"Very well," said Napoleon, making up his mind on the instant. "I
will see if I can involve her in a military engagement."

Which, as the world knows, he did; and on the 9th of March, 1796,
Napoleon and Josephine were united, and the happy groom, writing to
his mother, announcing his marriage to "the only woman he ever
loved," said: "She is ten years older than I, but I can soon
overcome that. The opportunities for a fast life in Paris are
unequalled, and I have an idea that I can catch up with her in six
months if the Convention will increase my salary."



CHAPTER V: ITALY--MILAN--VIENNA--VENICE
1796-1797



After a honeymoon of ten days Napoleon returned to work. Assuming
command of the army of Italy, he said: "I am at last in business for
myself. Keep your eyes on me, Bourrienne, and you'll wear blue
goggles. You'll have to, you'll be so dazzled. We will set off at
once for Italy. The army is in wretched shape. It lacks shoes,
clothes, food. It lacks everything. I don't think it even has
sense. If it had it would strike for lower wages."

"Lower wages?" queried Bourrienne. "You mean higher, don't you?"

"Not I," said Bonaparte. "They couldn't collect higher wages, but if
their pay was reduced they might get it once in a while. We can