Bonaparte, who liked clear, precise replies, was much prepossessed by this firm, intelligent language.
"If I should ask you for more information concerning yourself and your family, citizen," asked Bonaparte, "would you attribute the request to curiosity or to the interest with which you have inspired me?"
"I should prefer to think that the report of our misfortunes had reached your ears," replied the young man, "and that it is to that I owe the kindness with which you have received me."
"Was not your mother a prisoner also?" asked Bonaparte.
"Yes, and she was saved almost by a miracle. We owe her life to citizeness Tallien and to citizen Barras."
Bonaparte reflected a moment. "How does your father's sword happen to be in my hands?"
"I do not say that it is in your hands, but you can have it restored to me, though. The Convention ordered the disarming of the Section Le Peletier. We are living in our old house in the Rue Neuve-des-Mathurins, which the general had restored to us. Some men came to my mother and asked for all the weapons in the house. My mother gave orders that they should take a double-barrelled hunting gun of mine, a single-barrelled rifle which I bought at Strasbourg, and finally my father's sword. I regretted neither the double-barrelled gun nor the rifle, though I took pride in the memories which they recalled. But I regretted, and I confess still regret, that sword which fought so gloriously in America and France."
"If you were to see the weapons which formerly belonged to you," said Bonaparte, "you would probably recognize them."
"Beyond doubt," replied Eugene.