After that time, notwithstanding the continually growing greatness of the First Consul, which, as it increased, daily exacted more and more deference, Lannes still preserved his freedom of speech, and was the only one who dared to treat Bonaparte as a comrade, and tell him the truth without ceremony.  This was enough to determine Napoleon to rid himself of the presence of Lannes.  But under what pretest was the absence of the conqueror of Montebello to be procured?  It was necessary to conjure up an excuse; and in the truly diabolical machination resorted to for that purpose, Bonaparte brought into play that crafty disposition for which he was so remarkable.

Lannes, who never looked forward to the morrow, was as careless of his money as of his blood.  Poor officers and soldiers partook largely of his liberality.  Thus he had no fortune, but plenty of debts when he wanted money, and this was not seldom, he used to come, as if it were a mere matter of course, to ask it of the First Consul, who, I must confess, never refused him.  Bonaparte, though he well knew the general’s circumstances, said to him one day, “My friend, you should attend a little more to appearances.  You must have your establishment suitable to your rank.  There is the Hotel de Noailles—­why don’t you take it, and furnish it in proper style?” Lannes, whose own candour prevented him from suspecting the artful designs of others, followed the advice of the First Consul The Hotel de Noailles was taken and superbly fitted up.  Odiot supplied a service of plate valued at 200,000 francs.

General Lannes having thus conformed to the wishes of Bonaparte came to him and requested 400,000 francs, the amount of the expense incurred, as it were, by his order.  “But,” said the First Consul, “I have no money.”—­“You have no money!  What the devil am I to do, then?”

“But is there none in the Guard’s chest?  Take what you require, and we will settle it, hereafter.”

Mistrusting nothing, Lannes went to the treasurer of the Guards, who made some objections at first to the advance required, but who soon yielded on learning that the demand was made with the consent of the First Consul.

Within twenty-four hours after Lannes had obtained the 400,000 francs the treasurer received from the head commissary an order to balance his accounts.  The receipt for the 400,000 francs advanced to Lannes, was not acknowledged as a voucher.  In vain the treasurer alleged the authority of the First Consul for the transaction.  Napoleon’s memory had suddenly failed him; he had entirely forgotten all about it.  In a word, it was incumbent on Lannes to refund the 400,000 francs to the Guards’ chest; and, as I have already said, he had no property on earth, but debts in abundance.  He repaired to General Lefebre, who loved him as his son, and to him he related all that had passed.  “Simpleton,” said Lefebvre, “why did you not come to me?  Why did you go and get into debt with that -----?  Well, here are the 400,000 francs; take them to him, and let him go to the devil!”