eclining on a couch at the corner of the fireplace,
like the statue of Agrippina in the Pitti, and, addressing her with
chivalric courtesy, inquired for her health; then only did he raise his
head as if to look for Bonaparte. At such a time everything was of too
much importance for those present not to remark this affectation of
courtesy on Bernadotte's part.

Bonaparte, with his rapid, comprehensive intellect, was not the last
to notice this; he was seized with impatience, and, instead of awaiting
Bernadotte in the midst of the group where he happened to be, he
turned abruptly to the embrasure of a window, as if to challenge the
ex-minister of war to follow him. Bernadotte bowed graciously to right
and left, and controlling his usually mobile face to an expression
of perfect calmness, he walked toward Bonaparte, who awaited him as
a wrestler awaits his antagonist, the right foot forward and his lips
compressed. The two men bowed, but Bonaparte made no movement to extend
his hand to Bernadotte, nor did the latter offer to take it.

"Is it you?" asked Bonaparte. "I am glad to see you."

"Thank you, general," replied Bernadotte. "I have come because I wish to
give you a few explanations."

"I did not recognize you at first."

"Yet I think, general, that my name was announced by your servant in a
voice loud enough to prevent any doubt as to my identity."

"Yes, but he announced General Bernadotte."

"Well?"

"Well, I saw a man in civilian's dress, and though I recognized you, I
doubted if it were really you."

For some time past Bernadotte had affected to wear civilian's dress in
preference to his uniform.

"You know," said he, laughing, "that I am only half a soldier now. I was
retired by citizen Sieyes."

"It seems that it was lucky for me that you were no longer minister of
war when I landed at Frejus."

"How so?"

"You said, so I was told, that had you received the order to arrest me
for violating quarantine you would have done so."

"I said it, and I repeat it, general. As a soldier I was always a
faithful observer of discipline. As a minister I was a slave to law."

Bonaparte bit his lips. "And will you say, after that, that you have not
a personal enmity to me?"

"A personal enmity to you, general?" replied Bernadotte. "Why should
I have? We have always gone together, almost in the same stride; I was
even made general before you. While my campaigns on the Rhine were less
brilliant than yours on