Un matin il passa à la porte de la citadelle, et fit appeler le général Fabio Conti qui descendit jusque sur le bastion au-dessus de la porte ; là, se promenant amicalement avec lui, il n’hésita pas à lui dire, après une petite préface aigre-douce et convenable :
One morning he went to the gate of the citadel and sent for General Fabio Conti, who came down as far as the bastion above the gate; there, strolling with him in a friendly fashion, he had no hesitation in saying to him, after a short preamble, acidulated but polite: