He had large eyes, thick black hair, red lips, white teeth, and aristocratic hands and feet--a mark of distinction which the general immediately noticed--and apart from the embarrassment inseparable from a first interview, he had that attractive modesty which is so becoming in youth, above all when its possessor appears as a supplicant. From the time he entered the room Bonaparte watched him attentively, which did not tend to lessen Eugene's timidity. But suddenly shaking the feeling off as if it were unworthy of him, he raised his head, and, drawing himself up, said: "After all, I do not see why I should hesitate to proffer a request which is both pious and loyal." "I am listening," said Bonaparte. "I am the son of the Vicomte de Beauharnais." "Of the citizen-general," corrected Bonaparte gently. "Of the citizen-general, if you prefer," said the young man, "and if you insist upon Republican forms." "I insist upon nothing," replied Bonaparte, "save that which is clear and concise." "Well," resumed the young man, "I come to ask at your hands, citizen-general, the sword of my father, Alexandre de Beauharnais, who was a general like yourself. I am sixteen years old, and my military education is almost completed. It is for me to serve my country now. I hope some day to wear at my side the sword which my father wore. That is why I have come to ask you for it." Bonaparte, who liked clear, precise replies, was much prepossessed by this firm, intelligent language. "If I should ask you for more information concerning yourself and your family, citizen," asked Bonaparte, "would you attribute the request to curiosity or to the interest with which you have inspired me?" "I should prefer to think that the report of our misfortunes had reached your ears," replied the young man, "and that it is to that I owe the kindness with which you have received me." "Was not your mother a prisoner also?" asked Bonaparte. "Yes, and she was saved almost by a miracle. We owe her life to citizeness Tallien and to citizen Barras." Bonaparte reflected a moment. "How does your father's sword happen to be in my hands?" "I do not say that it is in your hands, but you can have it restored to me, though. The Convention ordered the disarming of the Section Le Peletier. We are living in our old house in the Rue Neuve-des-Mathurins, which the general had restored to us. Some men came to my mother and asked for all the weapons in the house. My mother gave orders that they should take a double-barrelled hunting gun of mine, a single-barrelled rifle which I bought at Strasbourg, and finally my father's sword. I regretted neither the double-barrelled gun nor the rifle, though I took pride in the memories which they recalled. But I regretted, and I confess still regret, that sword which fought so gloriously in America and France." "If you were to see the weapons which formerly belonged to you," said Bonaparte, "you would probably recognize them."