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Then turning to the Englishman, who continued as calm as if he were at a comedy, he said: "Sir John Tanlay, you are a foreigner and an Englishman a double reason why you should leave the Companions of Jehu to fight their own battles with the government, whose downfall they have sworn.
In the balcony to the left sat a lover of music who was noticeable for the deep attention he paid to the performance. During the interval between the acts, the door-keeper came to him and said in a low voice: "Pardon me, sir, are you Sir John Tanlay?" "I am."
Bonaparte relaxed his hold upon the crumpled note, and handed it to Lord Tanlay, saying: "Read it."
His eyes went back to the letter. There was no legal marriage possible between the sister of Roland de Montrevel and the leader of the Companions of Jehu: that was the terrible secret which I bore and it crushed me. One person alone had to know it, and I told him; that person was Sir John Tanlay.
"My servant and I were on our way to Tanlay, carrying important despatches to the Admiral. At the ford we were attacked by five ruffians. Two were wounded; the others followed us here." "What was their object?" "I fear, my lord, they must have learned the nature of my mission." "And wished to obtain possession of the papers! Are they really of great importance?"
"Very good," replied the First Consul; "but that is not what I called you for." "I await your orders." "At whatever hour of the day or night Lord Tanlay presents himself, I shall be happy to receive him without delay; you hear me, my dear Bourrienne? You hear me, my lord?" Lord Tanlay bowed his thanks.
Bourrienne opened a box, and, without searching, laid his hand on a letter that he handed to Bonaparte. The First Consul cast his eye over the paper and then gave it to Lord Tanlay. "Tell him," said he, "first and before all, that you have read this letter."
"And you rode from Le Blanc to Tanlay? Did you hear anything of this on the journey?" "No, my lord, but there seemed to be a general feeling of uneasiness abroad, as if people thought something strange was about to happen." "Did you notice any movement of troops?" "No, my lord." "Where did you cross the Loire?" "At the ford a little to the north of Nevers." "And it was unguarded?
This reply consisted of a letter addressed to M. de Talleyrand, inclosing a memorandum for the First Consul. The letter was couched in the following terms: DOWNING STREET, February 14, 1800 Sir I have received and placed before the King the letter which you transmitted to me through my nephew, Lord Tanlay.
"I met him in the Place de Buci; and, knowing that you don't like to wait, I caught him just as he was, and made him get into the carriage. Faith! I thought I should have to drive round to the Rue Mazarine, and get a guard to bring him. He's in boots and a frock-coat." "Let him come in," said Bonaparte. "Come in, Sir John," cried Roland, turning round. Lord Tanlay appeared on the threshold.
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