But they were soon to hear news of another complexion from whence they least expected it--from behind them.
The Chief Consul remained in Paris until he received Berthier's decisive despatch from Geneva--it was in these words: "I wish to see you here.
There are orders to be given by which three armies may act in concert, and you alone can give them in the lines.

Measures decided on in Paris are too late." He instantly quitted the capital; and, on the 7th of May appeared at Dijon, where he reviewed, in great form, some 7000 or 8000 raw and half-clad troops, and committed them to the care of Brune.

The spies of Austria reaped new satisfaction from this consular review: meanwhile Napoleon had halted but two hours at Dijon; and, travelling all night, arrived the next day, at Geneva.

Here he was met by Marescot, who had been employed in exploring the wild passes of the Great St.
Bernard, and received from him an appalling picture of the difficulties of marching an army by that route into Italy.

"Is it possible to pass ?" said Napoleon, cutting the engineer's narrative short.