"
Bonaparte threw his head proudly back. "I am not ambitious of the
honor," he said, "of being Washington of France."
"Yet you are he, general," replied Fouche, with a smile. "Only the
Washington of France does not live in the White House which a
republic has built, but in the Tuileries, which he has received as
the heir of the French kings. General, as the worthiest, the
greatest, the most powerful, and the most signally called, you have
come into the possession of the inheritance of the kings of France.
For to this inheritance belongs also the crown of France. Why do you
refuse this, while accepting all the rest?"
"And what if I show you that I do not want it?" asked Bonaparte.
"And what if I should tell you that I do not feel myself worthy to
assume the whole, undivided inheritance of the Bourbons? Would you
be foolish and senseless enough to believe such an idle tale?"
"Consul, you have already done so many things that are wonderful,
and have brought so many magic charms to reality, that I no longer
hold any thing to be impossible, as soon as you have laid your hand
upon it."
"And therefore you hold a concealed magician's wand, which you
propose to draw forth at some decisive moment, and present to me, as
the cross is presented to Beelzebub in the tale?"
"I do not understand you, consul," replied Fouche, with the most
innocent air in the world.
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