第14章

IsetoutnextdayarmedwithanorderfromthePrincedeNeuchatelthatallontheroadshouldfurnishmehorsesinpreferencetoallothers。

AtthefirstpostafterleavingSmorghoni，whencetheEmperorhadsetoutwiththeDukeofVicenza，thisorderwasofinvaluableaidtome，fortherewerehorsesforonlyonecarriage。IfoundmyselfarivaltoM。

theCountDaru，whoarrivedatthesametime。ItisuselesstosaythatwithouttheEmperor\'sorderstorejoinhimasquicklyaspossibleIwouldnothaveexercisedmyrighttotakeprecedenceovertheintendantgeneralofthearmy；butimpelledbymydutyIshowedtheorderofthePrincedeNeuchateltoM。theCountDaru，andthelatter，afterexaminingit，saidtome，“Youareright，M。Constant；takethehorses，butIbegyousendthembackasquicklyaspossible。“Howcrowdedwithdisasterswasthisretreat。

AftermuchsufferingandprivationwearrivedatWilna，whereitwasnecessarytopassalong，narrowbridgebeforeenteringthetown。Theartilleryandwagonsoccupiedthewholebridgesoentirelythatnoothercarriagecouldpass；anditwasuselesstosay“HisMajesty\'sservice，“

aswereceivedonlymaledictions。Seeingtheimpossibilityofadvancing，Ialightedfrommycarriage，andfoundtherethePrinceofAremberg，ordnanceofficeroftheEmperor，inapitiablecondition，hisface，nose，ears，andfeethavingbeenfrozen。Hewasseatedbehindmycarriage。I

wascuttotheheart，andsaidtotheprincethatifhehadinformedmeofhisconditionIwouldhavegivenhimmyplace。Hecouldhardlyanswerme。Ihelpedhimforsometime；butseeinghownecessaryitwasthatweshouldbothadvance，Iundertooktocarryhim。Hewasdelicate，slender，andaboutmediumheight。Itookhiminmyarms；andwiththisburden，elbowing，pushing，hurtingsome，beinghurtbyothers，IatlastreachedtheheadquartersoftheKingofNaples，anddepositedtheprincethere，recommendingthatheshouldreceiveeveryattentionwhichhisconditionrequired。AfterthisIresumedmycarriage。

Everythinghadfailedus。LongbeforereachingWilna，thehorsesbeingdead，wehadreceivedorderstoburnourcarriageswithallthecontents。

Ilostheavilyinthisjourney，asIhadpurchasedseveralvaluablearticleswhichwereburnedwithmybaggageofwhichIalwayshadalargequantityonourjourneys。AlargepartoftheEmperor\'sbaggagewaslostinthesamemanner。

AveryhandsomecarriageofPrinceBerthier，whichhadjustarrivedandhadnotbeenused，wasalsoburned。Atthesefires，fourgrenadierswerestationed，whowithfixedbayonetpreventedanyonefromtakingfromthefirewhathadbeenorderedtobesacrificed。

Thenextdaythecarriageswhichhadbeensparedwerevisitedinordertobeassuredthatnothinghadbeenkeptback。Iwasallowedtokeeponlytwoshirts。WesleptatWilna；butthenextdayveryearlythealarmwasgiventhattheRussianswereatthegatesofthetown。Menrushedin，besidethemselveswithterror，crying，“Wearelost！“TheKingofNapleswasquicklyaroused；sprangfromhisbed；andtheorderwasinstantlygiventhattheEmperor\'sserviceshouldleaveatonce。Theconfusionmadebyallthiscanbeimagined。Therewasnotimeforanyarrangements；wewereobligedtostartwithoutdelay。ThePrinceofArembergwasputintooneoftheking\'scarriageswithwhatcouldbesecuredforthemostpressingneeds；andwehadhardlyleftthetownbeforeweheardshoutsbehindus，andthethunderofcannonaccompaniedbyrapidfiring。Wehadtoclimbamountainofice。Thehorseswerefatigued，andwemadenoprogress。Thewagonwiththetreasure-chestofthearmywasabandoned；andapartofthemoneywaspillagedbymenwhohadnotgoneahundredstepsbeforetheywereobligedtothrowitawayinordertosavetheirlives。

EndRECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON，V8

BYCONSTANT

PREMIERVALETDECHAMBRE

TRANSLATEDBYWALTERCLARK

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERXXII。toCHAPTERXXXI。

CHAPTERXXII。

TowardstheendofSeptembertheEmperormadeajourneytoRaab；and，ashewasmountinghishorsetoreturntohisresidenceatSchoenbrunn，hesawthebishopafewstepsfromhim。“Isnotthatthebishop？“saidhetoM。Jardin，whowasholdinghishorse\'shead。“No，Sire，itisSoliman。“——“Iaskedyouifthatwasnotthebishop，“repeatedhisMajesty，pointingtotheprelate。M。Jardin，intentonbusiness，andthinkingonlyoftheEmperor\'shorsewhichborethenameofBishop，againreplied，“Sire，youforgetthatyourodehimonthelastrelay。“TheEmperornowperceivedthemistake，andbrokeintoalaugh。IwaswitnessatWagramofanactwhichfurnishedafineillustrationoftheEmperor\'skindnessofheartandconsiderationforothers，ofwhichIhavealreadygivenseveralinstances；for，althoughintheoneIshallnowrelate，hewasforcedtorefuseanactofclemency，hisveryrefusalchallengesadmirationasanexhibitionofthegenerosityandgreatnessofhissoul。

Averyrichwoman，namedMadamedeCombray，wholivednearCaen，allowedherchateautobeoccupiedbyabandofroyalists，whoseemedtothinktheyupheldtheircauseworthilybyrobbingdiligencesonthehighway。

Sheconstitutedherselftreasurerofthisbandofpartisans，andconsignedthefundsthusobtainedtoapretendedtreasurerofLouisXVIII。Herdaughter，MadameAquet，joinedthistroop，and，dressedinmen\'sclothing，showedmostconspicuousbravery。Theirexploits，however，werenotoflongduration；andpursuedandovercomebysuperiorforces，theywerebroughttotrial，andMadameAquetwascondemnedtodeathwithheraccomplices。Bymeansofapretendedillnesssheobtainedareprieve，ofwhichsheavailedherselftoemployeverymeansinherpowertoobtainapardon，andfinally，aftereightmonthsofuselesssupplications，decidedtosendherchildrentoGermanytointercedewiththeEmperor。Herphysician，accompaniedbyhersisterandtwodaughters，reachedSchoenbrunnjustastheEmperorhadgonetovisitthefieldofWagram，andforanentiredayawaitedtheEmperor\'sreturnonthestepsofthepalace；andthesechildren，oneten，theothertwelve，yearsold，excitedmuchinterest。Notwithstandingthis，theirmother\'scrimewasaterribleone；foralthoughinpoliticalmattersopinionsmaynotbecriminal，yetundereveryformofgovernmentopinionsarepunished，iftherebyonebecomesarobberandanassassin。Thechildren，clothedinblack，threwthemselvesattheEmperor\'sfeet，crying，“Pardon，pardon，restoretousourmother。“TheEmperorraisedthemtenderly，tookthepetitionfromthehandsoftheaunt，readeverywordattentively，thenquestionedthephysicianwithmuchinterest，lookedatthechildren，hesitated——butjustasI，withallwhowitnessedthistouchingscene，thoughthewasgoingtopronounceherpardon，herecoiledseveralsteps，exclaiming，“Icannotdoit！“Hischangingcolor，eyessuffusedwithtears，andchokingvoice，gaveevidenceofthestrugglethroughwhichhewaspassing；andwitnessingthis，hisrefusalappearedtomeanactofsublimecourage。

Followingupontheremembranceoftheseviolentcrimes，somuchthemoreworthyofcondemnationsincetheyweretheworkofawoman，who，inordertoabandonherselftothem，wasforcedtobeginbytramplingunderfootallthegentleandmodestvirtuesofhersex，Ifindrecordedinmynotesanactoffidelityandconjugaltendernesswhichwelldeservedabetterresult。Thewifeofaninfantrycolonel，unwillingtobepartedfromherhusband，followedthemarchofhisregimentinacoach，andonthedaysofbattlemountedahorseandkeptherselfasnearaspossibletotheline。AtFriedlandshesawthecolonelfall，piercedbyaball，hastenedtohimwithherservant，carriedhimfromtheranks，andborehimawayinanambulance，thoughtoolate，forhewasalreadydead。Hergriefwassilent，andnoonesawhershedatear。Sheofferedherpursetoasurgeon，andbeggedhimtoembalmherhusband\'scorpse，whichwasdoneaswellaspossibleunderthecircumstances；andshethenhadthecorpsewrappedinbandages，placedinaboxwithalid，andputinacarriage，andseatingherselfbesideit，theheart-brokenwidowsetoutonherreturntoFrance。Agriefthusrepressedsoonaffectedhermind；andateachhaltshemadeonthejourney，sheshutherselfupwithherpreciousburden，drewthecorpsefromitsbog，placeditonabed，uncovereditsface，andlavishedonitthemosttendercaresses，talkingtoitasifitwasliving，andsleptbesideit。Inthemorningshereplacedherhusbandinthebox，and，resuminghergloomysilence，continuedherroute。Forseveraldayshersecretremainedunknown，andwasdiscoveredonlyafewdaysbeforeshereachedParis。

Thebodyhadnotbeenembalmedinsuchamannerastopreserveitlongfromdecay；andthissoonreachedsuchapoint，that，whenshearrivedataninn，thehorribleodorfromtheboxarousedsuspicion，andtheunhappywife\'sroomwasenteredthatevening，andshewasfoundclaspinginherarmsthealreadysadlydisfiguredcorpseofherhusband。“Silence，“shecriedtothefrightenedinnkeeper。“Myhusbandisasleep，whydoyoucometodisturbhisgloriousrest？“Withmuchdifficultythecorpsewasremovedfromthearmsoftheinsanewomanwhohadguardeditwithsuchjealouscare，andshewasconveyedtoParis，wheresheafterwarddied，withoutrecoveringherreasonforaninstant。

TherewasmuchastonishmentatthechateauofSchoenbrunnbecausetheArchdukeCharlesneverappearedthere；forhewasknowntobemuchesteemedbytheEmperor，whoneverspokeofhimexceptwiththehighestconsideration。IamentirelyignorantwhatmotivespreventedtheprincefromcomingtoSchoenbrunn，ortheEmperorfromvisitinghim；but，nevertheless，itisafact，that，twoorthreedaysbeforehisdeparturefromMunich，hisMajestyonemorningattendedahunting-party，composedofseveralofficersandmyself；andthatwestoppedatahunting-boxcalledlaVenerieontheroadbetweenViennaandBukusdorf，andonourarrivalwefoundtheArchdukeCharlesawaitinghisMajesty，attendedbyasuiteofonlytwopersons。TheEmperorandthearchdukeremainedforalongwhilealoneinthepavilion；andwedidnotreturntoSchoenbrunnuntillateintheevening。

Onthe16thofOctoberatnoontheEmperorleftthisresidencewithhissuite，composedofthegrandmarshal，theDukeofFrioul；GeneralsRapp，Mouton，Savary，Nansouty，DurosnellandLebrun；ofthreechamberlains；ofM。Labbe，chiefofthetopographicalbureau；ofM。deMeneval，hisMajesty\'ssecretary，andM。Yvan；andaccompaniedbytheDukeofBassano，andtheDukeofCadore，thenministerofforeignrelations。

WearrivedatPassauonthemorningofthe18th；andtheEmperorpassedtheentiredayinvisitingFortsMaximilianandNapoleon，andalsosevenoreightredoubtswhosenamesrecalledtheprincipalbattlesofthecampaign。Morethantwelvethousandmenwereworkingontheseimportantfortifications，towhomhisMajesty\'svisitwasafete。Thateveningweresumedourjourney，andtwodaysafterwewereatMunich。

AtAugsburg，onleavingthepalaceoftheElectorofTreves，theEmperorfoundinhispathawomankneelinginthedust，surroundedbyfourchildren；heraisedherupandinquiredkindlywhatshedesired。Thepoorwoman，withoutreplying，handedhisMajestyapetitionwritteninGerman，whichGeneralRapptranslated。ShewasthewidowofaGermanphysiciannamedBuiting，whohaddiedashorttimesince，andwaswellknowninthearmyfromhisfaithfulnessinministeringtothewoundedFrenchsoldierswhenbychanceanyfellintohishands。TheElectorofTreves，andmanypersonsoftheEmperor\'ssuite，supportedearnestlythispetitionofMadameBuiting，whomherhusband\'sdeathhadreducedalmosttopoverty，andinwhichshebesoughttheEmperor\'saidforthechildrenofthisGermanphysician，whoseattentionshadsavedthelivesofsomanyofhisbravesoldiers。HisMajestygaveorderstopaythepetitionerthefirstyear\'ssalaryofapensionwhichheatonceallowedher；andwhenGeneralRapphadinformedthewidowoftheEmperor\'saction，thepoorwomanfaintedwithacryofjoy。

Iwitnessedanotherscenewhichwasequallyastouching。WhentheEmperorwasonthemarchtoVienna，theinhabitantsofAugsburg，whohadbeenguiltyofsomeactsofcrueltytowardstheBavarians，trembledlesthisMajestyshouldtakeaterriblerevengeonthem；andthisterrorwasatitsheightwhenitwaslearnedthatapartoftheFrencharmywastopassthroughthetown。

Ayoungwomanofremarkablebeauty，onlyafewmonthsawidow，hadretiredtothisplacewithherchildinthehopeofbeingmorequietthananywhereelse，but，frightenedbytheapproachofthetroops，fledwithherchildinherarms。But，insteadofavoidingoursoldiersassheintended，sheleftAugsburgbythewronggate，andfellintothemidstoftheadvancepostsoftheFrencharmy。Fortunately，sheencounteredGeneralDecourbe，andtrembling，andalmostbesideherselfwithterror，conjuredhimonherkneestosaveherhonor，evenattheexpenseofherlife，andimmediatelyswoonedaway。Movedeventotears，thegeneralshowedhereveryattention，orderedasafe-conductgivenher，andanescorttoaccompanyhertoaneighboringtown，whereshehadstatedthatseveralofherrelativeslived。Theordertomarchwasgivenatthesameinstant；and，inthemidstofthegeneralcommotionwhichensued，thechildwasforgottenbythosewhoescortedthemother，andleftintheoutposts。Abravegrenadiertookchargeofit，and，ascertainingwherethepoormotherhadbeentaken，pledgedhimselftorestoreittoherattheearliestpossiblemoment，unlessaballshouldcarryhimoffbeforethereturnofthearmy。Hemadealeatherpocket，inwhichhecarriedhisyoungprotege，arrangedsothatitwasshelteredfromtheweather。

Eachtimehewentintobattlethegoodgrenadierdugaholeintheground，inwhichheplacedthelittleone，andreturnedforitwhenthebattlewasover；andthoughhiscomradesridiculedhimthefirstday，theycouldnotbutfailtoadmirethenobilityofhisconduct。Thechildescapedalldanger，thankstotheincessantcareofitsadoptedfather；

and，whenthemarchtoMunichwasagainbegun，thegrenadier，whowassingularlyattachedtothelittlewaif，almostregrettedtoseethemomentdrawnearwhenhemustrestoreittoitsmother。

Itmayeasilybeunderstoodwhatthispoorwomansufferedafterlosingherchild。Shebesoughtandentreatedthesoldierswhoescortedhertoreturn；buttheyhadtheirorders，whichnothingcouldcausethemtoinfringe。ImmediatelyonherarrivalshesetoutagainonherreturntoAugsburg，makinginquiriesinalldirections，butcouldobtainnoinformationofherson，andatlastbeingconvincedthathewasdead，weptbitterlyforhim。Shehadmournedthusfornearlysixmonths，whenthearmyre-passedAugsburg；and，whileatworkaloneinherroomoneday，shewastoldthatasoldierwishedtoseeher，andhadsomethingprecioustocommittohercare；buthewasunabletoleavehiscorps，andmustbeghertomeethimonthepublicsquare。Littlesuspectingthehappinessinstoreforher，shesoughtthegrenadier，andthelatterleavingtheranks，pulledthe“littlegoodman“outofhispocket，andplacedhiminthearmsofthepoormother，whocouldnotbelievetheevidenceofherowneyes。Thinkingthatthisladywasprobablynotrich，thisexcellentmanhadcollectedasumofmoney，whichhehadplacedinoneofthepocketsofthelittleone\'scoat。

TheEmperorremainedonlyashorttimeatMunich；andthedayofhisarrivalacourierwassentinhastebythegrandmarshaltoM。deLucaytoinformhimthathisMajestywouldbeatFontainebleauonthe27thofOctober，intheeveningprobably，andthatthehouseholdoftheEmperor，aswellasthatoftheEmpress，shouldbeatthisresidencetoreceivehisMajesty。But，insteadofarrivingontheeveningofthe27th，theEmperorhadtraveledwithsuchspeed，that，onthe26thatteno\'clockinthemorning，hewasatthegatesofthepalaceofFontainebleau；andconsequently，withtheexceptionofthegrandmarshal，acourier，andthegate-keeperofFontainebleau，hefoundnoonetoreceivehimonhisdescentfromthecarriage。Thismischance，whichwasverynatural，sinceithadbeenimpossibletoforeseeanadvanceofmorethanadayinthetimeappointed，neverthelessincensedtheEmperorgreatly。Hewasregardingeveryonearoundhimasifsearchingforsomeonetoscold，when，findingthatthecourierwaspreparingtoalightfromhishorse，onwhichhewasmorestuckthanseated，hesaidtohim:“Youcanrestto-

morrow；hastentoSaint-Cloudandannouncemyarrival，“andthepoorcourierrecommencedhisfuriousgallop。

Thisaccident，whichvexedhisMajestysogreatly，couldnotbeconsideredthefaultofanyone；forbytheordersofthegrandmarshal，receivedfromtheEmperor，M。deLucayhadcommandedtheirMajesties\'

servicetobereadyonthemorningofthenextday。Consequently，thateveningwastheearliesthouratwhichtheservicecouldpossiblybeexpectedtoarrive；andhewascompelledtowaituntilthen。

Duringthistimeofwaiting，theEmperoremployedhimselfinvisitingthenewapartmentsthathadbeenaddedtothechateau。ThebuildinginthecourtoftheCheval-Blanc，whichhadbeenformerlyusedasamilitaryschool，hadbeenrestored，enlarged，anddecoratedwithextraordinarymagnificence，andhadbeenturnedentirelyintoapartmentsofhonor，inorder，ashisMajestysaid，togiveemploymenttothemanufacturersofLyons，whomthewardeprivedofany，outsidemarket。Afterrepeatedpromenadesinalldirections，theEmperorseatedhimselfwitheverymarkofextremeimpatience，askingeverymomentwhattimeitwas，orlookingathiswatch；andatlastorderedmetopreparewritingmaterials，andtookhisseatallaloneatalittletable，doubtlessswearinginternallyathissecretaries，whohadnotarrived。

Atfiveo\'clockacarriagecamefromSaint-Cloud；andastheEmperorhearditrollintothecourthedescendedthestairsrapidly，andwhileafootmanwasopeningthedoorandloweringthesteps，hesaidtothepersonsinside:“WhereistheEmpress？“TheanswerwasgiventhatherMajestytheEmpresswouldarriveinaquarterofanhouratmost。“Thatiswell，“saidtheEmperor；andturninghisback，quicklyremountedthestairsandenteredalittlestudy，wherehepreparedhimselfforwork。

AtlasttheEmpressarrived，exactlyatsixo\'clock。Itwasnowdark。

TheEmperorthistimedidnotgodown；butlisteninguntilhelearnedthatitwasherMajesty，continuedtowrite，withoutinterruptinghimselftogoandmeether。Itwasthefirsttimehehadactedinthismanner。

TheEmpressfoundhimseatedinthecabinet。“Ah！“saidhisMajesty，“haveyouarrived，Madame？Itiswell，forIwasabouttosetoutforSaint-Cloud。“AndtheEmperor，whohadsimplyliftedhiseyesfromhisworktoglanceatherMajesty，loweredthemagain，andresumedhiswriting。Thisharshgreeting，distressedJosephineexceedingly，andsheattemptedtoexcuseherself；buthisMajestyrepliedinsuchamannerastobringtearstohereyes，thoughheafterwardsrepentedofthis，andbeggedpardonoftheEmpress，acknowledgingthathehadbeenwrong。

CHAPTERXXIII。

Itisnot，ashasbeenstatedinsomeMemoirs，becauseandasaresultoftheslightdisagreementwhichIhaverelatedabove，thatthefirstideaofadivorcecametohisMajesty。TheEmperorthoughtitnecessaryforthewelfareofFrancethatheshouldhaveanheirofhisownline；andasitwasnowcertainthattheEmpresswouldneverbearhimone，hewascompelledtothinkofadivorce。Butitwasbymostgentlemeans，andwitheverymarkoftenderconsideration，thathestrovetobringtheEmpresstothispainfulsacrifice。Hehadnorecourse，ashasbeensaid，toeitherthreatsormenaces，foritwastohiswife\'sreasonthatheappealed；andherconsentwasentirelyvoluntary。IrepeatthattherewasnoviolenceonthepartoftheEmperor；buttherewascourage，resignation，andsubmissiononthatoftheEmpress。HerdevotiontotheEmperorwouldhavemadehersubmittoanysacrifice，shewouldhavegivenherlifeforhim；andalthoughthisseparationmightbreakherownheart，shestillfoundconsolationinthethoughtthatbythismeansshewouldsavetheoneshelovedmorethanallbesidefromevenonecauseofdistressoranxiety。AndwhenshelearnedthattheKingofRomewasborn，shelostsightofherowndisappointmentinsympathizingwiththehappinessofherfriend；fortheyhadalwaystreatedeachotherwithalltheattentionandrespectofthemostperfectfriendship。

TheEmperorhadtaken，duringthewholedayofthe26th，onlyacupofchocolateandalittlesoup；andIhadheardhimcomplainofhungerseveraltimesbeforetheEmpressarrived。Peacebeingrestored，thehusbandandwifeembracedeachothertenderly，andtheEmpresspassedonintoherapartmentsinordertomakehertoilet。DuringthistimetheEmperorreceivedMessieursDecresandDeMontalivet，whomhehadsummonedinthemorningbyamountedmessenger；andabouthalf-pastseventheEmpressreappeared，dressedinperfecttaste。Inspiteofthecold，shehadhadherhairdressedwithsilverwheatandblueflowers，andworeawhitesatinpolonaise，edgedwithswan\'sdown，whichcostumewasexceedinglybecoming。TheEmperorinterruptedhisworktoregardher:

“Ididnottakelongatmytoilet，didI？“saidshe，smiling；whereuponhisMajesty，withoutreplying，showedhertheclock，thenrose，gaveherhishand，andwasabouttoenterthedining-room，sayingtoMessieursDeMontalivetandDecres，“Iwillbewithyouinfiveminutes。“——“But，“saidtheEmpress，“thesegentlemenhaveperhapsnotyetdined，astheyhavecomefromParis。“——“Ah，thatisso！。“andtheministersenteredthedining-roomwiththeirMajesties。ButhardlyhadtheEmperortakenhisseat，thanherose，threwasidehisnapkin，andre-enteredhiscabinet，wherethesegentlemenwerecompelledtofollowhim，thoughmuchagainsttheirinclinations。

Thedayendedbetterthanithadbegun。Intheeveningtherewasareception，notlarge，butmostagreeable，atwhichtheEmperorwasverygay，andinexcellenthumor，andactedasifanxioustoeffacethememoryofthelittlescenewiththeEmpress。TheirMajestiesremainedatFontainebleautillthe14thofNovember。TheKingofSaxonyhadarrivedtheeveningbeforeatParis；andtheEmperor，whorodeonhorsebacknearlyallthewayfromFontainebleautoParis，repairedonhisarrivaltothePalacedel\'Elysee。Thetwomonarchsappearedveryagreeablyimpressedwitheachother，andwentinpublictogetheralmosteveryday，andonemorningearlylefttheTuileriesonfoot，eachaccompaniedbyasingleescort。IwaswiththeEmperor。Theydirectedtheirsteps，followingthecourseofthestream，towardsthebridgeofJena，theworkonwhichwasbeingrapidlycarriedtocompletion，andreachedthePlacedelaRevolution，wherefiftyorsixtypersonscollectedwiththeintentionofaccompanyingthetwosovereigns；butasthisseemedtoannoytheEmperor，agentsofthepolicecausedthemtodisperse。Whenhehadreachedthebridge，hisMajestyexaminedtheworkattentively；andfindingsomedefectsintheconstruction，hadthearchitectcalled，whoadmittedthecorrectnessofhisobservations，although，inordertoconvincehim，theEmperorhadtotalkforsometime，andoftenrepeatedthesameexplanations。HisMajesty，turningthentowardstheKingofSaxony，saidtohim，“Yousee，mycousin，thatthemaster\'seyeisnecessaryeverywhere。“——“Yes，“repliedtheKingofSaxony；“especiallyaneyesowelltrainedasyourMajesty\'s。“

WehadnotbeenlongatFontainebleau，whenInoticedthattheEmperorinthepresenceofhisaugustspousewaspreoccupiedandillatease。ThesameuneasinesswasvisibleonthecountenanceoftheEmpress；andthisstateofconstraintandmutualembarrassmentsoonbecamesufficientlyevidenttoberemarkedbyall，andrenderedthestayatFontainebleauextremelysadanddepressing。AtParisthepresenceoftheKingofSaxonymadesomediversion；buttheEmpressappearedmoreunhappythanever，whichgaverisetonumerousconjectures，butasforme，Iknewonlytoowellthecauseofitall。TheEmperor\'sbrowbecamemorefurrowedwithcareeachday，untilthe30thofNovemberarrived。

Onthatdaythedinnerwasmoresilentthanever。TheEmpresshadweptthewholeday；andinordertoconcealasfaraspossibleherpallor，andtherednessofhereyes，worealargewhitehattiedunderherchin，thebrimofwhichconcealedherfaceentirely。TheEmperorsatinsilence，hiseyesfastenedonhisplate，whilefromtimetotimeconvulsivemovementsagitatedhiscountenance；andifhehappenedtoraisehiseyes，glancedstealthilyattheEmpresswithunmistakablesignsofdistress。

Theofficersofthehousehold，immovableasstatues，regardedthispainfulandgloomyscenewithsadanxiety；whilethewholerepastwassimplyaform，astheirMajestiestouchednothing，andnosoundwasheardbuttheregularmovementofplatesplacedandcarriedaway，variedsadlybythemonotonoustonesofthehouseholdofficers，andthetinklingsoundmadebytheEmperor\'sstrikinghisknifemechanicallyontheedgeofhisglass。OnceonlyhisMajestybrokethesilencebyadeepsigh，followedbythesewordsaddressedtooneoftheofficers:“Whattimeisit？“AnaimlessquestionoftheEmperor\'s，itseemed，forhedidnothear，oratanyratedidnotseemtohear，theanswer；butalmostimmediatelyherosefromthetable，andtheEmpressfollowedhimwithslowsteps，andherhandkerchiefpressedagainstherlipsasiftosuppresshersobs。Coffeewasbrought，and，accordingtocustom，apagepresentedthewaitertotheEmpressthatshemightherselfpouritout；buttheEmperortookithimself，pouredthecoffeeinthecup，anddissolvedthesugar，stillregardingtheEmpress，whoremainedstandingasifstruckwithastupor。

Hedrank，andreturnedthecuptothepage；thengaveasignalthathewishedtobealone，andclosedthedoorofthesaloon。Iremainedoutsideseatedbythedoor；andsoonnooneremainedinthedining-roomexceptoneoftheprefectsofthepalace，whowalkedupanddownwithfoldedarms，foreseeing，aswellasI，terribleevents。AttheendofafewmomentsIheardcries，andsprangup；justthentheEmperoropenedthedoorquickly，lookedout，andsawtherenoonebutustwo。TheEmpresslayonthefloor，screamingasifherheartwerebreaking:“No；

youwillnotdoit！Youwouldnotkillme！“Theusheroftheroomhadhisbackturned。Iadvancedtowardshim；heunderstood，andwentout。

HisMajestyorderedthepersonwhowaswithmetoenter，andthedoorwasagainclosed。IhavesincelearnedthattheEmperorrequestedhimtoassisthimincarryingtheEmpresstoherapartment。“Shehas，“hesaid，“aviolentnervousattack，andherconditionrequiresmostpromptattention。“M。deB——withtheEmperor\'sassistanceraisedtheEmpressinhisarms；andtheEmperor，takingalampfromthemantel，lightedM。deB——alongthepassagefromwhichascendedthelittlestaircaseleadingtotheapartmentsoftheEmpress。Thisstaircasewassonarrow，thatamanwithsuchaburdencouldnotgodownwithoutgreatriskoffalling；andM。deB——，havingcalledhisMajesty\'sattentiontothis，hesummonedthekeeperoftheportfolio，whosedutyitwastobealwaysatthedooroftheEmperor\'scabinetwhichopenedonthisstaircase，andgavehimthelight，whichwasnolongerneeded，asthelampshadjustbeenlighted。HisMajestypassedinfrontofthekeeper，whostillheldthelight，andcarryingthefeetoftheEmpresshimself，descendedthestaircasesafelywithM。deB——；andtheythusreachedthebedroom。TheEmperorrangforherwomen，andwhentheyentered，retiredwithtearsinhiseyesandeverysignofthedeepestemotion。

ThissceneaffectedhimsodeeplythathesaidtoM。deB——inatrembling，brokentone，somewordswhichhemustneverrevealunderanycircumstances。TheEmperor\'sagitationmusthavebeenverygreatforhimtohaveinformedM。deB——ofthecauseofherMajesty\'sdespair，andtohavetoldhimthattheinterestsofFranceandoftheImperialDynastyhaddoneviolencetohisheart，andthedivorcehadbecomeaduty，deplorableandpainful，butnonethelessaduty。

QueenHortenseandM。CorvisartsoonreachedtheEmpress，whopassedamiserablenight。TheEmperoralsodidnotsleep，androsemanytimestoascertainJosephine\'scondition。DuringthewholenightherMajestydidnotutteraword。Ihaveneverwitnessedsuchgrief。

Immediatelyafterthis，theKingofNaples，theKingofWestphalia，theKingofWurtemberg，andthekingandprincessesoftheImperialfamily，arrivedatParistobepresentatthefetesgivenbythecityofParistohisMajestyincommemorationofthevictoriesandthepacificationofGermany，andatthesametimetocelebratetheanniversaryofthecoronation。Thesessionofthelegislativecorpswasalsoabouttoopen。

Itwasnecessary，intheintervalbetweenthescenewhichIhavejustdescribedandthedayonwhichthedecreeofdivorcewassigned，thattheEmpressshouldbepresentonalltheseoccasions，andattendallthesefetes，undertheeyesofanimmensecrowdofpeople，atatimewhensolitudealonecouldhaveinanydegreealleviatedhersorrow；itwasalsonecessarythatsheshouldcoverupherfacewithrougeinordertoconcealherpallorandthesignsofamonthpassedintears。Whattorturessheendured，andhowmuchshemusthavebewailedthiselevation，ofwhichnothingremainedtoherbutthenecessityofconcealingherfeelings！

Onthe3dofDecembertheirMajestiesrepairedtoNotreDame，wherea\'TeDeum\'wassung；afterwhichtheImperialcortegemarchedtothepalaceoftheCorpsLegislatif，andtheopeningofthesessionwasheldwithunusualmagnificence。TheEmperortookhisplaceamidstinexpressibleenthusiasm，andneverhadhisappearanceexcitedsuchburstsofapplause:eventheEmpresswasmorecheerfulforaninstant，andseemedtoenjoytheseproofsofaffectionforonewhowassoontobenolongerherhusband；butwhenhebegantospeaksherelapsedintohergloomyreflections。

Itwasalmostfiveo\'clockwhenthecortegereturnedtotheTuileries，andtheImperialbanquetwastotakeplaceathalf-pastseven。Duringthisinterval，areceptionoftheambassadorswasheld，afterwhichtheguestspassedontothegalleryofDiana。

TheEmperorheldagranddininginhiscoronationrobes，andwearinghisplumedhat，whichhedidnotremoveforaninstant。Heatemorethanwashiscustom，notwithstandingthedistressunderwhichheseemedtobelaboring，glancedaroundandbehindhimeverymoment，causingthegrandchamberlaincontinuallytobendforwardtoreceiveorderswhichhedidnotgive。TheEmpresswasseatedinfrontofhim，mostmagnificentlydressedinanembroideredrobeblazingwithdiamonds；butherfaceexpressedevenmoresufferingthaninthemorning。

OntherightoftheEmperorwasseatedtheKingofSaxony，inawhiteuniformwithredfacings，andcollarrichlyembroideredinsilver，wearingafalsecueofprodigiouslength。

BythesideoftheKingofSaxonywastheKingofWestphalia，JeromeBonaparte，inawhitesatintunic，andgirdleornamentedwithpearlsanddiamonds，whichreachedalmostuptohisarms。Hisneckwasbareandwhite，andheworenowhiskersandverylittlebeard；acollarofmagnificentlacefelloverhisshoulders；andablackvelvetcapornamentedwithwhiteplumes，whichwasthemostelegantintheassembly，completedthiscostume。NexthimwastheKingofWurtembergwithhisenormousstomach，whichforcedhimtositsomedistancefromthetable；

andtheKingofNaples，insomagnificentacostumethatitmightalmostbeconsideredextravagant，coveredwithcrossesandstars，whoplayedwithhisfork，withouteatingordrinking。

OntherightoftheEmpresswasMadameMere，theQueenofWestphalia，thePrincessBorghese，andQueenHortense，paleastheEmpress，butrenderedonlymorebeautifulbyhersadness，herfacepresentingastrikingcontrastonthisoccasiontothatofthePrincessPauline，whoneverappearedinbetterspirits。PrincessPaulineworeanexceedinglyhandsometoilet；butthisdidnotincreasethecharmsofherpersonnearlysomuchasthatwornbytheQueenofHolland，which，thoughsimple，waselegantandfulloftaste。

NextdayamagnificentfetewasheldattheHoteldeVille，wheretheEmpressdisplayedheraccustomedgraceandkindconsideration。Thiswasthelasttimesheappearedonoccasionsofceremony。

Afewdaysafteralltheserejoicings，theVice-kingofItaly，EugenedeBeauharnais，arrived，andlearnedfromthelipsoftheEmpressherselftheterriblemeasurewhichcircumstanceswereabouttorendernecessary。

Thisnewsovercamehim:agitatedanddespairing，hesoughthisMajesty；

and，asifhecouldnotbelievewhathehadjustheardaskedtheEmperorifitwastruethatadivorcewasabouttotakeplace。TheEmperormadeasignintheaffirmative，and，withdeepgriefdepictedonhiscountenance，heldouthishandtohisadoptedson。“Sire，allowmetoquityourservice。“——“What！“——“Yes，Sire；thesonofonewhoisnolongerEmpresscannotremainvice-king。Iwishtoaccompanymymothertoherretreat，andconsoleher。“——“Doyouwishtoleaveme，Eugene？You？Ah，youdonotknowhowimperiousarethereasonswhichforcemetopursuesuchacourse。AndifIobtainthisson，theobjectofmymostcherishedwishes，thissonwhoissonecessarytome，whowilltakemyplacewithhimwhenIshallbeabsent？WhowillbeafathertohimwhenIdie？Whowillrearhim，andwhowillmakeamanofhim？“TearsfilledtheEmperor\'seyesashepronouncedthesewords；heagaintookEugene\'shand，anddrawinghimtohisarms，embracedhimtenderly。Ididnotheartheremainderofthisinterestingconversation。

Atlastthefataldayarrived；itwasthe16thofDecember。TheImperialfamilywereassembledinceremonialcostume，whentheEmpressenteredinasimplewhitedress，entirelydevoidofornament；shewaspale，butcalm，andleanedonthearmofQueenHortense，whowasequallyaspale，andmuchmoreagitatedthanheraugustmother。ThePrincedeBeauharnaisstoodbesidetheEmperor，andtrembledsoviolentlythatitwasthoughthewouldfalleverymoment。WhentheEmpressentered，CountRegnauddeSaint-Jeand\'Angelyreadtheactofseparation。

Thiswasheardinthemidstofprofoundsilence，andthedeepestconcernwasdepictedoneveryface。TheEmpressappearedcalmerthananyoneelseintheassemblage，althoughtearsincessantlyflowedfromhereyes。

Shewasseatedinanarmchairinthemidstofthesaloon，restingherelbowonatable，whileQueenHortensestoodsobbingbehindher。Thereadingoftheactended，theEmpressrose，driedhereyes，andinavoicewhichwasalmostfirm，pronouncedthewordsofassent，thenseatedherselfinachair，tookapenfromthehandofM。RegnauddeSaint-Jeand\'Angely，andsignedtheact。Shethenwithdrew，leaningonthearmofQueenHortense；andPrinceEugeneendeavoredtoretireatthesamemomentthroughthecabinet，buthisstrengthfailed，andhefellinsensiblebetweenthetwodoors。Thecabinetusherimmediatelyraisedhimup，andcommittedhimtothecareofhisaide-de-camp，wholavishedonhimeveryattentionwhichhissadconditiondemanded。

DuringthisterribleceremonytheEmperorutterednotaword，madenotagesture，butstoodimmovableasastatue，hisgazefixedandalmostwild，andremainedsilentandgloomyallday。Intheevening，whenhehadjustretired，asIwasawaitinghislastorders，thedooropened，andtheEmpressentered，herhairindisorder，andhercountenanceshowinggreatagitation。Thissightterrifiedme。Josephine(forshewasnownomorethanJosephine)advancedtowardstheEmperorwithatremblingstep，andwhenshereachedhim，paused，andweepinginthemostheartrendingmanner，threwherselfonthebed，placedherarmsaroundtheEmperor\'sneck，andlavishedonhimmostendearingcaresses。Icannotdescribemyemotions。TheEmperorweptalso，satupandpressedJosephinetohisheart，sayingtoher，“Come，mygoodJosephine，bemorereasonable！

Come，courage，courage；Iwillalwaysbeyourfriend。“Stifledbyhersobs，theEmpresscouldnotreply；andtherefollowedasilentscene，inwhichtheirtearsandsobsflowedtogether，andsaidmorethanthetenderestexpressionscouldhavedone。AtlasthisMajesty，recoveringfromthismomentaryforgetfulnessasfromadream，perceivedthatIwasthere，andsaidtomeinavoicechokedwithtears，“Withdraw，Constant。“

Iobeyed，andwentintotheadjoiningsaloon；andanhourafterJosephinepassedme，stillsadandintears，givingmeakindnodasshepassed。

Ithenreturnedtothesleeping-roomtoremovethelightasusual；theEmperorwassilentasdeath，andsocoveredwiththebedclothesthathisfacecouldnotbeseen。

ThenextmorningwhenIenteredtheEmperor\'sroomhedidnotmentionthisvisitoftheEmpress；butIfoundhimsufferinganddejected，andsighswhichhecouldnotrepressissuedfromhisbreast。Hedidnotspeakduringthewholetimehistoiletlasted，andassoonasitwascompletedenteredhiscabinet。ThiswasthedayonwhichJosephinewastoleavetheTuileriesforMalmaison，andallpersonsnotengagedintheirdutiesassembledinthevestibuletoseeoncemorethisdethronedempresswhomallheartsfollowedinherexile。Theylookedatherwithoutdaringtospeak，asJosephineappeared，completelyveiled，onehandrestingontheshoulderofoneofherladies，andtheotherholdingahandkerchieftohereyes。Aconcertofinexpressiblelamentationsaroseasthisadoredwomancrossedtheshortspacewhichseparatedherfromhercarriage，andentereditwithoutevenaglanceatthepalaceshewas——quitting——quittingforever；——theblindswereimmediatelylowered，andthehorsessetoffatfullspeed。

CHAPTERXXIV。

ThemarriageoftheEmperortoMarieLouisewasthefirststepinanewcareer。Heflatteredhimselfthatitwouldbeasgloriousasthathehadjustbroughttoaclose，butitwastobefarotherwise。Beforeenteringonarecitaloftheeventsoftheyear1810，Ishallnarratesomerecollections，jotteddownatrandom，which，althoughIcanassignthemnoprecisedate，were，nevertheless，anteriortotheperiodwehavenowreached。

TheEmpressJosephinehadlongbeenjealousofthebeautifulMadameGazani，oneofherreaders，andtreatedhercoldly；andwhenshecomplainedtotheEmperor，hespoketoJosephineonthesubject，andrequestedhertoshowmoreconsiderationforherreader，whodeserveditonaccountofherattachmenttothepersonoftheEmpress，andaddedthatshewaswronginsupposingthattherewasbetweenMadameGazaniandhimselftheleastliaison。TheEmpress，withoutbeingconvincedbythislastdeclarationoftheEmperor，hadneverthelessbecomemuchmorecordialtoMadameGazani，whenonemorningtheEmperor，whoapparentlywasafraidthebeautifulGenoesemightobtainsomeascendencyoverher，suddenlyenteredtheEmpress\'sapartment，andsaidtoher，“IdonotwishtoseeMadameGazaniherelonger；shemustreturntoItaly。“ThistimeitwasthegoodJosephinewhodefendedherreader。Therewerealreadyrumorsofadivorce；andtheEmpressremarkedtohisMajesty，“Youknowwell，myfriend，thatthebestmeansofbeingridofMadameGazani\'spresenceistoallowhertoremainwithme。Letmekeepher，then。

Wecanweeptogether；sheandIunderstandeachotherwell。“

FromthistimetheEmpresswasafirmfriendofMadameGazani，whoaccompaniedhertoMalmaisonandNavarre。WhatincreasedthekindfeelingsoftheEmpressforthisladywasthatshethoughtherdistressedbytheEmperor\'sinconstancy。Formypart，IhavealwaysbelievedthatMadameGazani\'sattachmenttotheEmperorwassincere，andherpridemusthavesufferedwhenshewasdismissed；butshehadnodifficultyinconsolingherselfinthemidstofthehomageandadorationwhichnaturallysurroundedsuchaprettywoman。

ThenameoftheEmpressJosephinerecallstwoanecdoteswhichtheEmperorhimselfrelatedtome。TheoutrageousextravaganceintheEmpress\'shouseholdwasacontinualvexationtohim，andhehaddismissedseveralfurnishersofwhosedispositiontoabuseJosephine\'sreadycredulityhehadampleproof。

OnemorningheenteredtheEmpress\'sapartmentsunannounced，andfoundthereassembledseveralladiesholdingasecrettoiletcouncil，andacelebratedmillinermakinganofficialreportastoallthehandsomestandmostelegantnovelties。ShewasoneoftheverypersonswhomtheEmperorhadexpresslyforbiddentoenterthepalace；andhedidnotanticipatefindingherthere。Yethemadenooutburst；andJosephine，whoknewhimbetterthananyoneelse，wastheonlyonewhounderstoodtheironyofhislookasheretired，saying，“Continueladies；Iamsorrytohavedisturbedyou。“Themilliner，muchastonishedthatshewasnotputrudelyoutofthedoor，hastenedtoretire；butwhenshereachedthelaststepofthestairsleadingtotheapartmentsofherMajestytheEmpress，sheencounteredanagentofthepolice，whorequestedheraspolitelyaspossibletoenteracabwhichawaitedherintheCourtoftheCarrousel。Invainsheprotestedthatshemuchpreferredwalking；theagent，whohadreceivedpreciseinstructions，seizedherarminsuchamannerastopreventallreply，andshewasobligedtoobey，andtotakeinthisunpleasantcompanytheroadtoBicetre。

SomeonerelatedtotheEmperorthatthisarresthadcausedmuchtalkinParis，andthathewasloudlyaccusedofwishingtorestoretheBastile；

thatmanypersonshadvisitedtheprisoner，andexpressedtheirsympathy，andtherewasaprocessionofcarriagesconstantlybeforetheprison。

HisMajestytooknonoticeofthis，andwasmuchamusedbytheinterestexcitedinthisselleroftopknots，ashecalledher。“Iwill，“saidhisMajestyonthissubject，“letthegossipstalk，whothinkitapointofhonortoruinthemselvesforgewgaws；butIwantthisoldJewesstolearnthatIputherinsidebecauseshehadforgottenthatItoldhertostayoutside。“

AnothercelebratedmillineralsoexcitedthesurpriseandangerofhisMajestyonedaybyobservationswhichnooneinFranceexceptthismanwouldhavehadtheaudacitytomake。TheEmperor，whowasaccustomed，asIhavesaid，toexamineattheendofeverymonththeaccountsofhishousehold，thoughtthebillofthemillinerinquestionexorbitant，andorderedmetosummonhim。Isentforhim；andhecameinlessthantenminutes，andwasintroducedintohisMajesty\'sapartmentwhilehewasathistoilet。“Monsieur，“saidtheEmperor，hiseyesfixedontheaccount，“yourpricesareridiculous，moreridiculous，ifpossible，thanthesilly，foolishpeoplewhothinktheyneedyourgoods。ReducethistoareasonableamountorIwilldoitmyself。“Themerchant，whoheldinhishandtheduplicateofhisbill，begantoexplainarticlebyarticlethepriceofhisgoods，andconcludedthesomewhatlongnarrationwithamildsurprisethatthesumtotalwasnomore。TheEmperor，whomIwasdressingduringallthisharangue，couldhardlyrestrainhisimpatience；

andIhadalreadyforeseenthatthissingularscenewouldendunpleasantly，whenthemillinerfilledupthemeasureofhisassurancebytakingtheunparalleledlibertyofremarkingtohisMajestythatthesumallowedforherMajesty\'stoiletwasinsufficient，andthatthereweresimplecitizens\'wiveswhospentmorethanthat。ImustconfessthatatthislastimpertinenceItrembledfortheshouldersofthisimprudentperson，andwatchedtheEmperor\'smovementsanxiously。Nevertheless，tomygreatastonishment，hecontentedhimselfwithcrumplinginhishandthebilloftheaudaciousmilliner，and，hisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，madetwostepstowardshim，pronouncingthiswordonly，“Really！“withsuchanaccentandsuchalookthatthemerchantrushedtothedoor，andtooktohisheelswithoutwaitingforasettlement。

TheEmperordidnotlikemetoleavethechateau，ashewishedalwaystohavemewithincall，evenwhenmydutieswereoverandhedidnotneedme；andIthinkitwaswiththisideaofdetainingmethathisMajestyseveraltimesgavemecopyingtodo。Sometimes，also，theEmperorwishednotestobetakenwhilehewasinbedorinhisbath，andsaidtome，“Constant，takeapenandwrite；“butIalwaysrefused，andwenttosummonM。deMeneval。IhavealreadystatedthatthemisfortunesoftheRevolutionhadcausedmyeducationtobemoreimperfectthanitshouldhavebeen；butevenhaditbeenasgoodasitisdefective，ImuchdoubtwhetherIwouldeverhavebeenabletowritefromtheEmperor\'sdictation。Itwasnoeasythingtofillthisoffice，andrequiredthatoneshouldbewellaccustomedtoit；forhespokequickly，allinonebreath，madenopause，andwasimpatientwhenobligedtorepeat。

Inordertohavemealwaysathand，theEmperorgavemepermissiontohuntintheParkofSaint-Cloud，andwaskindenoughtoremarkthatsinceIwasveryfondofhunting，ingrantingmethisprivilegehewasverygladtohavecombinedmypleasurewithhisneedofme。Iwastheonlypersontowhompermissionwasgiventohuntinthepark。AtthesametimetheEmperormademeapresentofahandsomedouble-barreledgunwhichhadbeenpresentedtohimatLiege，andwhichIhavestillinmypossession。HisMajestyhimselfdidnotlikedouble-barreledguns，andusedinpreferencethesimple，smallgunswhichhadbelongedtoLouisXVI。，andonwhichthismonarch，whowasanexcellentgunsmith，hadworked，itissaid，withhisownhands。

ThesightofthesegunsoftenledtheEmperortospeakofLouisXVI。，whichheneverdidexceptintermsofrespectandpity。“Thatunfortunateprince，“saidtheEmperor，“wasgood，wise，andlearned。Atanotherperiodhewouldhavebeenanexcellentking，buthewasworthnothinginatimeofrevolution。Hewaslackinginresolutionandfirmness，andcouldresistneitherthefoolishnessnortheinsolenceoftheJacobins。ThecourtiersdeliveredhimuptotheJacobins，andtheyledhimtothescaffold。InhisplaceIwouldhavemountedmyhorse，and，withafewconcessionsononeside，andafewcracksofmywhipontheother，Iwouldhavereducedthingstoorder。“

WhenthediplomaticcorpscametopaytheirrespectstotheEmperoratSaint-Cloud(thesamecustomwasinuseattheTuileries)，tea，coffee，chocolate，orwhateverthesegentlemenrequested，wasservedinthesaloonoftheambassadors。M。Colin，stewardcontroller，waspresentatthiscollation，whichwasservedbythedomesticsoftheservice。

TherewasatSaint-CloudanapartmentwhichtheEmperorfanciedverymuch；itopenedonabeautifulavenueofchestnut-treesintheprivatepark，wherehecouldwalkatanyhourwithoutbeingseen。Thisapartmentwassurroundedwithfull-lengthportraitsofalltheprincessesoftheImperialfamily，andwascalledthefamilysalon。TheirHighnesseswererepresentedstanding，surroundedbytheirchildren；theQueenofWestphaliaonlywasseated。Shehad，asIhavesaid，averyfinebust，buttherestofherfigurewasungraceful。HerMajestytheQueenofNapleswasrepresentedwithherfourchildren；QueenHortensewithonlyone，theoldestofherlivingsons；theQueenofSpainwithhertwodaughters；PrincessElizawithhers，dressedlikeaboy；theVice-Queenalone，havingnochildatthetimethisportraitwasmade；PrincessPaulinewasalsoalone。

ThetheaterandhuntingweremychiefamusementsatSaint-Cloud。DuringmystayatthischateauIreceivedavisitfromadistantcousinwhomI

hadnotseenformanyyears。AllthathehadheardoftheluxurywhichsurroundedtheEmperor，andthemagnificenceofthecourt，hadvividlyexcitedhiscuriosity，whichItookpleasureingratifying；andhewasstruckwithwonder，ateverystep。Oneeveningwhentherewasaplayatthechateau，Itookhimintomybox，whichwasnearthepit；andtheviewwhichthehallofferedwhenfilledsodelightedmycousin，thatIwasobligedtonameeachpersonageinordertosatisfyhisinsatiablecuriosity，whichtookthemallinsuccession，onebyone。ItwasashorttimebeforethemarriageoftheEmperortotheArchduchessofAustria，andthecourtwasmorebrilliantthanever。IshowedmycousininsuccessiontheirMajesties，theKingandQueenofWestphalia，theKingandQueenofNaples，theQueenofHolland，KingofBavaria，theirHighnessestheGrandDuchessofTuscany，PrinceandPrincessBorghese，thePrincessofBaden，theGrandDukeofWurzburg，etc。，besidesthenumerousdignitaries，princes，marshals，ambassadors，etc。，bywhomthehallwasfilled。Mycousinwasinecstasy，andthoughthimselfatleastafoottallerfrombeinginthemidstofthisgildedmultitude，andconsequentlypaidnoattentiontotheplay，beingmuchmoreinterestedintheinteriorofthehall；andwhenweleftthetheatercouldnottellmewhatpiecehadbeenplayed。Hisenthusiasm，however，didnotcarryhimsofarastomakehimforgettheincredibletalesthathadbeenrelatedtohimaboutthepickpocketsofthecapital，andtherecommendationswhichhadbeenmadetohimonthissubject。Inthepromenadesatthetheater，ineveryassemblagewhatever，mycousinwatchedwithanxioussolicitudeoverhispurse，watch，andhandkerchief；andthishabitualprudencedidnotabandonhimevenatthecourttheater，forjustaswewereleavingourbox，tominglewiththebrilliantcrowdwhichcameoutofthepitanddescendedfromtheboxes，hesaidtomewiththeutmostcoolness，coveringwithhishandhischainandthesealsofhiswatch，“Afterall，itiswelltotakeprecautions；onedoesnotknoweveryonehere。“

AtthetimeofhismarriagetheEmperorwasmorethaneveroverwhelmedwithpetitions，andgranted，asIshallrelatefartheron，alargenumberofpardonsandpetitions。

AllpetitionssenttotheEmperorwerehandedbyhimtotheaide-de-camponduty，whocarriedthemtohisMajesty\'scabinet，andreceivedorderstomakeareportonthemthenextday；andnotevenasmanyastentimesdidIfindanypetitionsinhisMajesty\'spockets，thoughIalwaysexaminedthemcarefully，andeventheserareinstanceswereowingtothefactthattheEmperorhadnoaide-de-campnearhimwhentheywerepresented。Itisthenuntrue，ashasbeensooftensaidandwritten，thattheEmperorplacedinaprivatepocket，whichwascalledthegoodpocket，thepetitionshewishedtogrant，withoutevenexaminingthem。

Allpetitionswhichdeserveditreceivedananswer，andIrememberthatI

personallypresentedalargenumbertohisMajesty；hedidnotputtheseinhispocket，andinalmosteveryinstanceIhadthehappinessofseeingthemgranted。Imust，however，makeanexceptionofsomewhichI

presentedfortheCerf-Berrbrothers，whoclaimedpaymentforsuppliesfurnishedthearmiesoftherepublic；fortothemtheEmperorwasalwaysinexorable。IwastoldthatthiswasbecauseMessieursCerf-BerrhadrefusedGeneralBonaparteacertainsumwhichheneededduringthecampaignofItaly。

Thesegentlemeninterestedmedeeplyintheircause；andIseveraltimespresentedtheirpetitiontohisMajesty，andinspiteofthecareItooktoplaceitinhisMajesty\'shandsonlywhenbewasingoodhumor，Ireceivednoreply。Ineverthelesscontinuedtopresentthepetition，thoughIperceivedthatwhentheEmperorcaughtaglimpseofithealwaysbecameangry；andatlengthonemorning，justashistoiletwascompleted，Ihandedhimasusualhisgloves，handkerchief，andsnuff-box，andattachedtoitagainthisunfortunatepaper。HisMajestypassedonintohiscabinet，andIremainedintheroomattendingtomyduties，andwhilebusiedwiththesesawtheEmperorre-enter，apaperinhishand。

Hesaidtome，“Come，Constant，readthis；youwillseethatyouaremistaken，andthegovernmentowesnothingtotheCerf-Berrbrothers；sosaynothingmoretomeaboutit；theyareregularArabs。“Ithrewmyeyesonthepaper，andreadafewwordsobediently；andthoughI

understoodalmostnothingofit，fromthatmomentIwascertainthattheclaimofthesegentlemenwouldneverbepaid。Iwasgrievedatthis，andknowingtheirdisappointment，madethemanofferofserviceswhichtheyrefused。TheCerf-Berrbrothers，notwithstandingmywantofsuccess，wereconvincedofthezealIhadmanifestedintheirservice，andthankedmewarmly。EachtimeIaddressedapetitiontotheEmperor，IsawM。deMeneval，whomIbeggedtotakechargeofit。Hewasveryobliging，andhadthekindnesstoinformmewhethermydemandscouldhopeforsuccess；

andhetoldmethatasfortheCerf-Berrbrothers，hedidnotthinktheEmperorwouldevercompensatethem。

Infact，thisfamily，atonetimewealthy，butwhohadlostanimmensepatrimonyinadvancesmadetotheDirectory，neverreceivedanyliquidationoftheseclaims，whichwereconfidedtoamanofgreathonesty，buttoomuchdisposedtojustifythenamegivenhim。

MadameTheodoreCerf-BerronmyinvitationhadpresentedherselfseveraltimeswithherchildrenatRambouilletandSaint-Cloud，tobeseechtheEmperortodoherjustice。Thisrespectablemotherofafamilywhomnothingcoulddismay，againpresentedherselfwiththeeldestofherdaughtersatCompiegne。SheawaitedtheEmperorintheforest，andthrowingherselfinthemidstofthehorses，succeededinhandinghimherpetition；butthistimewhatwastheresult？MadameandMademoiselleCerf-Berrhadhardlyre-enteredthehotelwheretheywerestaying，whenanofficerofthesecretpolicecameandrequestedthemtoaccompanyhim。

Hemadethementerameancartfilledwithstraw，andconductedthemundertheescortoftwogensd\'armestotheprefectureofpoliceatParis，wheretheywereforcedtosignacontractnevertopresentthemselvesagainbeforetheEmperor，andonthisconditionwererestoredtoliberty。

AboutthistimeanoccasionaroseinwhichIwasmoresuccessful。

GeneralLemarrois，oneoftheoldestofhisMajesty\'saides-de-camp，asoldierofwell-knowncourage，whowonallheartsbyhisexcellentqualities，wasforsometimeoutoffavorwiththeEmperor，andseveraltimesendeavoredtoobtainanaudiencewithhim；butwhetheritwasthattherequestwasnotmadeknowntohisMajesty，orhedidnotwishtoreply，M。Lemarroisreceivednoanswer。Inordertosettlethematterheconceivedtheideaofaddressinghimselftome，entreatingmetopresenthispetitionatanopportunemoment。Ididthis，andhadthehappinesstosucceed；andinconsequenceM。LemarroisobtainedanaudiencewithsuchgratifyingresultsthatashorttimeafterheobtainedthegovernorshipofMagdeburg。

TheEmperorwasabsent-minded，andoftenforgotwherehehadputthepetitionswhichwerehandedtohim，andthustheyweresometimesleftinhiscoats，andwhenIfoundthemthereIcarriedthemtohisMajesty\'scabinetandhandedthemtoM。deMenevalorM。Fain；andoften，too，the，papersforwhichhewashuntingwerefoundintheapartmentsoftheEmpress。SometimestheEmperorgavemepaperstoputaway，andthoseI

placedinaboxofwhichIalonehadthekey。Onedaytherewasagreatcommotionintheprivateapartmentsoverapaperwhichcouldnotbefound。Thesewerethecircumstances:

NeartheEmperor\'scabinetwasasmallroominwhichthesecretariesstayed，furnishedwithadesk，onwhichnotesorpetitionswere——oftenplaced。Thisroomwasusuallyoccupiedbythecabinetusher，andtheEmperorwasaccustomedtoenteritifhewishedtoholdaprivateconversationwithoutbeingoverheardbythesecretaries。WhentheEmperorenteredthisroomtheusherwithdrewandremainedoutsidethedoor；hewasresponsibleforeverythinginthisroom，whichwasneveropenedexceptbyexpressordersfromhisMajesty。

MarshalBessiereshadseveraldaysbeforepresentedtotheEmperorarequestforpromotionfromacolonelofthearmywhichhehadwarmlysupported。OnemorningthemarshalenteredthelittleroomofwhichI

havejustspoken，andfindinghispetitionalreadysignedlyingonthedesk，hecarrieditoff，withoutbeingnoticedbymywife\'sunclewhowasonduty。Afewhoursafter，theEmperorwishedtoexaminethispetitionagain，andwasverysurehehadleftitinthissmallroom；butitwasnotthere，anditwasthoughtthattheushermusthaveallowedsomeonetoenterwithouthisMajesty\'sorders。SearchwasmadeeverywhereinthisroomandintheEmperor\'scabinet，andevenintheapartmentsoftheEmpress，andatlastitwasnecessarytoannouncetohisMajestythatthesearchhadbeeninvain；whereupontheEmperorgavewaytooneofthoseburstsofangerwhichweresoterriblethoughfortunatelysorare，whichterrifiedthewholechateau，andthepoorusherreceivedordersnevertoappearinhissightagain。AtlastMarshalBessieres，havingbeentoldofthisterriblecommotion，cametoaccusehimself。TheEmperorwasappeased，theusherrestoredtofavor，andeverythingforgotten；thougheachonewasmorecarefulthaneverthatnothingshouldbedisturbed，andthattheEmperorshouldfindathisfinger\'sendwhateverpapersheneeded。

TheEmperorwouldnotallowanyonetobeintroducedwithouthispermission，eitherintotheEmpress\'sapartmentsorhisown；andthiswastheonefaultforwhichthepeopleofthehouseholdcouldnotexpectpardon。Once，Idonotexactlyrememberwhen，thewifeofoneoftheSwissGuardallowedoneofherloverstoentertheapartmentsoftheEmpress；andthisunfortunatewoman，withouttheknowledgeofherimprudentmistress，tookinsoftwaxanimpressionofthekeyofthejewel-boxwhichIhavealreadymentionedashavingbelongedtoQueenMarieAntoinette，and，bymeansofafalsekeymadefromthisimpression，succeededinstealingseveralarticlesofjewelry。Thepolicesoondiscoveredtheauthoroftherobberywhowaspunishedashedeserved，thoughanotherpersonwasalsopunishedwhodidnotdeserveit，forthepoorhusbandlosthisplace。

CHAPTERXXV

AfterhisdivorcefromtheEmpressJosephine，theEmperorappearedmuchpreoccupied；andasitwasknownthathethoughtofmarryingagain，allpersonsatthechateauandinhisMajesty\'sserviceweregreatlyconcernedaboutthismarriage，thoughallourconjecturesconcerningtheprincessdestinedtosharetheImperialcrownprovedtobewrong。SomespokeofaRussianprincess，whileotherssaidtheEmperorwouldmarrynonebutaFrenchwoman；butnoonethoughtofanAustrianarchduchess。

Whenthemarriagehadbeendecided，nothingwasspokenofatthecourtbuttheyouth，grace，andnativegoodnessofthenewEmpress。TheEmperorwasverygay，andpaidmoreattentiontohistoilet，givingmeorderstorenewhiswardrobe，andtoorderbetterfittingcoats，madeinamoremodernstyle。TheEmperoralsosatforhisportrait，whichthePrincedeNeuchatelcarriedtoMarieLouise；andtheEmperorreceivedatthesametimethatofhisyoungwife，withwhichheappeareddelighted。

TheEmperor，inordertowinMarieLouise\'saffection，didmoreundignifiedthingsthanhehadeverdoneforanywoman。Forinstance，onedaywhenhewasalonewithQueenHortenseandthePrincessStephanie，thelattermischievouslyaskedhimifheknewhowtowaltz；andhisMajestyrepliedthathehadneverbeenabletogobeyondthefirstlesson，becauseaftertwoorthreeturnshebecamesodizzythathewascompelledtostop。“WhenIwasatl\'ecolemilitaire，“addedtheEmperor，“Itriedagainandagaintoovercomedizzinesswhichwaltzingproduced，butIcouldnotsucceed。Ourdancing-masterhavingadvisedus，inlearningtowaltz，totakeachairinourarmsinsteadofalady，Ineverfailedtofallwiththechair，whichIpressedsolovinglythatitbroke；

andthusthechairsinmyroom，andthatoftwoorthreeofmycompanions，weredestroyed，oneaftertheother。“ThistaletoldinthemostanimatedandamusingmannerbyhisMajestyexcitedburstsoflaughterfromthetwoprincesses。

Whenthishilarityhadsomewhatsubsided，PrincessStephaniereturnedtothecharge，saying，“ItreallyisapitythatyourMajestydoesnotknowhowtowaltz，fortheGermansarewildoverwaltzing，andtheEmpresswillnaturallysharethetasteofhercompatriots；shecanhavenopartnerbuttheEmperor，andthusshewillbedeprivedofagreatpleasurethroughyourMajesty\'sfault。“——“Youareright！“repliedtheEmperor；“well，givemealesson，andyouwillhaveaspecimenofmyskill。“Whereuponherose，tookafewturnswithPrincessStephanie，hummingtheairoftheQueenofPrussia；buthecouldnottakemorethantwoorthreeturns，andeventhishedidsoawkwardlythatitincreasedtheamusementoftheseladies。ThenthePrincessofBadenstopped，saying，“Sire，thatisquiteenoughtoconvincemethatyouwillneverbeanythingbutapoorpupil。Youweremadetogivelessons，nottotakethem。“

EarlyinMarchthePrincedeNeuchatelsetoutforViennacommissionedtoofficiallyrequestthehandoftheEmpressinmarriage。TheArchdukeCharles，asproxyoftheEmperor，marriedtheArchduchessMarieLouise，andshesetoutatonceforFrance，thelittletownofBrannan，onthefrontierbetweenAustriaandBavaria，havingbeendesignatedastheplaceatwhichherMajestywastopassintothecareofaFrenchsuite。TheroadfromStrasburgwassoonfilledwithcarriagesconveyingtoBrannan。

thehouseholdofthenewEmpress。MostoftheseladieshadpassedfromthehouseholdoftheEmpressJosephineintothatofMarieLouise。

TheEmperorwishedtoseeforhimselfifthetrousseauandweddingpresentsintendedforhisnewwifewereworthyofhimandofher，consequentlyalltheclothingandlinenwerebroughttotheTuileries，spreadoutbeforehim，andpackedunderhisowneyes。Thegoodtasteandeleganceofeacharticlewereequaledonlybytherichnessofthematerials。ThefurnishersandmodistesofParishadworkedaccordingtomodelssentfromVienna；andwhenthesemodelswerepresentedtotheEmperorhetookoneoftheshoes，whichwereremarkablysmall，andwithitgavemeablowonthecheekintheformofacaress。“See，Constant，“

saidhisMajesty，“thatisashoeofgoodaugury。Haveyoueverseenafootlikethat？Thisismadetobeheldinthehand。“

HerMajestytheQueenofNapleshadbeensenttoBrannan，bytheEmperortoreceivetheEmpress。QueenCaroline，ofwhomtheEmperoroncesaidthatshewasamanamonghersisters，asPrinceJosephwasawomanamonghisbrothers，mistook，itissaid，thetimidityofMarieLouiseforweakness，andthoughtthatshewouldonlyhavetospeakandheryoungsister-in-lawwouldhastentoobey。OnherarrivalatBrannantheformaltransferwassolemnlymade；andtheEmpressbadefarewelltoallherAustrianhousehold，retaininginherserviceonlyherfirstladyofhonor，MadamedeLajanski，whohadrearedherandneverbeenabsentfromher。EtiquetterequiredthatthehouseholdoftheEmpressshouldbeentirelyFrench，andtheordersoftheEmperorwereverypreciseinthisregard；butIdonotknowwhetheritistrue，ashasbeenstated，thattheEmpresshaddemandedandobtainedfromtheEmperorpermissiontoretainforayearthisladyofhonor。Howeverthatmaybe，theQueenofNaplesthoughtittoherinteresttoremoveapersonwhoseinfluenceoverthemindoftheEmpressshesomuchfeared；andastheladiesofthehouseholdofherImperialMajestywerethemselveseagertoberidoftherivalryofMadamedeLajanski，andendeavoredtoexcitestillmorethejealousyofherImperialhighness，apositiveorderwasdemandedfromtheEmperor，andMadamedeLajanskiwassentbackfromMunichtoVienna。

TheEmpressobeyedwithoutcomplaint，butknowingwhohadinstigatedtheblow，cherishedaprofoundresentmentagainstherMajestytheQueenofNaples。TheEmpresstraveledonlybyshortstages，andwaswelcomedbyfetesineachtownthroughwhichshepassed。EachdaytheEmperorsentheraletterfromhisownhand，andsherepliedregularly。ThefirstlettersoftheEmpresswereveryshort，andprobablycold，fortheEmperorsaidnothingaboutthem；butafterwardstheygrewlongerandgraduallymoreaffectionate，andtheEmperorreadthemintransportsofdelight，awaitingthearrivaloftheseletterswiththeimpatienceofalovertwentyyearsofage，andalwayssayingthecourierstraveledslowly，althoughtheybrokedowntheirhorses。

TheEmperorreturnedfromthechaseonedayholdinginhishandstwopheasantswhichhehadhimselfkilled，andfollowedbyfootmenbearingintheirhandstherarestflowersfromtheconservatoryofSaint-Cloud。Hewroteanote，andimmediatelysaidtohisfirstpage，“Intenminutesbereadytoenteryourcarriage。YouwillfindtherethispackagewhichyouwillgivewithyourownhandtoherMajestytheEmpress，withtheaccompanyingletter。Abovealldonotsparethehorses；goasfastaspossible，andfearnothing。TheDukeofVicenzashallsaynothingtoyou。“TheyoungmanaskednothingbetterthantoobeyhisMajesty；andstronginthisauthority，whichgavehimperfectliberty，hedidnotgrudgedrinkmoneytothepostilions，andintwenty-fourhourshadreachedStrasburganddeliveredhismessage。

Idonotknowwhetherhereceivedareprimandfromthegrandequerryonhisreturn；butiftherewasanycauseforthis，thelatterwouldnothavefailedtobestowit，inspiteoftheEmperor\'sassurancetothefirstpage。TheDukeofVicenzahadorganizedandkeptinadmirableordertheserviceofthestables，wherenothingwasdoneexceptbyhiswill，whichwasmostabsolute；anditwasonlywiththegreatestdifficultythattheEmperorhimselfcouldchangeanorderwhichthegrandequerryhadgiven。Forinstance，hisMajestywasonedayenroutetoFontainebleau，andbeingveryanxioustoarrivequickly，gaveorderstotheoutriderwhoregulatedthegaitofthehorses，togofaster。ThisorderhetransmittedtotheDukeofVicenzawhosecarriageprecededthatoftheEmperor；andfindingthatthegrandequerrypaidnoattentiontothisorder，theEmperorbegantoswear，andcriedtotheoutriderthroughthedoor，“Letmycarriagepassinfront，sincethoseinfrontwillnotgoon。“Theoutridersandpostilionswereabouttoexecutethismaneuverwhenthegrandequerryalsoputhisheadoutofthedoorandexclaimed，“Keeptoatrot，thefirstmanwhogallopsIwilldismissonarriving。“

Itwaswellknownthathewouldkeephisword，sonoonedaredtopass，andhiscarriagecontinuedtoregulatethepaceoftheothers。OnreachingFontainebleautheEmperordemandedoftheDukeofVicenzaanexplanationofhisconduct。“Sire，“repliedtheduketohisMajesty，“whenyouallowmealargersumfortheexpensesofthestables，youcankillyourhorsesatyourpleasure。“

TheEmperorcursedeverymomenttheceremonialsandfeteswhichdelayedthearrivalofhisyoungwife。AcamphadbeenformednearSoissonsforthereceptionoftheEmpress。TheEmperorwasnowatCompiegne，wherehemadeadecreecontainingseveralclausesofbenefitsandindulgencesontheoccasionofhismarriage，settingatlibertymanycondemned，givingImperialmarriagedowriestosixthousandsoldiers，amnesties，promotions，etc。AtlengthhisMajestylearnedthattheEmpresswasnotmorethantenleaguesfromSoissons，andnolongerabletorestrainhisimpatience，calledmewithallhismight，“Oheho，Constant！orderacarriagewithoutlivery，andcomeanddressme。“TheEmperorwishedtosurprisetheEmpress，andpresenthimselftoherwithoutbeingannounced；

andlaughedimmoderatelyattheeffectthiswouldproduce。Heattendedtohistoiletwithevenmoreexquisitecarethanusual，ifthatwerepossible，andwiththecoquetryofglorydressedhimselfinthegrayredingotehehadwornatWagram；andthusarrayed，theEmperorenteredacarriagewiththeKingofNaples。ThecircumstancesofthisfirstmeetingoftheirImperialMajestiesarewellknown。

InthelittlevillageofCourcelles，theEmperormetthelastcourier，whoprecededbyonlyafewmomentsthecarriagesoftheEmpress；andasitwasrainingintorrents，hisMajestytookshelterontheporchofthevillagechurch。AsthecarriageoftheEmpresswaspassing，theEmperormadesignstothepostilionstostop；andtheequerry，whowasattheEmpress\'sdoor，perceivingtheEmperor，hastilyloweredthestep，andannouncedhisMajesty，who，somewhatvexedbythis，exclaimed，“CouldyounotseethatImadesignstoyoutobesilent？“Thisslightill-humor，however，passedawayinaninstant；andtheEmperorthrewhimselfontheneckofMarieLouise，who，holdinginherhandthepictureofherhusband，andlookingattentivelyfirstatit，thenathim，remarkedwithacharmingsmile，“Itisnotflattered。“AmagnificentsupperhadbeenpreparedatSoissonsfortheEmpressandhercortege；buttheEmperorgaveorderstopasson，anddroveasfarasCompiegne，withoutregardtotheappetitesoftheofficersandladiesinthesuiteoftheEmpress。

CHAPTERXXVI。

OntheirMajesties\'arrivalatCompiegne，theEmperorpresentedhishandtotheEmpress，andconductedhertoherapartment。Hewishedthatnooneshouldapproachortouchhisyoungwifebeforehimself；andhisjealousywassoextremeonthispointthathehimselfforbadethesenatordeBeauharnais，theEmpress\'schevalierofhonor，topresenthishandtoherImperialMajesty，althoughthiswasoneoftherequirementsofhisposition。Accordingtotheprogramme，theEmperorshouldhaveoccupiedadifferentresidencefromtheEmpress，andhavesleptatthehoteloftheChancellerie；buthedidnothingofthesort，sinceafteralongconversationwiththeEmpress，hereturnedtohisroom，undressed，perfumedhimselfwithcologne，andwearingonlyanightdressreturnedsecretlytotheEmpress。

ThenextmorningtheEmperoraskedmeathistoiletifanyonenoticedthechangehehadmadeintheprogramme；andIrepliedthatIthoughtnot，thoughattheriskoffalsehood。JustthenoneofhisMajesty\'sintimatefriendsenteredwhowasunmarried，towhomhisMajesty，pullinghisears，said，“Mydearfellow，marryaGerman。Theyarethebestwivesintheworld；gentle，good，artless，andfreshasroses。“FromtheairofsatisfactionwithwhichtheEmperorsaidthis，itwaseasytoseethathewaspaintingaportrait，anditwasonlyashortwhilesincethepainterhadleftthemodel。Aftermakinghistoilet，theEmperorreturnedtotheEmpress，andtowardsnoonhadbreakfastsentupforherandhim，andservednearthebedbyherMajesty\'swomen。Throughoutthedayhewasinastateofcharminggayety，andcontrarytohisusualcustom，havingmadeasecondtoiletfordinner，worethecoatmadebythetailoroftheKingofNaples；butnextdayhewouldnotallowittobeputonagain，sayingitwasmuchtoouncomfortable。

TheEmperor，asmaybeseenfromtheprecedingdetails，lovedhisnewwifemosttenderly。Hepaidherconstantattentions，andhiswholeconductwasthatofaloverdeeplyenamoured。Nevertheless，itisnottrue，assomeonehassaid，thatheremainedthreemonthsalmostwithoutworking，tothegreatastonishmentofhisministers；forworkwasnotonlyadutywiththeEmperor，itwasbothanecessityandanenjoyment，fromwhichnootherpleasure，howevergreat，coulddistracthim；andonthisoccasion，asoneveryother，heknewperfectlywellhowtocombinethedutiesheowedtohisempireandhisarmywiththoseduetohischarmingwife。

TheEmpressMarieLouisewasonlynineteenyearsoldattheperiodofhermarriage。Herhairwasblond，hereyesblueandexpressive，hercarriagenoble，andherfigurestriking，whileherhandandfootmighthaveservedasmodels；infact，herwholepersonbreathedyouth，health，andfreshness。Shewasdiffident，andmaintainedahaughtyreservetowardsthecourt；butshewassaidtobeaffectionateandfriendlyinprivatelife，andonefactIcanassertpositivelyisthatshewasveryaffectionatetowardtheEmperor，andsubmissivetohiswill。IntheirfirstinterviewtheEmperoraskedherwhatrecommendationsweremadetoheronherdeparturefromVienna。“Tobeentirelydevotedtoyou，andtoobeyyouinallthings，“whichinstructionssheseemedtofindnodifficultyinobeying。

NoonecouldresemblethefirstEmpresslessthanthesecond，andexceptinthetwopointsofsimilarityoftemperament，andanextremeregardfortheEmperor，theonewasexactlytheoppositeoftheother；anditmustbeconfessedtheEmperorcongratulatedhimselfonthisdifference，inwhichhefoundbothnoveltyandcharm。Hehimselfdrewaparallelbetweenhistwowivesintheseterms:“Theone[Josephine]wasallartandgrace；theother[MarieLouise]innocenceandnaturalsimplicity。Atnomomentofherlifewerethemannersorhabitsoftheformerotherthanagreeableandattractive，anditwouldhavebeenimpossibletotakeheratadisadvantageonthesepoints；foritwasherspecialobjectinlifetoproduceonlyadvantageousimpressions，andshegainedherendwithoutallowingthisefforttobeseen。Allthatartcanfurnishtosupplementattractionswaspracticedbyher，butsoskillfullythattheexistenceofthisdeceptioncouldonlybesuspectedatmost。Onthecontrary，itneveroccurredtothemindofthesecondthatshecouldgainanythingbyinnocentartifices。Theonewasalwaystemptedtoinfringeuponthetruth，andherfirstemotionwasanegativeone。Theotherwasignorantofdissimulation，andeverydeceptionwasforeigntoher。Thefirstneveraskedforanything，butsheowedeverywhere。Theseconddidnothesitatetoaskifsheneededanything，whichwasveryrarely，andneverpurchasedanythingwithoutfeelingherselfobligedtopayforitimmediately。Tosumitallup，bothweregood，gentlewives，andmuchattachedtotheirhusband。“Such，orverynearlythese，werethetermsinwhichtheEmperorspokeofhisEmpresses。Itcanbeseenthathedrewthecomparisoninfavorofthesecond；andwiththisideahegavehercreditforqualitieswhichshedidnotpossess，oratleastexaggeratedgreatlythosereallybelongingtoher。

TheEmperorgrantedMarieLouise500，000francsforhertoilet，butsheneverspenttheentireamount。Shehadlittletasteindress，andwouldhavemadeaveryinelegantappearancehadshenotbeenwelladvised。

TheEmperorwaspresentathertoiletthosedaysonwhichhewishedhertoappearespeciallywell，andhimselftriedtheeffectofdifferentornamentsonthehead，neck，andarmsoftheEmpress，alwaysselectingsomethingveryhandsome。TheEmperorwasanexcellenthusband，ofwhichhegaveproofinthecaseofbothhiswives。Headoredhisson，andbothasfatherandhusbandmighthaveservedasamodelforallhissubjects；

yetinspiteofwhateverhemayhavesaidonthesubjecthimself，IdonotthinkhelovedMarieLouisewiththesamedevotedaffectionasJosephine。Thelatterhadacharminggrace，akindness，anintelligence，andadevotiontoherhusbandwhichtheEmperorknewandappreciatedatitsfullvalue；andthoughMarieLouisewasyounger，shewascolder，andhadfarlessgraceofmanner。Ithinkshewasmuchattachedtoherhusband；butshewasreservedandreticent，andbynomeanstooktheplaceofJosephinewiththosewhohadenjoyedthehappinessofbeingnearthelatter。