasonfordoingsowillpresentlybeseen.Allalongtheroad，atAix，atLyons，ineverytownandvillage，hewasreceived，asatFrejus，withthemostrapturousdemonstrationsofjoy.
　　——[FromFrejusto，Aixacrowdofmenkindlyescortedus，carryingtorchesalongsidethecarriageoftheGeneral，notsomuchtoshowtheirenthusiasmastoensureoursafety（Bourrienne）ThesebrigandsbecamesobadinFrancethatatonetimesoldierswereplacedintheimperialsofallthediligences，receivingfromthewitsthecuriouslyanticipativenameof"imperialarmies".]——
　　Onlythosewhowitnessedhistriumphaljourneycanformanynotionofit;
　　anditrequirednogreatdiscernmenttoforeseesomethinglikethe18thBrumaire.
　　Theprovinces，apreytoanarchyandcivilwar，werecontinuallythreatenedwithforeigninvasion.Almostallthesouthpresentedthemelancholyspectacleofone—vastarenaofconflictingfactions.Thenationgroanedbeneaththeyokeoftyrannicallaws;despotismwassystematicallyestablished;thelawofhostagesstruckablowatpersonalliberty，andforcedloansmenacedeveryman’sproperty.Thegeneralityofthecitizenshaddeclaredthemselvesagainstapentarchydevoidofpower，justice，andmorality，andwhichhadbecomethesportoffactionandintrigue.Disorderwasgeneral;butintheprovincesabuseswerefeltmoresensiblythanelsewhere.Ingreatcitiesitwasfoundmoreeasytoeludethehandofdespotismandoppression.
　　Achangesoearnestlywishedforcouldnotfailtoberealised，andtobereceivedwithtransport.ThemajorityoftheFrenchpeoplelongedtoberelievedfromthesituationinwhichtheythenstood.Thereweretwodangersbartocopewith——anarchyandtheBourbons.EveryonefelttheurgentandindispensablenecessityofconcentratingthepoweroftheGovernmentinasinglehand;atthesametimemaintainingtheinstitutionswhichthespiritoftheagedemanded，andwhichFrance，afterhavingsodearlypurchased，wasnowabouttolose.Thecountrylookedforamanwhowascapableofrestoringhertotranquillity;butasyetnosuchmanhadappeared.Asoldieroffortunepresentedhimself，coveredwithglory;hehadplantedthestandardofFranceontheCapitolandonthePyramids.Thewholeworldacknowledgedhissuperiortalent;
　　hischaracter，hiscourage，andhisvictorieshadraisedhimtotheveryhighestrank.Hisgreatworks，hisgallantactions，hisspeeches，andhisproclamationseversincehehadrisentoeminenceleftnodoubtofhiswishtosecurehappinessandfreedomtoFrance，hisadoptedcountry.
　　Atthatcriticalmomentthenecessityofatemporarydictatorship，whichsometimessecuresthesafetyofastate，banishedallreflectionsontheconsequencesofsuchapower，andnobodyseemedtothinkgloryincompatiblewithpersonalliberty.AlleyeswerethereforedirectedontheGeneral，whosepastconductguaranteedhiscapabilityofdefendingtheRepublicabroad，andlibertyathome，——ontheGeneralwhomhisflatterers，andindeedsomeofhissincerefriends，styled，"theheroofliberalideas，"thetitletowhichheaspired.
　　Under，everypointofview，therefore，hewasnaturallychosenasthechiefofagenerousnation，confidingtohimherdestiny，inpreferencetoatroopofmeanandfanaticalhypocrites，who，underthenamesofrepublicanismandliberty，hadreducedFrancetothemostabjectslavery.
　　AmongtheschemeswhichBonapartewasincessantlyrevolvinginhismindmayundoubtedlyberankedtheprojectofattainingtheheadoftheFrenchGovernment;butitwouldbeamistaketosupposethatonhisreturnfromEgypthehadformedanyfixedplan.Therewassomethingvagueinhisambitiousaspirations;andhewas，ifImaysoexpressmyself，fondofbuildingthoseimaginaryedificescalledcastlesintheair.Thecurrentofeventswasinaccordancewithhiswishes;anditmaytrulybesaidthatthewholeFrenchnationsmoothedforBonapartetheroadwhichled.
　　topower.Certainlytheunanimousplauditsanduniversaljoywhichaccompaniedhimalongajourneyofmorethan200leaguesmusthaveinducedhimtoregardasanationalmissionthatstepwhichwasatfirstpromptedmerelybyhiswishofmeddlingwiththeaffairsoftheRepublic.
　　Thisspontaneousburstofpopularfeeling，unorderedandunpaidfor，loudlyproclaimedthegrievancesofthepeople，andtheirhopethatthemanofvictorywouldbecometheirdeliverer.ThegeneralenthusiasmexcitedbythereturnoftheconquerorofEgyptdelightedhimtoadegreewhichIcannotexpress，andwas，ashehasoftenassuredme，apowerfulstimulusinurginghimtotheobjecttowhichthewishesofFranceseemedtodirecthim.
　　Amongpeopleofallclassesandopinionsan18thBrumairewasdesiredandexpected.ManyroyalistsevenbelievedthatachangewouldprovefavourabletotheKing.Soreadyarewetopersuadeourselvesoftherealityofwhatwewish.
　　AssoonasitwassuspectedthatBonapartewouldacceptthepowerofferedhim，anoutcrywasraisedaboutaconspiracyagainsttheRepublic，andmeasuresweresoughtforpreservingit.Butnecessity，andindeed，itmustbeconfessed，thegeneralfeelingofthepeople，consignedtheexecutionofthosemeasurestohimwhowastosubverttheRepublic.OnhisreturntoParisBonapartespokeandactedlikeamanwhofelthisownpower;hecaredneitherforflattery，dinners，norballs，——hismindtookahigherflight.
　　WearrivedinParisonthe24thVendemiaire（the16thofOctober）.
　　Asyetheknewnothingofwhatwasgoingon;forhehadseenneitherhiswifenorhisbrothers，whowerelookingforhimontheBurgundyroad.
　　ThenewsofourlandingatFrejushadreachedParisbyatelegraphicdespatch.MadameBonaparte，whowasdiningwithM.Gohierwhenthatdespatchwascommunicatedtohim，aspresidentoftheDirectory，immediatelysetofftomeetherhusband，wellknowinghowimportantitwasthatherfirstinterviewwithhimshouldnotbeanticipatedbyhisbrothers.
　　TheimprudentcommunicationsofJunotatthefountainsofMessoudiahwillberemembered，but，afterthefirstebullitionofjealousrage，alltracesofthatfeelinghadapparentlydisappeared.Bonapartehowever，wasstillharassedbysecretsuspicion，andthepainfulimpressionsproducedbyJunotwereeithernotentirelyeffacedorwererevivedafterourarrivalinParis.WereachedthecapitalbeforeJosephinereturned.
　　Therecollectionofthepast;theill—naturedreportsofhisbrothers，——[JosephBonaparteremarksonthisthatNapoleonmetJosephineatParisbeforehisbrothersarrivedthere，（Compared’Abrantis，vol.1，pp.260—262andRumusat，tomei.pp.147—148.]——
　　andtheexaggerationoffactshadirritatedNapoleontotheveryhighestpitch，andhereceivedJosephinewithstudiedcoldness，andwithanairofthemostcruelindifference.Hehadnocommunicationwithherforthreedays，duringwhichtimehefrequentlyspoketomeofsuspicionswhichhisimaginationconvertedintocertainty;andthreatsofdivorceescapedhislipswithnolessvehemencethanwhenwewereontheconfinesofSyria.Itookuponmetheofficeofconciliator，whichIhadbeforedischargedwithsuccess.Irepresentedtohimthedangerstobeapprehendedfromthepublicityandscandalofsuchanaffair;andthatthemomentwhenhisgrandviewsmightpossiblyberealizedwasnotthefittimetoentertainFranceandEuropewiththedetailsofachargeofadultery.IspoketohimofHortenseandEugene，towhomhewasmuchattached.Reflection，secondedbyhisardentaffectionforJosephine，broughtaboutacompletereconciliation.Afterthesethreedaysofconjugalmisunderstandingtheirhappinesswasneverafterwardsdisturbedbyasimilarcause.
　　——[InspeakingoftheunexpectedarrivalofBonaparteandofthemeetingbetweenhimandJosephine，MadameJunotsays："Onthe10thOctoberJosephinesetofftomeetherhusband，butwithoutknowingexactlywhatroadhewouldtake.ShethoughtitlikelyhewouldcomebywayofBurgundy，andthereforeLouisandshesetoffforLyons.
　　"MadameBonapartewasapreytogreatandwell—foundedaspersions.
　　Whethershewasguiltyoronlyimprudent，shewasstronglyaccusedbytheBonapartefamily，whoweredesirousthatNapoleonshouldobtainadivorce，TheelderM.deCaulaincourtstatedtoushisapprehensionsonthispoint;butwheneverthesubjectwasintroducedmymotherchangedtheconversation，because，knowingasshedidthesentimentsoftheBonapartefamily，shecouldnotreplywithouteithercommittingthemorhavingrecoursetofalsehood.Sheknew，moreover，thetruthofmanycircumstanceswhichM.deCaulaincourtseemedtodoubt，andwhichhersituationwithrespecttoBonapartepreventedherfromcommunicatingtohim.
　　"MadameBonapartecommittedagreatfaultinneglectingatthisjuncturetoconciliatehermother—in—law，whomighthaveprotectedheragainthosewhosoughtherruinandeffecteditnineyearslater;forthedivorcein1809wasbroughtaboutbythejointeffortsofallthemembersoftheBonapartefamily，aidedbysomeofNapoleon’smostconfidentialservants，whomJosephine，eitherasMadameBonaparteorasEmpress，haddonenothingtomakeherfriends.
　　"Bonaparte，onhisarrivalinParis，foundhishousedeserted：buthismother，sisters，andsisters—in—law，and，inshort，everymemberofhisfamily，exceptLouis，whohadattendedMadameBonapartetoLyons，cametohimimmediately.Theimpressionmadeuponhimbythesolitudeofhishomeanditsdesertionbyitsmistresswasprofoundandterrible，andnineyearsafterwards，whenthetiesbetweenhimandJosephinewereseveredforever，heshowedthatitwasnoteffaced.Fromnotfindingherwithhisfamilyheinferredthatshefeltherselfunworthyoftheirpresence，andfearedtomeetthemanshehadwronged.HeconsideredherjourneytoLyonsasamerepretence.
　　"M.deBourriennesaysthatforsomedaysafterJosephine’sreturnBonapartetreatedherwithextremecoldness.Ashewasaneyewitness，whydoeshenotstatethewholetruth，andsaythatonherreturnBonaparterefusedtoseeheranddidnotseeher？Itwastotheearnestentreatiesofherchildrenthatsheowedtherecovery，notofherhusband’slove，forthathadlongceased，butofthattendernessacquiredbyhabit，andthatintimateintercoursewhichmadeherstillretaintherankofconsorttothegreatestmanofhisage.BonapartewasatthisperiodmuchattachedtoEugeneBeauharnais，who，todohimjustice，wasacharmingyouth.HeknewlessofHortense;butheryouthandsweetnessoftemper，andtheprotectionofwhich，ashisadopteddaughter，shebesoughthimnottodepriveher，provedpowerfuladvocates，andovercamehisresistance.
　　"Inthisdelicatenegotiationitwasgoodpolicynottobringanyotherpersonintoplay，whatevermightbetheirinfluencewithBonaparte，andMadameBonapartedidnot，therefore，haverecourseeithertoBarras，Bourrienne，orBerthier.Itwasexpedientthattheywhointercededforhershouldbeabletosaysomethingwithoutthepossibilityofareply.NowBonapartecouldnotwithanydegreeofproprietyexplaintosuchchildrenasEugeneorHortensetheparticularsoftheirmother’sconduct.Hewasthereforeconstrainedtosilence，andhadnoargumenttocombatthetearsoftwoinnocentcreaturesathisfeetexclaiming，’Donotabandonourmother;shewillbreakherheart！andoughtinjusticetotakefromus，poororphans，whosenaturalprotectorthescaffoldhasalreadydeprivedusof，thesupportofonewhomProvidencehassenttoreplacehim！’
　　"Thescene，asBonapartehassincestated，waslongandpainful，andthetwochildrenatlengthintroducedtheirmother，andplacedherinhisarms.Theunhappywomanhadawaitedhisdecisionatthedoorofasmallbackstaircase，extendedatalmostfulllengthuponthestairs，sufferingtheacutestpangsofmentaltorture.
　　"Whatevermightbehiswife’serrors，Bonaparteappearedentirelytoforgetthem，andthereconciliationwascomplete.OfallthemembersofthefamilyMadameLeclercwasmostvexedatthepardonwhichNapoleonhadgrantedtohiswife.Bonaparte’smotherwasalsoveryillpleased;butshesaidnothing.MadameJosephBonaparte，whowasalwaysveryamiable，tooknopartinthesefamilyquarrels;
　　thereforeshecouldeasilydeterminewhatparttotakewhenfortunesmiledonJosephine.AstoMadameBacciocchi，shegavefreeventtoherill—humouranddisdain;theconsequencewasthathersister—in—
　　lawcouldneverendureher.Christinewhowasabeautifulcreature，followedtheexampleofMadameJoseph，andCarolinewassoyoungthatheropinioncouldhavenoweightinsuchanaffair.AstoBonaparte’sbrothers，theywereatopenwarwithJosephine."]——
　　OnthedayafterhidarrivalBonapartevisitedtheDirectors.
　　——[TheDirectorsatthistimewereBarras，Sieyes，Moulins，Gohier，andRogerDucos.]——
　　Theinterviewwascold.Onthe24thofOctoberhesaidtome，"IdinedyesterdayatGohier’s;Sieyeswaspresent，andIpretendednottoseehim.Iobservedhowmuchhewasenragedatthismarkofdisrespect."——
　　"Butareyousureheisagainstyou？"inquiredI."Iknownothingyet;
　　butheisaschemingman，andIdon’tlikehim."EvenatthattimeBonapartehadthoughtsofgettinghimselfelectedamemberoftheDirectoryintheroomofSieyes.
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　1799.
　　MoreauandBernadotte——Bonaparte’sopinionofBernadotte——Falsereport——ThecrownofSwedenandtheConstitutionoftheyearIII.——
　　IntriguesofBonaparte’sbrothers——AngryconversationbetweenBonaparteandBernadotte——Bonaparte’sversion——Josephine’sversion——
　　Anunexpectedvisit——TheManegeClub——SalicettiandJosephBonaparte——BonaparteinviteshimselftobreakfastwithBernadotte——Countryexcursion——BernadottedineswithBonaparte——Theplotandconspiracy——ConductofLucien——DinnergiventoBonapartebytheCounciloftheFiveHundred——Bonaparte’swishtobechosenamemberoftheDirectory——HisreconciliationwithSieyes——OffermadebytheDirectorytoBonaparte——HeisfalselyaccusedbyBarras.
　　TothrowaclearlightonthecourseofthegreateventswhichwillpresentlybedevelopeditisnecessarytostatebrieflywhatintrigueshadbeenhatchedandwhatambitioushopeshadrisenupwhilewewereinEgypt.WheninEgyptBonapartewasentirelydeprivedofanymeansofknowingwhatwasgoingoninFrance;andinourrapidjourneyfromFrejustoPariswehadnoopportunityofcollectingmuchinformation.Yetitwasveryimportantthatweshouldknowtherealstateofaffairs，andthesentimentsofthosewhomBonapartehadcountedamonghisrivalsinglory，andwhomhemightnowmeetamonghisrivalsinambition.
　　Moreau’smilitaryreputationstoodveryhigh，andBernadotte’sfirmnessappearedinflexible.Generallyspeaking，BonapartemighthavereckonedamonghisdevotedpartisansthecompanionsofhisgloryinItaly，andalsothosewhomhesubsequentlydenominated"hisEgyptians."ButbravemenhaddistinguishedthemselvesinthearmyoftheRhine;andiftheydidnotwithholdtheiradmirationfromtheconquerorofItaly，theyfeltatleastmorepersonallyinterestedintheadmirationwhichtheylavishedonhimwhohadrepairedthedisasterofScherer.Besides，itmustbeborneinmindthatarepublicanspiritprevailed，almostwithoutexception，inthearmy，andthattheDirectoryappearedtobeaGovernmentinventedexpresslytoaffordpatronagetointriguers.Allthisplanteddifficultiesinourway，andrendereditindispensablynecessarythatweshouldknowourground.Wehad，itistrue，beengreetedbythefullestmeasureofpopularenthusiasmonourarrival;butthiswasnotenough.Wewantedsuffragesofamoresolidkind.
　　DuringthecampaignofEgypt，Bernadotte，whowasazealousrepublican，hadbeenWarMinister，——[BernadottewasMinisterofwarfrom2dJuly1799to14thSeptember1799，when，ashehimselfwrotetotheDirectory，they"accepted"theresignationhehadnotoffered.]——
　　butbehadresignedtheportfoliotoDubois—CrancethreeweeksbeforeBonaparte’sreturntoFrance.SomepartisansoftheoldMinisterwereendeavouringtogethimrecalled，anditwasveryimportanttoBonaparte’sintereststhatheshouldpreventthesuccessofthisdesign.
　　IrecollectthatontheseconddayofourarrivalBonapartesaidtome，"Ihavelearnedmanythings;butweshallseewhatwillhappen.
　　Bernadotteisasingularman.WhenhewasWarMinisterAugereau，Salicetti，andsomeothersinformedhimthattheConstitutionwasindanger，andthatitwasnecessarytogetridofSieyes，Barras，andFouche，whowereattheheadofaplot.WhatdidBernadottedo？
　　Nothing.Heaskedforproofs.Nonecouldbeproduced.Heaskedforpowers.Whocouldgrantthem？Nobody.Heshouldhavetakenthem;buthewouldnotventureonthat.Hewavered.Hesaidbecouldnotenterintotheschemeswhichwereproposedtohim.Heonlypromisedtobesilentonconditionthattheywererenounced.Bernadotteisnotahelp;
　　heisanobstacle，Ihaveheardfromgoodauthoritythatagreatnumberofinfluentialpersonswishedtoinvesthimwithextensivepowerforthepublicgood;buthewasobstinate，andwouldlistentonothing."
　　Afterabriefintervalofsilence，duringwhichBonaparterubbedhisforeheadwithhisrighthand，hethenresumed：
　　"IbelieveIshallhaveBernadotteandMoreauagainstme.ButIdonotfearMoreau.Heisdevoidofenergy.Iknowhewouldprefermilitarytopoliticalpower.Thepromiseofthecommandofanarmywouldgainhimover.ButBernadottehasMoorishbloodinhisveins.Heisboldandenterprising.Heisalliedtomybrothers.
　　——[JosephBonaparteandBernadottehadmarriedsisters.Mario—JulieandEugenieBernardine—DesireeClary.ThefeelingofBourrienneforBernadottemakesthispassagedoubtful.ItistobenoticedthatinthesameconversationhemakesNapoleondescribeBernadotteasnotventuringtoactwithoutpowersandasenterprising.ThesternrepublicanbecomingPrincedeMonteCarloandKingofSweden，inawaycompatiblewithhisfidelitytotheConstitutionoftheyearIII.，isgood.LanfreyattributesBernadotte’srefusaltojoinmoretorivalrythantoprinciple（Lanfrey，tomei.p.440）.ButinanycaseNapoleondidnotdreadBernadotte，andwassoonthreateningtoshoothim;seeLucien，tomeii.p.107.]——
　　Hedoesnotlikeme，andIamalmostcertainthatbewillopposeme.Ifheshouldbecomeambitioushewillventureanything.Andyet，yourecollectinwhatalukewarmwayheactedonthe18thFructidor，whenI
　　senthimtosecondAugereau.Thisdevilofafellowisnottobeseduced.Heisdisinterestedandclever.But;afterall，wehavebutjustarrived，andknownotwhatmayhappen."
　　Bernadotte，itwasreported，hadadvisedthatBonaparteshouldbebroughttoacourt—martial，anthetwo—foldchargeofhavingabandonedhisarmyandviolatedthequarantinelaws.ThisreportcametotheearofBonaparte;butherefusedtobelieveitandhewasright.BernadottethoughthimselfboundtotheConstitutionwhichhehadsworntodefend.
　　Hencetheoppositionhemanifestedtothemeasuresofthe18thBrumaire.
　　ButhecherishednopersonalanimosityagainstBonaparteaslongashewasignorantofhisambitiousdesigns.TheextraordinaryandcomplicatednatureofsubsequenteventsrenderedhispossessionofthecrownofSwedeninnowayincompatiblewithhisfidelitytotheConstitutionoftheyearIII.
　　OnourfirstarrivalinParis，thoughIwasalmostconstantlywiththeGeneral，yet，asourroutineofoccupationwasnotyetsettled，Iwasenablednowandthentosnatchanhourortwofrombusiness.ThisleisuretimeIspentinthesocietyofmyfamilyandafewfriends，andincollectinginformationastowhathadhappenedduringourabsence，forwhichpurposeIconsultedoldnewspapersandpamphlets.IwasnotsurprisedtolearnthatBonaparte’sbrothers——thatistosay，JosephandLucien——hadbeenengagedinmanyintrigues.IwastoldthatSieyeshadforamomentthoughtofcallingtheDukeofBrunswicktotheheadoftheGovernment;thatBarraswouldnothavebeenveryaversetofavouringthereturnoftheBourbons;andthatMoulins，RogerDucos，andGohieralonebelievedoraffectedtobelieve，inthepossibilityofpreservingtheexistingformofgovernment.FromwhatIheardatthetimeIhavegoodreasonsforbelievingthatJosephandLucienmadeallsortsofendeavourstoinveigleBernadotteintotheirbrother’sparty，andinthehopeofaccomplishingthatobjecttheyhadassistedingettinghimappointedWarMinister.However，Icannotvouchforthetruthofthis.IwastoldthatBernadottehadatfirstsubmittedtotheinfluenceofBonaparte’stwobrothers;butthattheirurgentinterferenceintheirclient’sbehalfinducedhimtoshakethemoff，toproceedfreelyintheexerciseofhisduties，andtoopentheeyesoftheDirectoryonwhattheRepublicmighthavetoapprehendfromtheenterprisingcharacterofBonaparte.ItiscertainthatwhatIhavetorelaterespectingtheconductofBernadottetoBonaparteiscalculatedtogivecredittotheseassertions.
　　AllthegeneralswhowereinParis，withtheexceptionofBernadotte，hadvisitedBonaparteduringthefirstthreedayswhichsucceededhisarrival.Bernadotte’sabsencewasthemoreremarkablebecausehehadservedunderBonaparteinItaly.Itwasnotuntilafortnighthadelapsed，andthenonlyonthereiteratedentreatiesofJosephandMadameJosephBonaparte（hissister—in—law），thathedeterminedtogoandseehisoldGeneral—in—Chief.Iwasnotpresentattheirinterview，beingatthatmomentoccupiedinthelittlecabinetoftheRueChantereine.ButI
　　soondiscoveredthattheirconversationhadbeenlongandwarm;forassoonasitwasendedBonaparteenteredthecabinetexceedinglyagitated，andsaidtome，"Bourrienne，howdoyouthinkBernadottehasbehaved？
　　YouhavetraversedFrancewithme——youwitnessedtheenthusiasmwhichmyreturnexcited——youyourselftoldmethatyousawinthatenthusiasmthedesireoftheFrenchpeopletoberelievedfromthedisastrouspositioninwhichourreverseshaveplacedthem.Well！wouldyoubelieveit？.
　　Bernadotteboasts，withridiculousexaggeration，ofthebrilliantandvictorioussituationofFrance！HetalksaboutthedefeatoftheRussians，theoccupationofGenoa，theinnumerablearmiesthatarerisingupeverywhere.Inshort，Iknownotwhatnonsensehehasgotinhishead."——"Whatcanallthismean？"saidI."DidhespeakaboutEgypt？"——
　　"Oh，yes！Nowyouremindme.Heactuallyreproachedmefornothavingbroughtthearmybackwithme！’But，’observedI，’haveyounotjusttoldmethatyouareabsolutelyoverrunwithtroops;thatallyourfrontiersaresecure，thatimmenseleviesaregoingon，andthatyouwillhave200，000infantry？——Ifthisbetrue，whatdoyouwantwithafewthousandmenwhomayensurethepreservationofEgypt？’Hecouldmakenoanswertothis.ButheisquiteelatedbythehonourofhavingbeenWarMinister，andhetoldmeboldlythathelookeduponthearmyofEgyptaslostnay，more.Hemadeinsinuations.Hespokeofenemiesabroadandenemiesathome;andasheutteredtheselastwordshelookedsignificantlyatme.Itoogavehimaglance！Butstayalittle.
　　Thepearwillsoonberipe！YouknowJosephine’sgraceandaddress.Shewaspresent.ThescrutinisingglanceofBernadottedidnotescapeher，andsheadroitlyturnedtheconversation.BernadottesawfrommycountenancethatIhadhadenoughofit，andhetookhisleave.Butdon’tletmeinterruptyoufarther.IamgoingbacktospeaktoJosephine."
　　ImustconfessthatthisstrangestorymademeveryimpatienttofindmyselfalonewithMadameBonaparte，forIwishedtohearheraccountofthescene.Anopportunityoccurredthatveryevening.IrepeatedtoherwhatIhadheardfromtheGeneral，andallthatshetoldmetendedtoconfirmitsaccuracy.SheaddedthatBernadotteseemedtotaketheutmostpainstoexhibittotheGeneralaflatteringpictureoftheprosperityofFrance;andshereportedtome，asfollows，thatpartoftheconversationwhichwaspeculiarlycalculatedtoirritateBonaparte：——
　　"’Idonot，despairofthesafetyoftheRepublic，whichIamcertaincanrestrainherenemiesbothabroadandathome.’AsBernadotteutteredtheselastwords，’"continuedJosephine，"hisglancemademeshudder.
　　OnewordmoreandBonapartecouldhavecommandedhimselfnolonger！Itistrue，"addedshe，"thatitwasinsomedegreehisownfault，foritwashewhoturnedtheconversationonpolitics;andBernadotte，indescribingtheflourishingconditionofFrance，wasonlyreplyingtotheGeneral，whohaddrawnaveryoppositepictureofthestateofthings.
　　Youknow，mydearBourrienne，thatBonaparteisnotalwaysveryprudent.
　　IfearhehassaidtoomuchtoBernadotteaboutthenecessityofchangesintheGovernment."Josephinehadnotyetrecoveredfromtheagitationintowhichthisviolentscenehadthrownher.AfterItookleaveofher;
　　Imadenotesofwhatshehadtoldme.
　　Afewdaysafter，whenBonaparte，Josephine，Hortense，Eugene，andIweretogetherinthedrawing—room，Bernadotteunexpectedlyentered.Hisappearance，afterwhathadpassed，wascalculatedtosurpriseus.HewasaccompaniedbyapersonwhomherequestedpermissiontointroducetoBonaparte.Ihaveforgottenhisname，buthewas，Ithink，secretary—
　　generalwhileBernadottewasinoffice.Bonapartebetrayednoappearanceofastonishment.HereceivedBernadottewithperfectease，andtheysoonenteredintoconversation.Bonaparte，whoseemedtoacquireconfidencefromthepresenceofthosewhowereabouthim，saidagreatdealabouttheagitationwhichprevailedamongtherepublicans，andexpressedhimselfinverydecidedtermsagainsttheManegeClub.’
　　——[TheManegeClub，thelastresortoftheJacobins，formedin1799，andclosedsevenoreightmonthsafterwards.JosephBonaparte（Erreurs，timei.p.251）deniesthatheorLucien——forwhomtheallusionismeant——weremembersofthisclub，andhedisputesthisconversationeverhavingtakenplace.Lucien（tomei.p.219）
　　treatsthisclubasopposedtohisparty.]——
　　IsecondedhimbyobservingthatM.MoreaudeWormsofmydepartment，whowasamemberofthatclub，hadhimselfcomplainedtomeoftheviolencethatprevailedinit."But，General，"saidBernadotte，"yourbrotherswereitsmostactiveoriginators.Yet，"addedheinatoneoffirmness，"youaccusemeofhavingfavouredthatclub，andIrepelthecharge.Itcannotbeotherwisethanfalse.WhenIcameintoofficeIfoundeverythinginthegreatestdisorder.Ihadnoleisuretothinkaboutanyclubtowhichmydutiesdidnotcallme.YouknowwellthatyourfriendSalicetti，andthatyourbrother，whoisinyourconfidence，arebothleadingmenintheManegeClub.TotheinstructionsofIknownotwhomistobeattributedtheviolenceofwhichyoucomplain."Atthesewords，andespeciallythetoneinwhichBernadotteuttered’Iknownotwhom，’
　　Bonapartecouldnolongerrestrainhimself."Well，General，"exclaimedhefuriously，"Itellyouplainly，Iwouldratherlivewildinthewoodsthaninastateofsocietywhichaffordsnosecurity."Bernadottethensaid，withgreatdignityofmanner，"GoodGod！General，whatsecuritywouldyouhave？"FromthewarmthevincedbyBonaparteIsawplainlythattheconversationwouldsoonbeconvertedintoadispute，andinawhisperIrequestedMadameBonapartetochangetheconversation，whichsheimmediatelydidbyaddressingaquestiontosomeonepresent.
　　Bernadotte，observingMadameBonaparte’sdesign，checkedhiswarmth.Thesubjectofconversationwaschanged，anditbecamegeneralBernadottesoontookuphishatanddeparted.
　　Onemorning，whenIenteredBonaparte’schamber——itwas，Ibelieve，threeorfourdaysafterthesecondvisitofBernadotte——hesaid：
　　"Well，Bourrienne，IwageryouwillnotguesswithwhomIamgoingtobreakfastthismorning？"——"Really，General，I——————"——"WithBernadotte;
　　andthebestofthejokeis，thatIhaveinvitedmyself.YouwouldhaveseenhowitwasallbroughtaboutifyouhadbeenwithusattheTheatreFrancais，yesterdayevening.YouknowwearegoingtovisitJosephtodayatMortfontaine.Well，aswewerecomingoutofthetheatrelastnight，findingmyselfsidebyaidewithBernadotteandnotknowingwhattotalkabout，Iaskedhimwhetherhewastobeofourpartyto—day？Herepliedintheaffirmative;andaswewerepassinghishouseintheRueCisalpine，——[JosephBonapartelaysgreatstressonthefactthatNapoleonworldnothavepassedthishouse，whichwasfarfromthetheatre（Erreurs，tomei，p.251）.]——
　　Itoldhim，withoutanyceremony，thatIshouldbehappytocomeandtakeacupofcoffeewithhiminthemorning.Heseemedpleased.Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Bourrienne？"——"Why，General，Ihopeyoumayhavereasononyourparttobepleasedwithhim."——"Neverfear，neverfear.IknowwhatIamabout.ThiswillcompromisehimwithGohier.Remember，youmustalwaysmeetyourenemieswithaboldface，otherwisetheythinktheyarefeared，andthatgivesthemconfidence."
　　BonapartesteppedintothecarriagewithJosephine，whowasalwaysreadywhenshehadtogooutwithhim，forhedidnotliketowait.TheyproceededfirsttoBernadotte’stobreakfast，andfromthencetoMortfontaine.OnhisreturnBonapartetoldmeverylittleaboutwhathadpassedduringtheday，andIcouldseethathewasnotinthebestofhumours.IafterwardslearnedthatBonapartehadconversedagooddealwithBernadotte，andthathehadmadeeveryefforttorenderhimselfagreeable，whichheverywellknewhowtodowhenhechose！butthat，inspiteofallhisconversationaltalent;andsupportedashewasbythepresenceofhisthreebrothers，andRegnaultdeSt.Jeand’Angely，hecouldnotwithstandtherepublicanfirmnessofBernadotte.However，thenumberofhispartisansdailyaugmented;forallhadnottheuncompromisingspiritofBernadotte;anditwillsoonbeseenthatMoreauhimselfundertookchargeoftheDirectorswhoweremadeprisonersonthe18thBrumaire.
　　Bernadotte’sshrewdpenetrationmadehimoneofthefirsttoseeclearlyintoBonaparte’sdesigns.Hewaswellconvincedofhisdeterminationtooverthrowtheconstitutionandpossesshimselfofpower.HesawtheDirectorydividedintotwoparties;theonedupedbythepromisesandassurancesofBonaparte，andtheotherconnivingwithhimfortheaccomplishmentofhisplans.InthesecircumstancesBernadotteofferedhisservicestoallpersonsconnectedwiththeGovernmentwho，likehimself，wereaversetothechangewhichhesawgoodreasontoapprehend.
　　ButBonapartewasnotthemantobeoutdoneincunningoractivity;andeverymomentswelledtheranksofhisadherents.
　　Onthe16thBrumaireIdinedintheRuedelaVictoire.Bernadottewaspresent，andIbelieveGeneralJourdanalso.WhilethegrandconspiracywashasteningtoitsaccomplishmentMadameBonaparteandIhadcontrivedalittleplotofamoreinnocentkind.Weletnooneintooursecret，andour16thBrumairewascrownedwithcompletesuccess.Wehadagreedtobeonthealerttopreventanyfreshexchangeofangrywords.Allsucceededtotheutmostofourwishes.Theconversationlanguishedduringdinner;butitwasnotdulnessthatwewereafraidof.Itturnedonthesubjectofwar，andinthatvastfieldBonaparte’ssuperiorityoverhisinterlocutorswasundeniable.
　　Whenweretiredtothedrawing—roomsagreatnumberofeveningvisitorspouredin，andtheconversationthenbecameanimated，andevengay.
　　Bonapartewasinhighspirits.Hesaidtosomeone，smiling，andpointingtoBernadotte，"YouarenotawarethattheGeneralyonderisaChouan."——"AChouan？"repeatedBernadotte，alsoinatoneofpleasantry.
　　"Ah！Generalyoucontradictyourself.OnlytheotherdayyoutaxedmewithfavouringtheviolenceofthefriendsoftheRepublic，andnowyouaccusemeofprotectingtheChouans.’
　　——[The"Chouans，"socalledfromtheiruseofthecryofthescreech—owl（chathouan）asasignal，weretherevoltedpeasantsofBrittanyandofMaine.]——
　　Youshouldatleastbeconsistent."Afewmomentsafter，availinghimselfoftheconfusionoccasionedbythethrongofvisitors，Bernadotteslippedoff.
　　AsamarkofrespecttoBonapartetheCounciloftheFiveHundredappointedLucienitspresident.TheeventprovedhowimportantthisnominationwastoNapoleon.Uptothe19thBrumaire，andespeciallyonthatday，Lucienevincedadegreeofactivity，intelligence，courage，andpresenceofmindwhicharerarelyfoundunitedinoneindividualIhavenohesitationinstatingthattoLucien’snominationandexertionsmustbeattributedthesuccessofthe19thBrumaire.
　　TheGeneralhadlaiddownaplanofconductfromwhichheneverdeviatedduringthetwenty—threedayswhichintervenedbetweenhisarrivalinParisandthe18thBrumaire.Herefusedalmostallprivateinvitations，inordertoavoidindiscreetquestions，unacceptableoffers，andanswerswhichmightcompromisehim.
　　ItwasnotwithoutsomedegreeofhesitationthatheyieldedtoaprojectstartedbyLucien，who，byallsortsofmanoeuvring，hadsucceededinprevailingonagreatnumberofhiscolleaguestobepresentatagrandsubscriptiondinnertobegiventoBonapartebytheCounciloftheAncients.
　　Thedisorderwhichunavoidablyprevailedinapartyamountingtoupwardsof250persons，animatedbyadiversityofopinionsandsentiments;theanxietyanddistrustarisinginthemindsofthosewhowerenotinthegrandplot，renderedthismeetingoneofthemoatdisagreeableIeverwitnessed.Itwasallrestraintanddulness.Bonaparte’scountenancesufficientlybetrayedhisdissatisfaction;besides，thesuccessofhisschemesdemandedhispresenceelsewhere.Almostassoonashehadfinishedhisdinnerherose，sayingtoBerthierandme，"Iamtired：letusbe，gone."Hewentroundtothedifferenttables，addressingtothecompanycomplimentsandtriflingremarks，anddeparted，leavingattablethepersonsbywhomhehadbeeninvited.
　　Thisshortpoliticalcrisiswasmarkedbynothingmoregrand，dignified，ornoblethanthepreviousrevolutionarycommotions.Alltheseplotsweresocontemptible，andwereaccompaniedbysomuchtrickery，falsehood，andtreachery，that，forthehonourofhumannature，itisdesirabletocoverthemwithaveil.
　　GeneralBonaparte’sthoughtswerefirstoccupiedwiththeideahehadconceivedevenwheninItaly，namely，tobechosenaDirector.NobodydaredyettoaccusehimofbeingadeserterfromthearmyoftheEast.
　　Theonlydifficultywastoobtainadispensationonthescoreofage.
　　Andwasthisnottobeobtained？NosoonerwasheinstalledinhishumbleabodeintheRuedelaVictoirethanhewasassuredthat，ontheretirementofRewbell，themajorityofsuffrageswouldhavedevolvedonhimhadhebeeninFrance，andhadnotthefundamentallawrequiredtheageofforty;butthatnotevenhiswarmestpartisansweredisposedtoviolatetheyetinfantConstitutionoftheyearIII.
　　Bonapartesoonperceivedthatnoeffortswouldsucceedinovercomingthisdifficulty，andheeasilyresolvedtopossesshimselfwhollyofanofficeofwhichhewouldnominallyhavehadonlyafifthparthadhebeenamemberoftheDirectory.
　　Assoonashisintentionsbecamemanifesthefoundhimselfsurroundedbyallthosewhorecognisedinhimthemantheyhadlonglookedfor.Thesepersons，whowereableandinfluentialintheirowncircles，endeavouredtoconvertintofriendshiptheanimositywhichexistedbetweenSieyesandBonaparte.ThisangryfeelinghadbeenincreasedbyaremarkmadebySieyes，andreportedtoBonaparte.Hehadsaid，afterthedinneratwhichBonapartetreatedhimsodisrespectfully，"DoyouseehowthatlittleinsolentfellowbehavestoamemberofaGovernmentwhichwoulddowelltoorderhimtobeSHOT？"
　　ButallwaschangedwhenablemediatorspointedouttoBonapartetheadvantageofunitingwithSieye’sforthepurposeofoverthrowingaConstitutionwhichhedidnotlike.Hewasassuredhowvainitwouldbetothinkofsupersedinghim，andthatitwouldbebettertoflatterhimwiththehopeofhelpingtosubverttheconstitutionandraisingupanewone.OnedaysomeonesaidtoBonaparteinmyhearing，"SeekforsupportamongthepartywhocallthefriendsoftheRepublicJacobins，andbeassuredthatSieyesisattheheadofthatparty."
　　Onthe25thVendemiaire（17thofOctober）theDirectorysummonedGeneralBonapartetoaprivatesitting."TheyofferedmethechoiceofanyarmyIwouldcommand，"saidhetomethenextmorning."Iwouldnotrefuse，butIaskedtobeallowedalittletimefortherecoveryofmyhealth;
　　and，toavoidanyotherembarrassingoffers，Iwithdrew.Ishallgotonomoreoftheirsittings."（Heattendedonlyoneafterthis.）"IamdeterminedtojoinSieyes’party.ItincludesagreaterdiversityofopinionsthanthatoftheprofligateBarras.Heproclaimseverywherethatheistheauthorofmyfortune.Hewillneverbecontenttoplayaninferiorpart，andIwillneverbendtosuchaman.HecherishesthemadambitionofbeingthesupportoftheRepublic.Whatwouldhe.dowithme？Sieyes，onthecontrary，hasnopoliticalambition."
　　NosoonerdidSieyesbegintogrowfriendlywithBonapartethanthelatterlearnedfromhimthatBarrashadsaid，"The’littlecorporal’hasmadehisfortuneinItalyanddoesnotwanttogobackagain."BonaparterepairedtotheDirectoryforthesolepurposeofcontradictingthisallegation.HecomplainedtotheDirectorsofitsfalsehood，boldlyaffirmedthatthefortunehewassupposedtopossesshadnoexistence，andthatevenifhehadmadehisfortuneitwasnot，atallevents，attheexpenseoftheRepublic"Youknow，"saidhetome，"thattheminesofHydriahavefurnishedthegreaterpartofwhatIpossess."——"Isitpossible，"saidI，"thatBarrascouldhavesaidso，whenyouknowsowellofallthepeculationsofwhichhehasbeenguiltysinceyourreturn？"
　　Bonapartehadconfidedthesecretofhisplanstoveryfewpersons——tothoseonlywhoseassistancehewanted.Therestmechanicallyfollowedtheirleadersandtheimpulsewhichwasgiventothem;theypassivelyawaitedtherealisationofthepromisestheyhadreceived，andonthefaithofwhichtheyhadpledgedthemselves.
　　CHAPTERXXIV.
　　1799.
　　CambaceresandLebrun——Gohierdeceived——MynocturnalvisittoBarras——ThecommandofthearmygiventoBonaparte——Themorningofthe18thBrumaire——MeetingofthegeneralsatBonaparte’shouse——
　　Bernadotte’sfirmness——Josephine’sinterest，forMadameGohier——
　　DisappointmentoftheDirectors——ReviewinthegardensoftheTuileries——Bonaparte’sharangue——ProclamationoftheAncients——
　　Moreau，jaileroftheLuxembourg——MyconversationwithLaPallette——
　　BonaparteatSt.Cloud.
　　Thepartsofthegreatdramawhichwasshortlytobeenactedwerewelldistributed.Duringthethreedaysprecedingthe18thBrumaireeveryonewasathispost.Lucien，withequalactivityandintelligence，forwardedtheconspiracyinthetwoCouncils;SieyeshadthemanagementoftheDirectory;Real，——[PierreFrancoisReal（1757—1834）;publicaccuserbeforetherevolutionarycriminaltribunal;became，underNapoleon，Conseillerd’EtatandComte，andwaschargedwiththeaffairsofthe"hautepolice."]——
　　undertheinstructionsofFouche，——[JosephFouche（1754—1820）;Conventionalist;memberofextremeJacobinparty;MinisterofPoliceundertheDirectory，August1799;
　　retainedbyNapoleoninthatMinistrytill1802，andagainfrom1801
　　to1810;becameDucd’Otrantein1809;disgracedm1810，andsentin1813asgovernoroftheIllyrianProvinces;MinisterofPoliceduringthe’CentJours’;PresidentoftheProvisionalGovernment，1815;andforashorttimeMinisterofPoliceundersecondrestoration.]——
　　negotiatedwiththedepartments，anddexterouslymanaged，withoutcompromisingFouche，toruinthosefromwhomthatMinisterhadreceivedhispower.Therewasnotimetolose;andFouchesaidtomeonthe14thBrumaire，"TellyourGeneraltobespeedy;ifhedelays，heislost."
　　Onthe17th，RegnaultdeSt.Jeand’AngelytoldBonapartethattheoverturesmadetoCambaceresandLebrunhadnotbeenreceivedinaverydecidedway."Iwillhavenotergiversation，"repliedBonapartewithwarmth."LetthemnotflatterthemselvesthatIstandinneedofthem.
　　Theymustdecideto—day;to—morrowwillbetoolate.Ifeelmyselfstrongenoughnowtostandalone."
　　Cambaceres——[Cambaceres（J.J.Regisde）（1763—1824）Conventionalist;MinisterofJusticeunderDirectory，1799;secondConsul，25thDecember1799;
　　Arch—ChancelloroftheEmpire，1804;DucdeParma，1806;MinisterofJusticeduringthe’CentJours’：tookgreatpartinallthelegalandadministrativeprojectsoftheConsulateandEmpire.]——
　　andLebrun——[CharlesFrancoisLebrun（1757—1824）.DeputytotheNationalAssembly，andmemberoftheCounciloftheFiveHundred;ThirdConsul，25thDecember1799;Arch—TreasureroftheEmpire，1804;DucdePlaisance，1806;Governor—GeneralofHolland，1806;Lieutenant—
　　GovernorofHolland，1810to1813;chieflyengagedinfinancialmeasures]——
　　were，almostutterstrangerstotheintrigueswhichprecededthe18thBrumaire.BonapartehadcasthiseyesontheMinisterofJusticetobeoneofhiscolleagueswhenheshouldbeatlibertytonamethem，becausehispreviousconducthadpledgedhimasapartisanoftheRevolution.
　　TohimBonaparteaddedLebrun，tocounterbalancethefirstchoice.
　　Lebrunwasdistinguishedforhonourableconductandmoderateprinciples.
　　ByselectingthesetwomenBonapartehopedtopleaseeveryone;besides，neitherofthemwereabletocontendagainsthisfixeddeterminationandambitiousviews.
　　Whatpettyintriguesmarkedthe17thBrumaire！OnthatdayIdinedwithBonaparte;andafterdinnerhesaid，"Ihavepromisedtodineto—morrowwithGohier;but，asyoumayreadilysuppose，Idonotintendgoing.
　　However，Iamverysorryforhisobstinacy.BywayofrestoringhisconfidenceJosephineisgoingtoinvitehimtobreakfastwithusto—
　　morrow.Itwillbeimpossibleforhimtosuspectanything.IsawBarrasthismorning，andlefthimmuchdisturbed.Heaskedmetoreturnandvisithimto—night.Ipromisedtodoso，butIshallnotgo.To—morrowallwillbeover.Thereisbutlittletime;heexpectsmeateleveno’clockto—night.Youshallthereforetakemycarriage，gothere，sendinmyname，andthenenteryourself.Tellhimthatasevereheadacheconfinesmetomybed，butthatIwillbewithhimwithoutfailtomorrow.
　　Bidhimnotbealarmed，forallwillsoonberightagain.Eludehisquestionsasmuchaspossible;donotstaylong，andcometomeonyourreturn."
　　Atpreciselyeleveno’clockIreachedtheresidenceofBarras，inGeneralBonaparte’scarriage.SolitudeandsilenceprevailedinalltheapartmentsthroughwhichIpassedtoBarras’cabinet.Bonapartewasannounced，andwhenBarrassawmeenterinsteadofhim，hemanifestedthegreatestastonishmentandappearedmuchcastdown.Itwaseasytoperceivethathelookedonhimselfasalostman.Iexecutedmycommission，andstayedonlyashorttime.Irosetotakemyleave，andhesaid，whileshowingmeout，"IseethatBonaparteisdeceivingme：hewillnotcomeagain.Hehassettledeverything;yettomeheowesall."
　　Irepeatedthathewouldcertainlycometomorrow，butheshookhisheadinawaywhichplainlydenotedthathedidnotbelieveme.WhenIgaveBonaparteanaccountofmyvisitheappearedmuchpleased.HetoldmethatJosephwasgoingtocallthateveningonBernadotte，andtoaskhimtocometomorrow.Irepliedthat，fromallIknew，hewouldbeofnousetohim."Ibelievesotoo，"saidhe;"buthecannolongerinjureme，andthatisenough.Well，good—night;behereatseveninthemorning."
　　Itwasthenoneo’clock.
　　Iwaswithhimalittlebeforeseveno’clockonthemorningofthe18thBrumaire，andonmyarrivalIfoundagreatnumberofgeneralsandofficersassembled.IenteredBonaparte’schamber，andfoundhimalreadyup——athingratherunusualwithhim.Atthismomenthewasascalmasontheapproachofabattle.InafewmomentsJosephandBernadottearrived.Josephhadnotfoundhimathomeontheprecedingevening，andhadcalledforhimthatmorning.IwassurprisedtoseeBernadotteinplainclothes，andIsteppeduptohimandsaidinalowvoice，"General，everyonehere，exceptyouandI，isinuniform."——"WhyshouldIbeinuniform？"saidhe.AsheutteredthesewordsBonaparte，struckwiththesamesurpriseasmyself，stoppedshortwhilespeakingtoseveralpersonsaroundhim，andturningquicklytowardsBernadottesaid，"Howisthis？
　　youarenotinuniform！"——"IneveramonamorningwhenIamnotonduty，"repliedBernadotte.——"Youwillbeondutypresently."——"Ihavenotheardawordofit：Ishouldhavereceivedmyorderssooner."
　　BonapartethenledBernadotteintoanadjoiningroom.Theirconversationwasnotlong，fortherewasnotimetospare.
　　Ontheotherhand，bytheinfluenceoftheprincipalconspiratorstheremovalofthelegislativebodytoSt.Cloudwasdeterminedonthemorningofthe18thBrumaire，andthecommandofthearmywasgiventoBonaparte.
　　AllthistimeBarraswasnodoubtwaitingforBonaparte，andMadameBonapartewasexpectingGohiertobreakfast.AtBonaparte’swereassembledallthegeneral’swhoweredevotedtohim.IneversawsogreatanumberbeforeintheRuedelaVictoire.Theywereall，exceptBernadotte，infulluniform;andtherewere，besides，halfadozenpersonsthereinitiatedinthesecretsoftheday.ThelittlehoteloftheconquerorofItalywasmuchtoosmallforsuchanassemblage，andseveralpersonswerestandinginthecourt—yard.BonapartewasacquaintedwiththedecreeoftheCounciloftheAncients，andonlywaitedforitsbeingbroughttohimbeforeheshouldmounthishorse.
　　ThatdecreewasadoptedintheCounciloftheAncientsbywhatmaybecalledafalsemajority，forthemembersoftheCouncilweresummonedatdifferenthours，anditwassocontrivedthatsixtyoreightyofthem，whomLucienandhisfriendshadnotbeenabletogainover，shouldnotreceivetheirnoticesintime.
　　AssoonasthemessagefromtheCounciloftheAncientsarrivedBonaparterequestedalltheofficersathishousetofollowhim.Atthatannouncementafewwhowereinignoranceofwhatwasgoingondidnotfollow——atleastIsawtwogroupsseparatelyleavethehotel.Bernadottesaidtome，"Ishallstaywithyou."Iperceivedtherewasagooddealofsuspicioninhismanner.Bonaparte，beforegoingdownthestairswhichledfromthesmallrounddining—roomintothecourtyard，returnedquicklytobidBernadottefollowhim.Hewouldnot，andBonapartethensaidtome，whilehurryingoff，"Gohierisnotcome——somuchtheworsefor.him，"andleapedonhishorse.ScarcelywasheoffwhenBernadotteleftme.JosephineandIbeingnowleftalone;sheacquaintedmewithheranxiety.Iassuredherthateverythingbadbeensowellpreparedthatsuccesswascertain.ShefeltmuchinterestaboutGohieronaccountofherfriendshipforhiswife.SheaskedmewhetherIwaswellacquaintedwithGohier."Youknow，Madame，"repliedI，"thatwehavebeenonlytwentydaysinParis，andthatduringthattimeIhaveonlygoneouttosleepintheRueMartel.IhaveseenM.Gohierseveraltimes，whenhecametovisittheGeneral，andhavetalkedtohimaboutthesituationofouraffairsinSwitzerland，Holland，France，andotherpoliticalmatters，butIneverexchangedawordwithhimastowhatisnowgoingon.Thisisthewholeextentofmyacquaintancewithhim."
　　"Iamsorryforit，"resumedJosephine，"becauseIshouldhaveaskedyoutowritetohim，andbeghimtomakenostir，butimitateSieyesandRoger，whowillvoluntarilyretire，andnottojoinBarras，whoisprobablyatthisverymomentforcedtodoso.BonapartehastoldmethatifGohiervoluntarilyresigns，hewilldoeverythingforhim."IbelieveJosephinecommunicateddirectlywiththePresidentoftheDirectorythroughafriendofMadameGohier’s.
　　GohierandMoulins，nolongerdependingonSieyesandRogerDucos，waitedfortheircolleague，Barras，inthehalloftheDirectory，toadoptsomemeasureonthedecreeforremovingtheCouncilstoSt.Cloud.Buttheyweredisappointed;forBarras，whoseeyeshadbeenopenedbymyvisitontheprecedingnight，didnotjointhem.HehadbeeninvisibletohiscolleaguesfromthemomentthatBruixandM.deTalleyrandhadinformedhimoftherealityofwhathealreadysuspected;andinsistedonhisretirement.
　　Onthe18thBrumaireagreatnumberofmilitary，amountingtoabout10，000men，wereassembledinthegardensoftheTuileries，andwerereviewedbyBonaparte，accompaniedbyGeneralsBeurnonville，Moreau，andMacdonald.BonapartereadtothemthedecreejustissuedbythecommissionofinspectorsoftheCounciloftheAncients，bywhichthelegislativebodywasremovedtoSt.Cloud;andbywhichhehimselfwasentrustedwiththeexecutionofthatdecree，andappointedtothecommandofallthemilitaryforceinParis，andafterwardsdeliveredanaddresstothetroops.
　　WhilstBonapartewasharanguingthesoldiers，theCounciloftheAncientspublishedanaddresstotheFrenchpeople，inwhichitwasdeclaredthattheseatofthelegislativebodywaschanged，inordertoputdownthefactions，whoseobjectwastocontrolthenationalrepresentation.
　　WhileallthiswaspassingabroadIwasattheGeneral’shouseintheRuedelaVictoire;whichIneverleftduringthewholeday.MadameBonaparteandIwerenotwithoutanxietyinBonaparte’sabsence.
　　IlearnedfromJosephinethatJoseph’swifehadreceivedavisitfromAdjutant—GeneralRapatel，whohadbeensentbyBonaparteandMoreautobringherhusbandtotheTuileries.Josephwasfromhomeatthetime，andsothemessagewasuseless.Thiscircumstance，however，awakenedhopeswhichwehadscarcelydaredtoentertain.MoreauwastheninaccordancewithBonaparte，forRapatelwassentinthenameofbothGenerals.Thisalliance，solongdespairedof，appearedtoaugurfavourably.ItwasoneofBonaparte’shappystrokes.Moreau，whowasaslavetomilitarydiscipline，regardedhissuccessfulrivalonlyasachiefnominatedbytheCounciloftheAncients.Hereceivedhisordersandobeyedthem.BonaparteappointedhimcommanderoftheguardoftheLuxembourg，wheretheDirectorswereunderconfinement.Heacceptedthecommand，andnocircumstancecouldhavecontributedmoreeffectuallytotheaccomplishmentofBonaparte’sviewsandtothetriumphofhisambition.
　　AtlengthBonaparte，whomwehadimpatientlyexpected，returned.
　　Almosteverythinghadgonewellwithhim，forhehadhadonlytodowithsoldiers.Intheeveninghesaidtome，"IamsurethatthecommitteeofinspectorsofthehallareatthisverymomentengagedinsettlingwhatistobedoneatSt.Cloudto—morrow.Itisbettertoletthemdecidethematter，forbythatmeanstheirvanityisflattered.IwillobeyorderswhichIhavemyselfconcerted."WhatBonapartewasspeakingofhadbeenarrangednearlytwoorthreedayspreviously.Thecommitteeofinspectorswasundertheinfluenceoftheprincipalconspirators.
　　Intheeveningofthisanxiousday，whichwasdestinedtobesucceededbyastormymorrow，Bonaparte，pleasedwithhavinggainedoverMoreau，spoketomeofBernadotte’svisitinthemorning.——"Isaw，"saidhe，"thatyouwereasmuchastonishedasIatBernadotte’sbehaviour.Ageneraloutofuniform！Hemightaswellhavecomeinslippers.DoyouknowwhatpassedwhenItookhimaside？Itoldhimall;Ithoughtthatthebestway.IassuredhimthathisDirectorywashated，andhisConstitutionwornout;thatitwasnecessarytoturnthemalloff，andgiveanotherimpulsetothegovernment."GoandputonyouruniformsaidI：’Icannotwaitforyoulong.YouwillfindmeattheTuileries，withtherestofourcomrades.DonotdependonMoreau，Beurnonville，orthegeneralsofyourparty.Whenyouknowthembetteryouwillfindthattheypromisemuchbutperformlittle.Donottrustthem.’Bernadottethensaidthathewouldnottakepartinwhathecalledarebellion.Arebellion！
　　Bourrienne，onlythinkofthat！Asetofimbeciles，whofrommorningtonightdonothingbutdebateintheirkennels！Butallwasinvain.I
　　couldnotmoveBernadotte.Heisabarofiron.Iaskedhimtogivemehiswordthathewoulddonothingagainstme;whatdoyouthinkwashisanswer？"——"Somethingunpleasant，nodoubt."——"Unpleasant！thatistoomildaword.Hesaid，’Iwillremainquietasacitizen;butiftheDirectoryordermetoact，Iwillmarchagainstalldisturbers.’ButI
　　canlaughatallthatnow.Mymeasuresaretaken，andhewillhavenocommand.However，Isethimateaseastowhatwouldtakeplace.
　　Iflatteredhimwithapictureofprivatelife，thepleasuresofthecountry，andthecharmsofMalmaison;andIlefthimwithhisheadfullofpastoraldreams.Inaword，Iamverywellsatisfiedwithmyday’swork.Good—night，Bourrienne;weshallseewhatwillturnupto—morrow."
　　Onthe19thIwenttoSt.CloudwithmyfriendLaVallette.AswepassedthePlaceLouisXV.，nowLouisXVI.，heaskedmewhatwasdoing，andwhatmyopinionwasastothecomingevents？WithoutenteringintoanydetailIreplied，"Myfriend，eitherweshallsleeptomorrowattheLuxembourg，ortherewillbeanendofus."Whocouldtellwhichofthetwothingswouldhappen！Successlegalisedaboldenterprise，whichtheslightestaccidentmighthavechangedintoacrime.
　　ThesittingoftheAncients，underthepresidencyofLemercier，commencedatoneo’clock.Awarmdiscussiontookplaceuponthesituationofaffairs，theresignationofthemembersoftheDirectory，andtheimmediateelectionofothers.Greatheatandagitationprevailedduringthedebate.IntelligencewaseveryminutecarriedtoBonaparteofwhatwasgoingforward，andhedeterminedtoenterthehallandtakepartinthediscussion.Heenteredinahastyandangryway，whichdidnotgivemeafavourableforebodingofwhathewasabouttosay.Wepassedthroughanarrowpassagetothecentreofthehall;ourbackswereturnedtothedoor.BonapartehadthePresidenttohisright.Hecouldnotseehimfullintheface.IwasclosetotheGeneralonhisright.Berthierwasathisleft.
　　AllthespeecheswhichhavebeensubsequentlypassedoffashavingbeendeliveredbyBonaparteonthisoccasiondifferfromeachother;aswelltheymay，forhedeliverednonetotheAncients，unlesshisconfusedconversationwiththePresident，whichwasalikedevoidofdignityandsense，istobecalledaspeech.Hetalkedofhis"brothersinarms"andthe"franknessofasoldier."ThequestionsofthePresidentfollowedeachotherrapidly：theywereclear;butitisimpossibletoconceiveanythingmoreconfusedorworsedeliveredthantheambiguousandperplexedrepliesofBonaparte.Hetalkedwithoutendof"volcanoes;
　　secretagitations，victories，aviolatedconstitution！"Heblamedtheproceedingsofthe18thFructidor，ofwhichhewasthefirstpromoterandthemostpowerfulsupporter.HepretendedtobeignorantofeverythinguntiltheCouncilofAncientshadcalledhimtotheaidofhiscountry.
　　Thencame"Caesar——Cromwell——tyrant！"andheseveraltimesrepeated，"Ihavenothingmoretosaytoyou！"though，infact，hehadsaidnothing.Heallegedthathehadbeencalledtoassumethesupremeauthority，onhisreturnfromItaly，bythedesireofthenation，andafterwardsbyhiscomradesinarms.Nextfollowedthewords"liberty—
　　equality！"thoughitwasevidenthehadnotcometoSt.Cloudforthesakeofeither.Nosoonerdidheutterthesewords，thanamemberoftheAncients，named，Ithink，Linglet，interruptinghim，exclaimed，"YouforgettheConstitution！"Hiscountenanceimmediatelylightedup;yetnothingcouldbedistinguishedbut，"The18thFructidor——the30thPrairial——hypocrites——intriguers——Iwilldiscloseall！——Iwillresignmypower，whenthedangerwhichthreatenstheRepublicshallhavepassedaway！"
　　Bonaparte，believingallhisassertionstobeadmittedasproved，assumedalittleconfidence，andaccusedthetwodirectorsBarrasandMoulinsofhavingproposedtoputhimattheheadofapartywhoseobjectwastoopposeallmenprofessingliberalideas."
　　Atthesewords，thefalsehoodofwhichwasodious，agreattumultaroseinthehall.Ageneralcommitteewasloudlycalledfortohearthedisclosures."No，no！"exclaimedothers，"nogeneralcommittee！
　　conspiratorshavebeendenounced：itisrightthatFranceshouldknowall！"
　　BonapartewasthenrequiredtoenterintotheparticularsofhisaccusationagainstBarrasandMoulins，andoftheproposalswhichhadbeenmadetohim："Youmustnolongerconcealanything."
　　EmbarrassedbytheseinterruptionsandinterrogatoriesBonapartebelievedthathewascompletelylost.Insteadofgivinganexplanationofwhathehadsaid，hebegantomakefreshaccusations;andagainstwhom？TheCounciloftheFiveHundred，who，hesaid，wishedfor"scaffolds，revolutionarycommittees，andacompleteoverthrowofeverything."
　　Violentmurmursarose，andhislanguagebecamemoreandmoreincoherentandinconsequent.Headdressedhimselfatonemomenttotherepresentativesofthepeople，whowerequiteovercomebyastonishment;
　　atanothertothemilitaryinthecourtyard，whocouldnothearhim.
　　Then，byanunaccountabletransition，hespokeof"thethunderboltsofwar！"andadded，thathewas"attendedbytheGodofwarandtheGodoffortune."
　　ThePresident，withgreatcalmness，toldhimthathesawnothing，absolutelynothing，uponwhichtheCouncilcoulddeliberate;thattherewasvaguenessinallhehadsaid."Explainyourself;revealtheplotwhichyousayyouwereurgedtojoin."
　　Bonaparterepeatedagainthesamethings.Butonlythosewhowerepresentcanformanyideaofhismanner.Therewasnottheslightestconnectioninwhathestammeredout.Bonapartewasthennoorator.Itmaywellbesupposedthathewasmoreaccustomedtothedinofwarthantothediscussionsofthetribunes.HewasmoreathomebeforeabatterythanbeforeaPresident’schair.
　　Perceivingthebadeffectwhichthisunconnectedbabblingproducedontheassembly，aswellastheembarrassmentofBonaparte，Isaid，inalowvoice，pullinghimgentlybytheskirtofhiscoat，"withdraw，General;
　　youknownotwhatyouaresaying."ImadesignstoBerthier，whowasonhisleft，tosecondmeinpersuadinghimtoleavethehall;andallatonce，afterhavingstammeredoutafewmore，words，heturnedroundexclaiming，"Letthosewholovemefollowme！"Thesentinelsatthedoorofferednooppositiontohispassing.Thepersonwhowentbeforehimquietlydrewasidethetapestrywhichconcealedthedoor，andGeneralBonaparteleapeduponhishorse，whichstoodinthecourt—yard.Itishardtosaywhatwouldhavehappenedif，onseeingtheGeneralretire，thePresidenthadsaid，"Grenadiers，letnoonepass！"InsteadofsleepingnextdayattheLuxembourghewould，Iamconvinced，haveendedhiscareeronthePlacedelaRevolution.
　　CHAPTERXXV.
　　1799.
　　ThetwoCouncils——Barras’letter——BonaparteattheCounciloftheFiveHundred——Falsereports——Tumultuoussitting——Lucien’sspeech——
　　HeresignsthePresidencyoftheCounciloftheFiveHundred——Heiscarriedoutbygrenadiers——Heharanguesthetroops——Adramaticscene——MuratandhissoldiersdriveouttheFiveHundred——CouncilofThirty——Consularcommission——Decree——ReturntoParis——ConversationwithBonaparteandJosephinerespectingGohierandBernadotte——ThedirectorsGohierandMoulinsimprisoned.
　　ThescenewhichoccurredatthesittingoftheCounciloftheAncientswasverydifferentfromthatwhichpassedoutside.Bonapartehadscarcelyreachedthecourtyardandmountedhishorsewhencriesof"ViveBonaparte！"resoundedonallsides.Butthiswasonlyasunbeambetweentwostorms.HehadyettobravetheCounciloftheFiveHundred，whichwasfarmoreexcitedthantheCounciloftheAncients.Everythingtendedtocreateadreadfuluncertainty;butitwastoolatetodrawback.Wehadalreadystakedtooheavily.Thegamewasdesperate，andeverythingwastobeventured.Inafewhoursallwouldbedetermined.