“‘We must act,’ interrupted Fouche. ‘In all probability the battle is now going on; the Austrians outnumber us; Genoa has surrendered; Massena has committed the great mistake of embarking for Antibes; it is very doubtful if he can rejoin Bonaparte, who will then be reduced to his own resources.’ “‘Who gave you that news?’ asked Carnot. “‘It is sure,’ replied Fouche. ‘You will have the courier when the Bourse opens.’ “Those men didn’t mince their words,” said de Marsay, smiling, and stopping short for a moment. “‘Remember,’ continued Fouche, ‘it is not when the news of a disaster comes that we can organize clubs, rouse the patriotism of the people, and change the constitution. Our 18th Brumaire ought to be prepared beforehand.’ “‘Let us leave the care of that to the minister of police,’ said the Prince, bowing to Fouche, ‘and beware ourselves of Lucien.’ (Lucien Bonaparte was then minister of the interior.) “‘I’ll arrest him,’ said Fouche. “‘Messieurs!’ cried Sieyes, ‘our Directory ought not to be subject to anarchical changes. We must organize a government of the few, a Senate for life, and an elective chamber the control of which shall be in our hands; for we ought to profit by the blunders of the past.’ “‘With such a system, there would be peace for me,’ remarked the ex-bishop. “‘Find me a sure man to negotiate with Moreau; for the Army of the Rhine will be our sole resource,’ cried Carnot, who had been plunged in meditation. “Ah!” said de Marsay, pausing, “those men were right. They were grand in this crisis. I should have done as they did”; then he resumed his narrative. “‘Messieurs!’ cried Sieyes, in a grave and solemn tone. “That word ‘Messieurs!’ was perfectly understood by all present; all eyes expressed the same faith, the same promise, that of absolute silence, and unswerving loyalty to each other in case the First Consul returned triumphant. “‘We all know what we have to do,’ added Fouche. “Sieyes softly unbolted the door; his priestly ear had warned him. Lucien entered the room. “‘Good news!’ he said. ‘A courier has just brought Madame Bonaparte a line from the First Consul. The campaign has opened with a victory at Montebello.’ “The three ministers exchanged looks. “‘Was it a general engagement?’ asked Carnot. “‘No, a fight, in which Lannes has covered himself with glory. The affair was bloody. Attacked with ten thousand men by eighteen thousand, he was only saved by a division sent to his support. Ott is in full retreat. The Austrian line is broken.’ “‘When did the fight take place?’ asked Carnot. “‘On the 8th,’ replied Lucien. “‘And this is the 13th,’ said the sagacious minister. ‘Well, if that is so, the destinies of France are in the scale at the very moment we are speaking.’” (In fact, the battle of Marengo did begin at dawn of the 14th.) “‘Four days of fatal uncertainty!’ said Lucien. “‘Fatal?’ said the minister of foreign affairs, coldly and interrogatively. “‘Four days,’ echoed Fouche.