“In this delicate negotiation it was good policy not to bring any other person into play, whatever might be their influence with Bonaparte, and Madame Bonaparte did not, therefore, have recourse either to Barras, Bourrienne, or Berthier.  It was expedient that they who interceded for her should be able to say something without the possibility of a reply.  Now Bonaparte could not with any degree of propriety explain to such children as Eugene or Hortense the particulars of their mother’s conduct.  He was therefore constrained to silence, and had no argument to combat the tears of two innocent creatures at his feet exclaiming, ’Do not abandon our mother; she will break her heart! and ought injustice to take from us, poor orphans, whose natural protector the scaffold has already deprived us of, the support of one whom Providence has sent to replace him!’

“The scene, as Bonaparte has since stated, was long and painful, and the two children at length introduced their mother, and placed her in his arms.  The unhappy woman had awaited his decision at the door of a small back staircase, extended at almost full length upon the stairs, suffering the acutest pangs of mental torture.

“Whatever might be his wife’s errors, Bonaparte appeared entirely to forget them, and the reconciliation was complete.  Of all the members of the family Madame Leclerc was most vexed at the pardon which Napoleon had granted to his wife.  Bonaparte’s mother was also very ill pleased; but she said nothing.  Madame Joseph Bonaparte, who was always very amiable, took no part in these family quarrels; therefore she could easily determine what part to take when fortune smiled on Josephine.  As to Madame Bacciocchi, she gave free vent to her ill-humour and disdain; the consequence was that her sister-in-law could never endure her.  Christine who was a beautiful creature, followed the example of Madame Joseph, and Caroline was so young that her opinion could have no weight in such an affair.  As to Bonaparte’s brothers, they were at open war with Josephine."]—­

On the day after hid arrival Bonaparte visited the Directors.

   —­[The Directors at this time were Barras, Sieyes, Moulins, Gohier,
   and Roger Ducos.]—­

The interview was cold.  On the 24th of October he said to me, “I dined yesterday at Gohier’s; Sieyes was present, and I pretended not to see him.  I observed how much he was enraged at this mark of disrespect.”—­“But are you sure he is against you?” inquired I.  “I know nothing yet; but he is a scheming man, and I don’t like him.”  Even at that time Bonaparte had thoughts of getting himself elected a member of the Directory in the room of Sieyes.

CHAPTER XXIII