Page:Napoleon (O'Connor 1896).djvu/210

194 later on that Bonaparte, without actually betraying his schemes, had endeavoured by the most adroit cajoleries to enlist my father on his side. My father, however, steadily evaded the question.

"So shocked was he at the sight of the people of Lyons running to meet Bonaparte, as if he were already Sovereign of France, that he expressed a wish to get away next morning at daybreak; but his carriages required repair, and he was forced to stay an entire day at Lyons. I took the opportunity of getting a new forage cap made, and in my delight at this purchase I paid no sort of heed to the political conversation which I heard all about me, nor, to tell the truth, did I understand much of it. My father went to return General Bonaparte's visit. They walked for a long time alone in the little garden of the hotel, while their staffs kept at a respectful distance. We saw them at one time vigorously gesticulating, at another talking more calmly; presently Bonaparte, coming close to my father with a coaxing air, took his arm in a friendly fashion. His motive probably was that the authorities, who were in the courtyard, and the many curious spectators who were crowding the neighbouring windows, might say that General Marbot assented to General Bonaparte's plans. For this clever man never overlooked any means of reaching his end;