"Is there any talk of the man who will replace him?"
"In all probability it will be Carnot."
"You will lose nothing by that. But why not introduce some name like Pichegru, Kléber, Hoche or Moreau, among all those names of civilians?"
"They were afraid of giving the military too much power."
Bonaparte began to laugh.
"Nonsense!" he said. "When Cæsar took Rome he was neither tribune nor consul; he had just returned from Gaul, where he had won eighty battles and subdued three hundred tribes. That is the way dictators have. But none of the men we have just mentioned is built on the plan of a Cæsar. If the five men you have named are chosen you will go on well enough. You have popularity, talent for the initiative, and activity; you will naturally be the leading man of the Directory. Rewbell and Letourneur are men who will do the work, while you represent the people. La Reveillière-Lepaux is wise and honest and will furnish the morality for you all. As for Carnot, I do not quite know what part of the work you will assign to him."
"He will continue to make plans and to lay off victories on paper," said Barras.
"Let him make as many plans as he pleases. But if ever I have any command of importance, do not take the trouble to send them to me."
"Why not?"