All present looked at each other. With voice, look, and gesture de Marsay had wonderfully represented the three men.
“The three priests fully understood one another,” he continued, resuming his narrative. “Carnot no doubt looked at his colleagues and the ex-consul in a dignified manner. He must, however, have felt bewildered in his own mind.
“‘Do you believe in the success of the army?’ Sieyes said to him.
“‘We may expect everything from Bonaparte,’ replied the minister of war; ‘he has crossed the Alps.’
“‘At this moment,’ said the minister of foreign affairs, with deliberate slowness, ‘he is playing his last stake.’
“‘Come, let’s speak out,’ said Fouche; ‘what shall we do if the First Consul is defeated? Is it possible to collect another army? Must we continue his humble servants?’
“‘There is no republic now,’ remarked Sieyes; ‘Bonaparte is consul for ten years.’
“‘He has more power than ever Cromwell had,’ said the former bishop, ‘and he did not vote for the death of the king.’
“‘We have a master,’ said Fouche; ‘the question is, shall we continue to keep him if he loses the battle or shall we return to a pure republic?’
“‘France,’ replied Carnot, sententiously, ‘cannot resist except she reverts to the old Conventional energy.’