I beg, my dear Bourrienne, that you will come to St. Cloud this
morning.  I have something to tell you on the part of the First
Consul. 

                              (Signed) Duroc.

This note caused me much anxiety.  I could not doubt but that my enemies had invented some new calumny; but I must say that I did not expect such baseness as I experienced.

As soon as Duroc had made me acquainted with the business which the First Consul had directed him to communicate, I wrote on the spot the subjoined letter to Bonaparte: 

At General Duroc’s desire I have this moment waited upon him, and he informs me that you have received notice that a deficit of 100,000 francs has been discovered in the Treasury of the Navy, which you require me to refund this day at noon.

Citizen First Consul, I know not what this means!  I am utterly ignorant of the matter.  I solemnly declare to you that this charge is a most infamous calumny.  It is one more to be added to the number of those malicious charges which have been invented for the purpose of destroying any influence I might possess with you.

   I am in General Duroc’s apartment, where I await your orders.

Duroc carried my note to the First Consul as soon as it was written.  He speedily returned.  “All’s right!” said he.  “He has directed me to say it was entirely a mistake!—­that he is now convinced he was deceived! that he is sorry for the business, and hopes no more will be said about it.”

The base flatterers who surrounded Bonaparte wished him to renew his Egyptian extortions upon me; but they should have recollected that the fusillade employed in Egypt for the purpose of raising money was no longer the fashion in France, and that the days were gone by when it was the custom to ‘grease the wheels of the revolutionary car.’

CHAPTER XVII.

1803.

The First Consul’s presentiments respecting the duration of peace—­ England’s uneasiness at the prosperity of France—­Bonaparte’s real wish for war—­Concourse of foreigners in Paris—­Bad faith of England—­Bonaparte and Lord Whitworth—­Relative position of France and England-Bonaparte’s journey to the seaboard departments—­ Breakfast at Compiegne—­Father Berton—­Irritation excited by the presence of Bouquet—­Father Berton’s derangement and death—­Rapp ordered to send for me—­Order countermanded.

The First Consul never anticipated a long peace with England.  He wished for peace merely because, knowing it to be ardently desired by the people, after ten years of war he thought it would increase his popularity and afford him the opportunity of laying the foundation of his government.  Peace was as necessary to enable him to conquer the throne of France as war was essential to secure it, and to enlarge its base at the expense of the other thrones of Europe.