"What!" exclaims the public functionary, "what are they talking of? Napoleon has attached himself to the main army in the Department of Var? Goodness me! that is serious news; fortunately my wife's cousin is related to the usurper's valet de chambre, so that, if by any chance.... Let us read on."
And both continue:—
"It is therefore urged upon all Governors, Commanders of armed forces, National Guards, Civil Authorities, and even upon Private Citizens, to seize him..."
"To seize him," the citizen's wife here interrupts; "what does that mean? to seize him?"
"Why, it is plain enough; it means ... it means to seize him.... But you interrupt me just at the most interesting point."
"To seize him!" murmurs the public functionary; "I am glad I am not mayor, or deputy, or magistrate in the Department of Var."
Then both resume their reading:—
"...to seize and arrest him, to cause him immediately to be brought before a court-martial, which, after having proved his identity, shall sentence him according to the law.
"Article 2.
"Soldiers or employés of any rank who shall have accompanied or followed the above-mentioned Bonaparte shall be visited with the same punishment, and held guilty of the same crimes, unless they make their submission within a period of eight days.
" Article 3.
"All civil and military rulers, heads or employers of labour, or receivers of public trusts, or even private citizens, who shall offer assistance or help of any kind, whether directly or indirectly, to Bonaparte, shall be equally proceeded against and punished as abettors and accomplices in this rebellion.
"Article 4.
"Also all those shall be punished in the same way, who, by holding discourse in public places, or by issuing placards, bills, or printed matter, shall take part in, or incite citizens to take part in, the rebellion, or who shall abstain from repressing the revolt.
"Issued from the Château of the Tuileries, March 6, 1815, twentieth year of our reign. (Signed)
LOUIS."
The citizen re-reads it, and still he is in the dark.
The public functionary does not need to read it twice, he understands it all.