第15章

NotwithstandingtheapparentsubmissionwithwhichshehadbiddenfarewelltoherAustrianhousehold，itiscertainthatshehadstrongprejudices，notonlyagainstherownhousehold，butalsoagainstthatoftheEmperor，andneveraddressedagraciouswordtothepersonsintheEmperor\'spersonalservice。Isawherfrequently，butnotasmile，alook，asign，onthepartoftheEmpressshowedmethatIwasinhereyesanythingmorethanastranger。OnmyreturnfromRussia，whenceIdidnotarriveuntilaftertheEmperor，Ilostnotimeinenteringhisroom，knowingthathehadalreadyaskedforme，andfoundtherehisMajestywiththeEmpressandQueenHortense。TheEmperorcondoledwithmeonthesufferingsIhadrecentlyundergone，andsaidmanyflatteringthingswhichprovedhishighopinionofme；andthequeen，withthatcharminggraceofwhichsheistheonlymodelsincethedeathofheraugustmother，conversedwithmeforsometimeinthekindestmanner。TheEmpressalonekeptsilence；andnoticingthistheEmperorsaidtoher，“Louise，haveyounothingtosaytopoorConstant？“——“Ihadnotperceivedhim，“saidtheEmpress。Thisreplywasmostunkind，asitwasimpossibleforherMajestynottohave“perceived“me，therebeingatthatmomentpresentintheroomonlytheEmperor，QueenHortense，andI。

TheEmperorfromthefirsttooktheseverestprecautionsthatnoone，andespeciallynoman，shouldapproachtheEmpress，exceptinthepresenceofwitnesses。

DuringthetimeoftheEmpressJosephine，therewerefourladieswhoseonlydutywastoannouncethepersonsreceivedbyherMajesty。TheexcessiveindulgenceofJosephinepreventedherrepressingthejealouspretensionsofsomepersonsofherhousehold，whichgaverisetoendlessdebatesandrivalriesbetweentheladiesofthepalaceandthoseofannouncement。TheEmperorhadbeenmuchannoyedbyallthesebickerings，and，inordertoavoidtheminfuture，chose，fromtheladieschargedwiththeeducationofthedaughtersoftheLegionofHonorintheschoolatRouen，fournewladiesofannouncementfortheEmpressMarieLouise。

Preferencewasatfirstgiventothedaughtersorwidowsofgenerals；andtheEmperordecidedthattheplacesbecomingvacantbelongedbyrighttothebestpupilsoftheImperialschoolofRouen，andshouldbegivenasarewardforgoodconduct。Ashorttimeafter，thenumberoftheseladiesnowbeingasmanyassix，twopupilsofMadamedeCampanwerenamed，andtheseladieschangedtheirtitlestothatoffirstladiesoftheEmpress。

Thischange，however，excitedthedispleasureoftheladiesofthepalace，andagainarousedtheirclamorsaroundtheEmperor；andheconsequentlydecidedthattheladiesofannouncementshouldtakethetitleoffirstladiesofthechamber。Greatclamoramongtheladiesofannouncementintheirturn，whocameinpersontopleadtheircausebeforetheEmperor；andheatlastendedthematterbygivingthemthetitleofreaderstotheEmpress，inordertoreconciletherequirementsofthetwobelligerentparties。

Theseladiesofannouncement，orfirstladiesofthechamber，orreaders，asthereadermaypleasetocallthem，hadundertheirorderssixfemmesdechambre，whoenteredtheEmpress\'sroomsonlywhensummonedtherebyabell。TheselatterarrangedherMajesty\'stoiletandhairinthemorning；andthesixfirstladiestooknopartinhertoiletexceptthecareofthediamonds，ofwhichtheyhadspecialcharge。TheirchiefandalmostonlyemploymentwastofollowthestepsoftheEmpress，whomtheyleftnomorethanhershadow，enteringherroombeforeshearose，andleavinghernomoretillshewasinbed。Thenallthedoorsopeningintoherroomwereclosed，exceptthatleadingintoanadjoiningroom，inwhichwasthebedoftheladyonduty，andthroughwhich，inordertoenterhiswife\'sroom，theEmperorhimselfmustpass。

WiththeexceptionofM。deMeneval，secretaryofordersoftheEmpress，andM。Ballouhai，superintendentofexpenses，nomanwasadmittedintotheprivateapartmentsoftheEmpresswithoutanorderfromtheEmperor；

andtheladieseven，excepttheladyofhonorandtheladyofattire，werereceivedonlyaftermakinganappointmentwiththeEmpress。Theladiesoftheprivateapartmentswererequiredtoobservetheserules，andwereresponsiblefortheirexecution；andoneofthemwasrequiredtobepresentatthemusic，painting，andembroiderylessonsoftheEmpress，andwrotelettersbyherdictationorunderherorders。

TheEmperordidnotwishthatanymanintheworldshouldboastofhavingbeenalonewiththeEmpressfortwominutes；andhereprimandedveryseverelytheladyondutybecausesheonedayremainedattheendofthesaloonwhileM。Biennais，courtwatchmaker，showedherMajestyasecretdrawerinaportfoliohehadmadeforher。AnothertimetheEmperorwasmuchdispleasedbecausetheladyondutywasnotseatedbythesideoftheEmpresswhileshetookhermusic-lessonwithM。Pier。

ThesefactsproveconclusivelythefalsityofthestatementthatthemillinerLeroywasexcludedfromthepalacefortakingthelibertyofsayingtoherMajestythatshehadbeautifulshoulders。M。LeroyhadthedressesoftheEmpressmadeathisshopbyamodelwhichwassenthim；

andtheywerenevertriedonherMajesty，eitherbyhim，oranypersonofherMajesty\'shousehold，andnecessaryalterationswereindicatedbyherfemmesdechambre。Itwasthesamewiththeothermerchantsandfurnishers，makersofcorsets，theshoemaker，glovemaker，etc。；notoneofwhomeversawtheEmpressorspoketoherinherprivateapartments。

CHAPTERXXVII。

TheirMajesties\'civilmarriagewascelebratedatSaint-CloudonSunday，the1stofApril，attwoo\'clockintheafternoon。ThereligiousceremonywassolemnizedthenextdayinthegrandgalleryoftheLouvre。

AverysingularcircumstanceinthisconnectionwasthefactthatSundayafternoonatSaint-Cloudtheweatherwasbeautiful，whilethestreetsofPariswerefloodedwithaheavyshowerlastingsometime，andonMondaytherewasrainatSaint-Cloud，whiletheweatherwasmagnificentinParis，asifthefateshaddecreedthatnothingshouldlessenthesplendorofthecortege，orthebrilliancyofthewonderfulilluminationsofthatevening。“ThestaroftheEmperor，“saidsomeoneinthelanguageofthatperiod，“hasbornehimtwiceoverequinoctialwinds。“

OnMondayeveningthecityofParispresentedascenethatmighthavebeentakenfromtherealmsofenchantment:theilluminationswerethemostbrilliantIhaveeverwitnessed，formingasuccessionofmagicpanoramainwhichhouses，hotels，palaces，andchurches，shonewithdazzlingsplendor，theglitteringtowersofthechurchesappearedlikestarsandcometssuspendedintheair。Thehotelsofthegranddignitariesoftheempire，theministers，theambassadorsofAustriaandRussia，andtheDuked\'Abrantes，rivaledeachotherintasteandbeauty。

ThePlaceLouisXV。waslikeascenefromfairyland；fromthemidstofthisPlace，surroundedwithorange-treesonfire，theeyewasattractedinsuccessionbythemagnificentdecorationsoftheChamps-Elysees，theGardeMeuble，theTempleofGlory，theTuileries，andtheCorpsLegislatif。ThepalaceofthelatterrepresentedtheTempleofHymen，thetransparenciesonthefrontrepresentingPeaceunitingtheaugustspouses。Besidethemstoodtwofiguresbearingshields，onwhichwererepresentedthearmsofthetwoempires；andbehindthisgroupcamemagistrates，warriors，andthepeoplepresentingcrowns。AtthetwoextremitiesofthetransparencieswererepresentedtheSeineandtheDanube，surroundedbychildren-imageoffecundity。Thetwelvecolumnsoftheperistyleandthestaircasewereilluminated；andthecolumnswereunitedbygarlandsofcoloredlights，thestatuesontheperistyleandthestepsalsobearinglights。ThebridgeLouisXV。，bywhichthisTempleofHymenwasreached，formedinitselfanavenue，whosedoublerowsoflamps，andobelisksandmorethanahundredcolumns，eachsurmountedbyastarandconnectedbyspiralfestoonsofcoloredlights，producedaneffectsobrilliantthatitwasalmostunendurabletothenakedeye。ThecupolaofthedomeofSaintGenevievewasalsomagnificentlylighted，andeachsideoutlinedbyadoublerowoflamps。

Ateachcornerwereeagles，ciphersincoloredglass，andgarlandsoffiresuspendedbetweentorchesofHymen。Theperistyleofthedomewaslightedbylampsplacedbetweeneachcolumn，andasthecolumnswerenotlightedtheyseemedasifsuspendedintheair。Thelanterntowerwasablazeoflight；andallthismassofbrilliancywassurmountedbyatripodrepresentingthealtarofHymen，fromwhichshottonguesofflame，producedbybituminousmaterials。Atagreatelevationabovetheplatformoftheobservatory，animmensestar，isolatedfromtheplatform，andwhichfromthevarietyofmany-coloredglassescomposingitsparkledlikeavastdiamond，underthedomeofnight。Thepalaceofthesenatealsoattractedalargenumberofthecurious；butIhavealreadyextendedtoofarthedescriptionofthiswonderfulscenewhichunfoldeditselfateverystepbeforeus。

ThecityofParisdidhomagetoherMajestytheEmpressbypresentingherwithatoiletsetevenmoremagnificentthanthatformerlypresentedtotheEmpressJosephine。Everythingwasinsilvergilt，eventhearmchairandthechevalglass。Thepaintingsontheexquisitefurniturehadbeenmadebythefirstartists，andtheeleganceandfinishoftheornamentssurpassedeventherichnessofthematerials。

AbouttheendofApriltheirMajestiessetouttogethertovisitthedepartmentsoftheNorth；andthejourneywasanalmostexactrepetitionoftheoneImadein1804withtheEmperor，onlytheEmpresswasnolongerthegood，kindJosephine。Whilepassingagainthroughallthesetowns，whereIhadseenherwelcomedwithsomuchenthusiasm，andwhonowaddressedthesameadorationandhomagetoanewsovereign，andwhileseeingagainthechateauxofLacken，Brussels，Antwerp，Boulogne，andmanyotherplaceswhereIhadseenJosephinepassintriumph，asatpresentMarieLouisepassed，Ithoughtwithchagrinoftheisolationofthefirstwifefromherhusband，andthesufferingwhichmustpenetrateevenintoherretreat，asshewastoldofthehonorsrenderedtotheonewhohadsucceededherintheEmperor\'sheartandontheImperialthrone。

TheKingandQueenofWestphaliaandPrinceEugeneaccompaniedtheirMajesties。WesawavesselwitheightycannonlaunchedatAntwerp，whichreceived，beforeleavingthedocks，thebenedictionofM。dePradt，ArchbishopofMalines。TheKingofHolland，whojoinedtheEmperoratAntwerp，feltmostunkindlytowardshisMajesty，whohadrecentlyrequiredofhimthecessionofapartofhisstates，andsoonafterseizedtheremainder。Hewas，however，presentinParisatthemarriagefetesoftheEmperor，whohadevensenthimtomeetMarieLouise；butthetwobrothershadnotceasedtheirmutualdistrustofeachother，anditmustbeadmittedthatthatofKingLouishadonlytoogoodfoundation。

WhatstruckmeasverysingularintheiraltercationswasthattheEmperor，intheabsenceofhisbrother，gaveventtothemostterribleburstsofrage，andtoviolentthreatsagainsthim，whileiftheyhadaninterviewtheytreatedeachotherinthemostamicableandfamiliarandbrotherlymanner。Aparttheywere，theone，EmperoroftheFrench，theother，KingofHolland，withoppositeinterestsandviews；togethertheywerenomorethan，ifImaybepermittedtosoexpressmyself，NapoleonandLouis，companionsandfriendsfromchildhood。

PrinceLouiswashabituallysadandmelancholy。Theannoyancesheexperiencedonthethrone，wherehehadbeenplacedagainsthiswill，addedtohisdomestictroubles，madehimevidentlyveryunhappy，andallwhoknewhimpitiedhimsincerely；forKingLouiswasanexcellentmaster，andanhonestmanofmuchmerit。IthasbeensaidthatwhentheEmperorhaddecidedontheunionofHollandandFrance，KingLouisresolvedtodefendhimselfinthetownofAmsterdamtothelastextremity，andtobreakthedikesandinundatethewholecountryifnecessary，inordertoarresttheinvasionoftheFrenchtroops。Idonotknowwhetherthisistrue；butfromwhatIhaveseenofthisprince\'scharacter，Iamverysurethat，whilehavingenoughpersonalcouragetoexposehisownpersontoallthechancesofthisdesperatealternative，hisnaturallykindheartandhishumanitywouldhavepreventedtheexecutionofthisproject。

AtMiddleburgtheEmperorembarkedonboardtheCharlemagnetovisitthemouthoftheScheldtandtheportandislandofFlushing。Duringthisexcursionwewereassailedbyaterribletempest，threeanchorswerebrokeninsuccession；wemetwithotheraccidents，andencounteredgreatdangers。

TheEmperorwasmadeverysick，andeveryfewmomentsthrewhimselfonhisbed，makingviolentbutunsuccessfuleffortstovomit，whichrenderedhissicknessmoredistressing。Iwasfortunateenoughnottobeatallinconvenienced，andwasthusinapositiontogivehimalltheattentionherequired；thoughallthepersonsofhissuiteweresick，andmyuncle，whowasusheronduty，andobligedtoremainstandingatthedoorofhisMajesty\'scabin，fellovercontinually，andsufferedagony。Duringthistimeoftorment，whichlastedforthreedays，theEmperorwasburstingwithimpatience。“Ithink，“saidhe，“thatIwouldhavemadeaprettyadmiral。“

Ashorttimeafterourreturnfromthisvoyage，theEmperorwishedherMajestytheEmpresstolearntorideonhorseback；andforthispurposeshewenttotheriding-hallofSaint-Cloud。Severalpersonsofthehouseholdwereinthegallerytoseehertakeherfirstlesson，Iamongthenumber；andInoticedthetendersolicitudeoftheEmperorforhisyoungwife，whowasmountedonagentle，well-brokenhorse，whiletheEmperorheldherhandandwalkedbyherside，M。Jardin，Sr。，holdingthehorse\'sbridle。Atthefirststepthehorsemade，theEmpressscreamedwithfright，whereupontheEmperorsaidtoher，“Come，Louise，bebrave。

Whathaveyoutofear？AmInothere？“Andthusthelessonpassed，inencouragementononesideandfrightontheother。ThenextdaytheEmperororderedthepersonsinthegallerytoleave，astheyembarrassedtheEmpress；butshesoonovercamehertimidity，andendedbybecomingaverygoodhorsewoman，oftenracingintheparkwithherladiesofhonorandMadametheDuchessofMontebello，whoalsorodewithmuchgrace。A

coachwithsomeladiesfollowedtheEmpress，andPrinceAldobrandini，herequerry，neverleftherinherrides。

TheEmpresswasatanageinwhichoneenjoysballsandfetes；buttheEmperorfearedaboveallthingsherbecomingtired，andconsequentlyrejoicingsandamusementsweregivenupatthecourtandinthecity。

AfetegiveninhonoroftheirMajestiesbythePrinceofSchwartzenberg，ambassadorfromAustria，endedinafrightfulaccident。

TheprinceoccupiedtheformerHoteldelaMontessonintheruedelaChausseed\'Antin；andinordertogivethisballhadaddedtothisresidenceabroadhallandwoodengallery，decoratedwithquantitiesofflowers，banners，candelabra，etc。JustastheEmperor，whohadbeenpresentatthefetefortwoorthreehours，wasabouttoretire，oneofthecurtains，blownbythebreeze，tookfirefromthelights，whichhadbeenplacedtoonearthewindows，andwasinstantlyinflames。Somepersonsmadeineffectualeffortstoextinguishthefirebytearingdownthedraperyandsmotheringtheflameswiththeirhands；butinthetwinklingofaneyethecurtains，papers，andgarlandscaught，andthewood-workbegantoburn。

TheEmperorwasoneofthefirsttoperceivetherapidprogressofthefire，andforeseetheresults。HeapproachedtheEmpress，whohadalreadyrisentojoinhim，andgotoutwithher，notwithoutsomedifficulty，onaccountofthecrowdwhichrushedtowardsthedoors；theQueensofHolland，Naples，Westphalia，thePrincessBorghese，etc。，followingtheirMajesties，whiletheVice-queenofItaly，whowaspregnant，remainedinthehall，ontheplatformcontainingtheImperialboxes。Thevice-king，fearingthecrowdasmuchasthefireforhiswife，tookheroutthroughalittledoorthathadbeencutintheplatforminordertoserverefreshmentstotheirMajesties。NoonehadthoughtofthisopeningbeforePrinceEugene，andonlyafewpersonswentoutwithhim。HerMajestytheQueenofWestphaliadidnotthinkherselfsafe，evenwhenshehadreachedtheterrace，andinherfrightrushedintotherueTaitbout，whereshewasfoundbyapasser-by。

TheEmperoraccompaniedtheEmpressasfarastheentranceoftheChamps-

Elysees，wherehelefthertoreturntothefire，anddidnotre-enterSaint-Clouduntilfouro\'clockinthemorning。FromthetimeofthearrivaloftheEmpresswewereinastateofterribleapprehension，andeveryoneinthechateauwasapreytothegreatestanxietyinregardtotheEmperor。Atlasthearrivedunharmed，butverytired，hisclothingallindisorder，andhisfaceblackenedwithsmoke，hisshoesandstockingsscorchedandburnedbythefire。HewentdirectlytothechamberoftheEmpresstoassurehimselfifshehadrecoveredfromthefrightshehadexperienced；andthenreturnedtohisroom，andthrowinghishatonthebed，droppedonasofa，exclaiming，“MonDieu！Whatafete！“IremarkedthattheEmperor\'shandswereallblackened，andhehadlosthisglovesatthefire。Hewasmuchdejected，andwhileIwasundressinghim，askedifIhadattendedtheprince\'sfete，andwhenI

repliedinthenegative，deignedtogivemesomedetailsofthisdeplorableevent。TheEmperorspokewithanemotionwhichIsawhimmanifestonlytwoorthreetimesinhislife，andwhichhenevershowedinregardtohisownmisfortunes。“Thefire，“saidhisMajesty，“hasto-

nightdevouredaheroicwoman。Thesister-in-lawofthePrinceofSchwartzenberg，hearingfromtheburninghallcrieswhichshethoughtwereutteredbyhereldestdaughter，threwherselfintothemidstoftheflames，andthefloor，alreadynearlyburnedthrough，brokeunderherfeet，andshedisappeared。Afterallthepoormotherwasmistaken，andallherchildrenwereoutofdanger。Incredibleeffortsweremade，andatlastshewasrecoveredfromtheflames；butshewasentirelydead，andalltheattentionsofthephysicianshavebeenunsuccessfulinrestoringhertolife。“TheemotionoftheEmperorincreasedattheendofthisrecital。Ihadtakencaretohavehisbathinreadiness，foreseeinghewouldneeditonhisreturn；andhisMajestynowtookit，andafterhiscustomaryrubbing，foundhimselfinmuchbettercondition。Nevertheless，Irememberhisexpressingfearthattheterribleaccidentofthisnightwastheprecursorofsomefatalevent，andhelongretainedtheseapprehensions。Threeyearsafter，duringthedeplorablecampaignofRussia，itwasannouncedtotheEmperoroneday，thatthearmy-corpscommandedbythePrinceofSchwartzenberghadbeendestroyed，andthattheprincehimselfhadperished；afterwardshefoundfortunatelythatthesetidingswerefalse，butwhentheywerebroughttohisMajesty，heexclaimedasifreplyingtoanideathathadlongpreoccupiedhim，“Thenitwashewhomthebadomenthreatened。“

TowardsmorningtheEmperorsentpagestothehousesofallthosewhohadsufferedfromthecatastrophewithhiscompliments，andinquiriesastotheircondition。SadanswerswerebroughttohisMajesty。MadamethePrincessdelaLayen，nieceofthePrincePrimate，haddiedfromherwounds；andthelivesofGeneralTouzart，hiswife，anddaughterweredespairedof，——infact，theydiedthatsameday。Therewereothervictimsofthisdisaster；andamonganumberofpersonswhorecoveredafterlong-continuedsufferingswerePrinceKourakinandMadameDurosnel，wifeofthegeneralofthatname。

PrinceKourakin，alwaysremarkableforthemagnificenceaswellasthesingulartasteofhistoilet，woreattheballacoatofgoldcloth，anditwasthiswhichsavedhislife，assparksandcindersslippedoffhiscoatandthedecorationswithwhichhewascoveredlikeahelmet；yet，notwithstandingthis，theprincewasconfinedtohisbedforseveralmonths。Intheconfusionhefellonhisback，wasforsometime，trampledunderfootandmuchinjured，andowedhislifeonlytothepresenceofmindandstrengthofamusician，whoraisedhiminhisarmsandcarriedhimoutofthecrowd。

GeneralDurosnel，whosewifefaintedintheball-room，threwhimselfinthemidstoftheflames，andreappearedimmediately，bearinginhisarmshispreciousburden。HeboreMadameDurosnelintoahouseontheboulevard，whereheplacedheruntilhecouldfindacarriageinwhichtoconveyhertohishotel。TheCountessDurosnelwaspainfullyburned，andwasillmorethantwoyears。Ingoingfromtheambassador\'shoteltotheboulevardhesawbythelightofthefirearobberstealthecombfromtheheadofhiswifewhohadfaintedinhisarms。Thiscombwassetwithdiamonds，andveryvaluable。

MadameDurosnel\'saffectionforherhusbandwasequaltothathefeltforher；andwhenattheendofabloodycombat，inthesecondcampaignofPoland，GeneralDurosnelwaslostforseveraldays，andnewswassenttoFrancethathewasthoughttobedead，thecountessindespairfellillofgrief，andwasatthepointofdeath。Ashorttimeafteritwaslearnedthatthegeneralwasbadlybutnotmortallywounded，andthathehadbeenfound，andhiswoundswouldquicklyheal。WhenMadameDurosnelreceivedthishappynewsherjoyamountedalmosttodelirium；andinthecourtofherhotelshemadeapileofhermourningclothesandthoseofherpeople，setfiretothem，andsawthisgloomypileturntoashesamidwildtransportsofjoyanddelight。

TwodaysaftertheburningofthehotelofthePrinceofSchwartzenberg，theEmperorreceivedthenewsoftheabdicationofhisbrotherLouis，bywhicheventhisMajestyseemedatfirstmuchchagrined，andsaidtosomeonewhoenteredhisroomjustashehadbeeninformedofit，“IforesawthismadnessofLouis，butIdidnotthinkhewouldbeinsuchhaste。“

Nevertheless，theEmperorsoondecidedwhatcoursetotake；andafewdaysafterwardshisMajesty，whoduringthetoilethadnotopenedhismouth，camesuddenlyoutofhispreoccupationjustasIhandedhimhiscoat，andgavemetwoorthreeofhisfamiliartaps。“MonsieurConstant，“saidhe，“doyouknowwhatarethethreecapitalsoftheFrenchEmpire？“andwithoutgivingmetimetoanswer，theEmperorcontinued，“Paris，Rome，andAmsterdam。Thatsoundswell，doesitnot？“

CHAPTERXXVIII。

InthelatterpartofJulylargecrowdsvisitedtheChurchoftheHoteldesInvalides，inwhichwereplacedtheremainsofGeneralSaint-HilaireandtheDukedeMontebello，theremainsofthemarshalbeingplacednearthetombofTurenne。Themorningswerespentinthecelebrationofseveralmasses，atadoublealtarwhichwasraisedbetweenthenaveandthedome；andforfourdaystherefloatedfromthespireofthedomealongblackbannerorflagedgedwithwhite。

ThedaytheremainsofthemarshalwereremovedfromtheInvalidestothePantheon，IwassentfromSaint-CloudtoPariswithaspecialmessagefortheEmperor。Afterthisdutywasattendedto，Istillhadashorttimeofleisure，ofwhichIavailedmyselftowitnessthesadceremonyandbidalastadieutothebravewarriorwhosedeathIhadwitnessed。AtnoonallthecivilandmilitaryauthoritiesassembledattheInvalides；andthebodywastransferredfromthedomeintothechurch，andplacedonacatafalqueintheshapeofagreatEgyptianpyramid，raisedonanelevatedplatform，andapproachedthroughfourlargearches，thepostsofwhichwereentwinedwithgarlandsoflaurelsinterlacedwithcypress。

Atthecornerswerestatuesintheattitudeofgrief，representingForce，Justice，Prudence，andTemperance，virtuescharacteristicofthehero。

Thispyramidendedinafuneralurnsurmountedbyacrownoffire。Onthefrontofthepyramidwereplacedthearmsoftheduke，andmedallionscommemoratingthemostremarkableeventsofhislifebornebygenii。

Undertheobeliskwasplacedthesarcophaguscontainingtheremainsofthemarshal，atthecornersofwhichweretrophiescomposedofbannerstakenfromhisenemies，andinnumerablesilvercandelabrawereplacedonthestepsbywhichtheplatformwasreached。Theoakenaltar，inthepositionitoccupiedbeforetheRevolution，wasdouble，andhadadoubletabernacle，onthedoorsofwhichwerethecommandments，thewholesurmountedbyalargecross，fromtheintersectionofwhichwassuspendedashroud。AtthecornersofthealtarwerethestatuesofSt。LouisandSt。Napoleon。Fourlargecandelabrawereplacedonpedestalsatthecornersofthesteps，andthepavementofthechoirandthatofthenavewerecoveredwithablackcarpet。Thepulpit，alsodrapedinblackanddecoratedwiththeImperialeagle，andfromwhichwaspronouncedthefuneralorationoverthemarshal，wassituatedontheleftinfrontofthebier；ontherightwasaseatofebonydecoratedwithImperialarms，bees，stars，lace，fringes，andotherornamentsinsilver，whichwasintendedfortheprincearch-chancelloroftheEmpire，whopresidedattheceremony。Stepswereerectedinthearchesoftheaisles，andcorrespondedtothetribuneswhichwereabove；andinfrontofthesestepswereseatsandbenchesforthecivilandmilitaryauthorities，thecardinals，archbishops，bishops，etc。Thearms，decorations，baton，andlaurelcrownofthemarshalwereplacedonthebier。

Allthenaveandthebottomoftheaisleswerecoveredwithblackwithawhitebordering，aswerethewindowsalso，andthedraperiesdisplayedthemarshal\'sarms，baton，andcipher。

Theorganwasentirelyconcealedbyvoluminoushangingswhichinnowiselessenedtheeffectofitsmournfultones。Eighteensepulchralsilverlampsweresuspendedbychainsfromlances，bearingontheirpointsflagstakenfromtheenemy。Onthepilastersofthenavewerefastenedtrophiesofarms，composedofbannerscapturedinthenumerousengagementswhichhadmadethemarshal\'slifeillustrious。Therailingofthealtaronthesideoftheesplanadewasdrapedinblack，andabovethiswerethearmsofthedukebornebytwofiguresofFameholdingpalmsofvictory；abovewaswritten:“NapoleontotheMemoryoftheDukeofMontebello，whodiedgloriouslyonthefieldofEssling，22d。May，1809。“

TheconservatoryofmusicexecutedamasscomposedofselectionsfromthebestofMozart\'ssacredpieces。Aftertheceremonythebodywascarriedasfarasthedoorofthechurchandplacedonthefuneralcar，whichwasornamentedwithlaurelandfourgroupsofthebannerscapturedfromtheenemybyhisarmy-corpsinthenumerousbattlesinwhichthemarshalhadtakenpart，andwasprecededbyamilitaryandreligiousprocession，followedbyoneofmourningandhonor。Themilitarycortegewascomposedofdetachmentsfromallbranchesofthearmy，cavalry，andlightinfantry，andtheline，andartillerybothhorseandfoot；followedbycannon，caissons，sappers，andminers，allprecededbydrums，trumpets，bands，etc。；andthegeneralstaff，withthemarshal，PrinceofWagram，atitshead，formedofallthegeneralofficers，withthestaffofthedivisionandoftheplace。

Thereligiousprocessionwascomposedofchildrenandoldmenfromthehospitals，clergyfromalltheparishesandfromthemetropolitanchurchofParis，bearingcrossesandbanners，withsingersandsacredmusic，andhisMajesty\'schaplainwithhisassistants。Thecaronwhichwasplacedthemarshal\'sbodyfollowedimmediatelyafter。Themarshals，DukeofConegliano，CountSerrurier，DukeofIstria，andPrinceofEckmuhl，borethecornersofthepall。Oneachsideofthecartwoofthemarshal\'saides-de-campboreastandard，andonthebierwerefastenedthebatonofthemarshalandthedecorationsoftheDukeofMontebello。

Afterthecarcamethecortegeofmourningandofhonor；themarshal\'semptycarriage，withtwoofhisaides-de-camponhorsebackatthedoor，fourmourningcarriagesforthemarshal\'sfamily，thecarriagesoftheprinces，granddignitaries，marshals，ministers，colonel-generals，andchiefinspectors。Thencameadetachmentofcavalryprecededbytrumpets，andbandsonhorsebackfollowedthecarriagesandendedtheprocession。Musicaccompaniedthechants，allthebellsofthechurchestolled，andthirteencannonthunderedatintervals。

OnarrivingatthesubterraneanentranceofthechurchofSaint-

Genevieve，thebodywasremovedfromthecarbygrenadierswhohadbeendecoratedandwoundedinthesamebattlesasthemarshal。HisMajesty\'schaplaindeliveredthebodytothearch-priest。ThePrinceofEckmuhladdressedtothenewDukeofMontebellothecondolencesofthearmy，andtheprincearch-chancellordepositedonthebierthemedaldestinedtoperpetuatethememoryofthesefuneralhonorsofthewarriortowhomtheywerepaid，andoftheserviceswhichsowellmeritedthem。Thenallthecrowdpassedaway，andthereremainedinthechurchonlyafewoldservantsofthemarshal，whohonoredhismemoryasmuchandevenmorebythetearswhichtheyshedinsilencethandidallthispublicmourningandimposingceremony。Theyrecognizedme，forwehadbeentogetheronthecampaign。Iremainedsometimewiththem，andweleftthePantheontogether。

DuringmyshortexcursiontoParis，theirMajestieshadleftSaint-CloudforRambouillet，soIsetouttorejointhemwiththeequipagesofthemarshal，PrincedeNeuchatel，whohadleftcourttemporarilytobepresentattheobsequiesofthebraveDukeofMontebello。

Itwas，ifIamnotmistaken，onarrivingatRambouilletthatIlearnedtheparticularsofaduelwhichhadtakenplacethatdaybetweentwogentlemen，pagesofhisMajesty。Idonotrecallthesubjectofthequarrel；but，thoughverytrivialinitsorigin，itbecameveryseriousfromthecourseofconducttowhichitled。Itwasadisputebetweenschoolboys；buttheseschool-boysworeswords，andregardedeachother，notwithoutreason，asmorethanthree-fourthssoldiers，sotheyhaddecidedtofight。Butforthisfight，twothingswerenecessary，——timeandsecrecy；astotheirtime，itwasemployedfromfourorfiveinthemorningtillnineintheevening，almostconstantly，andsecrecywasnotmaintained。

M。d\'Assigny，amanofraremeritandfinecharacter，wasthensub-

governorofthepages，bywhomhisfaithfulness，kindness，andjusticehadcausedhimtobemuchbeloved。Wishingtopreventacalamity，hecalledbeforehimthetwoadversaries；buttheseyoungmen，destinedforarmyservice，wouldhearofnootherreparationthantheduel。

M。d\'Assignyhadtoomuchtacttoattempttoarguewiththem，knowingthathewouldnothavebeenobeyed；butheofferedhimselfassecond，wasacceptedbytheyoungmen，andbeinggiventheselectionofarms，chosethepistol，andappointedasthetimeofmeetinganearlyhournextmorning，andeverythingwasconductedintheorderusualtosuchaffairs。

Oneofthepagesshotfirst，andmissedhisadversary；theotherdischargedhisweaponintheair，uponwhichtheyimmediatelyrushedintoeachother\'sarms，andM。d\'Assignytookthisopportunityofgivingthematrulypaternallecture。Moreover，theworthysub-governornotonlykepttheirsecret，buthekepthisownalso；forthepistolsloadedbyM。

d\'Assignycontainedonlycorkballs；afactofwhichtheyoungmenarestillignorant。

Somepersonssawthe25thofAugust，whichwasthefetedayoftheEmpress，arrivewithfeelingsofcuriosity。Theythoughtthatfromafearofexcitingthememoriesoftheroyalists，theEmperorwouldpostponethissolemnitytoanotherperiodoftheyear，whichhecouldeasilyhavedonebyfetinghisaugustspouseunderthenameofMarie。

ButtheEmperorwasnotdeterredbysuchfears，anditisalsoveryprobablethathewastheonlyoneinthechateautowhomnosuchideaoccurred。Secureinhispower，andthehopesthattheFrenchnationthenbuiltuponhim，heknewwellthathehadnothingtodreadfromexiledprinces，orfromapartywhichappeareddeadwithouttheleastchanceofresurrection。Ihavehearditassertedsince，andveryseriouslytoo，thathisMajestywaswrongtofeteSaintLouis，whichhadbroughthimmisfortune，etc。；buttheseprognostications，madeafterwards，didnotthenoccupythethoughtsofanyone，andSaintLouiswascelebratedinhonoroftheEmpressMarieLouisewithalmostunparalleledpompandbrilliancy。

Afewdaysaftertheserejoicings，theirMajestiesheldintheBoisdeBoulogneareviewoftheregimentsoftheImperialGuardofHolland，whichtheEmperorhadrecentlyorderedtoParis。InhonoroftheirarrivalhisMajestyhadplacedhereandthereinthewalksoftheBoiscasksofwinewiththeheadsknockedin，sothateachsoldiercoulddrinkatwill；butthisimperialmunificencehadseriousresultswhichmighthavebecomefatal。TheHollandsoldierymoreaccustomedtostrongbeerthantowine，neverthelessfoundthelattermuchtotheirtaste，andimbibeditinsuchgreatquantities，thatinconsequencetheirheadswereturnedtoanalarmingextent。Theybeganatfirstwithsomeencounters，eitheramongthemselvesorwiththecuriouscrowdwhoobservedthemtooclosely。Justthenastormarosesuddenly，andthepromenadersofSaint-

CloudanditsenvironshastenedtoreturntoParis，passinghurriedlythroughtheBoisdeBoulogne；andtheseHollanders，nowinanalmostcompletestateofintoxication，beganfightingwitheachotherinthewoods，stoppingallthewomenwhopassed，andthreateningvery，rudelythemenbywhom，mostofthemwereaccompanied。InaflashtheBoisresoundedwithcriesofterror，shouts，oaths，andinnumerablecombats。

SomefrightenedpersonsranasfarasSaint-Cloud，wheretheEmperorthenwas；andhewasnosoonerinformedofthiscommotion，thanheorderedsquadaftersquadofpolicetomarchontheHollandersandbringthemtoreason。HisMajestywasveryangry，andsaid，“Hasanyoneeverseenanythingequaltothesebigheads？Seethemturnedtopsy-turvybytwoglassesofwine！“butinspiteofthisjesting，theEmperorwasnotwithoutsomeanxietyandplacedhimselfatthegratingofthepark，oppositethebridge，andinpersongavedirectionstotheofficersandsoldierssenttorestoreorder。Unfortunatelythedarknesswastoofaradvancedforthesoldierstoseeinwhatdirectiontomarch；andthereisnoknowinghowitwouldhaveendedifanofficerofoneofthepatrolguardshadnotconceivedthehappyideaofcallingout，“TheEmperor！

thereistheEmperor！“Andthesentinelsrepeatedafterhim，“ThereistheEmperor，“whilechargingthemostmutinousHollanders。AndsuchwastheterrorinspiredinthesesoldiersbythesimplenameofhisMajesty，thatthousandsofarmedmen，drunkenandfurious，dispersedbeforethisnamealone，andregainedtheirquartersasquicklyandsecretlyastheycould。Afewwerearrestedandseverelypunished。

IhavealreadysaidthattheEmperoroftensuperintendedthetoiletoftheEmpress，andeventhatofherladies。Infact，helikedallthepersonssurroundinghimtobewellandevenrichlydressed。

ButaboutthistimehegaveanorderthewisdomofwhichImuchadmired。

Havingoftentoholdatthebaptismalfontthechildrenofhisgrandofficers，andforeseeingthattheparentswouldnotfailtodresstheirnew-bornbabesinmagnificenttoilets，theEmperororderedthatchildrenpresentedforbaptismshouldwearonlyasimplelonglinenrobe。

Thisprudentmeasuresparedatthesametimethepurseandthevanityoftheparents。IremarkedduringthisceremonythattheEmperorhadsometroubleinpayingthenecessaryattentiontothequestionsoftheofficiatingpriest。TheEmperorwasusuallyveryabsentmindedduringtheservicesatchurch，whichwerenotlong，astheyneverlastedmorethantenorfifteenminutes；andyetIhavebeentoldthathisMajestyaskedifitwerenotpossibletoperformtheminlesstime——Hebithisnails，tooksnuffoftenerthanusual，andlookedabouthimconstantly，whileaprinceofthechurchuselesslytookthetroubletoturntheleavesofhisMajesty\'sbook，inordertofollowtheservice。

CHAPTERXXIX。

ThepregnancyofMarieLouisehadbeenfreefromaccident，andpromisedahappydeliverance，whichwasawaitedbytheEmperorwithanimpatienceinwhichFrancehadjoinedforalongwhile。Itwasacuriousthingtoobservethestateofthepublicmind，whilethepeopleformedallsortsofconjectures，andmadeunanimousandardentprayersthatthechildshouldbeason，whomightreceivethevastinheritanceofImperialglory。The19thofMarch，atseveno\'clockintheevening，theEmpresswastakenill；andfromthatmomentthewholepalacewasincommotion。

TheEmperorwasinformed，andsentimmediatelyforM。Dubois，whohadbeenstayingconstantlyatthechateauforsometimepast，andwhoseattentionsweresovaluedatsuchatime。

AlltheprivatehouseholdoftheEmpress，aswellasMadamedeMontesquieu，weregatheredintheapartment，theEmperor，hismother，sisters，MessieursCorvisart，Bourdier，andYvaninanadjoiningroom。

TheEmperorcameinfrequently，andencouragedhisyoungwife。Intheinteriorofthepalace，theattentionwaseager，impassioned，clamorous；

andeachviedwiththeotherastowhoshouldfirsthavethenewsofthebirthofthechild。Atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，asthesituationoftheEmpresscontinuedthesame，theEmperororderedeveryonetoretire，andhimselfwithdrewinordertotakehisbath；fortheanxietyhehadundergonemadeamomentofreposeverynecessarytohiminhisgreatagitation。Afterfifteenminutesspentinthebathhewashastilysummoned，astheconditionoftheEmpresshadbecomebothcriticalanddangerous。Hastilythrowingonhisdressing-gown，hereturnedtotheapartmentoftheEmpress，andtenderlyencouragedher，holdingherhand。

Thephysician，M。Dubois，informedhimthatitwasimprobablebothmotherandchildcouldbesaved；whereuponhecried，“Come，M。Dubois，keepyourwitsaboutyou！Savethemother，thinkonlyofthemother，Iorderyou。“

Astheintensesufferingcontinued，itbecamenecessarytouseinstruments；andMarieLouise，perceivingthis，exclaimedwithbitterness，“IsitnecessarytosacrificemebecauseIamanEmpress？“

TheEmperorovercomebyhisemotionshadretiredtothedressing-room，paleasdeath，andalmostbesidehimself。Atlastthechildcameintotheworld；andtheEmperorimmediatelyrushedintotheapartment，embracingtheEmpresswithextremetenderness，withoutglancingatthechild，whichwasthoughttobedead；andinfact，itwassevenminutesbeforehegaveanysignsoflife，thoughafewdropsofbrandywereblownintohismouthandmanyeffortsmadetorevivehim。Atlastheutteredacry。

TheEmperorrushedfromtheEmpress\'sarmstoembracethischild，whosebirthwasforhimthelastandhighestfavoroffortune，andseemedalmostbesidehimselfwithjoy，rushingfromthesontothemother，fromthemothertotheson，asifhecouldnotsufficientlyfeasthiseyesoneither。Whenheenteredhisroomtomakehistoilet，hisfacebeamedwithjoy；and，seeingme，heexclaimed，“Well，Constant，wehaveabigboy！Heiswellmadetopinchearsforexample；“announcingitthustoeveryonehemet。ItwasintheseeffusionsofdomesticblissthatI

couldappreciatehowdeeplythisgreatsoul，whichwasthoughtimpressibleonlytoglory，feltthejoysoffamilylife。

FromthemomentthegreatbellofNotreDameandthebellsofthedifferentchurchesofParissoundedinthemiddleofthenight，untilthehourwhenthecannonannouncedthehappydeliveryoftheEmpress，anextremeagitationwasfeltthroughoutParis。AtbreakofdaythecrowdrushedtowardstheTuileries，andfilledthestreetsandquays，allawaitinginanxioussuspensethefirstdischargeofthecannon。ButthiscurioussightwasnotonlyseenintheTuileriesandneighboringdistricts，butathalf-pastnineinstreetsfarremovedfromthechateau，andinallpartsofParis，peoplecouldbeseenstoppingtocountwithemotionthedischargesofthecannon。

Thetwenty-seconddischargewhichannouncedthebirthofaboywashailedwithgeneralacclamations。Tothesilenceofexpectation，whichhadarrestedasifbyenchantmentthestepsofallpersonsscatteredoverallpartsofthecity，succeededaburstofenthusiasmalmostindescribable。

Inthistwenty-second——[Ithadbeenannouncedinthepapersthatifit，wasagirlasaluteoftwenty-onegunswouldbefired；ifaboy，onehundredguns。]——boomofthecannonwasawholedynasty，awholefuture，andsimultaneouslyhatswentupintheair；peopleranovereachother，andembracedthosetowhomtheywerestrangersamidshoutsof“Vivel\'Empereur！“Oldsoldiersshedtearsofjoy，thinkingthattheyhadcontributedbytheirlaborsandtheirfatiguestopreparetheheritageoftheKingofRome，andthattheirlaurelswouldwaveoverthecradleofadynasty。

Napoleon，concealedbehindacurtainatoneofthewindowsoftheEmpress\'sroom，enjoyedthesightofthepopularjoy，andseemeddeeplytouched。Greattearsrolledfromhiseyes，andovercomebyemotionhecameagaintoembracehisson。Neverhadglorymadehimshedatear；butthehappinessofbeingafatherhadsoftenedthisheartonwhichthemostbrilliantvictoriesandthemostsinceretestimonialsofpublicadmirationseemedhardlytomakeanimpression。AndintruthNapoleonhadarighttobelieveinhisgoodfortune，whichhadreacheditsheightonthedaywhenanarchduchessofAustriamadehimthefatherofaking，whohadbegunasacadetinaCorsicanfamily。AttheendofafewhourstheeventwhichwasawaitedwithequalimpatiencebyFranceandEuropehadbecomethepersonaljoyofeveryhousehold。

Athalf-pasttenMadameBlanchardsetoutfromL\'EcoleMilitaireinaballoonforthepurposeofcarryingintoallthetownsandvillagesthroughwhichshepassed，thenewsofthebirthoftheKingofRome。

Thetelegraphcarriedthehappynewsineverydirection；andattwoo\'clockintheafternoonreplieshadalreadybeenreceivedfromLyons，Lille，Brussels，Antwerp，Brest，andmanyotherlargetownsoftheEmpire，whichreplies，asmaywellbeimaginedwereinperfectaccordwiththesentimentsentertainedatthecapital。

InordertorespondtotheeagernessofthecrowdwhichpressedcontinuallyaroundthedoorsofthepalacetolearnofthewelfareoftheEmpressandheraugustchild，itwasdecidedthatoneofthechamberlainsshouldstandfrommorningtilleveninginthefirstsaloonofthestateapartments，toreceivethosewhocame，andinformthemofthebulletinswhichherMajesty\'sphysiciansissuedtwiceaday。Attheendofafewhours，specialcouriersweresentonallroadsleadingtoforeigncourts，bearingthenewsofthedeliveryoftheEmpress；theEmperor\'spagesbeingchargedwiththismissiontotheSenateofItaly，andthemunicipalbodiesofMilanandRome。OrdersweregiveninthefortifiedtownsandportsthatthesamesalutesshouldbefiredasatParis，andthatthefleetsshouldbedecorated。Abeautifuleveningfavoredthespecialrejoicingsatthecapitalwherethehouseswerevoluntarilyilluminated。

Thosewhoseektoascertainbyexternalappearancestherealfeelingsofapeopleamideventsofthiskind，remarkedthatthetopmoststoriesofhousesinthefaubourgswereaswelllightedasthemostmagnificenthotelsandfinesthousesofthecapital。Publicbuildings，whichunderothercircumstancesareremarkablefromthedarknessofthesurroundinghouses，werescarcelyseenamidthisprofusionoflightswithwhichpublicgratitudehadlightedeverywindow。Theboatmengaveanimpromptufetewhichlastedpartofthenight，andtowitnesswhichanimmensecrowdcoveredtheshore，testifyingthemostardentjoy。Thispeople，whoforthirtyyearshadpassedthroughsomanydifferentemotions，andwhohadcelebratedsomanyvictories，showedasmuchenthusiasmasifithadbeentheirfirstfete，orahappychangeintheirdestiny。Versesweresungorrecitedatallthetheaters；andtherewasnopoeticformula，fromtheodetothefable，whichwasnotmadeuseoftocelebratetheeventofthe20thofMarch，1811。Ilearnedfromawell-

informedpersonthatthesumofonehundredthousandfrancsfromtheprivatefundsoftheEmperorwasdistributedbyM。Dequevauvilliers，secretaryofthetreasuryofthechamber，amongtheauthorsofthepoetrysenttotheTuileries；andfinally，fashion，whichmakesuseoftheleastevents，inventedstuffscalledroi-de-Rome，asintheoldregimetheyhadbeencalleddauphin。Ontheeveningofthe20thofMarchatnineo\'clocktheKingofRomewasanointedinthechapeloftheTuileries。Thiswasamostmagnificentceremony。TheEmperorNapoleon，surroundedbytheprincesandprincessesofhiswholecourt，placedhiminthecenterofthechapelonasofasurmountedbyacanopywith~aPrie-Dieu。Betweenthealtarandthebalustradehadbeenplacedonacarpetofwhitevelvetapedestalofgranitesurmountedbyahandsomesilvergiltvasetobeusedasabaptismalfont。TheEmperorwasgrave；butpaternaltendernessdiffusedoverhisfaceanexpressionofhappiness，anditmighthavebeensaidthathefelthimselfhalfrelievedoftheburdensoftheEmpireonseeingtheaugustchildwhoseemeddestinedtoreceiveitonedayfromthehandsofhisfather。Whenheapproachedthebaptismalfonttopresentthechildtobeanointedtherewasamomentofsilenceandreligiouscontemplation，whichformedatouchingcontrasttothevociferousgayetywhichatthesamemomentanimatedthecrowdoutside，whomthespectacleofthebrilliantfireworkshaddrawnfromallpartsofParistotheTuileries。

MadameBlanchard，whoasIhavesaidhadsetoutinherballoonanhourafterthebirthoftheKingofRome，tocarrythenewsintoallplacesshepassed，firstdescendedatSaint-TiebaultnearLagny，andfromthere，asthewindhadsubsided，returnedtoParis。Herballoonroseafterherdeparture，andfellataplacesixleaguesfartheron，andtheinhabitants，findinginthisballoononlyclothingandprovisions，didnotdoubtthattheintrepidaeronauthadbeenkilled；butfortunatelyjustasherdeathwasannouncedatParis，MadameBlanchardherselfarrivedanddispelledallanxiety。

ManypersonshaddoubtedMarieLouise\'spregnancy。Somebelieveditassumed，andInevercouldcomprehendthefoolishreasonsgivenbythesepersonsonthissubjectwhichmalevolencetriedto\'gular\'factwhichcarriesitsgreatnumberoftheseevil-thinking，suspiciouspersons，onepartaccusedtheEmperorofbeingalibertine，supposinghimthefatherofmanynaturalchildren，andtheotherthoughthimincapableofobtainingchildrenevenbyayoungprincessonlynineteenyearsofage，theirhatredthusblindingtheirjudgment。IfNapoleonhadnaturalchildren，whycouldhenothavelegitimateones，especiallywithayoungwifewhowasknowntobeinmostflourishinghealth。Besides，itwasnotthefirst，asitwasnotthelast，shaftofmaliceaimedatNapoleon；forhispositionwastoohigh，hisglorytoobrilliant，nottoinspireexaggeratedsentimentswhetherofjoyorhatred。

Therewerealsosomeill-wisherswhotookpleasureinsayingthatNapoleonwasincapableoftendersentiments，andthatthehappinessofbeingafathercouldnotpenetratethisheartsofilledwithambitionastoexcludeallelse。Icancite，amongmanyothersinmyknowledge，alittleanecdotewhichtouchedmeexceedingly，andwhichItakemuchpleasureinrelating，since，whileittriumphantlyanswersthecalumniesofwhichIhavespoken，italsoprovesthespecialconsiderationwithwhichhisMajestyhonoredme，andconsequently，bothasafatherandafaithfulservant，IexperienceamildsatisfactioninplacingitintheseMemoirs。Napoleonwasveryfondofchildren；andhavingonedayaskedmetobringminetohim，Iwenttoseekhim。MeanwhileTalleyrandwasannouncedtotheEmperor；andastheinterviewlastedalongtime，mychildgrewwearyofwaiting，andIcarriedhimbacktohismother。A

shorttimeafterhewastakenwithcroup，whichcrueldisease，concerningwhichhisMajestyhadmadeaspecialappealtothefacultyofParis，——Ontheoccasionofthedeathfromcroupin1807ofhisheirpresumptive，theyoungsonoftheKingofHolland]——snatchedmanychildrenfromtheirfamilies。MinediedatParis。WewerethenatthechateauofCompiegne，andIreceivedthesadnewsjustasIwaspreparingtogotothetoilet。

Iwastoomuchovercomebymylosstoperformmyduties；andwhentheEmperoraskedwhatpreventedmycoming，andwastoldthatIhadjustheardofthedeathofmyson，saidkindly，“PoorConstant！whataterriblesorrow！Wefathersalonecanknowwhatitis！“

Ashorttimeafter，mywifewenttoseetheEmpressJosephineatMalmaison；andthislovelyprincessdeignedtoreceiveheraloneinthelittleroominfrontofherbedroom。Theresheseatedherselfbesideher，andtriedintouchingwordsofsympathytoconsoleher，sayingthatthisstrokedidnotreachusalone，andthathergrandson，too，haddiedofthesamedisease。Asshesaidthisshebegantoweep；forthisremembrancereopenedinhersoulrecentgriefs，andmywifebathedwithtearsthehandsofthisexcellentprincess。Josephineaddedmanytouchingremarks，tryingtoalleviatehersorrowbysharingit，andthusrestoreresignationtotheheartofthepoormother。Theremembranceofthiskindnesshelpedtocalmourgrief，andIconfessthatitisatoncebothanhonorandaconsolationtorecalltheaugustsympathywhichthelossofthisdearchildexcitedintheheartsofNapoleonandJosephine。

TheworldwillneverknowhowmuchsensibilityandcompassionJosephinefeltforthesorrowsofothers，andallthetreasuresofgoodnesscontainedinherbeautifulsoul。

CHAPTERXXX。

NapoleonwasaccustomedtocompareMarieLouisewithJosephine，attributingtothelatteralltheadvantagesofartandgrace，andtotheformerallthecharmsofsimplicity，modesty，andinnocence。Sometimes，however，thissimplicityhadinitsomethingchildish，aninstanceofwhichIreceivedfromgoodauthority。TheyoungEmpress，thinkingherselfsick，consultedM。Corvisart，who，findingthatherimaginationalonewasatfault，andthatshewassufferingsimplyfromthenervousnessnaturaltoayoungwoman，ordered，ashisonlyprescription，aboxofpillscomposedofbreadandsugar，whichtheEmpresswastotakeregularly；afterdoingwhichMarieLouisefoundherselfbetter，andthankedM。Corvisart，whodidnotthinkproper，asmaywellbebelieved，toenlightenherastohislittledeception。HavingbeeneducatedinaGermancourt，andhavinglearnedFrenchonlyfrommasters，MarieLouisespokethelanguagewiththedifficultyusuallyfoundinexpressingone\'sselfinaforeigntongue。Amongtheawkwardexpressionssheoftenused，butwhichinhergracefulmouthwerenotwithoutacertaincharm，theonewhichstruckmeespecially，becauseitoftenrecurred，wasthis:

“Napoleonqu\'estcequeveux-to？“TheEmperorshowedthedeepestaffectionforhisyoungwife，andatthesametimemadeherconformtoalltherulesofetiquette，towhichtheEmpresssubmittedwiththeutmostgrace。InthemonthofMay，1811，theirMajestiesmadeajourneyintothedepartmentsofCalvadosandLaManche，wheretheywerereceivedwithenthusiasmbyallthetowns；andtheEmperormadehisstayatCaenmemorablebyhisgifts，favors，andactsofbenevolence。Manyyoungmenbelongingtogoodfamiliesreceivedsub-lieutenancies，andonehundredandthirtythousandfrancsweredevotedtovariouscharities。FromCaentheirMajestieswenttoCherbourg。ThedayaftertheirarrivaltheEmperorsetoutonhorsebackearlyinthemorning，visitedtheheightsofthetown，andembarkedonseveralvessels，whilethepopulacepressedaroundhimcrying“Vivel\'Empereur！“ThefollowingdayhisMajestyheldseveralCouncils，andintheeveningvisitedallthemarinebuildings，anddescendedtothebottomofthebasinwhichiscutoutofthesolidrockinordertoallowthepassageofvesselsoftheline，andwhichwastobecoveredwithfifty-fivefeetofwater。OnthisbrilliantjourneytheEmpressreceivedhershareoftheenthusiasmoftheinhabitants，andinreturn，atthedifferentreceptionswhichtookplace，gaveagracefulwelcometotheauthoritiesofthecountry。Idwellpurposelyonthesedetails，astheyprovethatjoyoverthebirthoftheKingofRomewasnotconfinedtoParisalone，but，onthecontrary，theprovinceswereinperfectsympathywiththecapital。

ThereturnoftheirMajestiestoParisbroughtwiththemareturnofrejoicingsandfetesontheoccasionofthebaptismalceremonyoftheKingofRome，andthefetesbywhichitwasaccompaniedwerecelebratedatPariswithapompworthyoftheirobject。TheyhadasspectatorstheentirepopulationofParis，increasedbyaprodigiouscrowdofstrangersofeveryclass。

Atfouro\'clocktheSenateleftitspalace；theCouncilofState，theTuileries；theCorpsLegislatif，itspalace；theCourtofCassation，theCourtofAccounts，theCounciloftheUniversity，andtheImperialCourt，theordinaryplacesoftheirsittings；themunicipalcorpsofParisandthedeputationsfromtheforty-ninegoodtowns，theHoteldeVille。OntheirarrivalattheMetropolitanChurchthesebodieswereplacedbythemasterofceremonieswithhisaides，accordingtotheirrank，ontherightandleftofthethrone，reachingfromthechoirtothemiddleofthenave。Thediplomaticcorpsatfiveo\'clocktooktheirplaceontheplatformerectedforthispurpose。

Athalf-pastfivecannonannouncedthedepartureoftheirMajestiesfromtheTuileries。TheImperialprocessionwasdazzlinglymagnificent；thefinebearingofthetroops，therichnessandeleganceofthecarriages，thebrilliantcostumes，madeuparavishingspectacle。TheacclamationsofthepeoplewhichresoundedontheirMajesties\'route，thehouseshungwithgarlandsanddrapery，thebannersstreamingfromthewindows，thelonglineofcarriages，thetrappingsandaccoutermentsofwhichprogressivelyincreasedinmagnificence，followingeachotherasintheorderofahierarchy，thisimmenseparaphernaliaofafetewhichinspiredtruefeelingandhopesforthefuture-allthisisprofoundlyengravedonmymemory，andoftenoccupiesthelongleisurehoursoftheoldservitorofafamilywhichhasdisappeared。Thebaptismalceremonytookplacewithunusualpompandsolemnity。AfterthebaptismtheEmperortookhisaugustsoninhisarms，andpresentedhimtotheclergypresent。

Immediatelytheacclamations，whichhadbeenrepressedtillthenfromrespecttotheceremonyandthesanctityoftheplace，burstforthonallsides。Theprayersbeingended，theirMajesties，ateighto\'clockintheevening，wenttotheHoteldeVille，andweretherereceivedbythemunicipalcorps。AbrilliantconcertandasumptuousbanquethadbeentenderedthembythecityofParis。Thedecorationsofthebanquethallshowedthe，armsoftheforty-ninegoodcities，Paris，Rome，Amsterdam，beingplacedfirst，andtheforty-sixothersinalphabeticalorder。

AfterthebanquettheirMajestiestooktheirplacesintheconcerthall；

andattheconclusionoftheconcerttheyrepairedtothethroneroom，whereallinvitedpersonsformedacircle。TheEmperorpassedroundthiscircle，speakingaffably，sometimesevenfamiliarly，tomostofthepersonswhocomposedit，eachofwhomrespondedinthemostcordialmanner。

Atlast，beforeretiring，theirMajestieswereinvitedtopassintotheartificialgardenwhichhadbeenmadeinthecourtoftheHoteldeVille，thedecorationsofwhichwereveryelegant。Atthebottomofthegarden，theTiberwasrepresentedbyflowingwater，thecourseofwhichwasdirectedmostartistically，anddiffusedarefreshingcoolness。TheirMajestieslefttheHoteldeVilleabouthalf-pasteleven，andreturnedtotheTuileriesbythelightofmostbeautifulilluminationsandluminousemblems，designedinmostexquisitetaste。Perfectweatherandadelightfultemperaturefavoredthismemorableday。

TheaeronautGarnerinleftParisathalf-pastsixintheevening，anddescendedthemorningofthenextdayatMaule，inthedepartmentofSeine-et-Oise。Afterrestingthereashortwhile，here-enteredhisballoonandcontinuedhisjourney。

TheprovincesviedinmagnificencewiththecapitalincelebratingthefetesofthebirthandbaptismoftheKingofRome。Everyimaginabledevice，bothinemblemsandilluminations，hadbeenmadeuseofinordertoaddstillmorepomptothesefetes；andeachtownhadbeengovernedintheformofhomageitrenderedtothenewking，eitherbyitsgeographicalpositionorbyitsespecialindustry。Forinstance，atClermont-Ferrandanimmensefirehadbeenlightedatteno\'clockintheeveningonthesummitofthePuy-de-Dome，ataheightofmorethanfivethousandfeet；andseveraldepartmentscouldenjoyduringthewholenightthisgrandandsingularsight。IntheportofFlushingthevesselswerecoveredwithflagsandbannersofallcolors。Intheeveningthewholesquadronwasilluminated；thousandsoflanternshungfromthemasts，yards，andrigging，formingabeautifulscene。Suddenly，atthesignalofagunfiredfromtheadmiral\'svessel，allthevesselssentforthatoncetonguesofflame，anditseemedasifthemostbrilliantdaysucceededtothedarkestnight，outliningmagnificentlythoseimposingmassesreflectedinthewateroftheseaasinaglass。

Wepassedsocontinuallyfromonefetetoanotheritwasalmostconfusing。TherejoicingsoverthebaptismwerefollowedbyafetegivenbytheEmperorintheprivateparkofSaint-Cloud，andfromearlyinthemorningtheroadfromParistoSaint-Cloudwascoveredwithcarriagesandmenonfoot。Thefetetookplaceintheinclosedparkandtheorangery，alltheboxesofwhichandthefrontofthechateauweredecoratedwithrichhangings，whiletemplesandkiosksroseinthegroves，andthewholeavenueofchestnut-treeswashungwithgarlandsofcoloredglass。

Fountainsofbarleywaterandcurrantwinehadbeendistributedsothatallpersonsattendingthefetemightrefreshthemselves，andtables，elegantlyarranged，hadbeenplacedinthewalks。Thewholeparkwasilluminatedbypots-a-feuconcealedamongtheshrubberyandgroupsoftrees。

MadameBlanchardhadreceivedorderstoholdherselfinreadinesstosetoutathalf-pastnineatagivensignal。

Atnineo\'clock，theballoonbeingfilled，sheenteredthebasket，andwascarriedtotheendofthebasinoftheswans，infrontofthechateau；anduntilthemomentofdeparturesheremainedinthisposition，abovetheheightofthetallesttrees，andthusformorethanhalfanhourcouldbeseenbyallthespectatorspresentatthefete。Athalf-

pastnine，agunfiredfromthechateauhavinggiventheexpectedsignal，thecordswhichheldtheballoonwerecut；andimmediatelytheintrepidaeronautcouldbeseenrisingmajesticallyintotheairbeforetheeyesofthecrowdassembledinthethroneroom。Havingarrivedatacertainheight，shesetoffanimmensestarconstructedaroundthebasket，thecenterofwhichshethusoccupied；andthisstarforsevenoreightmomentsthrewfromitspointsandanglesnumerousothersmallstars，producingamostextraordinaryeffect。Itwasthefirsttimeawomanhadbeenseentoriseboldlyintotheairsurroundedbyfireworks，andsheappearedasifsailinginachariotoffireatanimmenseheight。I

imaginedmyselfinfairyland。

ThewholeofthegardenwhichtheirMajestiestraversedpresentedaviewofwhichitisimpossibletogiveanidea。Theilluminationsweredesignedinperfecttaste；therewereavarietyofamusements，andnumerousorchestrasconcealedamidthetreesaddedyetmoretotheenchantment。Atagivensignalthreedovesflewfromthetopofacolumnsurmountedwithavaseofflowers，andofferedtotheirMajestiesnumerousandmostingeniousdevices。FartheronGermanpeasantsdancedwaltzesonacharminglawn，andcrownedwithflowersthebustofherMajestytheEmpress，andshepherdsandnymphsfromtheoperaexecuteddances，Finally，atheaterhadbeenerectedinthemidstofthetrees，onwhichwasrepresentedavillagefete，acomedycomposedbyM。Ittienne，andsettomusicbyNicolo。TheEmperorandEmpresswereseatedunderadaisduringthisplay，whensuddenlyaheavyshowerfell，throwingallthespectatorsintocommotion。TheirMajestiesdidnotnoticetherainatfirst，protectedastheywerebythedais，andtheEmperorbeingengagedinconversationwiththemayorofthetownofLyons。Thelatterwascomplainingofthesalesoftheclothsofthattown，whenNapoleon，noticingthefrightfulrainwhichwasfalling，saidtothisfunctionary，“Ianswerforitthatto-morrowyouwillhavelargeorders。“

TheEmperorkepthispositionduringmostofthestorm，whilethecourtiers，dressedinsilkandvelvet，withuncoveredheads，receivedtherainwithasmilingface。Thepoormusicians，wettotheskin，atlastcouldnolongerdrawanysoundfromtheirinstruments，ofwhichtherainhadsnappedorstretchedthecords，anditwastimetoputanendtothisstateofaffairs。TheEmperorgavethesignalfordeparture，andtheyretired。

OnthatdayPrinceAldobrandini，whoinhisqualityoffirstequerryofMarieLouiseaccompaniedtheEmpress，wasveryhappytofindandborrowanumbrellainordertoshelterMarieLouise；buttherewasmuchdissatisfactioninthegroupwherethisborrowingwasdonebecausetheumbrellawasnotreturned。ThateveningthePrinceBorgheseandPrincessPaulinenearlyfellintotheSeineintheircarriagewhilereturningtotheircountryhouseatNeuilly。Thosepersonswhotookpleasureinfindingomens，andthoseespecially(averysmallnumber)whosawwithchagrintherejoicingsoftheEmpire，didnotfailtoremarkthateveryfetegiventoMarieLouisehadbeenattendedbysomeaccident。TheyspokeaffectedlyoftheballgivenbythePrinceofSchwartzenbergontheoccasionoftheespousals，andofthefirewhichconsumedthedancing-

hall，andthetragicdeathofseveralpersons，notablyofthesisteroftheprince。Theydrewfromthiscoincidencebadauguries；somefromill-

will，andinordertounderminetheenthusiasminspiredbythehighfortunesofNapoleon；othersfromasuperstitiouscredulity，asiftherecouldhavebeenanyseriousconnectionbetweenafirewhichcostthelivesofseveralpersons，andtheveryusualaccidentofastorminJune，whichruinedthetoilets，andwettotheskinthousandsofspectators。

Itwasaveryamusingsceneforthosewhohadnofinerytospoil，andwhoranonlytheriskoftakingcold，toseethesepoorwomendrenchedwiththerain，runningineverydirection，withorwithoutacavalier，andhuntingforshelterwhichcouldnotbefound。

Afewwerefortunateenoughtofindmodestumbrellas；butmostofthemsawtheflowersfallfromtheirheads，beatendownbytherain，ortheirfinerydrippingwithwater，draggingontheground，inapitiablestate。

WhenitwastimetoreturntoParisthecarriagesweremissing，asthecoachmen，thinkingthatthefetewouldlasttilldaylight，hadprudentlythoughtthattheywouldnottakethetroubletowaitallnight。Thosepersonswithcarriagescouldnotusethem，asthepresswassogreatthatitwasalmostimpossibletomove。Severalladiesgotlost，andreturnedtoParisonfoot；otherslosttheirshoes，anditwasapitiablesighttoseetheprettyfeetinthemud。Happilytherewerefewornoaccidents，andthephysicianandthebedrepairedeverything。ButtheEmperorlaughedheartilyatthisadventure，andsaidthatthemerchantswouldgainbyit。

M。deRemusat，sogoodandreadytorenderaservice，alwaysforgettinghimselfforothers，hadsucceededinprocuringanumbrella，whenhemetmywifeandmother-in-law，whowereescapingliketheothers，tookthemonhisarm，andconductedthemtothepalacewithouttheirhavingreceivedtheleastinjury。Foranhourhetraveledbackandforthfromthepalacetothepark，andfromtheparktothegarden，andhadthehappinesstobeusefultoagreatnumberofladieswhosetoiletshesavedfromentireruin。Itwasanactofgallantrywhichinspiredinfinitegratitude，becauseitwasperformedinamannerevincingsuchkindnessofheart。

CHAPTERXXXI。

Thisseemedtobeayearoffetes，andIdwelluponitwithpleasurebecauseitprecededonefilledwithmisfortunes。Theyears1811and1812

offeredastrikingcontrasttoeachother。AllthoseflowerslavishedonthefetesoftheKingofRomeandhisaugustmothercoveredanabyss，andallthisenthusiasmwaschangedtomourningafewmonthslater。Neverweremorebrilliantfetesfollowedbymoreoverwhelmingmisfortunes。Letus，then，dwellalittlelongerupontherejoicingswhichpreceded1812。

IfeelthatIneedtobefortifiedbeforeenteringuponreminiscencesofthattimeofunprofitablesacrifices，ofbloodshedwithoutpreservingorconquering，andofglorywithoutresult。Onthe25thofAugust，theEmpress\'sfetewascelebratedatTrianon；andfromearlyinthemorningtheroadfromParistoTrianonwascoveredwithanimmensenumberofcarriagesandpeopleonfoot，thesamesentimentattractingthecourt，thecitizens，thepeople，tothedelightfulplaceatwhichthefetewasheld。Allranksweremingled，allwentpell-mell；andIhaveneverseenacrowdmoresingularlyvariegated，orwhichpresentedamorestrikingpictureofallconditionsofsociety。Ordinarilythemultitudeatfetesofthiskindiscomposedoflittlemorethanoneclassofpeopleandafewmodestbourgeoisthatisall；veryrarelyofpeoplewithequipages，morerarelystillpeopleofthecourt；butheretherewereall，andtherewasnoonesolowthathecouldnothavethesatisfactionofelbowingacountessorsomeothernobleinhabitantoftheFaubourgSt。Germain，forallParisseemedtobeatVersailles。Thattownsobeautiful，butyetsosadlybeautiful，whichseemedsincethelastkingtobebereftofitsinhabitants，thosebroadstreetsinwhichnoonewastobeseen，thosesquares，theleastofwhichcouldholdalltheinhabitantsofVersailles，andwhichcouldhardlycontainthecourtiersoftheGreatKing，thismagnificentsolitudewhichwecallVersailles，hadbeenpopulatedsuddenlybythecapital。Theprivatehousescouldnotcontainthecrowdwhicharrivedfromeverydirection。Theparkwasinundatedwithamultitudeofpromenadersofeverysexandallages；intheseimmenseavenuesonewalkedonfoot，oneneededaironthisvastplateauwhichwassoairy，onefeltcrampedonthistheaterofagreatpublicfete，asatballsgiveninthoselittlesaloonsofParisbuiltforaboutadozenpersons，andwherefashioncramstogetherahundredandfifty。

GreatpreparationshadbeenmadeforfourorfivedaysinthedelightfulgardensofTrianon；buttheeveningbefore，theskybecamecloudy，andmanytoiletswhichhadbeeneagerlypreparedwereprudentlylaidaside；

butthenextdayabeautifulblueskyreassuredeveryone，andtheysetoutforTrianoninspiteoftherecollectionsofthestormwhichhaddispersedthespectatorsatthefeteofSaintCloud。Nevertheless，atthreeo\'clockaheavyshowermadeeveryonefearforashortwhilethattheeveningmightendbadly。“Afternoonshowermakingitsobeisance，“astheproverbsays；but，onthecontrary，thisonlymadethefetepleasanter，byrefreshingthescorchingairofAugust，andlayingthedustwhichwasmostdisagreeable。Atsixo\'clockthesunhadreappeared，andthesummerof1811hadnosofterormoreagreeableevening。

AlltheoutlinesofthearchitectureoftheGrandTrianonwereornamentedwithlampsofdifferentcolors。Inthegallerycouldbeseensixhundredwomen，brilliantwithyouthandadornments；andtheEmpressaddressedgraciouswordstoseveralamongthem，andallwerecharmedbythecordialandaffablemannersofayoungprincesswhohadlivedinFranceonlyfifteenmonths。

Atthisfete，asatallthefetesoftheEmpire，therewerenotwantingpoetstosingpraisesofthoseinwhosehonortheyweregiven。Therewasaplaywhichhadbeencomposedfortheoccasion，theauthorofwhichI

rememberperfectlywasM。AlissandeChazet；butIhaveforgottenthetitle。Attheendofthepiece，theprincipalartistsoftheoperaexecutedaballetwhichwasconsideredveryfine。Whentheplaywasover，theirMajestiescommencedapromenadeintheparkofthePetit-

Trianon，theEmperor，hatinhand，givinghisarmtotheEmpress，andbeingfollowedbyallhiscourt。TheyfirstvisitedtheIsleofLove，andfoundalltheenchantmentsoffairylandanditsillusionsthereunited。Thetemple，situatedinthemidstofthelake，wassplendidly。

illuminated，andthewaterreflecteditscolumnsoffire。Amultitudeofbeautifulboatsfurrowedthislake，whichseemedonfire，mannedbyaswarmofCupids，whoappearedtosportwitheachotherintherigging。

Musiciansconcealedonboardplayedmelodiousairs；andthisharmony，atoncegentleandmysterious，whichseemedtospringfromthebosomofthewaves，addedstillmoretothemagicofthepictureandthecharmsoftheillusion。Tothisspectaclesucceededscenesofanotherkind，takenfromrurallife，——aFlemishlivingpicture，withitspleasant-faced，jollypeople，anditsrusticease；andgroupsofinhabitantsfromeveryprovinceofFrance，givinganimpressionthatallpartsoftheEmpirewereconvenedatthisfete。Infine，awonderfulvarietyofattractionsinturnarrestedtheattentionoftheirMajesties。ArrivedatthesaloonofPolhymnie，theywerewelcomedbyacharmingchoir，themusiccomposed，Ithink，byPaer，andthewordsbythesameM。AlissandeChazet。Atlast，afteramagnificentsupper，whichwasservedinthegrandgallery，theirMajestiesretiredatoneo\'clockinthemorning。

TherewasonlyoneopinioninthisimmenseassemblyastothegraceandperfectdignityofMarieLouise。Thisyoungprincesswasreallycharming，butwithpeculiaritiesratherthantraitsofcharacter。I

recallsomeoccurrencesinherdomesticlifewhichwillnotbewithoutinteresttothereader。

MarieLouisetalkedbutlittlewiththepeopleofherhousehold；butwhetherthisarosefromahabitbroughtwithherfromtheAustriancourt，whethershefearedtocompromiseherdignitybyherforeignaccentbeforepersonsofinferiorcondition，orwhetheritarosefromtimidityorindifference，fewofthesepersonscouldrememberawordshehaduttered。

Ihaveheardherstewardsaythatinthreeyearsshespoketohimonlyonce。

Theladiesofthehouseholdagreedinsayingthatinprivateshewaskindandagreeable。ShedidnotlikeMadamedeMontesquieu。Thiswaswrong；

sincetherewerenocares，endearments，attentionsofallsorts，whichMadamedeMontesquieudidnotlavishontheKingofRome。

TheEmperor，however，appreciatedhighlythisexcellentladywhowassoperfectineveryrespect。Asamanheadmiredthedignity，perfectpropriety，andextremediscretionofMadamedeMontesquieu；andasafatherhefeltaninfinitegratitudeforthecaresshelavishedonhisson。EachoneexplainedinhisownwaythecoolnesswhichtheyoungEmpressshowedtothislady；andtherewereseveralreasonsassignedforthis，allmoreorlessuntrue，thoughtheleisuremomentsoftheladiesofthepalaceweremuchoccupiedwithit。Whatappearedtomethemostlikelysolution，andmostinaccordancewiththeartlesssimplicityofMarieLouise，wasthis:TheEmpresshadasladyofhonorMadamedeMontebello，acharmingwomanofperfectmanners。Now，therewaslittlefriendshipbetweenMadamedeMontesquieuandMadamedeMontebello，asthelatterfeareditissaidtohavearivalintheheartofheraugustfriend；and，infact，MadamedeMontesquieuwouldhaveprovedamostdangerousrivalforthislady，asshecombinedallthosequalitieswhichpleaseandmakeonebeloved。Bornofanillustriousfamily，shehadreceivedadistinguishededucation，andunitedthetoneandmannersofthebestsocietywithasolidandenlightenedpiety。Neverhadcalumnydaredtoattackherconduct，whichwasasnobleasdiscreet。Imustadmitthatshewassomewhathaughty；butthishaughtinesswastemperedbysuchelegantpoliteness，andsuchgraciousconsideration，thatitmightbeconsideredsimpledignity。ShewasattentiveandassiduousinherdevotiontotheKingofRome，andwasentitledtothedeepgratitudeoftheEmpress；forsheafterwards，actuatedbythemostgenerousdevotion，toreherselffromhercountry，herfriends，herfamily，tofollowthefateofachildwhoseeveryhopewasblasted。

MadamedeMontebellowasaccustomedtoriselate。InthemorningwhentheEmperorwasabsent，MarieLouisewenttoconversewithherinherroom；andinordernottogothroughthesaloonwheretheladiesofthepalacewereassembled，sheenteredtheapartmentofherladyofhonorthroughaverydarkcloset，andthisconductdeeplywoundedthefeelingsoftheotherladies。IhaveheardJosephinesaythatMadamedeMontebellowaswrongtoinitiatetheyoungEmpressintothescandalousadventures，whethertrueorfalse，attributedtosomeoftheseladies，andwhichayoung，pure，simplewomanlikeMarieLouiseshouldnothaveknown；andthatthiswasonecauseofhercoldnesstowardstheladiesofhercourt，whoontheirsidedidnotlikeher，andconfidedtheirfeelingstotheirneighborsandfriends。

JosephinetenderlylovedMadamedeMontesquieu，andwhentheywerepartedwrotetoheroften；thiscorrespondencelastedtillJosephine\'sdeath。

OnedayMadamedeMontesquieureceivedordersfromtheEmperortotakethelittlekingtoBagatelle，whereJosephinethenwas。Shehadobtainedpermissiontoseethischild，whosebirthhadcoveredEuropewithfetes。

ItiswellknownhowdisinterestedJosephine\'sloveforNapoleonwas，andhowsheviewedeverythingthatcouldincreasehisgloryandrenderitmoredurable；andthereenteredintotheprayersshemadeforhimsincetheburningdisgraceofthedivorce，eventhehopethathemightbehappyinhisprivatelife，andthathisnewwifemightbearthischild，thisfirstbornofhisdynasty，tohimwhomsheherselfcouldnotmakeafather。

Thiswomanofangelicgoodness，whohadfallenintoalongswoononlearninghersentenceofrepudiation，andwhosincethatfataldayhaddraggedoutasadlifeinthebrilliantsolitudeofMalmaison；thisdevotedwifewhohadsharedforfifteenyearsthefortunesofherhusband，andwhohadassistedsopowerfullyinhiselevation，wasnotthelasttorejoiceatthebirthoftheKingofRome。Shewasaccustomedtosaythatthedesiretoleaveaposterity，andtoberepresentedafterourdeathbybeingswhoowetheirlifeandpositiontous，wasasentimentdeeplyengravedintheheartofman；thatthisdesire，whichwassonatural，andwhichshehadfeltsodeeplyaswifeandmother，thisdesiretohavechildrentosurviveandcontinueusonearth，wasstillmoreaugmentedwhenwehadahighdestinytotransmittothem；thatinNapoleon\'speculiarposition，asfounderofavastempire，itwasimpossibleheshouldlongresistasentimentwhichisatthebottomofeveryheart，andwhich，ifitistruethatthissentimentincreasesinproportiontotheinheritanceweleaveourchildren，noonecouldexperiencemorefullythanNapoleon，fornoonehadyetpossessedsoformidableapowerontheearth；thatthecourseofnaturehavingmadehersterilityahopelessevil，itwasherdutytobethefirsttosacrificethesentimentsofherhearttothegoodofthestate，andthepersonalhappinessofNapoleonsadbutpowerfulreasoning，whichpolicyinvokedinaidofthedivorce，andofwhichthisexcellentprincessintheillusionofherdevotionthoughtherselfconvincedinthedepthsofherheart。