Then, after requesting him to take the oath, the president added: "He who has never promised his country a victory which he did not win, cannot fail to keep religiously his new promise to serve her faithfully." Bonaparte stretched forth his hand and said solemnly: "I swear it!" All the generals repeated after him, each for himself: "I swear it!" The last one had scarcely finished, when Bonaparte recognized Barras' secretary, that same Bollot of whom Barras had spoken that morning to his two colleagues.

He had come there solely to give his patron an account of all that was happening there, but Bonaparte fancied he was sent on some secret mission by Barras.

He resolved to spare him the first advance, and went straight to him, saying: "Have you come on behalf of the Directors ?" Then, without giving him time to answer, he continued: "What have they done with that France I left so brilliant?
I left peace; I find war.

I left victories; I find reverses.

I left the millions of Italy, and I find spoliation and penury.