Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/276

246 stints himself for his family, he stints himself still further to have a little money for the books that he needs.

The claims of the family are pressing. Again Napoleon has leave of absence. In Corsica he tries in vain to get something for his mother from what is left of their property,—from salt works, from a mulberry plantation belonging to the estate.

It is five or six years since the death of Charles Bonaparte. Napoleon has been away from his post too long. In 1792, after an absence from his regiment of fifteen months, he loses his place in the army.

The picture now before us is a dark one. The young man is discouraged. Hardly knowing where to turn, he drifts toward Paris.

For two or three years he has been uncertain which side to take in the Revolution on which France is entering. Many things incline him toward the King's party. He is in Paris on that memorable June 10 when the King is deposed. He sees the terrible events of the 10th of August. While he sympathizes with the King, he perceives that the great question is one of the nation rather than the individual.