"Bonaparte landed on the 1st March, near Cannes, in the Department of Var, with 1200 men and four pieces of cannon. He is marching in the direction of Digne and Gap, as though to take the road to Grenoble; all measures are being adopted to arrest and thwart this mad attempt. The utmost loyalty prevails in the Southern Departments, and public tranquillity is assured."
Louis XVIII. took the despatch out of M. de Vitrolles' hands and read it with the greatest calmness.
Then, when he had read it, he said:—
"Well?"
"Well, sire, I await your Majesty's commands," said M. de Vitrolles.
Louis XVIII. made a gesture with his shoulders as though to say, "Why should I be troubled over the matter?" Then aloud he said:—
"Go and see Marshal Soult, and tell him to do what is necessary."
M. de Vitrolles ran towards Marshal Soult's, but he did not need to go as far as the War Office, he met Marshal Soult on the pont Royal.
They both returned to the Tuileries.
The marshal doubted the truth of the news; and doubted it so thoroughly that he told the military commander he should receive his orders next day.