Now, start as soon as possible; the sooner you get back, the sooner Melas will be defeated." "General, give me time to write to my mother, that's all." "Where will she stop ?" "At the Hotel des Ambassadeurs." "When do you think she will arrive ?" "This is the night of the 21st of January; she will be here the evening of the 23d, or the morning of the 24th." "And she stops at the Hotel des Ambassadeurs ?" "Yes, general." "I take it all on myself." "Take it all on yourself, general ?" "Certainly; your mother can't stay at a hotel." "Where should she stay ?" "With a friend." "She knows no one in Paris." "I beg your pardon, Monsieur Roland; she knows citizen Bonaparte, First Consul, and his wife." "You are not going to lodge my mother at the Luxembourg.

I warn you that that would embarrass her very much." "No; but I shall lodge her in the Rue de la Victoire." "Oh, general!" "Come, come; that's settled.

Go, now, and get back as soon as possible." Roland took the First Consul's hand, meaning to kiss it; but Bonaparte drew him quickly to him.
"Embrace me, my dear Roland," he said, "and good luck to you." Two hours later Roland was rolling along in a post-chaise on the road to Orleans.

The next day, at nine in the morning, he entered Nantes, after a journey of thirty-three hours..