He proved discreet, and the ministers were faithful to him; but they made him the pivot of the machine and the cat's-paw of the machination.

To return to my tale.
"'Bonaparte has never yet been vanquished,' cried Carnot, in a tone of conviction, 'and he has just surpassed Hannibal.' "'If the worst happens, here is the Directory,' said Sieyes, artfully, indicating with a wave of his hand the five persons present.
"'And,' added the Prince, 'we are all committed to the maintenance of the French republic; we three priests have literally unfrocked ourselves; the general, here, voted for the death of the king; and you,' he said, turning to Malin, 'have got possession of the property of _emigres_.' "'Yes, we have all the same interests,' said Sieyes, dictatorially, 'and our interests are one with those of the nation.' "'A rare thing,' said the Prince, smiling.
"'We must act,' interrupted Fouche.

'In all probability the battle is now going on; the Austrians outnumber us; Genoa has surrendered; Massena has committed the great mistake of embarking for Antibes; it is very doubtful if he can rejoin Bonaparte, who will then be reduced to his own resources.' "'Who gave you that news ?' asked Carnot.
"'It is sure,' replied Fouche.

'You will have the courier when the Bourse opens.' "Those men didn't mince their words," said de Marsay, smiling, and stopping short for a moment.
"'Remember,' continued Fouche, 'it is not when the news of a disaster comes that we can organize clubs, rouse the patriotism of the people, and change the constitution.

Our 18th Brumaire ought to be prepared beforehand.' "'Let us leave the care of that to the minister of police,' said the Prince, bowing to Fouche, 'and beware ourselves of Lucien.' (Lucien Bonaparte was then minister of the interior.) "'I'll arrest him,' said Fouche.
"'Messieurs!' cried Sieyes, 'our Directory ought not to be subject to anarchical changes.