‘Beauharnais?’ Napoleon frowned. ‘I don’t know the name. Did he say what he wants to see me about?’

‘A personal request, with regard to his late father’s sword.’

Napoleon’s curiosity was piqued by this information. He had been on the verge of sending the boy away, but he decided to spare this Eugène Beauharnais a moment of his time. ‘Very well, I’ll see him now.’

‘Yes, General.’

The secretary disappeared and a minute later the door opened again to reveal a tall, handsome boy in his early teens. He had wide clear eyes, and a high forehead capped with curly brown hair. He bowed gracefully. ‘Good morning to you, General Bonaparte.’

Napoleon nodded without rising from his chair. ‘And to you, Citizen Beauharnais. How can I be of service? I’m told it’s some matter relating to your father’s sword?’

‘Yes, sir. My mother has sent me with the request that the family might be able to retain the sword.’

‘I’m sorry, but you must know the terms of the Assembly’s disarmament decree?’

‘Indeed I do, sir.’The boy looked pained. ‘But the sword is one of the few keepsakes that my family has to remember my father by.’

‘What happened to your father?’

‘He was guillotined last year, sir.’

‘For what reason?’

‘He was in command of the garrison of Metz when it fell. The Committee of Public Safety charged him with treason. And, well, you know how it was under Robespierre, sir.’

Indeed Napoleon did. Any military reverse was treated with suspicion and the representatives of the Committee were merciless in their punishment of failure in order to inspire other commanders to achieve success. And here was the human cost of such a strategy - the grief of a blameless family. Napoleon felt some compassion for the boy and his mother. They had already sacrificed enough for France without having to give up a precious memento of what they had lost.

‘Very well, young Beauharnais.You shall keep the sword. It has already been surrendered, I presume.’

‘It was taken from our house yesterday.’

‘Then it will be at the nearest praefecture. Leave your address with my secretary and I will see that the sword is returned to you as soon as possible.’

The boy bowed his head. ‘My sincerest gratitude, General. And my mother’s as well.’

Napoleon smiled. ‘Your mother must be proud of you, Beauharnais. I’m sure you’ll grow up to be a fine soldier, and wear your father’s sword at your side.’

‘That is my ambition, sir.’ Eugène smiled back before he turned to the door and made his way out of the office.