In reply to this dispatch the French minister, Talleyrand, wrote to Joseph, "I have received, citizen, the heart-rending letter which you have written me upon the frightful events which transpired at Rome on the 28th of December. Notwithstanding the care which you have taken to conceal every thing personal to yourself during that horrible day, you have not been able to conceal from me that you have manifested, in the highest degree, courage, coolness, and that intelligence which nothing can escape; and that you have sustained with magnanimity the honor of the French name. The Directory charges me to express to you, in the strongest and most impressive terms, its extreme satisfaction with your whole conduct. You will readily believe, I trust, that I am happy to be the organ of these sentiments." CHAPTER III. JOSEPH THE PEACE-MAKER. 1798-1802 Elected to the Council of Five Hundred.--Remarks of Napoleon. --Napoleon's Patriotism.--The Directory.--State of France.--Anarchy. --Joseph sends to Napoleon.--Return of Napoleon.--Remarks of Moreau. --18th Brumaire.--Character of Joseph.--Plans and Measures of Napoleon. --Joseph an Ambassador.--Peace of Luneville.--Hostility of England. --Religious Reaction.--The Concordat.--The Re-establishment of Christianity.--Peace of Amiens.--Anecdote of Lord Cornwallis.--Hostility of the English Government.--Treaty of Amiens Concluded.--Bernardin de St. Pierre.--Talleyrand.--Madame de Stael. Joseph, after a short tarry at Florence, returned to Paris, where he again met his brother. Napoleon was much disappointed with the result of the embassy to Rome, for he had ardently hoped to cultivate the most friendly relations with that power. Joseph was favored with a long interview with the Directory, by whom he was received with great cordiality. In testimony of their satisfaction, they offered him the embassy to Berlin. He, however, declined the appointment, as he preferred to enter the Council of Five Hundred, to which office he had been nominated by the Electoral College of one of the departments. The Government of France then consisted of an Executive of five Directors, a Senate, called the Council of Ancients, and a House of Representatives, called the Council of Five Hundred. Preparations were now making for the expedition to Egypt. The command was offered to Napoleon. For some time he hesitated before accepting it. One day he said to his brother Joseph,