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Langeron, trying as virulently as possible to sting Weyrother's

vanity as author of the military plan, argued that Bonaparte

might easily attack instead of being attacked, and so render the

whole of this plan perfectly worthless. Weyrother met all

objections with a firm and contemptuous smile, evidently prepared

beforehand to meet all objections be they what they might.

"If he could attack us, he would have done so today," said he.

"So you think he is powerless?" said Langeron.

"He has forty thousand men at most," replied Weyrother, with the

smile of a doctor to whom an old wife wishes to explain the

treatment of a case.

"In that case he is inviting his doom by awaiting our attack,"

said Langeron, with a subtly ironical smile, again glancing round

for support to Miloradovich who was near him.

But Miloradovich was at that moment evidently thinking of

anything rather than of what the generals were disputing about.

"Ma foi!" said he, "tomorrow we shall see all that on the

battlefield."