"Bourrienne," said he, as with his faithful companions he laboriously climbed the five flights of stairs leading to his humble apartment, "I hate the aristocrats, as you know; and to-day has made me hate the populace as well. What is there left to like?"
"Alas! lieutenant, I cannot say," said Bourrienne, shaking his head sadly.
"What," continued Napoleon, "is the good of anything?"
"I give it up," returned Bourrienne, with a sigh. "I never was good at riddles. What IS the good of anything?"
"Nothing!" said Napoleon, laconically, as he took off his uniform and went to bed.
CHAPTER IV: SARDINIA—TOULON—NICE—PARIS—BARRAS—JOSEPHINE 1793-1796
Greatness now began to dawn for Napoleon. Practically penniless, in a great and heartless city, even the lower classes began to perceive that here was one before whom there lay a brilliant future. Restaurateurs, laundresses, confectioners—all trusted him. An instance of the regard people were beginning to have for him is shown in the pathetic interview between Napoleon and Madame Sans Gene, his laundress.
"Here is your wash, lieutenant," said she, after climbing five flights of stairs, basket in hand, to the miserable lodging of the future Emperor.
Napoleon looked up from his books and counted the clothes.
"There is one sock missing," said he, sternly.