But I soon discovered that their conversation had been long and warm; for as soon as it was ended Bonaparte entered the cabinet exceedingly agitated, and said to me, “Bourrienne, how do you think Bernadotte has behaved?  You have traversed France with me—­you witnessed the enthusiasm which my return excited—­you yourself told me that you saw in that enthusiasm the desire of the French people to be relieved from the disastrous position in which our reverses have placed them.  Well! would you believe it?  Bernadotte boasts, with ridiculous exaggeration, of the brilliant and victorious situation of France!  He talks about the defeat of the Russians, the occupation of Genoa, the innumerable armies that are rising up everywhere.  In short, I know not what nonsense he has got in his head.”—­“What can all this mean?” said I.  “Did he speak about Egypt?”—­“Oh, yes!  Now you remind me.  He actually reproached me for not having brought the army back with me!  ‘But,’ observed I, ’have you not just told me that you are absolutely overrun with troops; that all your frontiers are secure, that immense levies are going on, and that you will have 200,000 infantry?—­If this be true, what do you want with a few thousand men who may ensure the preservation of Egypt?’ He could make no answer to this.  But he is quite elated by the honour of having been War Minister, and he told me boldly that he looked upon the army of Egypt as lost nay, more.  He made insinuations.  He spoke of enemies abroad and enemies at home; and as he uttered these last words he looked significantly at me.  I too gave him a glance!  But stay a little.  The pear will soon be ripe!  You know Josephine’s grace and address.  She was present.  The scrutinising glance of Bernadotte did not escape her, and she adroitly turned the conversation.  Bernadotte saw from my countenance that I had had enough of it, and he took his leave.  But don’t let me interrupt you farther.  I am going back to speak to Josephine.”

I must confess that this strange story made me very impatient to find myself alone with Madame Bonaparte, for I wished to hear her account of the scene.  An opportunity occurred that very evening.  I repeated to her what I had heard from the General, and all that she told me tended to confirm its accuracy.  She added that hernadotte seemed to take the utmost pains to exhibit to the General a flattering picture of the prosperity of France; and she reported to me, as follows, that part of the conversation which was peculiarly calculated to irritate Bonaparte:—­“’I do not despair of the safety of the Republic, which I am certain can restrain her enemies both abroad and at home.’  As Bernadotte uttered these last words,’” continued Josephine, “his glance made me shudder.  One word more and Bonaparte could have commanded himself no longer!  It is true,” added she, “that it was in some degree his own fault, for it was he who turned the conversation on politics; and Bernadotte, in describing