At that minute a servant announced: “The citizen Joseph Bonaparte, and the citizen General Bernadotte.”
Roland questioned Bonaparte with a glance; was he to go or stay? He was to stay. Roland took his stand at the corner of a bookcase like a sentinel at his post.
“Ah, ha!” exclaimed Bonaparte, seeing that Bernadotte was still attired in civilian’s clothes, “you seem to have a positive horror of the uniform, general!”
“Why the devil should I be in uniform at seven in the morning,” asked Bernadotte, “when I am not in active service?”
“You will be soon.”
“But I am retired.”
“Yes, but I recall you to active service.”
“You?”
“Yes, I.”
“In the name of the Directory?”