"Now we're off!" he said to himself, as he surveyed himself in the
mirror, after donning his uniform.
"It does not set very well in the back," remarked one of the maids of
the pension in which he lived, glancing in at the door.
"It does not matter," returned Bonaparte, loftily. "As long as it
sets well in front I'm satisfied; for you should know, madame, that a
true soldier never shows his back, and that is the kind of a military
person I am. A false front would do for me. I am no tin soldier,
which in after-years it will interest you to remember. When you are
writing your memoirs this will make an interesting anecdote."
From this it is to be inferred that at this time he had no thought of
Moscow. Immediately after his appointment Bonaparte repaired to
Valence, where his regiment was stationed and where he formed a
strong attachment for the young daughter of Madame du Colombier, with
whom, history records, he ate cherries before breakfast. This was
his sole dissipation at that time, but his felicity was soon to be
interrupted. His regiment was ordered to Lyons, and Bonaparte and
his love were parted.
"Duty calls me, my dear," he said, on leaving her.
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