He remained the
nephew of General Kleber, and at the end of the year 1800 the
frigate l'Aigle, on its return from Egypt, brought a great packet
for General Desaix. It contained many papers of value, many rolls of
gold-pieces, besides gems and pearls. But; it also contained a
sealed black document directed to the adjutant of General Desaix.
This document contained the will of Kleber, commander-in-chief of
the French army in Egypt. He had given it to General Menou, together
with his papers and valuables, with the intimation that directly
after his death they should all be sent to General Desaix in France.
General Menou followed this instruction, for Kleber was dead. The
murderous bullet of a Mameluke killed him on the 14th of June, 1800.
His will was the last evidence of his love for his nephew Louis,
whom he designated as his only heir, and Kleber was rich through
inherited wealth as well as the spoils of war.
But Louis Charles took no satisfaction, and it made no impression on
him, when Desaix informed him that he was the possessor of a
million. "A million! What shall I do with it?" answered Louis,
sadly. "Were it a million soldiers, and I might put myself at their
head and with them storm the Tuileries and make my entrance into St.
Cloud, I should consider myself fortunate. But what advantage to me
are a million of francs? I can begin nothing with them; I should
have to establish a store and perhaps have the custom of the First
Consul of the republic!"
"Hush! young man, hush!" replied Desaix, "you are bitter and sad,
and I understand it, for the horizon is dark for you, and offers you
no cheerful prospect; but a million francs is a good thing
notwithstanding, and one day you will know how to prize it.
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