A third person followed them,--a man who thought himself far stronger than the other two.

His name was Sieyes, and you all know that he too had been a priest before the Revolution.

The one who _walked with difficulty_ was then the minister of foreign affairs; Fouche was minister of police; Sieyes had resigned the consulate.
[*] Talleyrand was still living when de Marsay related these circumstances.
"A small man, cold and stern in appearance, left his seat and followed the three others, saying aloud in the hearing of the person from whom I have the information, 'I mistrust the gambling of priests.' This man was Carnot, minister of war.

His remark did not trouble the two consuls who were playing cards in the salon.

Cambaceres and Lebrun were then at the mercy of their ministers, men who were infinitely stronger than they.
"Nearly all these statesmen are dead, and no secrecy is due to them.