As the clock struck twelve, Napoleon entered the grand hall of Leoben's town hall, where the meeting was to take place.
The French and Austrian delegations were seated at opposite ends of a long table, facing each other.
Berthier, who stood behind Napoleon, leaned forward and spoke. "Sir, do you really not need an interpreter?"
"No need," Napoleon whispered a reply. "I may not look like it but I'm good at German."
After saying that, Napoleon flickered his gaze to the two Austrian officials and spoke.
"Guten Tag, Mein Name ist Napoleon Bonaparte, Befehlshaber der Armee von Italien. Es freut mich, Sie beide kennenzulernen, General Merveldt und Marquis Gallo."
(Good day, my name is Napoleon Bonaparte, Commander of the Army of Italy. It is a pleasure to meet both of you, General Merveldt and Marquis Gallo.)
"Sie sprechen Deutsch zu gut, wo haben Sie Deutsch gelernt?" Mervelt replied.
(You speak German too well, where did you learn to speak German?)
