"Six months or six years," replied Bonaparte; "it all depends on events. I shall colonise the country, and shall introduce artists, workmen of all kinds, women, actors, poets. I am only twenty-nine years old now, and should then be but thirty-five, which is not such a great age. If all goes as I hope, six years will suffice to penetrate into India as far as Alexander did." On the 19th April, Bonaparte announced his departure for Toulon. On the 4th May he left Paris, accompanied by Joséphine. On the 8th he reached Toulon. Seven regiments of my father's division were ordered to Toulon. As my father arrived before either Bonaparte or Kléber, he took command of the troops for the expedition; handing it over to his senior, Kléber, when the latter arrived. Toulon was full of memories for Bonaparte: it was from Toulon that the Eagle took his flight. The day of his arrival he walked by the sea-shore, and visited the Petit Gibraltar. He had scarcely had time to see my father before he said: "Come and see me to-morrow morning as early as you like." At six the next morning my father was crossing the parade-ground to see Bonaparte, when he came across Dermoncourt. "Where the deuce are you off to, General, at this time of morning?" he asked. "Come with me, and you will see," said my father. And they proceeded together. As they approached their destination, Dermoncourt exclaimed: "You are not going to see Bonaparte, are you, General?" "I am." "But he won't receive you." "Why not?" "Why, because it is too early." "Oh! that doesn't matter." "But he will be in bed." "Quite likely." "And in bed with his wife; he loves her as shopkeepers love their wives." "So much the better! I shall be charmed to see good Joséphine once more." And my father dragged Dermoncourt after him, half willing, half afraid to see what would happen. Finally, he came to the conclusion my father had a special audience, and followed him. My father ascended a staircase, went along a passage, opened a little door, pushed back a screen, and he and Dermoncourt, who still followed him closely, found themselves in Bonaparte's bedroom. He was in bed with Joséphine, and, the weather being exceedingly hot, they were covered merely by a sheet, which showed the outline of their bodies. Joséphine was weeping, and Bonaparte was trying to wipe her tears away with one hand, while with the other he laughingly played a military tattoo on the portion of her body which was turned towards the recess between bed and wall. "Ah! Dumas," he said, as he caught sight of my father; "your arrival is opportune; you must help me to make this silly little woman listen to reason. Ought she to wish to come to Egypt with us? Now, would you take your wife there?" "Upon my word, certainly not," my father replied. "She would be in my way dreadfully."