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.