Some time after his arrival in Paris, on the ground that his presence was necessary for the execution of different orders, and the general despatch of business, he required that authority should be given to a part of his household, which he had left at Rastadt, to return.
How could it ever be said that the Directory "kept General Bonaparte away from the great interests which were under discussion at Rastadt"?
Quite the contrary! The Directory would have been delighted to see him return there, as they would then have been relieved from his presence in Paris; but nothing was so disagreeable to Bonaparte as long and seemingly interminable negotiations.

Such tedious work did not suit his character, and he had been sufficiently disgusted with similar proceedings at Campo-Formio.
On our arrival at Rastadt I soon found that General Bonaparte was determined to stay there only a short time.

I therefore expressed to him my decided desire to remain in Germany.

I was then ignorant that my erasure from the emigrant list had been ordered on the 11th of November, as the decree did not reach the commissary of the Executive Directory at Auxerre until the 17th of November, the day of our departure from Milan.
The silly pretext of difficulties by which my erasure, notwithstanding the reiterated solicitations of the victorious General, was so long delayed made me apprehensive of a renewal, under a weak and jealous pentarchy, of the horrible scenes of 1796.

Bonaparte said to me, in atone of indignation, "Come, pass the Rhine; they will not dare to seize you while near me.