United States or Cocos Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
But since then he has asked to see Lord Tanlay, and Sir John, though he maintained his national reserve, was taken into the first Consul's good graces at once, to such a degree that he received from him, at their first interview, a mission to his uncle, Lord Grenville. Sir John started for England immediately.
"Yes; what of it?" "What of it? Well, my father, Lord Tanlay, rendered M. Barras some services; that is why M. Barras permits me to roam about France. And I am very glad to roam about; it amuses me very much." "Oh, I remember, Sir John; you did us the honor to say so at dinner." "I did say so, it is true; I also said that I liked the French people heartily." Roland bowed.
The reading of such a dictum made Bonaparte's eyes flash with the flame which, in him, preceded his great decisions, as lightning precedes thunder. "So, sir," said he, turning to Lord Tanlay, "this is all you have obtained?" "Yes, citizen First Consul." "Then you did not repeat verbally to your uncle all that I charged you to say to him?" "I did not omit a syllable."
Then, letting her other hand fall into that of Roland, who was kneeling on the other side of the bed, she said: "We have forgiven each other, brother?" "Yes, dear Amelie," he replied, "and from the depths of our hearts, I hope." "I have still one last request to make." "What is it?" "Do not forget that Lord Tanlay has been my best friend."
"And now," said Bonaparte, "I presume you are in a hurry to be off to the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines. I won't detain you, but there is one condition I impose." "And that is, general?" "If I need you for another mission " "That is not a condition, citizen First Consul; it is a favor." Lord Tanlay bowed and withdrew. Bourrienne prepared to follow him, but Bonaparte called him back.
Admiral Coligny, who had been saddened by the loss of his brave wife, who had died from a disease contracted in attending upon the sick and wounded soldiers at Orleans, had abandoned the chateau at Chatillon-sur-Loing, where he had kept up a princely hospitality; and retired to the castle of Tanlay, belonging to his brother D'Andelot, situated within a few miles of Noyers.
Bonaparte, left alone with Lord Tanlay, walked up and down the room for a moment, as though he had forgotten the Englishman's presence; then he stopped suddenly before him. "My lord," he asked, "do you think you obtained from your uncle all that another man might have obtained in your place?" "More, citizen First Consul." "More! more! Pray, what have you obtained?"
My friend, Lord Tanlay, is a philanthropic Englishman who is travelling about to see if the French prisons are more comfortable than the English ones. Enter, Sir John." Pere Courtois having opened the door, Roland pushed Sir John into a perfectly square cell measuring ten or twelve feet each way. "Oh, oh!" exclaimed Sir John, "this is lugubrious." "Do you think so?
We travelled fast, making few halts, and on the evening of the next day rode into Tanlay. The Admiral, who had just finished prayers, granted me immediate audience, and my heart throbbed with excitement as I entered his room. I was about to see, for the first time, this splendid gentleman, who was to many thousands of Frenchmen the pride and glory of France.
Bonaparte followed him reflectively with his eyes; then he said suddenly: "Roland, I not only consent to your sister's marriage with Lord Tanlay, but I wish it. Do you understand? I wish it." He laid such emphasis upon those three words, that to any one who knew him they signified plainly, not "I wish," but "I will." The tyranny was sweet to Roland, and he accepted it with grateful thanks.
Word Of The Day