After the Austrian war-cloud had melted away, the time had come to punish prophets of evil.

The Duke of Modena was charged with allowing a convoy to pass from his State to the garrison of Mantua, and with neglecting to pay the utterly impossible fine to which Bonaparte had condemned him.

The men of Reggio and Modena were also encouraged to throw off his yoke and to confide in the French.

Those of Reggio succeeded; but in the city of Modena itself the ducal troops repressed the rising.

Bonaparte accordingly asked the advice of the Directory; but his resolution was already formed.