He was, in some way, attracted to this sober, silent, and sad-eyed little Corsican, and inquired into his history.

He rather liked the boy's appearance, odd as it was.

He took quite a fancy to the young Napoleon, talked with him, questioned him, and outlined to the teachers at Brienne what he thought should be the future course of the lad.
Charles Bonaparte had some thought of placing Napoleon in the naval service of France.

The boy told Inspector Keralio this; but the chevalier declared that he intended to recommend the boy for promotion to the military school at Paris, and then have him assigned for service at Toulon.

This was the nearest port to Corsica, and would place Napoleon nearer to his much-loved family home.
The teachers objected to this.
"There are other boys in the school much better fitted for such an honor than this young Bonaparte," they said.
But the inspector thought otherwise.
"I know boys," he said.