‘Two of the Directors, Sieyès and Ducos. We’ve sounded out Talleyrand, Joseph Fouché and some of the other ministers. They’re all for a change in government and want a new, more powerful executive in its place. The thing is, many of them are afraid of using a soldier as the putative leader of the coup.’

‘Very wise of them. And at the same time they’re being foolish. They want a centralised government with the authority to act swiftly and decisively, and at the same time they’re afraid of the consequences of such a move.’ Napoleon shook his head with contempt. ‘They can’t have it both ways.’

‘They know that,’ said Lucien. ‘That’s what has been paralysing them for months. The trouble is with Bernadotte and Barras circling like wolves their hand is finally being forced.You weren’t their first choice. Sieyès wanted Joubert, but he was killed at the battle of Novi and you’re our last chance. Sieyès isn’t keen on you. He is worried about your “incendiary temperament” as he put it, and your ambition.’

‘Then he’s no fool.’

‘We must handle him carefully, brother.’

Napoleon nodded. ‘When do we make our move?’

‘I’ve thought about that. Not until after your official reception by the Directors. We have to see how they react to your popularity.They might question your reasons for abandoning the army in Egypt. They may try to fling some shit at you and hope enough sticks to taint your public image.’

‘A compelling vision, Lucien, but hardly poetic.’

Lucien slapped his hand down on his thigh in irritation. ‘This isn’t a game, Napoleon! We are playing for the highest possible stakes. We foul this up and it might cost us our lives.’

‘You know, if we succeed, it might also mean the fall of the revolution.’

‘Perhaps, but anything is better than a return to the monarchy. Almost anything.’

Two days later, Napoleon presented himself, in full uniform, before the Directors in the audience chamber of the Luxembourg Palace. There were far fewer officials there to witness the meeting than there had been on his last such appearance.The president of the Directory, Louis Gohier, greeted Napoleon cordially and offered him the congratulations and gratitude of the Directors, on behalf of the people of France. Then he glanced at Barras, and Napoleon noted that Barras gave a slight nod before Gohier turned back and continued.

‘The Directory, like all France, greets your unanticipated return with pleasure mingled with a little surprise. Only your enemies, whom we naturally regard as our own, could put an unfavourable interpretation on the patriotic motives which induced you to abandon your army.’