It was in little acts of this nature that Napoleon showed his
wonderful foresight. One would almost incline to believe from this
particular incident that Bonaparte foresaw the Marie-Louise episode
in his future career.

The Austrians humbled, Napoleon turned his attention to Venice.
Venice had been behaving in a most exasperating fashion, and the
conqueror felt that the time had come to take the proud City of the
Sea in hand.

"If the Venetians have any brains," said he to Bourrienne, who joined
him about this time, secretly representing, it is said, a newspaper-
syndicate service, "they'll put on all the sail they've got and take
their old city out to sea. They're in for the worst ducking they
ever got."

"I'm afraid you'll find them hard to get at," said Bourrienne. "That
lagoon is a wet place."

"Oh, as for that," said Bonaparte, "a little water will do the army
good. We've been fighting so hard it's been months since they've had
a good tubbing, and a swim won't hurt them. Send Lannes here." In a
few minutes Lannes entered Bonaparte's tent.

"Lannes, we're off for Venice. Provide the army with overshoes, and
have our luggage checked through," said Bonaparte.

"Yes, General."

"Can Augereau swim?"