"Napoleon was remarkable only for having kicked Volney in the stomach and stealing a snuffbox ornamented with diamonds.

Monsieur Garain has just taught us." "And yet," said Madame Martin, "nobody is sure that he kicked Volney." "Everything becomes known in the end," replied the Princess, gayly.
"Napoleon did nothing at all.

He did not even kick Volney, and his head was that of an idiot." General Lariviere felt that he should say something.

He hurled this phrase: "Napoleon--his campaign of 1813 is much discussed." The General wished to please Garain, and he had no other idea.

However, he succeeded, after an effort, in formulating a judgment: "Napoleon committed faults; in his situation he should not have committed any." And he stopped abruptly, very red.
Madame Martin asked: "And you, Monsieur Vence, what do you think of Napoleon ?" "Madame, I have not much love for sword-bearers, and conquerors seem to me to be dangerous fools.