‘I thank the Director for his generous praise, which I accept on behalf of the brave soldiers I had the privilege of commanding in Italy.They are the true heroes of the war against Austria and it is to them that we are greatly indebted.’ He paused as a fresh outburst of applause filled the room.‘No general could have been served better and I was able to plan for victory in the full confidence that my soldiers would carry out their orders with no thought for their own safety. In battle after battle my comrades and I were fired by one ambition: to see that the principles and ideals of the revolution would not perish from this earth, but emerge from the flames and smoke of battle triumphant. We fought for France, and France fought for us.Victory was made possible by the keen intelligence of the Directors who well understood that the sinews of victory lay in the generous provision of supplies and reinforcements.To them I offer thanks, on behalf of the Army of Italy.’ He turned and bowed towards the Directors as the audience cheered his gallant magnanimity. Napoleon noted with wry amusement the look of surprise that flashed across Barras’s face before he acknowledged the applause. It was an obvious ploy, Napoleon reflected, but by praising the Directors he hoped to make them feel indebted to him, as well as considering him a loyal supporter of the present regime.

‘Of course, we are all aware that the treaty with Austria does not mark the end of war, only the opening of a new phase, as France turns its attention towards defeating England. Today, I dedicate myself to that end. I will not rest until we have beaten the English and ended the fruitless agonies of war in Europe. Wherever I serve, I swear by all that I hold dear that I will not spare myself, or the men I command, until the enemies of France are crushed and compelled to accept peace on our terms!’

He folded his arms and tilted his head back to indicate that his brief reply to Barras was over. At once the audience erupted into wild cheers of adulation that echoed back off the walls and ceiling of the audience chamber in a deafening roar. Barras leaped up from his chair and strode over to Napoleon and embraced him, planting a moist kiss on either cheek. Then with his arm around Napoleon’s shoulders Barras paraded him from one side of the dais to the other, encouraging further applause with waves of his spare hand. Napoleon had a smile fixed on his face, but inside he felt nothing but contempt for Barras, fully aware of the fear he provoked in the Director. Fear and jealousy. Especially since Napoleon had won not only the affection of the people, but also that of Barras’s former lover, Josephine.