114 CARNOT. 
These last words, pronounced in a solemn tone, un- 
sealed Colonel Bisson’s eyes. He runs to a devoted 
friend, General Bessiéres, 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 hdétel, 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 
down.” ‘ 
