“Yes,” continued Napoleon, “so early. Two or three hours of sleep are enough for any man.”
When Barras introduced Napoleon to the convention as a fit man to be entrusted with the command, the President asked, “Are you willing to undertake the defense of the convention?”
“Yes,” was the reply.
After a time the President continued: “Are you aware of the magnitude of the undertaking?”
“Perfectly,” replied Napoleon, fixing his eyes upon the questioner; “and I am in the habit of accomplishing that which I undertake.”
“How could you,” a lady asked about this time, “fire thus mercilessly upon your countrymen?”
“A soldier,” he replied calmly, “is only a machine to obey orders. This is my seal which I have impressed upon Paris.”