114 CARNOT. 



These last words, pronounced in a solemn tone, un- 

 sealed Colonel Bisson's eyes. He runs to a devoted 

 friend, General Bessieres, to seek consolation. His 

 friend, on the contrary, gives him to understand that a 

 court-martial will be the inevitable consequence of his 

 folly. In the mean time Bisson hides himself. A faith- 

 ful servant goes every hour to the hotel, to learn about 

 the dreaded order for his appearance. The ministerial 

 paquet at last arrives ; Bisson, all emotion, tears open 

 the envelop. The paquet, Gentlemen, contains the 

 brevet of General of Brigade, and letters of service ! 



It is scarcely necessary to add, that the new general 

 flies to Carnot immediately to offer him the homage of 

 his admiration, and of his gratitude, and of his deep 

 repentance. All this proved superfluous, for General 

 Bisson found his orders at the door of the Minister's 

 office. That ardent soul which, notwithstanding all its 

 sincerity of conduct, felt the act somewhat onerous, 

 proved how well he had appreciated the delicate severity 

 of Carnot, and how worthy he was of it, by that very 

 evening publishing the details, which assuredly Plutarch 

 himself would not have disdained. 



Of all the qualities that great men can adorn them- 

 selves with, diffidence seems the least obligatory ; there- 

 fore the more credit is given to them for it ; and there- 

 fore also it leaves the most durable recollections. Who, 

 for example, does not know by heart that letter which 

 Turenne wrote to his wife, a hundred and seventy-nine 

 years ago, on the day of the celebrated battle of the 

 Dunes : 



" The enemy came to us ; they have been beaten ; 

 God be praised. I have worked a little in the course 

 of the day ; I wish you good night, and will go to lie 

 clown." 



