Will you tell us the name of the person who seems to you worthy to be Napoleon's successor ?" "I do not venture to speak until the head of the Carbonari has named the man whom _he_ has chosen." "Then you did not hear me request you to speak," said Oudet, in a tone of stern rebuke.

"Speak, Marmont, but it will be better to exercise caution and not let the walls themselves hear what we determine.

So form a circle around me, and let one after another put his lips to my ear and whisper the name of him who should be Napoleon's successor." Marshals and generals obeyed the command and formed a close circle around Oudet, whose tall, slender figure towered above them all, and whose handsome pale face, with its enthusiastic blue eyes, formed a strange contrast to the grave, defiant countenances which encircled him.
"Marmont, do you begin!" said Oudet, in his gentle, solemn tones.
The general bent close to Oudet and whispered something into his ear, then he stepped back and made way for another, who was followed by a third, and a fourth.
"My brothers," said Oudet, after all had spoken, "my brothers, I see with pleasure that the same spirit, the same conviction rules among you.

You have all uttered the same name; you have all said that Eugene Beauharnais, the Viceroy of Italy, would be the fitting and desired successor of Napoleon.

I rejoice in this unanimity, and, in my position as one of the heads of the great society, I give your choice my approval.