Moreau, led by military ambition, had consented to play a part in this great drama; he was now forced to accept that which the author assigned him. On returning to the Louvre, Gohier and Moulins found nothing changed apparently. All the sentries were at their posts. They retired to one of the salons of the presidency to consult together. But they had scarcely begun their conference, when General Jubé, the commandant of the Luxembourg, received orders to join Bonaparte at the Tuileries with the guard of the Directory. Their places were filled by Moreau and a portion of the soldiers who had been electrified by Bonaparte. Nevertheless the two Directors drew up a message for the Council of the Five Hundred, in which they protested energetically against what had been done. When this was finished Gohier handed it to his secretary, and Moulins, half dead with exhaustion, returned to his apartments to take some food.
It was then about four o’clock in the afternoon. An instant later Gohier’s secretary returned in great perturbation.
“Well,” said Gohier, “why have you not gone?”
“Citizen president,” replied the young man, “we are prisoners in the palace.”
“Prisoners? What do you mean?”
“The guard has been changed, and General Jubé is no longer in command.”
“Who has replaced him?”
“I think some one said General Moreau.”
“Moreau? Impossible! And that coward, Barras, where is he?”
“He has started for his country-place at Grosbois.”