his
study, whither Roland and Bourrienne followed. They had hardly been
there a quarter of an hour when the handle of the lock turned softly,
the door opened, and Lucien appeared.

CHAPTER XXII. THE OUTLINE OF A DECREE

Lucien was evidently expected. Bonaparte had not mentioned his name once
since entering the study; but in spite of this silence he had turned his
head three or four times with increasing impatience toward the door, and
when the young man appeared an exclamation of contentment escaped his
lips.

Lucien, the general's youngest brother, was born in 1775, making him
now barely twenty-five years old. Since 1797, that is, at the age of
twenty-two and a half, he had been a member of the Five Hundred, who, to
honor Bonaparte, had made him their president. With the projects he had
conceived nothing could have been more fortunate for Bonaparte.

Frank and loyal, republican to the core, Lucien believed that, in
seconding his brother's plans, he was serving the Republic better than
the future First Consul. In his eyes, no one was better fitted to save
it a second time than he who had saved it the first. It was with these
sentiments in his heart that he now came to confer with his brother.

"Here you are," said Bonaparte. "I have been waiting for you
impatiently."

"So I suspected. But I was obliged to wait until I could leave without
being noticed."

"Did you manage it?"

"Yes; Talma was relating a story about Marat and Dumouriez. Interesting
as it was, I deprived myself of the pleasure, and here I am."

"I have just heard a carriage driving away; the person who got in it
couldn't have seen you coming up my private stairs, could he?"

"The person who drove off was myself, the carriage was mine. If that is
not seen every one will think I have left."

Bonaparte breathed freer.

"Well," said he, "let us hear how you have spent your day."

"Oh! I haven't wasted my time, you may be sure."

"Are we to have a decree or the Council?"

"We drew it up to-day, and I have brought it to you--the rough draft at
least--so that you can see if you want anything added or changed."

"Let me see it," cried Bonaparte. Taking the paper hastily from Lucien's
hand, he read:

Art. I. The legislative body is transferred to the commune of
Saint-Cloud; the two branches of the Council will hold their
sessions in the two wings of the palace.

"That's the important article," said Lucien. "I had it placed first,