And yet there was nothing offensive about him; still, this was enough.

I never tried after that to overstep the line thus imposed on me." A few days later, at Albenga,[1138] certain generals of division, and among them Augereau, a vulgar, heroic old soldier, vain of his tall figure and courage, arrive at headquarters, not well disposed toward the little parvenu sent out to them from Paris.

Recalling the description of him which had been given to them, Augereau is abusive and insubordinate beforehand: one of Barras' favorites, the Vendemiaire general, a street general, "not yet tried out on the field of battle,[1139] hasn't a friend, considered a loner because he is the only one who can thinks for himself, looking peaky, said to be a mathematician and a dreamer!" They enter, and Bonaparte keeps them waiting.

At last he appears, with his sword and belt on, explains the disposition of the forces, gives them his orders, and dismisses them.

Augereau has remained silent; It is only when he gets out of doors does he recover himself and fall back on his accustomed oaths.