CHAPTER X.
Napoleon at Rastadt--He arrives in Paris--His reception by the Directory--His Conduct and Manners--He is appointed to command the Army for the Invasion of England--He recommends an Expedition to Egypt--Reaches Toulon--Embarks.
Napoleon was received by the ministers assembled at Rastadt with the respect due to the extraordinary talents which he had already displayed in negotiation as well as in war.

But he stayed among them only two or three days, for he perceived that the multiplicity of minor arrangements to be discussed and settled, must, if he seriously entered upon them, involve the necessity of a long-protracted residence at Rastadt; and he had many reasons for desiring to be quickly in Paris.

His personal relations with the Directory were of a very doubtful kind, and he earnestly wished to study with his own eyes the position in which the government stood towards the various orders of society in the all-influential capital.

He abandoned the conduct of the diplomatic business to his colleagues, and reached Paris at the beginning of December.

Nor was he without a feasible pretext for this rapidity.