"Ah, and you find me a little changed since you saw me the last
time," replied Bonaparte, quickly. "It is true, the years of our
separation have produced a great many changes, and I was glad that
you had the good taste to perceive this, and upon meeting me under
the present circumstances, to observe a becoming and delicate
reserve. I am under obligations to you for it, and from to-day you
shall be chief of my cabinet, my first private secretary."
[Footnote: Memoires de Monsieur de Bourrienne, vol. 1., p. 33.]

Bourrienne rose to thank the young general by bowing respectfully,
but Bonaparte took no further notice of him, and walked again
rapidly up and down. The smile had already vanished from his face,
which had resumed its immovable and impenetrable expression.

Bourrienne quietly sat down again and waited; but now he dared no
longer look at Bonaparte, the general having noticed it before.

After a lengthy pause, Bonaparte stood still close to the desk.
"Have you read the dispatches which the Directory sent me yesterday
through their spy, M. Botot?" asked the general, abruptly.

"I have, general!"

"They are unreasonable fools," exclaimed Bonaparte, angrily, "they
want to direct our war from their comfortable sofas in the
Luxembourg, and believe their ink-stained hands could hold the
general's baton as well as the pen. They want to dictate to us a new
war from Paris, without knowing whether we are able to bear it or
not. They ask us to conclude peace with Austria without ceding
Venice to her as compensation for Belgium. Yes, Talleyrand is