From these terms he was disinclined to diverge.

He was weary of "this old Europe": his gaze was directed towards Corfu, Malta, and Egypt; and when he received the official ultimatum, he saw that the Directory desired a renewal of the war under conditions highly embarrassing for him.

"Yes: I see clearly that they are preparing defeats for me," he exclaimed to his aide-de-camp Lavalette.

They angered him still more when, on the death of Hoche, they intrusted their Rhenish forces, numbering 120,000 men, to the command of Augereau, and sent to the Army of Italy an officer bearing a manifesto written by Augereau concerning Fructidor, which set forth the anxiety felt by the Directors concerning Bonaparte's political views.

At this Bonaparte fired up and again offered his resignation (September 25th): "No power on earth shall, after this horrible and most unexpected act of ingratitude by the Government, make me continue to serve it.
My health imperiously demands calm and repose....