human
Well, general, what is it?
gpt
It is, said Bonaparte,
human
Ah! said Augereau.
gpt
The fact is that I have some rascals who will not listen to reason on that score. This is not the first duel that has been fought for that very reason. Therefore, before leaving Vicenza this morning, I published an order of the day forbidding any man of my division to make use, either verbally or in writing, of the word monsieur, under penalty of being degraded from his rank, or if he were a common soldier, depriving him of the right to serve in the armies of the Republic.
human
Then, having taken this precaution, said Bonaparte, looking fixedly at Augereau,
gpt
Ah, ha! exclaimed Augereau;
human
Because you have asked my permission to go to Paris on personal matters of business.
gpt
And a little on your affairs, also, eh?
human
I thought, said Bonaparte dryly,
gpt
No, no, said Augereau,
human
Have you not the second place in the Army of Italy?
gpt
To be sure; but I did a little something toward that myself, and circumstances may not always be so favorable.
human
You see, said Bonaparte,
gpt
Why? Tell me. Are you sending me to the assistance of the Republic?
human
Yes, unfortunately, the Republic is in poor hands just now; but poor as they are, it still lives.
gpt
And the Directory?
human
Is divided, replied Bonaparte.
gpt
Carnot and Barthélemy incline toward royalty, and they have with them, it must be confessed, the majority of the councils. But Barras, Rewbell, and La Reveillière-Lepaux stand firm for the Republic and the Constitution of the Year III., and they have us behind them.
human
I thought, said Augereau,
gpt
Yes; but it will not do to leave them there. There must be no arms in the country that are longer than ours; and ours must reach beyond the Alps, and if necessary bring about another 13th Vendémiaire at Paris.
human
Well, why do you not go yourself?
gpt
Because if I went it would be to overthrow the Directory and not to sustain it. And I have not done enough yet to play the part of Cæsar.
human
And you send me to play the part of your lieutenant. Well! that satisfies me. What is there to be done?
gpt
Make an end of the enemies of France, who were only half wiped out on the 13th Vendémiaire. As long as Barras pursues a Republican course, second him to the best of your ability and courage; if he hesitates, resist him; if he betrays, collar him as you would the meanest citizen. If you fail, I shall be in Paris within the week with twenty-five thousand soldiers.
human
Well, said Augereau,
gpt
I will try not to fail. When shall I start?
human
As soon as I have written the letter which you are to take to Barras. Then, turning to Bourrienne, he said:
gpt
Write.