“Let me see it,” cried Bonaparte. Taking the paper hastily from Lucien’s hand, he read:
Art. I. The legislative body is transferred to the commune of
Saint-Cloud; the two branches of the Council will hold their
sessions in the two wings of the palace.
“That’s the important article,” said Lucien. “I had it placed first, so that it might strike the people at once.”
“Yes, yes,” exclaimed Bonaparte, and he continued:
Art. II. They will assemble there to-morrow, the 20th Brumaire—
“No, no,” said Bonaparte, “to-morrow the 19th. Change the date, Bourrienne;” and he handed the paper to his secretary.
“You expect to be ready for the 18th?”
“I shall be. Fouché said day before yesterday, ‘Make haste, or I won’t answer for the result.’”
“The 19th Brumaire,” said Bourrienne, returning the paper to the general.
Bonaparte resumed: