For those of our readers who have already seen him at Strasbourg some three years earlier, it will suffice to say that he was a handsome young man of sixteen or seventeen years of age.
He had large eyes, thick black hair, red lips, white teeth, and aristocratic hands and feet—a mark of distinction which the general immediately noticed—and apart from the embarrassment inseparable from a first interview, he had that attractive modesty which is so becoming in youth, above all when its possessor appears as a supplicant.
From the time he entered the room Bonaparte watched him attentively, which did not tend to lessen Eugene's timidity.
But suddenly shaking the feeling off as if it were unworthy of him, he raised his head, and, drawing himself up, said: "After all, I do not see why I should hesitate to proffer a request which is both pious and loyal."
"I am listening," said Bonaparte.
"I am the son of the Vicomte de Beauharnais."
"Of the citizen-general," corrected Bonaparte gently.
"Of the citizen-general, if you prefer," said the young man, "and if you insist upon Republican forms."
"I insist upon nothing," replied Bonaparte, "save that which is clear and concise."
"Well," resumed the young man, "I come to ask at your hands, citizen-general, the sword of my father, Alexandre de Beauharnais, who was a general like yourself. I am sixteen years old, and my military education is almost completed. It is for me to serve my country now. I hope some day to wear at my side the sword which my father wore. That is why I have come to ask you for it."