btain.

"What!" exclaimed Buonaparte, aloud, so that even the others heard
him--"what! are you not convinced of it? Will not this Directory
annihilate the Revolution? have we a moment to lose? The Council of
Ancients are met to appoint me Commander-in-chief of the Army;--go, put
on your uniform, and join me at once."

"I will not join a rebellion," was the insolent reply.

Buonaparte shrunk back and dropped his arm, then rallying in a moment,
added,--

"'Tis well; you'll at least remain here until the decree of the Council
is issued."

"Am I, then, a prisoner?" said Bernadotte, with a loud voice.

"No, no; there is no question of that kind: but pledge me your honour to
undertake nothing adverse to me in this affair."

"As a mere citizen, I will not do so," replied the other; "but if I am
ordered by a sufficient authority, I warn you."

"What do you mean, then, as a mere citizen!"

"That I will not go forth into the streets, to stir up the populace; nor
into the barracks, to harangue the soldiers."

"Enough; I am satisfied. As for myself, I only desire to rescue the
Republic; that done, I shall retire to Malmaison, and live peaceably."

A smile of a doubtful, but sardonic character, passed over Bernadotte's
features as he heard these words, while he turned coldly away, and
walked towards the gate. "What, Augureau! thou here?" said he, as he
passed along, and with a contemptuous shrug he moved forward, and soon
gained the street. And truly, it seemed strange that he, the fiercest of
the Jacobins, the General who made his army assemble in clubs and knots
to deliberate during the campaign of Italy, that he should now lend
himself to uphold the power of Buonaparte!

Meanwhile, the salons were crowded in every part, party succeeding
party at the tables; where, amid the clattering of the breakfast and the
clinking of glasses, the conversation swelled into a loud and
continued din. Fouche, Berthier, and Talleyrand, were also to be seen,
distinguishable by their dress, among the military uniforms; and here
now might be heard the mingled doubts and fears, the hopes and dreads of
each, as to the coming events; and many watched the pale, care-worn face
of Bourienne, the secretary of Buonaparte, as if to read in his features
the chances of success; while the General himself went from room to
room, chatting confidentially with each in turn, recapitulating as he
went the phrase, "The country is in danger!" and exhorting