ThevictorythatBonapartedesiredwasthuswon，andhecouldreturnwithhonortoPrance。Hemadesecretpreparationsforhisjourneythither，fittinguptwoships，whichweretocarryhimandhiscompanions。Thearmywastohearofhisdepartureonlyafterhehadgone；but，muchashedesiredtokeepthethingsecret，thereweresomewhohadtoknowofit，andamongthem，happily，wasGeneralKleber。Bonapartehadchosenhimashissuccessor，andthereforehemustbeinformedrespectingtheconditionofaffairsbeforetheheadofthearmyshouldwithdraw。Onthesamedaywhenthiscommunicationtookplace，KleberrepairedtoGeneralDesaix，whowashisintimatefriend，andfromwhomhelearnedthathewastobeoneofBonaparte’scompanionsonthereturn。Thetwogeneralshadaprolongedsecretinterview，andatthecloseofittheybothwenttoKleber’shouse，andenteredtheroomofhisadjutantLouis。GeneralDesaixbowedwithgreatdeferencetotheyoungman，who，blushingatthehonorwhichsodistinguishedageneralpaidhim，extendedhishandtohim。Desaixpressedakissuponit，andfromhiseyes，unusedtotears，therefelladropupontheyoungman’shand。
“General，“criedLouis，inamazement，“whatareyoudoing？“
“Iampayingmyhomagetomisfortuneandtothepast，“saidDesaix，solemnly，“andthetearwhichIdroponyourhandisthesealofmyfidelityandsilenceinthefuture。Youngman，IsweartoyouthatI
willcherishyoursecretinmyheartasahallowedtreasure，andwilldefendwithmylife’sbloodthepaperswhichyouruncle，GeneralKleber，hasintrustedtomycarethisday。Iamasoldieroftherepublic，Ihavepledgedmyfidelitytoher，andmustandshallkeepit。Icannotbecomeapartisan；butIshallalwaysbetheprotectorofmisfortune，andahelperintimeofneed。Trustmeinthis，andacceptmeasyourfriend。“
“Idoacceptyou，general，“saidLouis，gently，“andifIdonotpromisetoloveyoujustastenderlyasIlovemyuncle，GeneralKleber，whohasbeentomefather，brother，andprotector，andtowhomIoweeverything，yet，Icanassureyou，that，afterhim，thereisnoonewhomIwillloveasIshallyou，andthereisnooneinEuropewhocancontendwithyouformylove。Iamverypoorinfriends，andyetIfeelthatmyheartisrichinlovethatnoonedesiresnow。“