They had met in Rome, at her brother's house, and, in spite of the rivalry of a young and handsome Roman prince, she had shown him a marked preference.
The three women combined to obtain for him the rank of general of brigade from the Directory.

Murat returned to the Army of Italy, more in love than ever, and, in spite of his new rank, he solicited and obtained the favor of remaining with the general-in-chief as aide-de-camp.
Unhappily, the fatal sortie took place soon after, in consequence of which he fell in disgrace with Bonaparte.

This disgrace had for awhile all the characteristics of actual enmity.

Bonaparte dismissed him from his service as aide-de-camp, and transferred him to Neille's division, and then to that of Baraguey-d'Hilliers.

The result was, that when Bonaparte returned to Paris after the treaty of Tolentino, Murat did not accompany him.
This did not at all suit the female triumvirate, who had taken the young general under its direction.