"I have come because I wish to give you a few explanations." "I did not recognize you at first." "Yet I think, general, that my name was announced by your servant in a voice loud enough to prevent any doubt as to my identity." "Yes, but he announced General Bernadotte." "Well ?" "Well, I saw a man in civilian's dress, and though I recognized you, I doubted if it were really you." For some time past Bernadotte had affected to wear civilian's dress in preference to his uniform.
"You know," said he, laughing, "that I am only half a soldier now.

I was retired by citizen Sieyes." "It seems that it was lucky for me that you were no longer minister of war when I landed at Frejus." "How so ?" "You said, so I was told, that had you received the order to arrest me for violating quarantine you would have done so." "I said it, and I repeat it, general.

As a soldier I was always a faithful observer of discipline.

As a minister I was a slave to law." Bonaparte bit his lips.

"And will you say, after that, that you have not a personal enmity to me ?" "A personal enmity to you, general ?" replied Bernadotte.