"Listen, Georges.

I need energetic men like you to accomplish the work I have undertaken.

Will you be one of them?
I have already offered you the rank of colonel, but you are worth more than that.

I now offer you the rank of general of division." "I thank you from the bottom of my heart, citizen First Consul," replied Cadoudal; "but you would despise me if I accepted." "Why so ?" queried Bonaparte, hastily.
"Because I have pledged myself to the House of Bourbon; and I shall remain faithful to it under all circumstances." "Let us discuss the matter," resumed the First Consul.

"Is there no way to bind you ?" "General," replied the royalist leader, "may I be permitted to repeat to you what has been said to me ?" "Why not ?" "Because it touches upon the deepest political interests." "Pooh! some nonsense," said the First Consul, smiling uneasily.
Cadoudal stopped short and looked fixedly at his companion.
"It is said that an agreement was made between you and Commodore Sidney Smith at Alexandria, the purport of which was to allow you to return to France on the condition, accepted by you, of restoring the throne to our former kings." Bonaparte burst out laughing.
"How astonishing you are, you plebeians!" he said, "with your love for your former kings! Suppose that I did re-establish the throne (a thing, I assure you, I have not the smallest desire to do), what return will you get, you who have shed your blood for the cause?
Not even the confirmation of the rank you have won in it, colonel.