(In Italy, 1796.) "At this epoch, our ambition was quite secondary; we were solely concerned about our duties and amusements.

The frankest and most cordial union existed amongst us all....

No sentiment of envy, no low passion found room in our breasts.

(Then) what excitement, what grandeur, what hopes and what gayety!...

Each had a presentiment of an illimitable future and yet entertained no idea of personal ambition or calculation."-- George Sand, "Histoire de ma vie." (Correspondence of her father, Commander Dupin.)--Stendhal, "Vie de Napoleon." "At this epoch (1796), nobody in the army had any ambition.