What errand summoned these men in red robes to this man in a black coat?
They came to tender him their oaths.

The man was M.Bonaparte.He nodded, and, in return, they bowed to the ground, as is meet.

In front of M.Bonaparte, at a short distance, stood his chancellor, M.Abbattucci, late a liberal deputy, now Minister of Justice to the _coup d'etat_.

The ceremony began.

M.Abbattucci delivered a discourse, and M.Bonaparte made a speech.