"We shall meet again," retorted Bonaparte, with a threatening
gesture.
"Not if I see you first," replied Augereau. "If we do, however, it
will be under a new system of etiquette."
"I'll bet you a crown you'll be singing a new tune inside of a year,"
cried the exasperated Bonaparte.
"I'll go you," said Augereau, snapping his fingers. "Put up your
crown."
Napoleon felt keenly the stinging satire of this retort. Bowing his
head with a groan, he had to acknowledge that he had no crown, but in
an instant he recovered.
"But I have a Napoleon left in my clothes!" he cried, with a dry
laugh at his own wit. "I'll bet it against your income for the next
forty centuries, which is giving you large odds, that I shall return,
and when I do, Monsieur Augereau, your name will be Denis."
The appreciation of those about them of this sally so enraged
Augereau that he was discomfited utterly, and he left Bonaparte's
presence muttering words which are fortunately forgotten.
Arrived at Cannes, Bonaparte had his choice of vessels upon which to
make his voyage to Elba, one English and one French. "I'll take the
English. I shall not trust my life to a Bourbon ship if I know
myself.
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