CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
NAPOLEON GOES TO PARIS.
Some boys at fifteen are older than other boys at fifteen.

Napoleon, as I have told you, was always an "old boy." So when, on that October day in 1784, he arrived at the capital to enter upon the king's scholarship which he had received, he was no longer a child, even though under-sized and somewhat "spindling." Here, however, as at Autun and Brienne, his appearance was against him, and created an unfavorable impression.
As he got out of the Brienne coach, he ran almost into the arms of one of the boys he had known at Corsica--young Demetrius Compeno.
"What, Demetrius! you here ?" he cried, a smile of pleasure at sight of a familiar face lighting up his sallow features.
"And why not, young Bonaparte," Demetrius laughed back in reply.

"You did not suppose I was going to let you fall right into the lion's mouth, undefended.

Why, you are so fresh and green looking, the beast would take you for Corsican grass, and eat you at once." Although Napoleon was inclined to resent this pleasantry, he was too delighted to meet an old friend to say much.

And, the truth is, the great city did surprise him.