The scandal was great. The act occurring in the professor's presence,
he was obliged to report it to the governor of the school, the
Marquis Tiburce Valence. The latter, knowing nothing of the events
leading up to the blow his nephew had received, sent for the
delinquent and after a terrible lecture informed him that he was
no longer a member of the school, and must be ready to return
to his mother at Bourg that very day. Louis replied that his
things would be packed in ten minutes, and he out of the school
in fifteen. Of the blow he himself had received he said not a
word.

The reply seemed more than disrespectful to the Marquis Tiburce
Valence. He was much inclined to send the insolent boy to the
dungeon for a week, but reflected that he could not confine him
and expel him at the same time.

The child was placed in charge of an attendant, who was not to
leave him until he had put him in the coach for Macon; Madame
de Montrevel was to be notified to meet him at the end of the
journey.

Bonaparte meeting the boy, followed by his keeper, asked an
explanation of the sort of constabulary guard attached to him.

"I'd tell you if you were still my friend," replied the child;
"but you are not. Why do you bother about what happens to me,
whether good or bad?"

Bonaparte made a sign to the attendant, who came to the door
while Louis was packing his little trunk. He learned then that the