Talleyrand was still for a moment, as he considered the question. Then he shrugged. ‘Not much. They are keen to keep the territory they currently occupy in Italy and they wish France to give up the Low Countries. We would only have peace if we consented to both demands.’ He looked closely at Napoleon. ‘Of course, if you are serious about peace, then you could always meet their demands.’

‘No!’ Moreau slapped his hand down on the table. ‘That would be an insult to France, and our armies. I would not stand for it, and neither should you.’ He spoke directly to Napoleon. ‘If we conceded so much the people would be outraged. Given their present ill humour, a diplomatic reverse on that scale might trigger another coup.’

‘That is possible,’ Talleyrand conceded. ‘And we’d probably end up with yet another general in charge, and be back where we started.’ He paused. ‘I wonder who that general might be, in the unlikely event of a coup.’

‘Thank you,Talleyrand,’ Napoleon cut in.‘I think we are agreed. There can be no compromise with Austria, and the war must be ended as swiftly as possible. In which case, it is time to consider the means by which that can be achieved. Berthier, the map.’

Berthier rose from his chair and crossed to a chest of drawers. He retrieved a large map and returned to the table, where he spread it out between the four men. They gazed down at a detailed rendering of central Europe. Talleyrand’s quick eye immediately picked out the preliminary dispositions of the forces that Berthier had marked out.

‘I see now that this meeting was not to seek our advice, but to give us orders, Citizen Consul.’

A frown flickered across Napleon’s face. ‘While I value the opinions of my . . . colleagues the time for a decision has come. Now then,’ he tapped the map, ‘to business. Despite the recent setbacks in Italy and Germay we are in a good position to end the war decisively, thanks to our occupation of Switzerland.You are all aware that a new army has been gathering around Dijon - the Army of Reserve. In the next few days I will announce that Berthier is to be its commander.’

Berthier nodded slightly, since he was already aware of his appointment.

‘Who is to replace him as Minister of War?’ asked Moreau.

‘Carnot.’

‘Carnot? I thought he had been disgraced.’

Talleyrand smiled. ‘Of course. That’s what makes him so suitable for the job. He will be no threat to the new regime, especially if . . .’ Talleyrand turned to look searchingly at Napoleon. ‘I assume that means you will be taking the field against Austria.’

Moreau shook his head. ‘The new constitution forbids that. The First Consul is prohibited from holding an army command.’

‘That’s true,’ Napoleon agreed. ‘I shall simply be accompanying Berthier in an advisory role. The command of the Army of Reserve is his.’