The general, therefore, temporised; content, in the meantime, with draining the exchequers of the governments, and cajoling from day to day the population.

The Directory were with difficulty persuaded to let him follow his own course; but he now despised their remonstrances, and they had been taught effectually to dread his strength.
Napoleon, it is clear enough, had no intention to grant these Italian governments anything but a respite; nor is it to be doubted that their disposition to take part with Austria remained as it had been before they entered into these treaties with France.

That the purpose of deceit was mutual, affords, however, no plea of justification--least of all to the stronger party.

"It will be well," says Sir Walter Scott, "with the world, when falsehood and finesse are as thoroughly exploded in international communication as they are among individuals in civilised countries." [Footnote 9: The same who became afterwards Louis XVIII.

of France.].