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measures, and accordingly would be taken by surprise; that the soldiers
would not resist the National Guard; that the thing would be done without
striking a blow; that Vincennes would open and close while Paris slept;
that the President would finish his night there, and that France, on
awakening, would learn the twofold good tidings: that Bonaparte was out
of the fight, and France out of danger.
He added,--
"You can count on two Generals: Neumayer at Lyons, and Lawoëstyne at
Paris."
He got up and leaned against the chimney-piece; I can still see him
there, standing thoughtfully; and he continued:
"I do not feel myself strong enough to begin exile all over again, but I
feel the wish to save my family and my country."
He probably thought he noticed a movement of surprise in me, for he
accentuated and italicized these words.
"
I will explain myself. Yes; I wish to save my family and my country. I
bear the name of Napoleon; but as you know without fanaticism. I am a
Bonaparte, but not a Bonapartist. I respect the name, but I judge it. It
already has one stain. The Eighteenth Brumaire. Is it about to have
another? The old stain disappeared beneath the glory; Austerlitz covered
Brumaire. Napoleon was absolved by his genius. The people admired him so
greatly that it forgave him. Napoleon is upon the column, there is an end
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