mation that
Bonaparte said that men must account to him for their secret thoughts,
as nothing was concealed from him?"

"Yes; just as L'Ouverture told the mulattoes in the church at Cap that,
from the other side of the island, his eye would be upon them, and his
arm stretched out, to restrain or punish. He almost reached Bonaparte's
strain there."

"I like my father's words the best, because all understood and believed
what he said. Bonaparte may claim to read secret thoughts; but before
my father, men have no secret thoughts--they love him so that their
minds stand open."

"Then those Italian proclamations, and letters to the Directory," said
Vincent; "how they grew grander, as city after city, and state after
state, fell before him! When he summoned Pavia to open her gates to
him, after her insurrection, how imperious he was! If he had found that
a drop of French blood had been shed, he declared not a stone of the
city should have remained; but a column should arise in its place,
bearing the inscription, `Here once stood Pavia!' There spoke the man
who held the ages in his hand, ready to roll them over the civilised
world--to crumble cities, and overthrow nations, in case of resistance
to his will! How Paris rang with acclamations when these words passed
from mouth to mouth! He was worshipped as a god."

"It is said," sighed Aimee, "that Leclerc has proclamations from him for
our people. I wonder what they are, and how they will be received."

"With enthusiasm, no doubt. When and where has it been otherwise? You
shudder, my Aimee; but, trust me, there is inconceivable folly in the
idea of opposing Bonaparte. As he said in Egypt, it is impious and
vain. Trust me, love, and decide accordingly."

"Desert my father and my family in their hour of peril! I will not do
that."

"There is no peril in the case, love; it is glory and happiness to live
under Bonaparte. My life upon it, he will do your father no injury, but
continue him in his command, under certain arrangements; and, as for the
blacks, they and the whites will join in one common enthusiasm for the
conqueror of Europe. Let us be among the first, my Aimee! Be mine; and
we will go to the French forces--among my friends there. It is as if we
were called to be mediators; it is as if the welfare of your family and
the colony were, in a measure, consigned to our hands. Once married,
and with Leclerc, how easily may we explain away causes of qua