Free Memory of Flames by Isabel Reid (Translator) Armand Cabasson Page A

In Edinburgh,
    I lived in terrible conditions. So because I was sick of never having enough to eat, and of being treated like an undesirable, I took advantage of the great amnesty of 1802. Like many others I returned to my country, swore an oath in front of a prefect and here I am. I was   pardoned   for having been an emigre, as if I had committed a crime! I enlisted in the Grande Armée because I had no other means of supporting myself. I even envisaged serving the Empire, I admit. I wanted to become a general. But that dream also went up in smoke. I have found my roots again and I want the King to be restored to the throne. However,   111   be frank, I would like to be rewarded for my services.’
    ‘You’re a mercenary!’
    ‘Yes, but a mercenary for the King! What is wrong with wanting to rebuild the ruins of my family chateau? I want to have the life I lived before; I want the life I had before the Revolution!’
    Even in the inky darkness Margont could tell that his argument had struck home. His adversary had taken a blow, and Margont would have to follow up his counterattack before his opponent had time to regroup. ‘It would be wrong to think that Bonaparte can’t win again!’ he exclaimed. The fellow has more lives than a cat! He was said to be finished in 1805 but then there was Austerlitz, done for in 1806, but then there was Jena. He was crushed at Essling in 1809  an d then went on to win at Wagram. The King needs help! Against Bonaparte, but also against the Allies! Bernadotte is not content just with Sweden, he wants to become King of France! And what if the Tsar or the Emperor of Austria accepts a compromise and proposes to leave Napoleon his throne? Or if they decide to organise a regency until the King of Rome is of an age to govern and become Napoleon II? No! If the Allies feel that the French are abandoning Bonaparte they will fight to the
    bitter end. And, if we, the noblemen of France, are indisputably linked with the victory, we can ensure that Louis XVIII will prevail!'
    ‘I don’t like you, Monsieur, but you’re not lacking in courage/
    And we need courage! We need to stir up the French! But for that, they have to be able to hear us. Let’s blanket Paris with posters!’ ‘Why do you need us?’
    ‘I can’t act on my own. When I print my proclamations, it will be at night, in secret. I’ll need accomplices to keep watch, then to put the posters up. Besides, we will need to do more than that to make an impression. I think you yourselves have some ideas for action. So in conclusion, I ... I ... um ...’
    ‘In conclusion?’
    ‘Well, I’m not sure how to put this without annoying you. I would like to do all I can for the King ... but I have never met him and I don’t want my services to go unnoticed.’
    ‘You want us to put in a good word for you with His Majesty?’ the stranger asked, stupefied.
    ‘Exactly. And where’s the harm in that? I’m not making any
    comment on human nature, but if Louis XVIII accedes to the throne, which is his by divine right, people all over France will rush to court him. Those who betrayed the King or who did nothing will shamelessly take the credit along with the real heroes of the Restoration. Who will bear witness to what I have done? Why is it shocking to want to be rewarded? Can you swear on the Bible that neither you nor anyone else present doesn’t hope for compensation for your good and loyal service?’
    ‘That’s not what we are about. We aren’t acting just for our personal gain!’
    ‘Nor am I, but...’
    ‘Why don’t we light a candle?’
    The blade moved away, liberating Margont. When the halo of flame appeared in a yellow ball of light, his eyes filled with tears.  

CHAPTER 10
THE man who had interrogated Margont must have been about forty-five. He looked as commanding as he sounded. He held himself proudly, he was clearly impassioned and he seemed poised to fling himself into battle. There was an impressive energy about