Comte Louis de Frotte was brought to trial on the 28th Pluviose, condemned the same day, and executed the next morning, the day before we entered the Tuileries.  The cruel precipitation of the Minister rendered the result of my solicitations abortive.  I had reason to think that after the day on which the First Consul granted me the order for delay he had received some new accusation against M. de Frotte, for when he heard of his death he appeared to me very indifferent about the tardy arrival of the order for suspending judgment.  He merely said to me, with unusual insensibility, “You should take your measures better.  You see it is not my fault.”

Though Bonaparte put no faith in the virtue of men, he had confidence in their honour.  I had proof of this in a matter which deserves to be recorded in history.  When, during the first period of our abode at the Tuileries, he had summoned the principal chiefs of, La Vendee to endeavour to bring about the pacification of that unhappy country; he received Georges Cadoudal in a private audience.  The disposition in which I beheld him the evening before the day appointed for this audience inspired me with the most flattering hopes.  Rapp introduced Georges into the grand salon looking into the garden.  Rapp left him alone with the First Consul, but on returning to the cabinet where I was he did not close either of the two doors of the state bedchamber which separated the cabinet from the salon.  We saw the First Consul and Georges walk from the window to the bottom of the salon—­then return—­then go back again.  This lasted for a long time.  The conversation appeared very animated, and we heard several things, but without any connection.  There was occasionally a good deal of ill-humour displayed in their tone and gestures.  The interview ended in nothing.  The First Consul, perceiving that Georges entertained some apprehensions for his personal safety, gave him assurances of security in the most noble manner, saying, “You take a wrong view of things, and are wrong in not coming to some understanding; but if you persist in wishing to return to your country you shall depart as freely as you came to Paris.”  When Bonaparte returned to his cabinet he said to Rapp, “Tell me, Rapp, why you left these doors open, and stopped with Bourrienne?” Rapp replied, “If you had closed the doors I would have opened them again.  Do you think I would have left you alone with a man like that?  There would have been danger in it.”—­“No, Rapp,” said Bonaparte, “you cannot think so.”  When we were alone the First Consul appeared pleased with Rapp’s attachment, but very vexed at Georges’ refusal.  He said, “He does not take a correct view of things; but the extravagance of his principles has its source in noble sentiments, which must give him great influence over his countrymen.  It is necessary, however, to bring this business soon to an end.”

Of all the actions of Louis xiv. that which Bonaparte most admired was his having made the Doge of Genoa send ambassadors to Paris to apologise to him.  The slightest insult offered in a foreign country to the rights and dignity of France put Napoleon beside himself.  This anxiety to have the French Government respected exhibited itself in an affair which made much noise at the period, but which was amicably arranged by the soothing influence of gold.