“Come in,” said Bonaparte, closing the door himself. “I have kept you waiting much against my will; but I had to give Fouché a scolding. You know I am very well satisfied with Roland, and that I intend to make a general of him at the first opportunity. When did you arrive?”
“This very moment, general.”
“Where from? Roland told me, but I have forgotten.”
“From Bourg.”
“What road?”
“Through Champagne.”
“Champagne! Then when did you reach Châtillon?”
“Yesterday morning at nine o’clock.”
“In that case, you must have heard of the stoppage of the diligence.”
“General—”