In the year 1786 Napoleon left the military school to serve his
country and his king as second lieutenant, and to take the oath of
allegiance.
Radiant with happiness and joy, proud alike of his promotion and of
his uniform, the young lieutenant went to the house of M. de Permont
to show himself to his friends in his new dignity and in his new
splendors, and, at their invitation, to pass a few days in their
house before leaving for Valence.
But, alas! his appearance realized not the wished-for result. As he
entered the saloon of Madame de Permont the whole family was
gathered there, and at the sight of Napoleon the two daughters,
girls of six and thirteen years, broke out into loud laughter. None
are more alive than children to the impression of what is
ridiculous, and there was indeed in the appearance of the young
lieutenant something which well might excite the laughing
propensities of the lively little maidens. The uniform appeared much
too long and wide for the little meagre figure of Napoleon, and his
slender legs vanished in boots of such height and breadth that he
seemed more to swim than to walk with them.
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