All this time Barras was no doubt waiting for Bonaparte, and Madame Bonaparte was expecting Gohier to breakfast.  At Bonaparte’s were assembled all the general’s who were devoted to him.  I never saw so great a number before in the Rue de la Victoire.  They were all, except Bernadotte, in full uniform; and there were, besides, half a dozen persons there initiated in the secrets of the day.  The little hotel of the conqueror of Italy was much too small for such an assemblage, and several persons were standing in the court-yard.  Bonaparte was acquainted with the decree of the Council of the Ancients, and only waited for its being brought to him before he should mount his horse.  That decree was adopted in the Council of the Ancients by what may be called a false majority, for the members of the Council were summoned at different hours, and it was so contrived that sixty or eighty of them, whom Lucien and his friends had not been able to gain over, should not receive their notices in time.

As soon as the message from the Council of the Ancients arrived Bonaparte requested all the officers at his house to follow him.  At that announcement a few who were in ignorance of what was going on did not follow—­at least I saw two groups separately leave the hotel.  Bernadotte said to me, “I shall stay with you.”  I perceived there was a good deal of suspicion in his manner.  Bonaparte, before going down the stairs which led from the small round dining-room into the courtyard, returned quickly to bid Bernadotte follow him.  He would not, and Bonaparte then said to me, while hurrying off, “Gohier is not come—­so much the worse for him,” and leaped on his horse.  Scarcely was he off when Bernadotte left me.  Josephine and I being now left alone; she acquainted me with her anxiety.  I assured her that everything bad been so well prepared that success was certain.  She felt much interest about Gohier on account of her friendship for his wife.  She asked me whether I was well acquainted with Gohier.  “You know, Madame,” replied I, “that we have been only twenty days in Paris, and that during that time I have only gone out to sleep in the Rue Martel.  I have seen M. Gohier several times, when he came to visit the General, and have talked to him about the situation of our affairs in Switzerland, Holland, France, and other political matters, but I never exchanged a word with him as to what is now going on.  This is the whole extent of my acquaintance with him.”

“I am sorry for it,” resumed Josephine, “because I should have asked you to write to him, and beg him to make no stir, but imitate Sieyes and Roger, who will voluntarily retire, and not to join Barras, who is probably at this very moment forced to do so.  Bonaparte has told me that if Gohier voluntarily resigns, he will do everything for him.”  I believe Josephine communicated directly with the President of the Directory through a friend of Madame Gohier’s.