to upset my brother Adolphe, two years older than me, and still stuck
in college. I then had the idea that I would not tell Adolphe about
my enlistment without telling him, at the same time, that I wanted to
spend with him the period which would have to pass before my
departure. I then asked my father if he would allow me to be
installed close to Adolphe, at Sainte-Barbe, until the day when we
would take the road for Italy. My father understood the reason for my
asking, and thought well of me for it. He took me, the next day to
stay with a M. Lanneau.

Can you imagine my arrival at college?...It was a recreation
period. All games stopped. All the pupils, big and small,
surrounded me. They vied with each other to touch part of my
equipment....In short, the Hussar was a complete success!

The day of the departure arrived....I said farewell to my mother
and my three brothers with the greatest sadness, in spite of the
pleasure I felt on starting a military career.

Chap. 7.

After my father had accepted a command in Italy, a division became
vacant in the army of the Rhine, which he would have preferred; but
an inescapable fate drew him towards the country where he would find
his grave.

One of his compatriots, and a personal friend, M. Lachèze, whom I
might call his evil genius, had for a long time been French consul
at Leghorn and Genoa, where he had business interests. This wretched
man, in order to lure my father to Italy, was forever painting the