“In line along the Rue de la Victoire, general.”
“Well disposed?”
“Enthusiastic! I distributed among them ten thousand cartridges which I had in store.”
“Yes; but you had no right to draw those cartridges out without an order from the commandant of Paris. Do you know that you have burned your vessels, Sebastiani?”
“Then take me into yours, general. I have faith in your fortunes.”
“You mistake me for Cæsar, Sebastiani!”
“Faith! I might make worse mistakes. Besides, down below in the courtyard there are forty officers or more, of all classes, without pay, whom the Directory has left in the most complete destitution for the last year. You are their only hope, general; they are ready to die for you.”
“That’s right. Go to your regiment, and take leave of it.”
“Take leave of it? What do you mean, general?”
“I exchange it for a brigade. Go, go!”