most adroit cajolements, to win my father over to his side, and that,
my father had always dodged the issue.

Disgusted at seeing the people of Lyon running in front of
Bonaparte, as if he was already the sovereign of France, my father
declared that he wanted to leave at dawn the next day; but as his
coaches needed some repairs, he was forced to spend an entire day at
Lyon. I profited from this to have a new forage cap made, and,
enchanted with this purchase, I took no notice of the political
conversations, about which, to tell the truth, I understood little.

My father went to return the visit he had received from General
Bonaparte. They walked alone for a very long time in the hotel's
little garden, while their suites remained respectfully at a
distance. We saw them sometimes gesture with warmth, and at other
times speak more calmly; then Bonaparte, with a wheedling look, went
up to my father and put his arm through his in a friendly fashion,
probably so that the officials who were in the courtyard and the many
spectators who hung out of neighbouring windows might conclude that
General Marbot agreed with the plans of General Bonaparte; for this
crafty man neglected nothing to achieve his aims.

My father came away from this second conversation even more
pensive than he had been after the first, and on coming back to the
hotel, he ordered our departure for the next day. Unfortunately, the
next day, General Bonaparte was to make an excursion round the town
to inspect the heights suitable for fortification, and all the
post-horses were reserved for him. I thought that at this blow my
father would become angry, but he contented himself by saying, "There
is the beginning of omnipotence." And told his staff to see if