a general who had quitted
his post without orders, as a victorious prince, who had returned to
restore the lost hearts and fortunes of a people that confided only in
him. His progress towards the capital, wherever his person was
recognised, bore all the appearance of a triumphal procession. He
reached his own house, in the _Rue de la Victoire_, on the 16th October.

The trembling Directory received him, when he presented himself at the
Luxembourg, with every demonstration of joy and respect. Not a question
was asked as to his abandonment of his army; for all dreaded the answer
which they had the best reason for anticipating. He was invited to
accept of a public dinner, and agreed to do so. The assemblage was
magnificent, and his reception enthusiastic; but his demeanour was cold
and reserved. After proposing as a toast, "the union of all
parties"--ominous words from those lips--he withdrew at an early hour of
the evening.

He continued for some little time to avoid public notice, resuming
apparently the same studious and sequestered life which he had led when
last in Paris. It was, however, remarked that, when recognised by the
populace, he received their salutations with uncommon affability; and
that if he met any old soldier of the army of Italy, he rarely failed to
recollect the man, and take him by the hand.

Buonaparte had been tormented when in Egypt by certain rumours
concerning the conduct of Josephine in his absence from Paris. She had
quitted the capital with the purpose of meeting him on his journey
thither, the moment his arrival at Frejus was known; but taking the road
of Burgundy, while he was travelling by that of Lyons, missed him. When
she at length joined him in Paris, he received her with marked coldness;
but, after a few days, the intercessions and explanations of friends
restored harmony between them. He felt acutely, says De Bourienne, the
ill effects which a domestic fracas must produce at the moment when all
France was expecting him to take the chief part in some great political
revolution.

The universal enthusiasm which waited on his person at this crisis
appears to have at length given definite shape to his ambition. All
parties equally seemed to be weary of the Directory, and to demand the
decisive interference of the unrivalled soldier. The members of the
tottering government were divided bitterly among themselves; and the
_moderates_, with the Director Sieyes at their head, on the one