When he had finished, he folded the letter and put it in the side pocket of his coat.

Then, turning to Bourrienne, he said: "Very well, we will return.

I shall probably have to despatch a courier.

Go mend some pens while you are waiting for me." Bourrienne bowed and returned to Chivasso.
Bonaparte then went up to Roland and laid his hand on his shoulder, saying: "I have no luck with the marriages I attempt to make." "How so ?" asked Roland.
"Your sister's marriage is off." "Has she refused ?" "No; she has not." "She has not?
Can it be Sir John ?" "Yes." "Refused to marry my sister after asking her of me, of my mother, of you, of herself ?" "Come, don't begin to get angry.

Try to see that there is some mystery in all this." "I don't see any mystery, I see an insult!" "Ah! there you are, Roland.