He answered by resigning his command.

"One half of the army of Italy," said he, "cannot suffice to finish the matter with the Austrian.

It is only by keeping my force entire that I have been able to gain so many battles and to be now in Milan.

You had better have one bad general than two good ones." The Directory durst not persist in displacing the chief whose name was considered as the pledge of victory.

Napoleon resumed the undivided command, to which now, for the last time, his right had been questioned.
Another unlooked-for occurrence delayed, for a few days longer, the march upon Mantua.