CHAPTER XXV. AN IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION
Some time after this military revolution, which created a great stir inEurope, convulsing the Continent for a time, as a tempest convulsesthe ocean--some time after, we say, on the morning of the 30th Nivoise,better and more clearly known to our readers as the 20th of January,1800, Roland, in looking over the voluminous correspondence which hisnew office entailed upon him, found, among fifty other letters askingfor an audience, the following:
MONSIEUR THE GOVERNOR-I know your loyalty to your word, and you will see that I rely on it. I wish to speak to you for five minutes, during which I must remain masked.
I have a request to make to you. This request you will grant or deny. In either case, as I shall have entered the Palace of the Luxembourg in the interest oL the First Consul, Bonaparte, and the royalist party to which I belong, I shall ask for your word of honor that I be allowed to leave it as freely as you allow me to enter.
If to-morrow, at seven in the evening, I see a solitary light in the window over the clock, I shall know that Colonel Roland de Montrevel has pledged me his word of honor, and I shall boldly present myself at the little door of the left wing of the palace, opening on the garden. I shall strike three blows at intervals, after the manner of the free-masons.
In order that you may know to whom you engage or refuse your word, I sign a name which is known to you, that name having been, under circumstances you have probably not forgotten, pronounced before you.
MORGAN, Chief of the Companions of Jehu.
Roland read the letter twice, thought it over for a few moments, thenrose suddenly, and, entering the First Consul's study, handed it to himsilently. The latter read it without betraying the slightest emotion,or even surprise; then, with a laconism that was wholly Lacedaemonian, hesaid: "Place the light."
Then he gave the letter back to Roland.
The next evening, at seven o'clock, the light shone in the window,and at five minutes past the hour, Roland in person was waiting at thelittle door of the garden. He had scarcely been there a moment whenthree blows were struck on the door after the manner of the free-masons;first two strokes and then one.
The door was opened immediately. A man wrapped in a cloak was sharplydefined against the grayish atmosphere of the wintry night. As forRoland, he was completely hidden in shadow. Seeing no one, the man inthe cloak remained motionless for a second.
"Come in," said Roland.
"Ah! it is you, colonel!"
"How do you know it is I?" asked Roland.
"I recognize your voice."
"My voice! But during those few moments we were together in thedining-room at Avignon I did not say a word."
"Then I must have heard it elsewhere."
Roland wondered where the Chief of the Companions of Jehu could haveheard his voice, but the other said gayly: "Is the fact that I know yourvoice any reason why we should stand at the door?"
"No, indeed," replied Roland; "take the lapel of my coat and follow me.I purposely forbade any lights being placed in the stairs and hall whichlead to my room."
"I am much obliged for the intention. But on your word I would cross thepalace from one end to the other, though it were lighted _a giorno_, asthe Italians say."
"You have my word," replied Roland, "so follow me without fear."
Morgan needed no encouragement; he followed his guide fearlessly. Atthe head of the stairs Roland turned down a corridor equally dark, wenttwenty steps, opened a door, and entered his own room. Morgan followedhim. The room was lighted by two wax candles only. Once there, Morgantook off his cloak and laid his pistols on the table.
"What are you doing?" asked Roland.
"Faith! with your permission," replied Morgan, gayly, "I am makingmyself comfortable."
"But those pistols you have just laid aside--"
"Ah! did you think I brought them for you?"
"For whom then?"
"Why, that damned police! You can readily imagine that I am not disposedto let citizen Fouche lay hold of me, without burning the mustache ofthe first of his minions who lays hands on me."
"But once here you feel you have nothing to fear?"
"The deuce!" exclaimed the young man; "I have your word."
"Then why don't you unmask?"
"Because my face only half belongs to me; the other half belongs to mycompanions. Who knows if one of us being recognized might not drag theothers to the guillotine? For of course you know, colonel, we don't hidefrom ourselves that that is the price of our game!"
"Then why risk it?"
"Ah! what a question. Why do you venture on the field of battle, where abullet may plow through your breast or a cannon-ball lop off your head?"
"Permit me to say that that is different. On the battlefield I risk anhonorable death."
"Ah! do you suppose that on the day I get my head cut off by therevolutionary triangle I shall think myself dishonored? Not the least inthe world. I am a soldier like you, only we can't all serve our cause inthe same way. Every religion has its heroes and its martyrs; happy theheroes in this world, and happy the martyrs in the next."
The young man uttered these words with a conviction which moved, orrather astonished, Roland.
"But," continued Morgan, abandoning his enthusiasm to revert to thegayety which seemed the distinctive trait of his character, "I did notcome here to talk political philosophy. I came to ask you to let mespeak to the First Consul."
"What! speak to the First Consul?" exclaimed Roland.
"Of course. Read my letter over; did I not tell you that I had a requestto make?"
"Yes."
"Well, that request is to let me speak to General Bonaparte."
"But permit me to say that as I did not expect that request--"
"It surprises you; makes you uneasy even. My dear colonel, if you don'tbelieve my word, you can search me from head to foot, and you will findthat those pistols are my only weapons. And I haven't even got them,since there they are on your table. Better still, take one in each hand,post yourself between the First Consul and me, and blowout my brains atthe first suspicious move I make. Will that suit you?"
"But will you assure me, if I disturb the First Consul and ask him tosee you, that your communication is worth the trouble?"
"Oh! I'll answer for that," said Morgan. Then, in his joyous tones,he added: "I am for the moment the ambassador of a crowned, or ratherdiscrowned, head, which makes it no less reverenced by noble hearts.Moreover, Monsieur Roland, I shall take up very little of your general'stime; the moment the conversation seems too long, he can dismiss me. AndI assure you he will not have to say the word twice."
Roland was silent and thoughtful for a moment.
"And it is to the First Consul only that you can make thiscommunication?"
"To the First Consul only, as he alone can answer me."
"Very well. Wait until I take his orders."
Roland made a step toward the general's room; then he paused and cast anuneasy look at a mass of papers piled on his table. Morgan interceptedthis look.
"What!" he said, "you are afraid I shall read those papers in yourabsence? If you only knew how I detest reading! If my death-warrant layon that table, I wouldn't take the trouble to read it. I should considerthat the clerk's business. And every one to his own task. MonsieurRoland, my feet are cold, and I will sit here in your easy-chair andwarm them. I shall not stir till you return."
"Very good, monsieur," said Roland, and he went to the First Consul.
Bonaparte was talking with General Hedouville, commanding the troops ofthe Vendee. Hearing the door open, he turned impatiently.
"I told Bourrienne I would not see any one."
"So he told me as I came in, but I told him that I was not any one."
"True. What do you want? Be quick."
"He is in my room."
"Who?"
"The man of Avignon."
"Ah, ha! And what does he want?"
&nb
sp; "To see you."
"To see me?"
"Yes, you, general. Does that surprise you?"
"No. But what can he want to say to me?"
"He refused obstinately to tell me. But I dare answer for it that he isneither importunate nor a fool."
"No, but he may be an assassin."
Roland shook his head.
"Of course, since you introduce him--"
"Moreover, he is willing that I should be present at the conference andstand between you and him."
Bonaparte reflected an instant.
"Bring him in," he said.
"You know, general, that except me--"
"Yes, General Hedouville will be so kind as to wait a second. Ourconversation is of a nature that is not exhausted in one interview. Go,Roland."
Roland left the room, crossed Bourrienne's office, reentered his ownroom, and found Morgan, as he had said, warming his feet.
"Come, the First Consul is waiting for you," said the young man.
Morgan rose and followed Roland. When they entered Bonaparte's study thelatter was alone. He cast a rapid glance on the chief of the Companionsof Jehu, and felt no doubt that he was the same man he had seen atAvignon.
Morgan had paused a few steps from the door, and was looking curiouslyat Bonaparte, convincing himself that he was the man he had seen at thetable d'hote the day he attempted the perilous restoration of the twohundred louis stolen by an oversight from Jean Picot.
"Come nearer," said the First Consul.
Morgan bowed and made three steps forward. Bonaparte partly returned thebow with a slight motion of the head.
"You told my aide-de-camp, Colonel Roland, that you had a communicationto make me."
"Yes, citizen First Consul."
"Does that communication require a private interview?"
"No, citizen First Consul, although it is of such importance--"
"You would prefer to be alone."
"Beyond doubt. But prudence--"
"The most prudent thing in France, citizen Morgan, is courage."
"My presence here, general, proves that I agree with you perfectly."
Bonaparte turned to the young colonel.
"Leave us alone, Roland," said he.
"But, general--" objected Roland.
Bonaparte went up to him and said in a low voice: "I see what it is. Youare curious to know what this mysterious cavalier of the highroad has tosay to me. Don't worry; you shall know."
"That's not it. But suppose, as you said just now, he is an assassin."
"Didn't you declare he was not. Come, don't be a baby; leave us."
Roland went out.
"Now that we are alone, sir," said the First Consul, "speak!"
Morgan, without answering, drew a letter from his pocket and gave itto the general. Bonaparte examined it. It was addressed to him, and theseal bore the three fleurs-de-lis of France.
"Oh!" he said, "what is this, sir?"
"Read it, citizen First Consul."
Bonaparte opened the letter and looked at the signature: "Louis," hesaid.
"Louis," repeated Morgan.
"What Louis?"
"Louis de Bourbon, I presume."
"Monsieur le Comte de Provence, brother of Louis XVI."
"Consequently Louis XVIII., since his nephew, the Dauphin, is dead."
Bonaparte looked at the stranger again. It was evident that Morgan was apseudonym, assumed to hide his real name. Then, turning his eyes on theletter, he read:
January 3, 1800.
Whatever may be their apparent conduct, monsieur, men like you never inspire distrust. You have accepted an exalted post, and I thank you for so doing. You know, better than others, that force and power are needed to make the happiness of a great nation. Save France from her own madness, and you will fulfil the desire of my heart; restore her king, and future generations will bless your memory. If you doubt my gratitude, choose your own place, determine the future of your friends. As for my principles, I am a Frenchman, clement by nature, still more so by judgment. No! the conqueror of Lodi, Castiglione and Arcola, the conqueror of Italy and Egypt, cannot prefer an empty celebrity to fame. Lose no more precious time. We can secure the glory of France. I say we, because I have need of Bonaparte for that which he cannot achieve without me. General, the eyes of Europe are upon you, glory awaits you, and I am eager to restore my people to happiness.
LOUIS.
Bonaparte turned to the young man, who stood erect, motionless andsilent as a statue.
"Do you know the contents of this letter?" he asked.
The young man bowed. "Yes, citizen First Consul."
"It was sealed, however."
"It was sent unsealed under cover to the person who intrusted it tome. And before doing so he made me read it, that I might know its fullimportance."
"Can I know the name of the person who intrusted it to you?"
"Georges Cadoudal."
Bonaparte started slightly.
"Do you know Georges Cadoudal?" he asked.
"He is my friend."
"Why did he intrust it to you rather than to another?"
"Because he knew that in telling me to deliver the letter to you with myown hand it would be done."
"You have certainly kept your promise, sir."
"Not altogether yet, citizen First Consul."
"How do you mean? Haven't you delivered it to me?"
"Yes, but I promised to bring back an answer."
"But if I tell you I will not give one."
"You will have answered; not precisely as I could have wished, but itwill be an answer."
Bonaparte reflected for a few moments. Then shaking his shoulders to ridhimself of his thoughts, he said: "They are fools."
"Who, citizen?" asked Morgan.
"Those who write me such letters--fools, arch fools. Do they take me fora man who patterns his conduct by the past? Play Monk! What good wouldit do? Bring back another Charles II.? No, faith, it is not worth while.When a man has Toulon, the 13th Vendemiaire, Lodi, Castiglione, Arcola,Rivoli and the Pyramids behind him, he's no Monk. He has the right toaspire to more than a duchy of Albemarle, and the command by land andsea of the forces of his Majesty King Louis XVIII."
"For that reason you are asked to make your own conditions, citizenFirst Consul."
Bonaparte started at the sound of that voice as if he had forgotten thatany one was present.
"Not counting," he went on, "that it is a ruined family, a dead branchof a rotten trunk. The Bourbons have so intermarried with one anotherthat the race is depraved; Louis XIV. exhausted all its sap, all itsvigor.--You know history, sir?" asked Bonaparte, turning to the youngman.
"Yes, general," he replied; "at least as well as a _ci-devant_ can knowit."
"Well, you must have observed in history, especially in that of France,that each race has its point of departure, its culmination, and itsdecadence. Look at the direct line of the Capets; starting from HuguesCapet, they attained their highest grandeur in Philippe Auguste andLouis XI., and fell with Philippe V. and Charles IV. Take the Valois;starting with Philippe VI., they culminated in Francois I. and fell withCharles IX. and Henry III. See the Bourbons; starting with Henry IV.,they have their culminating point in Louis XIV. and fall with LouisXV. and Louis XVI.--only they fall lower than the others; lower indebauchery with Louis XV., lower in misfortune with Louis XVI. You talkto me of the Stuarts, and show me the example of Monk. Will you tell mewho succeeded Charles II.? James II. And who to James II.? William ofOrange, a usurper. Would it not have been better, I ask you, if Monkhad put the crown on his own head? Well, if I was fool enough to restoreLouis XVIII. to the throne, like Charles II. he would have no children,and, like James II., his brother Charles X. would succeed him, and likehim would be driven out by some William of Orange. No, no! God has notput the destiny of this great and glorious country we call France intomy hands that I should cast it back to those w
ho have gambled with itand lost it."
"Permit me, general, to remark that I did not ask you for all this."
"But I, I ask you--"
"I think you are doing me the honor to take me for posterity."
Bonaparte started, turned round, saw to whom he was speaking, and wassilent.
"I only want," said Morgan, with a dignity which surprised the man whomhe addressed, "a yes or a no."
"And why do you want that?"
"To know whether we must continue to war against you as an enemy, orfall at your feet as a savior."
"War," said Bonaparte, "war! Madmen, they who war with me! Do they notsee that I am the elect of God?"
"Attila said the same thing."
"Yes; but he was the elect of destruction; I, of the new era. The grasswithered where he stepped; the harvest will ripen where I pass the plow.War? Tell me what has become of those who have made it against me? Theylie upon the plains of Piedmont, of Lombardy and Cairo!"
"You forget the Vendee; the Vendee is still afoot."
"Afoot, yes! but her leaders? Cathelineau, Lescure, La Rochejaquelin,d'Elbee, Bonchamps, Stoffiet, Charette?"
"You are speaking of men only; the men have been mown down, it is true;but the principle is still afoot, and for it are fighting Autichamp,Suzannet, Grignon, Frotte, Chatillon, Cadoudal. The younger may not beworth the elder, but if they die as their elders died, what more can youask?"
"Let them beware! If I determine upon a campaign against the Vendee Ishall send neither Santerre nor Rossignol!"
"The Convention sent Kleber, and the Directory, Hoche!"
"I shall not send; I shall go myself."
"Nothing worse can happen to them than to be killed like Lescure, orshot like Charette."
"It may happen that I pardon them."
"Cato taught us how to escape the pardon of Caesar."
"Take care; you are quoting a Republican!"
"Cato was one of those men whose example can be followed, no matter towhat party they belong."
"And suppose I were to tell you that I hold the Vendee in the hollow ofmy hand?"
"You!"
"And that within three months, she will lay down her arms if I choose?"
The young man shook his head.
"You don't believe me?"
"I hesitate to believe you."
"If I affirm to you that what I say is true; if I prove it by tellingyou the means, or rather the men, by whom I shall bring this about?"
"If a man like General Bonaparte affirms a thing, I shall believe it;and if that thing is the pacification of the Vendee, I shall say in myturn: 'Beware! Better the Vendee fighting than the Vendee conspiring.The Vendee fighting means the sword, the Vendee conspiring means thedagger.'"
"Oh! I know your dagger," said Bonaparte. "Here it is."
And he drew from a drawer the dagger he had taken from Roland and laidit on the table within reach of Morgan's hand.
"But," he added, "there is some distance between Bonaparte's breast andan assassin's dagger. Try."
And he advanced to the young man with a flaming eye.
"I did not come here to assassinate you," said the young man, coldly."Later, if I consider your death indispensable to the cause, I shall doall in my power, and if I fail it will not be because you are Mariusand I the Cimbrian. Have you anything else to say to me, citizen FirstConsul?" concluded the young man, bowing.
"Yes. Tell Cadoudal that when he is ready to fight the enemy, insteadof Frenchmen, I have a colonel's commission ready signed in my desk forhim."
"Cadoudal commands, not a regiment, but an army. You were unwilling toretrograde from Bonaparte to Monk; why should you expect him to descendfrom general to colonel? Have you nothing else to say to me, citizenFirst Consul?"
"Yes. Have you any way of transmitting my reply to the Comte deProvence?"
"You mean King Louis XVIII.?"
"Don't let us quibble over words. To him who wrote to me."
"His envoy is now at the camp at Aubiers."
"Well, I have changed my mind; I shall send him an answer. TheseBourbons are so blind that this one would misinterpret my silence."
And Bonaparte, sitting down at his desk, wrote the following letter witha care that showed he wished to make it legible:
I have received your letter, monsieur. I thank you for the good opinion you express in it of me. You must not wish for your return to France; it could only be over a hundred thousand dead bodies. Sacrifice your own interests to the repose and welfare of France. History will applaud you. I am not insensible to the misfortunes of your family, and I shall hear with pleasure that you are surrounded with all that could contribute to the tranquillity of your retreat. BONAPARTE.
Then, folding and sealing the letter, he directed it to "Monsieur leComte de Provence," and handed it to Morgan. Then he called Roland, asif he knew the latter were not far off.
"General?" said the young officer, appearing instantly.
"Conduct this gentleman to the street," said Bonaparte. "Until then youare responsible for him."
Roland bowed in sign of obedience, let the young man, who said not aword, pass before him, and then followed. But before leaving, Morgancast a last glance at Bonaparte.
The latter was still standing, motionless and silent, with folded arms,his eyes fixed upon the dagger, which occupied his thoughts far morethan he was willing to admit even to himself.
As they crossed Roland's room, the Chief of the Companions of Jehugathered up his cloak and pistols. While he was putting them in hisbelt, Roland remarked: "The citizen First Consul seems to have shown youa dagger which I gave him."
"Yes, monsieur," replied Morgan.
"Did you recognize it?"
"Not that one in particular; all our daggers are alike."
"Well," said Roland, "I will tell you whence it came."
"Ah! where was that?"
"From the breast of a friend of mine, where your Companions, possiblyyou yourself, thrust it."
"Possibly," replied the young man carelessly. "But your friend must haveexposed himself to punishment."
"My friend wished to see what was happening at night in the Chartreuse."
"He did wrong."
"But I did the same wrong the night before, and nothing happened to me."
"Probably because some talisman protects you."
"Monsieur, let me tell you something. I am a straight-forward man whowalks by daylight. I have a horror of all that is mysterious."
"Happy those who can walk the highroads by daylight, Monsieur deMontrevel!"
"That is why I am going to tell you the oath I made, Monsieur Morgan.As I drew the dagger you saw from my friend's breast, as carefullyas possible, that I might not draw his soul with it, I swore thathenceforward it should be war to the death between his assassins andmyself. It was largely to tell you that that I gave you a pledge ofsafety."
"That is an oath I hope to see you forget, Monsieur de Montrevel."
"It is an oath I shall keep under all circumstances, Monsieur Morgan;and you would be most kind if you would furnish me with an opportunityas soon as possible."
"In what way, sir?"
"Well, for example, by accepting a meeting with me, either in the Boisde Boulogne or at Vincennes. We don't need to say that we are fightingbecause you or one of your friends stabbed Lord Tanlay. No; we can sayanything you please." (Roland reflected a moment.) "We can say the duelis on account of the eclipse that takes place on the 12th of next month.Does the pretext suit you?"
"The pretext would suit me," replied Morgan, in a tone of sadness ofwhich he seemed incapable, "if the duel itself could take place. Youhave taken an oath, and you mean to keep it, you say. Well, everyinitiate who enters the Company of Jehu swears that he will not exposein any personal quarrel a life that belongs to the cause and not tohimself."
"Oh! So that you assassinate, but will not fight."
"You are mistaken. We sometimes fight."
"Have the go
odness to point out an occasion when I may study thatphenomenon."
"Easily enough. If you and five or six men, as resolute as yourself,will take your places in some diligence carrying government money, andwill defend it against our attack, the occasion you seek will come. But,believe me, do better than that; do not come in our way."
"Is that a threat, sir?" asked the young man, raising his head.
"No," replied Morgan, in a gentle, almost supplicating voice, "it is anentreaty."
"Is it addressed to me in particular, or would you include others?"
"I make it to you in particular;" and the chief of the Companions ofJehu dwelt upon the last word.
"Ah!" exclaimed the young man, "then I am so fortunate as to interestyou?"
"As a brother," replied Morgan, in the same soft, caressing tone.
"Well, well," said Roland, "this is decidedly a wager."
Bourrienne entered at that moment.
"Roland," he said, "the First Consul wants you."
"Give me time to conduct this gentleman to the street, and I'll be withhim."
"Hurry up; you know he doesn't like to wait."
"Will you follow me, sir?" Roland said to his mysterious companion.
"I am at your orders, sir."
"Come, then," And Roland, taking the same path by which he had broughtMorgan, took him back, not to the door opening on the garden (the gardenwas closed), but to that on the street. Once there, he stopped and said:"Sir, I gave you my word, and I have kept it faithfully, But that theremay be no misunderstanding between us, have the goodness to tell me thatyou understand it to have been for this one time and for to-day only."
"That was how I understood it, sir."
"You give me back my word then?"
"I should like to keep it, sir; but I recognize that you are free totake it back."
"That is all I wish to know. Au revoir! Monsieur Morgan."
"Permit me not to offer you the same wish, Monsieur de Montrevel."
The two young men bowed with perfect courtesy, Roland re-entered theLuxembourg, and Morgan, following the line of shadow projected by thewalls, took one of the little streets to the Place Saint-Sulpice.
It is he whom we are now to follow.