"No," said Barras, "I came to make you a present."
"Me?"
"Yes, you," said Barras. And going to the door of the ante-chamber, he opened it and made a sign. Two men entered. They were carrying an immense piece of rolled canvas on their shoulders as two carpenters would carry a beam.
"Goodness! what is that?" asked Bonaparte.
"You have often spoken to me of your desire to make a campaign in Italy, general."
"You mean," interrupted Bonaparte, "of the necessity which will some day arise for France to decide the Austrian question."
"Well, for some time Carnot, who is of your opinion, has been occupied in making the most complete map of Italy which exists in the world. I asked for it at the Ministry of War, and, although they were inclined to refuse, they finally gave it to me, and I give it to you."
Bonaparte seized Barras's hand, and said: "This is indeed a present, especially if it is given to me as the man who is to make use of it. Open it," he continued, addressing the men who were carrying it.
They knelt down and untied the cords, but when they tried to unroll it they found that the room was not half large enough to hold it.
"Good!" exclaimed Bonaparte; "here I am forced to build a house to hold your present."