The ceremony over, Barras escorted Napoleon out of the audience chamber and down the long hall, flanked by footmen and soldiers who stamped to attention as they passed by. Outside the palace a huge crowd had filled the street and they roared with excitement as they caught sight of Napoleon.

Waving to the crowd as he stood beside Napoleon, Barras leaned closer and muttered into his ear.

‘I rather fear that the mob would make you their king. It is as well that you are a soldier and not a politician.’

‘Perhaps,’ Napoleon replied quietly. ‘Just as it is as well, for the sake of our armies, that you are a politician and not a soldier.’

Barras turned to look at him. ‘Then we understand one another, Bonaparte. As long as I permit you to operate in your sphere, you will do me the courtesy of not interfering in mine. Agreed?’

‘Very well, Director.’

‘Good.’ Barras smiled and gestured towards the cheering crowd.‘Then enjoy your moment of adulation, Bonaparte. While it lasts.’

That evening, Napoleon sat in his study with Lucien as they shared a bottle of wine. Napoleon had been pondering the day’s events and his aside with Barras and had come to a decision.

‘Lucien, I can’t bear to remain here in Paris for much longer. I cannot play at politics. Not yet. Not until the patience of the people has been tested beyond endurance by Barras and his cronies. Only then will they be ready for something different. In the meantime I have a reputation to build, and the best place to do that is on the battlefield.’

Lucien frowned. ‘I thought you said that the invasion of England was impossible.’

‘It is. That’s why I have to persuade the Directors to back an invasion of Egypt, and make me the commander of the expeditionary force.’

‘Egypt?’ Lucien shook his head. ‘Are you mad? If you go to Egypt you’ll disappear from public sight. How can you build any kind of popular support from Egypt?’

‘Lucien, believe me, the way things are going in Paris, I’d better stay away from here. I do not want to be tainted by any association with Barras and his regime. When the people start getting disillusioned they will look for someone outside Paris, someone young enough to represent a new order. I’ll fit their needs as well as any other. So Egypt it is.’

Lucien considered for a moment, and then he nodded.‘Maybe you’re right, brother. It would be for the best. And I can imagine that Barras and the other Directors will be only too pleased to see the back of you.’

‘Oh, yes.’ Napoleon smiled. ‘You can count on it.’