l a Directory? What do you mean?"

"Didn't you see the troops drawn up in the streets leading to the
Tuileries as you came here?"

"I saw them, and I was surprised."

"Those soldiers are mine."

"Excuse me," said Bernadotte; "I thought they belonged to France."

"Oh, to France or to me; is it not all one?"

"I was not aware of that," replied Bernadotte, coldly.

"Though you doubt it now, you will be certain of it tonight. Come,
Bernadotte, this is the vital moment; decide!"

"General," replied Bernadotte, "I am fortunate enough to be at this
moment a simple citizen; let me remain a simple citizen."

"Bernadotte, take care! He that is not for me is against me."

"General, pay attention to your words! You said just now, 'Take care.'
If that is a threat, you know very well that I do not fear them."

Bonaparte came up to him, and took him by both hands.

"Oh, yes, I know that; that is why I must have you with me. I not only
esteem you, Bernadotte, but I love you. I leave you with Joseph; he is
your brother-in-law. Between brothers, devil take it, there should be no
quarrelling."

"Where are you going?"

"In your character of Spartan you are a rigid observer of the laws, are
you not? Well, here is a decree issued by the Council of Five Hundred
last night, which confers upon me the immediate command of the troops in
Paris. So I was right," he added, "when I told you that the soldiers you
met were mine, inasmuch as they are under my orders."

And he placed in Bernadotte's hands the copy of the decree which had
been sent to him at six o'clock that morning. Bernadotte read it through
from the first line to the last.

"To this," said he, "I have nothing to object. Secure the safety of the
National Legislature, and all good citizens will be with you."

"Then be with me now."

"Permit me, general, to wait twenty-four hours to see how you fulfil
that mandate."

"Devil of a man!" cried Bonaparte. "Have your own way." Then, taking him
by the arm, he dragged him a few steps apart from Joseph, and continued,
"Bernadotte, I want to play above-board with you."

"Why so," retorted the latter, "since I am not on your side?"

"Never mind. You are watching the game, and I want the lookers-on to see
that I am not cheating."

"Do you bind me to secrecy?"

"No."

"That is well, for in that case I should have refused to listen to your
confidences."

"Oh! my confidences are not long! Your Directory is detested, your