Sierra Leone meant "lion mountain" in Portuguese. Talleyrand usually called Napoleon an eagle, but in the letter he had Joseph deliver this time, he used a lion instead. No matter how piercing an eagle's cry was, it was not as frightening as a lion's roar.
"How is he feeling?" Georgiana asked Bougainville after getting into the carriage.
"Look at this first." Bougainville handed Georgiana a map.
She unfolded it instinctively.
It was a world map, but the important thing was that it was oval.
"One of the scientific purposes of my last voyage around the world was to measure the Earth's flattening. In 1672, several physicists were sent to Cayenne, where they established this understanding, and Newton later confirmed it," Bougainville said. "The king also sent settlers to Cayenne, rather than merely exiling people there. He tried every possible way to make up for the long-term losses caused by neglecting the sea."
Georgiana put down the map.
Bougainville rubbed his hands together.
"Last time, I mentioned Gibraltar's new governor. His name is Charles Bennett. French officers used to be aristocrats, and nearly all of them were handsome. He is the same."
"Besides his appearance, what else is he good at?" Georgiana asked.
"He is a musician," Bougainville said.
"A musician?" Georgiana asked in surprise.
"The Gibraltar garrison's morale is low. The Duke of York believes he can raise it. He is also incorruptible and can assist the Navy Minister in reorganizing Gibraltar's defenses," Bougainville said. "The previous governor sold off quite a lot of supplies..."
"I know. He used the money to pay off gambling debts." Georgiana rolled up the map.
"The Spaniards intend to use this opportunity to retake Gibraltar," Bougainville said.
Georgiana looked at him.
"Aren't you afraid I'll tell the British this intelligence?" Georgiana asked after a