The last one had scarcely finished, when Bonaparte recognized Barras’ secretary, that same Bollot of whom Barras had spoken that morning to his two colleagues. He had come there solely to give his patron an account of all that was happening there, but Bonaparte fancied he was sent on some secret mission by Barras. He resolved to spare him the first advance, and went straight to him, saying: “Have you come on behalf of the Directors?” Then, without giving him time to answer, he continued: “What have they done with that France I left so brilliant? I left peace; I find war. I left victories; I find reverses. I left the millions of Italy, and I find spoliation and penury. What have become of the hundred thousand Frenchmen whom I knew by name? They are dead!” It was not precisely to Barras’ secretary that these words should have been said; but Bonaparte wished to say them, needed to say them, and little he cared to whom he said them. Perhaps even, from his point of view, it was better to say them to some one who could not answer him. At that moment Sièyes rose. “Citizens,” said he, “the Directors Moulins and Gohier ask to be admitted.” “They are no longer Directors,” said Bonaparte, “for there is no longer a Directory.” “But,” objected Sièyes, “they have not yet sent in their resignation.” “Then admit them and let them give it,” retorted Bonaparte. Moulins and Gohier entered. They were pale but calm. They knew they came to force a struggle, but behind their resistance may have loomed the Sinnamary. The exiles they sent there the 18th of Fructidor pointed the way. “I see with satisfaction,” Bonaparte hastened to say, “that you have yielded to our wishes and those of your two colleagues.” Gohier made a step forward and said firmly: “We yield neither to your wishes, nor to those of our two colleagues, who are no longer our colleagues, since they have resigned, but to the Law. It requires that the decree transferring the legislative body to Saint-Cloud shall be proclaimed without delay. We have come here to fulfil the duty which the law imposes on us, fully determined to defend it against all factious persons, whoever they may be, who attempt to attack it.” “Your zeal does not astonish us,” replied Bonaparte; “and because you are a man who loves his country you will unite with us.” “Unite with you! And why?” “To save the Republic.” “To save the Republic! There was a time, general, when you had the honor to be its prop. But to-day the glory of saving it is reserved for us.” “You save it!” retorted Bonaparte. “How will you do that? With the means your Constitution gives you? Why, that Constitution is crumbling on all sides, and even if I did not topple it over, it could not last eight days.” “Ah!” cried Moulins, “at last you avow your hostile intentions.” “My intentions are not hostile!” shouted Bonaparte, striking the floor with the heel of his boot. “The Republic is in peril; it must be saved, and I shall do it.”