human
After all, I do not see why I should hesitate to proffer a request which is both pious and loyal.
gpt
I am listening,
human
I am the son of the Vicomte de Beauharnais.
gpt
Of the citizen-general,
human
Of the citizen-general, if you prefer, said the young man,
gpt
I insist upon nothing, replied Bonaparte,
human
Well, resumed the young man,
gpt
I come to ask at your hands, citizen-general, the sword of my father, Alexandre de Beauharnais, who was a general like yourself. I am sixteen years old, and my military education is almost completed. It is for me to serve my country now. I hope some day to wear at my side the sword which my father wore. That is why I have come to ask you for it.
human
If I should ask you for more information concerning yourself and your family, citizen, asked Bonaparte,
gpt
I should prefer to think that the report of our misfortunes had reached your ears, replied the young man,
human
Was not your mother a prisoner also?
gpt
Yes, and she was saved almost by a miracle. We owe her life to citizeness Tallien and to citizen Barras.
human
How does your father's sword happen to be in my hands?
gpt
I do not say that it is in your hands, but you can have it restored to me, though. The Convention ordered the disarming of the Section Le Peletier. We are living in our old house in the Rue Neuve-des-Mathurins, which the general had restored to us. Some men came to my mother and asked for all the weapons in the house. My mother gave orders that they should take a double-barrelled hunting gun of mine, a single-barrelled rifle which I bought at Strasbourg, and finally my father's sword. I regretted neither the double-barrelled gun nor the rifle, though I took pride in the memories which they recalled. But I regretted, and I confess still regret, that sword which fought so gloriously in America and France.
human
If you were to see the weapons which formerly belonged to you, said Bonaparte,
gpt
Beyond doubt,
human
Accompany citizen Beauharnais to the rooms where they have put the arms belonging to the Sections, said Bonaparte.
gpt
You will allow him to take those which he will point out to you.