第16章

Theroyalchildwaspresentedtoher。IknownothingintheworldwhichcouldbemoretouchingthanthejoyofthisexcellentwomanatthesightofNapoleon\'sson。Sheatfirstregardedhimwitheyesswimmingintears；thenshetookhiminherarms，andpressedhimtoherheartwithatendernesstoodeepforwords。Therewerepresentnoindiscreetwitnessestotakepleasureinindulgingirreverentcuriosity，orobservewithcriticalironythefeelingsofJosephine，norwasthereridiculousetiquettetofreezetheexpressionofthistendersoul；itwasascenefromprivatelife，andJosephineenteredintoitwithallherheart。

Fromthemannerinwhichshecaressedthischild，itmighthavebeensaidthatitwassomeordinary，child，andnotasonoftheCaesars，asflattererssaid，notthesonofagreatman，whosecradlewassurroundedwithsomanyhonors，andwhohadbeenbornaking。Josephinebathedhimwithhertears，andsaidtohimsomeofthosebabywordswithwhichamothermakesherselfunderstoodandlovedbyhernewborn。Itwasnecessaryatlasttoseparatethem。Theinterviewhadbeenshort，butithadbeenwellemployedbythelovingsoulofJosephine。Inthissceneonecouldjudgefromherjoyofthesincerityofhersacrifice，whileatthesametimeherstifledsighstestifiedtoitsextent。MadamedeMontesquieu\'svisitsweremadeonlyatlongintervals，whichdistressedJosephinegreatly；butthechildwasgrowinglarger，anindiscreetwordlispedbyhim，achildishremembrance，theleastthing，mightoffendMarieLouise，whofearedJosephine。TheEmperorwishedtoavoidthisannoyance，whichwouldhaveaffectedhisdomestichappiness；soheorderedthatthevisitsshouldbemademorerarely，andatlasttheywerestopped。IhaveheardJosephinesaythatthebirthoftheKingofRomerepaidherforallsacrifices，andsurelyneverwasthedevotionofawomanmoredisinterestedormorecomplete。

ImmediatelyafterhisbirththeKingofRomewasconfidedtothecareofanurseofahealthy，robustconstitution，takenfromamongthepeople。

Thiswomancouldneitherleavethepalacenorreceiveavisitfromanyman；thestrictestprecautionswereobservedinthisrespect。Shewastakenouttorideforherhealthinacarriage，andeventhenshewasaccompaniedbyseveralwomen。

ThesewerethehabitsofMarieLouisewithherson。Inthemorningaboutnineo\'clockthekingwasbroughttohismother；shetookhiminherarmsandcaressedhimafewmoments，thenreturnedhimtohisnurse，andbegantoreadthepapers。Thechildgrewtired，andtheladyinchargetookhimaway。Atfouro\'clockthemotherwenttovisitherson；thatistosay，MarieLouisewentdownintotheking\'sapartments，carryingwithhersomeembroidery，onwhichsheworkedatintervals。TwentyminutesaftershewasinformedthatM。IsabeyorM。Prudhonhadarrivedforthelessoninpaintingordrawing，whereupontheEmpressreturnedtoherapartments。

ThuspassedthefirstmonthswhichfollowedthebirthoftheKingofRome。Intheintervalsbetweenfetes，theEmperorwasoccupiedwithdecrees，reviews，monuments，andplans，constantlyemployed，withfewdistractions，indefatigableineverywork，andstillnotseemingtohaveanythingtooccupyhispowerfulmind，andhappyinhisprivatelifewithhisyoungwife，bywhomhewastenderlybeloved。TheEmpressledaverysimplelife，whichsuitedherdispositionwell。Josephineneededmoreexcitement；herlifehadbeenalsomoreintheoutsideworld，moreanimated，moreexpansive；thoughthisdidnotpreventherbeingveryfaithfultothedutiesofherdomesticlife，andverytenderandlovingtowardsherhusband，whomsheknewhowtorenderhappyinherownway。

OnedayBonapartereturnedfromahuntwornoutwithfatigue，andbeggedMarieLouisetocometohim。Shecame，andtheEmperortookherinhisarmsandgaveherasoundingkissonthecheek。MarieLouisetookherhandkerchiefandwipedhercheek。“Well，Louise，youaredisgustedwithme？“——“No，“repliedtheEmpress，“Ididitfromhabit；IdothesamewiththeKingofRome。“TheEmperorseemedvexed。Josephinewasverydifferent；shereceivedherhusband\'scaressesaffectionately，andevenmethimhalfway。TheEmperorsometimessaidtoher，“Louise，sleepinmyroom。“——“Itistoowarmthere，“repliedtheEmpress。Infact，shecouldnotenduretheheat，andNapoleon\'sapartmentswereconstantlywarmed。Shehadalsoanextremerepugnancetoodors，andinherownroomsallowedonlyvinegarorsugartobeburnt。

EndRECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON，V7

BYCONSTANT

PREMIERVALETDECHAMBRE

TRANSLATEDBYWALTERCLARK

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERXIII。toCHAPTERXXI。

CHAPTERXIII。

HisMajestyremainedonlytendaysatSaint-Cloud，passedtwoorthreeoftheseinParisattheopeningofthesessionoftheCorpsLegislatif，andatnoononthe29thsetoutasecondtimeforBayonne。

TheEmpress，whotohergreatchagrincouldnotaccompanytheEmperor，sentformeonthemorningofhisdeparture，andrenewedinmosttouchingaccentsthesamerecommendationswhichshemadeonallhisjourneys，forthecharacteroftheSpaniardsmadehertimidandfearfulastohissafety。

Theirpartingwassadandpainful；fortheEmpresswasexceedinglyanxioustoaccompanyhim，andtheEmperorhadthegreatestdifficultyinsatisfyingher，andmakingherunderstandthatthiswasimpossible。Justashewassettingouthereturnedtohisdressing-roomamoment，andtoldmetounbuttonhiscoatandvest；andIsawtheEmperorpassaroundhisneckbetweenhisvestandshirtablacksilkribbononwhichwashungakindoflittlebagaboutthesizeofalargehazel-nut，coveredwithblacksilk。ThoughIdidnotthenknowwhatthisbagcontained，whenhereturnedtoParishegaveittometokeep；andIfoundthatthisbaghadapleasantfeeling，asunderthesilkcoveringwasanotherofskin。I

shallhereaftertellforwhatpurposetheEmperorworethisbag。

Isetoutwithasadheart。TherecommendationsofherMajestytheEmpress，andfearswhichIcouldnotthrowoff，addedtothefatigueoftheserepeatedjourneys，allconspiredtoproducefeelingsofintensesadness，whichwasreflectedonalmostallthecountenancesoftheImperialhousehold；whiletheofficerssaidamongthemselvesthatthecombatsintheNorthweretriflingcomparedwiththosewhichawaitedusinSpain。

Wearrivedonthe3dofNovemberatthechateauofMarrac，andfourdaysafterwereatVittoriainthemidstoftheFrencharmy，wheretheEmperorfoundhisbrotherandafewgrandeesofSpainwhohadnotyetdesertedhiscause。

ThearrivalofhisMajestyelectrifiedthetroops；andapartoftheenthusiasmmanifested，averysmallpartitistrue，penetratedintotheheartoftheking，andsomewhatrenewedhiscourage。Theysetoutalmostimmediately，inordertoatonceestablishthemselvestemporarilyatBurgos，whichhadbeenseizedbymainforceandpillagedinafewhours，sincetheinhabitantshadabandonedit，andlefttothegarrisonthetaskofstoppingtheFrenchaslongaspossible。

TheEmperoroccupiedthearchiepiscopalpalace，amagnificentbuildingsituatedinalargesquareonwhichthegrenadiersoftheImperialGuardbivouacked。Thisbivouacpresentedasingularscene。Immensekettles，whichhadbeenfoundintheconvents，hung，fullofmutton，poultry，rabbits，etc。，aboveafirewhichwasreplenishedfromtimetotimewithfurniture，guitars，ormandolins，andaroundwhichgrenadiers，withpipesintheirmouths，weregravelyseatedingildedchairscoveredwithcrimsondamask，whiletheyintentlywatchedthekettlesastheysimmered，andcommunicatedtoeachothertheirconjecturesonthecampaignwhichhadjustopened。

TheEmperorremainedtenortwelvedaysatBurgos，andthengaveorderstomarchonMadrid，whichplacecouldhavebeenreachedbywayofValladolid，andtheroadwasindeedsaferandbetter；buttheEmperorwishedtoseizethePassofSomo-Sierra，animposingpositionwithnaturalfortificationswhichhadalwaysbeenregardedasimpregnable。

Thispass，betweentwomountainpeaks，defendedthecapital，andwasguardedbytwelvethousandinsurgents，andtwelvepiecesofcannonplacedsoadvantageouslythattheycoulddoasmuchinjuryasthirtyorfortyelsewhere，andwere，infact，asufficientobstacletodelayeventhemostformidablearmy；butwhocouldthenopposeanyhindrancetothemarchoftheEmperor？

Ontheeveningofthe29thofNovemberwearrivedwithinthreeleaguesofthisformidabledefile，atavillagecalledBasaguillas；andthoughtheweatherwasverycold，theEmperordidnotliedown，butpassedthenightinhistent，writing，wrappedinthepelissewhichtheEmperorAlexanderhadgivenhim。Aboutthreeo\'clockinthemorninghecametowarmhimselfbythebivouacfirewhereIhadseatedmyself，asIcouldnolongerendurethecoldanddampnessofacellarwhichhadbeenassignedasmylodging，andwheremybedwasonlyafewhandfulsofstraw，filledwithmanure。

Ateighto\'clockinthemorningthepositionwasattackedandcarried，andthenextdaywearrivedbeforeMadrid。

TheEmperorestablishedhisheadquartersatthechateauofChamp-Martin，apleasurehousesituatedaquarterofaleaguefromthetown，andbelongingtothemotheroftheDukeofInfantado；andthearmycampedaroundthishouse。Thedayafterourarrival，theownercameintearstoentreatofhisMajestyarevocationofthefataldecreewhichputhersonoutsidetheprotectionofthelaw；theEmperordidallhecouldtoreassureher，buthecouldpromisehernothing，astheorderwasgeneral。

Wehadsometroubleincapturingthistown；inthefirstplace，becausehisMajestyrecommendedthegreatestmoderationinmakingtheattack，notwishing，ashesaid，topresenttohisbrotheraburned-upcity；inthesecondplace，becausetheGrandDukeofBergduringhisstayatMadridhadfortifiedthepalaceofRetiro，andtheSpanishinsurgentshadintrenchedthemselvesthere，anddefendeditmostcourageously。Thetownhadnootherdefense，andwassurroundedonlybyanoldwall，almostexactlysimilartothatofParis，consequentlyattheendofthreedaysitwastaken；buttheEmperorpreferrednottoenter，andstillresidedatChamp-Martin，withtheexceptionofonedaywhenhecameincognitoandindisguise，tovisitthequeen\'spalaceandtheprincipaldistricts。

OnestrikingpeculiarityoftheSpaniardsistherespecttheyhavealwaysshownforeverythingrelatingtoroyalty，whethertheyregarditaslegitimateornot。WhenKingJosephleftMadridthepalacewasclosed，andthegovernmentestablisheditselfinapassablygoodbuildingwhichhadbeenusedasthepost-office。Fromthistimenooneenteredthepalaceexcepttheservants，whohadorderstocleanitfromtimetotime；

notapieceoffurnitureeven，notabook，wasmoved。TheportraitofNapoleononMontSt。Bernard，David\'smasterpiece，remainedhanginginthegrandreceptionhall，andthequeen\'sportraitopposite，exactlyasthekinghadplacedthem；andeventhecellarswerereligiouslyrespected。TheapartmentsofKingCharleshadalsoremaineduntouched，andnotoneofthewatchesinhisimmensecollectionhadbeenremoved。

TheactofclemencywhichhisMajestyshowedtowardtheMarquisofSaint-

Simon，agrandeeofSpain，markedinanespecialmannertheentranceoftheFrenchtroopsintoMadrid。TheMarquisofSaint-Simon，aFrenchemigrant，hadbeenintheserviceofSpainsincetheemigration，andhadthecommandofapartofthecapital。ThepostwhichhedefendedwasexactlyinfrontofthatwhichtheEmperorcommandedatthegatesofMadrid，andhehadheldoutlongafteralltheotherleadershadsurrendered。

TheEmperor，impatientatbeingsolongwithstoodatthispoint，gaveorderstomakeastillmorevigorouscharge；andinthisthemarquiswastakenprisoner。InhisextremeangertheEmperorsenthimtobetriedbeforeamilitarycommission，whoorderedhimtobeshot；andthisorderwasonthepointofbeingexecuted，whenMademoiselledeSaint-Simon，acharmingyoungperson，threwherselfathisMajesty\'sfeet，andherfather\'spardonwasquicklygranted。

Thekingimmediatelyre-enteredhiscapital；andwithhimreturnedthenoblefamiliesofMadrid，whohadwithdrawnfromthestirringscenesenactedatthecenteroftheinsurrection；andsoonballs，fetes，festivities，andplayswereresumedasofyore。

TheEmperorleftChamp-Martinonthe22dofDecember，anddirectedhismarchtowardsAstorga，withtheintentionofmeetingtheEnglish，whohadjustlandedatCorunna；butdispatchessenttoAstorgabyacourierfromParisdecidedhimtoreturntoFrance，andheconsequentlygaveorderstosetoutforValladolid。

WefoundtheroadfromBenaventetoAstorgacoveredwithcorpses，slainhorses，artillerycarriages，andbrokenwagons，andateverystepmetdetachmentsofsoldierswithtornclothing，withoutshoes，and，indeed，inamostdeplorablecondition。TheseunfortunateswereallfleeingtowardsAstorga，whichtheyregardedasaportofsafety，butwhichsooncouldnotcontainthemall。Itwasterribleweather，thesnowfallingsofastthatitwasalmostblinding；and，addedtothis，Iwasill，andsufferedgreatlyduringthispainfuljourney。

TheEmperorwhileatTordesillashadestablishedhisheadquartersinthebuildingsoutsidetheconventofSaint-Claire，andtheabbessofthisconventwaspresentedtohisMajesty。Shewasthenmorethansixty-fiveyearsold，andfromtheageoftenyearsbackneverleftthisplace。HerintelligentandrefinedconversationmadeamostagreeableimpressionontheEmperor，whoinquiredwhatwereherwishes，andgrantedeachone。

WearrivedatValladolidthe6thofJanuary，1809，andfounditinastateofgreatdisorder。Twoorthreedaysafterourarrival，acavalryofficerwasassassinatedbyDominicanmonks；andasHubert，oneofourcomrades，waspassingintheeveningthroughasecludedstreet，threementhrewthemselvesonhimandwoundedhimseverely；andhewoulddoubtlesshavebeenkilledifthegrenadiersoftheguardhadnothastenedtohisassistance，anddeliveredhimfromtheirhands。Itwasthemonksagain。

AtlengththeEmperor，muchincensed，gaveordersthattheconventoftheDominicansshouldbesearched；andinawellwasfoundthecorpseoftheaforesaidofficer，inthemidstofaconsiderablemassofbones，andtheconventwasimmediatelysuppressedbyhisMajesty\'sorders；heeventhoughtatonetimeofissuingthesamerigorousordersagainstalltheconventsofthecity。Hetooktimeforreflection，however，andcontentedhimselfbyappointinganaudience，atwhichallthemonksofValladolidweretoappearbeforehim。Ontheappointeddaytheycame；

notall，however，butdeputationsfromeachconvent，whoprostratedthemselvesattheEmperor\'sfeet，whileheshoweredreproachesuponthem，calledthemassassinsandbrigands，andsaidtheyalldeservedtobehung。Thesepoormenlistenedinsilenceandhumilitytotheterriblelanguageoftheirritatedconquerorwhomtheirpatiencealonecouldappease；andfinally，theEmperor\'sangerhavingexhausteditself，hegrewcalmer，andatlast，struckbythereflectionthatitwashardlyjusttoheapabuseonmenthusprostrateontheirkneesandutteringnotawordintheirowndefense，heleftthegroupofofficerswhosurroundedhim，andadvancedintothemidstofthemonks，makingthemasigntorisefromtheirsupplicatingposture；andasthesegoodmenobeyedhim，theykissedtheskirtsofhiscoat，andpressedaroundhimwithaneagernessmostalarmingtothepersonsofhisMajesty\'ssuite；forhadtherebeenamongthesedevoteesanyDominican，nothingsurelycouldhavebeeneasierthananassassination。

DuringtheEmperor\'sstayatValladolid，IhadwiththegrandmarshaladisagreementofwhichIretainmostvividrecollections，asalsooftheEmperor\'sinterventionwhereinhedisplayedbothjusticeandgood-willtowardsme。Thesearethefactsofthecase:onemorningtheDukedeFrioul，encounteringmeinhisMajesty\'sapartments，inquiredinaverybrusquetone(hewasverymuchexcited)ifIhadorderedthecarriagetobeready，towhichIrepliedinamostrespectfulmannerthattheywerealwaysready。Threetimesthedukerepeatedthesamequestion，raisinghisvoicestillmoreeachtime；andthreetimesImadehimthesamereply，alwaysinthesamerespectfulmanner。“Oh，youfool！“saidheatlast，“youdonotunderstand，then。“——“Thatarisesevidently，Monseigneur，fromyourExcellency\'simperfectexplanations！“UponwhichheexplainedthathewasspeakingofanewcarriagewhichhadcomefromParisthatveryday，afactofwhichIwasentirelyignorant。IwasonthepointofexplainingthistohisExcellency；butwithoutdeigningtolisten，thegrandmarshalrushedoutoftheroomexclaiming，swearing，andaddressingmeintermstowhichIwastotallyunaccustomed。I

followedhimasfarashisownroominordertomakeanexplanation；butwhenhereachedhisdoorheentered，andslammeditinmyface。

InspiteofallthisIenteredafewmomentslater；buthisExcellencyhadforbiddenhisvaletdechambretointroduceme，sayingthathehadnothingtosaytome，nortohearfromme，allofwhichwasrepeatedtomeinaveryharshandcontemptuousmanner。

Littleaccustomedtosuchexperiences，andentirelyunnerved，IwenttotheEmperor\'sroom；andwhenhisMajestyenteredIwasstillsoagitatedthatmyfacewaswetwithtears。HisMajestywishedtoknowwhathadhappened，andIrelatedtohimtheattackwhichhadjustbeenmadeuponmebythegrandmarshal。“Youareveryfoolishtocry，“saidtheEmperor；“calmyourself，andsaytothegrandmarshalthatIwishtospeaktohim。“

HisExcellencycameatonceinresponsetotheEmperor\'sinvitation，andIannouncedhim。“See，“saidhe，pointingtome，“seeintowhatastateyouhavethrownthisfellow！Whathashedonetobethustreated？“Thegrandmarshalbowedwithoutreplying，butwithaverydissatisfiedair；

andtheEmperorwentontosaythatheshouldhavegivenmehisordersmoreclearly，andthatanyonewasexcusablefornotexecutinganordernotplainlygiven。Thenturningtowardme，hisMajestysaid，“MonsieurConstant，youmaybecertainthiswillnotoccuragain。“

ThissimpleaffairfurnishesareplytomanyfalseaccusationsagainsttheEmperor。TherewasanimmensedistancebetweenthegrandmarshalofthepalaceandthesimplevaletdechambreofhisMajesty，andyetthemarshalwasreprimandedforawrongdonetothevaletdechambre。

TheEmperorshowedtheutmostimpartialityinmetingoutjusticeinhisdomesticaffairs；andneverwastheinteriorofapalacebettergovernedthanhis，owingtothefactthatinhishouseholdhealonewasmaster。

Thegrandmarshalfeltunkindlytowardmeforsometimeafter；but，asI

havealreadysaid，hewasanexcellentman，hisbadhumorsoonpassedaway，andsocompletely，thatonmyreturntoParisherequestedmetostandforhimatthebaptismofthechildofmyfather-in-law，whohadbeggedhimtobeitsgodfather；thegodmotherwasJosephine，whowaskindenoughtochoosemywifetorepresenther。M。leDukedeFriouldidthingswithasmuchnobilityandmagnanimityasgrace；andafterwardsI

amgladtobeabletostateinjusticetohismemory，heeagerlyseizedeveryoccasiontobeusefultome，andtomakemeforgetthediscomforthistemporaryexcitementhadcausedme。

IfellillatValladolidwithaviolentfeverafewdaysbeforehisMajesty\'sdeparture。Onthedayappointedforleaving，myillnesswasatitsheight；aidastheEmperorfearedthatthejourneymightincrease，oratanyrateprolong，myillness，heforbademygoing，andsetoutwithoutme，recommendingtothepersonswhomheleftatValladolidtotakecareofmyhealth。WhenIhadgottensomewhatbetterIwastoldthathisMajestyhadleft，whereuponIcouldnolongerbecontrolled，andagainstmyphysician\'sorders，andinspiteofmyfeebleness，inspiteofeverything，infact，hadmyselfplacedinacarriageandsetout。Thiswaswise；forhardlyhadIputValladolidtwoleaguesbehindme，thanI

feltbetter，andthefeverleftme。IarrivedatParisfiveorsixdaysaftertheEmperor，justafterhisMajestyhadappointedtheCountMontesquiougrandchamberlaininplaceofPrinceTalleyrand，whomImetthatveryday，andwhoseemedinnowiseaffectedbythisdisgrace，perhapshewasconsoledbythedignityofvice-grandelectorwhichwasbestowedonhiminexchange。

CHAPTERXIV。

TheEmperorarrivedatParisonthe23dofJanuary，andpassedtheremainderofthewinterthere，withtheexceptionofafewdaysspentatRambouilletandSaint-Cloud。

OntheverydayofhisarrivalinParis，althoughhemusthavebeenmuchfatiguedbyanalmostuninterruptedridefromValladolid，theEmperorvisitedthebuildingsoftheLouvreandtheruedeRivoli。

HismindwasfullofwhathehadseenatMadrid，andrepeatedsuggestionstoM。FontaineandtheotherarchitectsshowedplainlyhisdesiretomaketheLouvrethefinestpalaceintheworld。HisMajestythenhadareportmadehimastothechateauofChambord，whichhewishedtopresenttothePrinceofNeuchatel。M。Fontainefoundthatrepairssufficienttomakethisplaceacomfortableresidencewouldamountto1，700，000francs，asthebuildingswereinastateofdecay，andithadhardlybeentouchedsincethedeathofMarshalSage。

HisMajestypassedthetwomonthsandahalfofhisstayworkinginhiscabinet，whichherarelyleft，andalwaysunwillingly；hisamusementsbeing，asalways，thetheaterandconcerts。Helovedmusicpassionately，especiallyItalianmusic，andlikeallgreatamateurswashardtoplease。

Hewouldhavemuchlikedtosinghadhebeenable，buthehadnovoice，thoughthisdidnotpreventhishummingnowandthenpieceswhichstruckhisfancy；andastheselittlereminiscencesusuallyrecurredtohiminthemornings，heregaledmewiththemwhilehewasbeingdressed。TheairthatIhaveheardhimthusmutilatemostfrequentlywasthatofTheMarseillaise。TheEmperoralsowhistledsometimes，butveryrarely；andtheair，\'Malbrooks\'enva-t-enguerre\'，whistledbyhisMajestywasanunerringannouncementtomeofhisapproachingdepartureforthearmy。

Irememberthatheneverwhistledsomuch，andwasneversogay，asjustbeforehesetoutfortheRussiancampaign。

HisMajesty\'s，favoritesingerwereCrescentiniandMadameGrassini。

IsawCrescentini\'sdebutatParisintheroleofRomeo，inRomeoandJuliet。HecameprecededbyareputationasthefirstsingerofItaly；

andthisreputationwasfoundtobewelldeserved，notwithstandingalltheprejudiceshehadtoovercome，forIrememberwellthedisparagingstatementsmadeconcerninghimbeforehisdebutatthecourttheater。

Accordingtotheseself-appointedconnoisseurs，hewasabawlerwithouttaste，withoutmethod，amakerofabsurdtrills，anunimpassionedactoroflittleintelligence，andmanyotherthingsbesides。Heknew，whenheappearedonthestage，howlittledisposedinhisfavorhisaudiencewere，yetheshowednottheslightestembarrassment；this，andhisnoble，dignifiedmien，agreeablysurprisedthosewhoexpectedfromwhattheyhadbeentoldtobeholdanawkwardmanwithanungainlyfigure。Amurmurofapprobationranthroughthehallonhisappearance；andelectrifiedbythiswelcome，hegainedallheartsfromthefirstact。Hismovementswerefullofgraceanddignity；hehadaperfectknowledgeofthescene，modestgesturesperfectlyinharmonywiththedialogue，andacountenanceonwhichallshadesofpassionweredepictedwiththemostastonishingaccuracy；andalltheserareandpreciousqualitiescombinedtogivetotheenchantingaccentsofthisartistacharmofwhichitisimpossibletogiveanidea。

Ateachscenetheinterestheinspiredbecamemoremarked，untilinthethirdacttheemotionanddelightofthespectatorwerecarriedalmosttofrenzy。Inthisact，playedalmostsolelybyCrescentini，thisadmirablesingercommunicatedtotheheartsofhisaudienceallthatistouchingand，patheticinaloveexpressedbymeansofdeliciousmelody，andbyallthatgriefanddespaircanfindsublimeinsong。

TheEmperorwasenraptured，andsentCrescentiniaconsiderablecompensation，accompaniedbymostflatteringtestimonialsofthepleasurehehadfeltinhearinghim。

Onthisday，asalwayswhentheyplayedtogetherafterwards，CrescentiniwasadmirablysupportedbyMadameGrassini，awomanofsuperiortalent，andwhopossessedthemostastonishingvoiceeverheardinthetheater。

SheandMadameBarillithendividedtheadmirationofthepublic。

TheveryeveningorthedayafterthedebutofCrescentini，theFrenchstagesufferedanirreparablelossinthedeathofDazincourt，onlysixtyyearsofage。TheillnessofwhichhediedhadbegunonhisreturnfromErfurt，andwaslongandpainful；andyetthepublic，towhomthisgreatcomedianhadsolonggivensuchpleasure，tooknonoticeofhimafteritwasfoundhissicknesswasincurableandhisdeathcertain。Formerlywhenahighlyesteemedactorwaskeptfromhisplaceforsometimebyillness(andwhodeservedmoreesteemthanDazincourt？)，thepitwasaccustomedtotestifyitsregretbyinquiringeverydayastotheconditionoftheafflictedone，andattheendofeachrepresentationtheactorwhosedutyitwastoannouncetheplayforthenextdaygavetheaudiencenewsofhiscomrade。ThiswasnotdoneforDazincourt，andthepitthusshowedingratitudetohim。

IlikedandesteemedsincerelyDazincourt，whoseacquaintanceIhadmadeseveralyearsbeforehisdeath；andfewmenbetterdeservedorsowellknewhowtogainesteemandaffection。Iwillnotspeakofhisgenius，whichrenderedhimaworthysuccessorofPreville，whosepupilandfriendhewas，forallhiscontemporariesrememberFigaroasplayedbyDazincourt；butIwillspeakofthenobilityofhischaracter，ofhisgenerosity，andhiswell-testedhonor。Itwouldseemthathisbirthandeducationshouldhavekepthimfromthetheater，wherecircumstancesaloneplacedhim；buthewasabletoprotecthimselfagainsttheseductionsofhissituation，andinthegreenroom，andinthemidstofdomesticintrigues，remainedamanofgoodcharacterandpuremanners。

Hewaswelcomedinthebestsociety，wherehesoonbecameafavoritebyhispiquantsallies，asmuchasbyhisgoodmannersandurbanity，forheamusedwithoutremindingthathewasacomedian。

AttheendofFebruaryhisMajestywenttostayforsometimeatthepalaceoftheElysee；andthereIthinkwassignedthemarriagecontractofoneofhisbestlieutenants，MarshalAugereau，recentlymadeDukeofCastiglione，withMademoiselleBourlondeChavanges，thedaughterofanoldsuperiorofficer；andtherealsowasrenderedtheimperialdecreewhichgavetothePrincessElizathegrandduchyofTuscany，withthetitleofgrandduchess。

AboutthemiddleofMarch，theEmperorpassedseveraldaysatRambouillet；therewereheldsomeexcitinghunts，inoneofwhichhisMajestyhimselfbroughttobayandkilledastagnearthepoolofSaint-

Hubert。Therewasalsoaballandconcert，inwhichappearedCrescentini，MesdamesGrassini，Barelli，andseveralcelebratedvirtuosos，andlastlyTalmarecited。

Onthe13thofApril，atfouro\'clockinthemorning，theEmperorhavingreceivednewsofanotherinvasionofBavariabytheAustrians，setoutforStrasburgwiththeEmpress，whomheleftinthatcity；andonthe15th，ateleveno\'clockinthemorning，hepassedtheRhineattheheadofhisarmy。TheEmpressdidnotlongremainalone，astheQueenofHollandandhersons，theGrandDuchessofBadenandherhusband，soonjoinedher。

Thesplendidcampaignof1809atoncebegan。Itisknownhowgloriousitwas，andthatoneofitsleastgloriousvictorieswasthecaptureofVienna。

AtRatisbon，onthe23dofApril，theEmperorreceivedinhisrightfootaspentball，whichgavehimquiteaseverebruise。IwaswiththeservicewhenseveralgrenadiershastenedtotellmethathisMajestywaswounded，uponwhichIhastenedtohim，andarrivedwhileM。Yvanwasdressingthecontusion。TheEmperor\'sbootwascutopen，andlacedup，andheremountedhishorseimmediately；and，thoughseveralofthegeneralsinsistedonhisresting，heonlyreplied:“Myfriends，doyounotknowthatitisnecessaryformetoseeeverything？“Theenthusiasmofthesoldierscannotbeexpressedwhentheylearnedthattheirchiefhadbeenwounded，thoughhiswoundwasnotdangerous。“TheEmperorisexposedlikeus，“theysaid；“heisnotacoward，nothe。“Thepapersdidnotmentionthisoccurrence。

Beforeenteringabattle，theEmperoralwaysorderedthat，incasehewaswounded，everypossiblemeasureshouldbetakentoconcealitfromhistroops。“Whoknows，“saidhe，“whatterribleconfusionmightbeproducedbysuchnews？TomylifeisattachedthedestinyofagreatEmpire。

Rememberthis，gentlemen；andifIamwounded，letnooneknowit，ifpossible。IfIamslain，trytowinthebattlewithoutme；therewillbetimeenoughtotellitafterwards。“

TwoweeksafterthecaptureofRatisbon，IwasinadvanceofhisMajestyontheroadtoVienna，aloneinacarriagewithanofficerofthehousehold，whenwesuddenlyheardfrightfulscreamsinahouseontheedgeoftheroad。Igaveorderstostopatonce，andwealighted；and，onenteringthehouse，foundseveralsoldiers，orratherstragglers，asthereareinallarmies，who，payingnoattentiontothealliancebetweenFranceandBavaria，weretreatingmostcruellyafamilywhichlivedinthishouse，andconsistedofanoldgrandmother，ayoungman，threechildren，andayounggirl。

Ourembroideredcoatshadahappyeffectonthesemadmen，whomwethreatenedwiththeEmperor\'sanger；andwesucceededindrivingthemoutofthehouse，andsoonaftertookourdeparture，overwhelmedwiththanks。

IntheeveningIspoketotheEmperorofwhatIhaddone；andheapprovedhighly，saying，“Itcannotbehelped。Therearealwayssomecowardlyfellowsinthearmy；andtheyaretheoneswhodothemischief。Abraveandgoodsoldierwouldblushtodosuchthings！“

Ihadoccasion，inthebeginningoftheseMemoirs，tospeakofthesteward，M。Pfister，oneofhisMajesty\'smostfaithfulservants，andalsooneofthosetowhomhisMajestywasmostattached。M。PfisterhadfollowedhimtoEgypt，andhadfacedcountlessdangersinhisservice。

ThedayofthebattleofLandshut，whicheitherprecededorfollowedverycloselythetakingofRatisbonthispoormanbecameinsane，rushedoutofhistent，andconcealedhimselfinawoodnearthefieldofbattle，aftertakingoffallhisclothing。AttheendofafewhourshisMajestyaskedforM。Pfister。Hewassoughtfor，andeveryonewasquestioned；butnoonecouldtellwhathadbecomeofhim。TheEmperor，fearingthathemighthavebeentakenprisoner，sentanorderlyofficertotheAustrianstorecoverhissteward，andproposeanexchange；buttheofficerreturned，sayingthattheAustrianshadnotseenM。Pfister。TheEmperor，muchdisquieted，orderedasearchtobemadeintheneighborhood；andbythismeansthepoorfellowwasdiscoveredentirelynaked，asIhavesaid，coweringbehindatree，inafrightfulcondition，hisbodytornbythorns。Hewasbroughtback，andhavingbecomeperfectlyquiet，wasthoughttobewell，andresumedhisduties；butashorttimeafterourreturntoParishehadanewattack。Thecharacterofhismaladywasexceedinglyobscene；andhepresentedhimselfbeforetheEmpressJosephineinsuchastateofdisorder，andwithsuchindecentgestures，thatitwasnecessarytotakeprecautionsinregardtohim。

HewasconfidedtothecareofthewiseDoctorEsquirol，who，inspiteofhisgreatskill，couldnoteffectacure。Iwenttoseehimoften。Hehadnomoreviolentattacks；buthisbrainwasdiseased，andthoughheheardandunderstoodperfectly，hisreplieswerethoseofarealmadman。

HeneverlosthisdevotiontotheEmperor，spokeofhimincessantly，andimaginedhimselfondutynearhim。Onedayhetoldmewithamostmysteriousairthathewishedtoconfidetomeaterriblesecret，theplotofaconspiracyagainsthisMajesty\'slife，handingmeatthesametimeanoteforhisMajesty，withapackageofabouttwentyscrapsofpaper，whichhehadscribbledoffhimself，andthoughtwerethedetailsoftheplot。Anothertimehehandedme，fortheEmperor，ahandfuloflittlestones，whichhecalleddiamondsofgreatvalue。“ThereismorethanamillioninwhatIhandyou，“saidhe。TheEmperor，whomItoldofmyvisits，wasexceedinglytouchedbythecontinuedmonomaniaofthispoorunfortunate，whoseeverythought，everyact，relatedtohisoldmaster，andwhodiedwithoutregaininghisreason。

Onthe10thofMay，atnineo\'clockinthemorning，thefirstlineofdefenseoftheAustriancapitalwasattackedandtakenbyMarshalOudinotthefaubourgssurrenderingatdiscretion。TheDukeofMontebellothenadvancedontheesplanadeattheheadofhisdivision；butthegateshavingbeenclosed，thegarrisonpouredafrightfuldischargefromthetopoftheramparts，whichfortunatelyhoweverkilledonlyaverysmallnumber。TheDukeofMontebellosummonedthegarrisontosurrenderthetown，buttheresponseoftheArchdukeMaximilianwasthathewoulddefendViennawithhislastbreath；whichreplywasconveyedtotheEmperor。

Aftertakingcounselwithhisgenerals，hisMajestychargedColonelLagrangetobearanewdemandtothearchduke；butthepoorcolonelhadhardlyenteredthetownthanhewasattackedbytheinfuriatedpopulace。

GeneralO\'Reillysavedhislifebyhavinghimcarriedawaybyhissoldiers；buttheArchdukeMaximilian，inordertodefytheEmperorstillfurther，paradedintriumphinthemidstofthenationalguardtheindividualwhohasstruckthefirstblowatthebeareroftheFrenchsummons。Thisattempt，whichhadexcitedtheindignationofmanyoftheViennesethemselves，didnotchangehisMajesty\'sintentions，ashewishedtocarryhismoderationandkindnessasfaraspossible；andhewrotetothearchdukebythePrinceofNeuchatelthefollowingletter，acopyofwhichaccidentallyfellintomyhands:

“ThePrincedeNeuchateltohisHighnesstheArchdukeMaximilian，commandingthetownofVienna，“HisMajestytheEmperorandKingdesirestosparethislargeandworthypopulationthecalamitieswithwhichitisthreatened，andchargesmetorepresenttoyourHighness，thatifhecontinuestheattempttodefendthisplace，itwillcausethedestructionofoneofthefinestcitiesofEurope。Ineverycountrywherehehaswagedwar，mysovereignhasmanifestedhisanxietytoavoidthedisasterswhicharmiesbringonthepopulation。YourHighnessmustbepersuadedthathisMajestyismuchgrievedtoseethistown，whichhehasthegloryofhavingalreadysaved，onthepointofbeingdestroyed。Nevertheless，contrarytotheestablishedusageoffortresses，yourHighnesshasfiredyourcannonfromthecitywalls，andthesecannonmaykill，notanenemyofyoursovereign，butthewivesorchildrenofhismostdevotedservants。IfyourHighnessprolongstheattempttodefendtheplace，hisMajestywillbecompelledtobeginhispreparationsforattack；andtheruinofthisimmensecapitalwillbeconsummatedinthirty-sixhours，bytheshellsandbombsfromourbatteries，astheoutskirtsofthetownwillbedestroyedbytheeffectofyours。HisMajestydoesnotdoubtthattheseconsiderationswillinfluenceyourHighnesstorenounceadeterminationwhichwillonlydelayforashortwhilethecaptureoftheplace。If，however，yourHighnesshasdecidednottopursueacoursewhichwillsavethetownfromdestruction，itspopulationplungedbyyourfaultintosuchterriblemisfortuneswillbecome，insteadoffaithfulsubjects，theenemiesofyourhouse。“

Thisletterdidnotdeterthegranddukefrompersistinginhisdefense；

andthisobstinacyexasperatedtheEmperortosuchadegreethatheatlastgaveorderstoplacetwobatteriesinposition，andwithinanhourcannonballsandshellsraineduponthetown。Theinhabitants，withtrueGermanindifference，assembledonthehillsidestowatchtheeffectofthefiresofattackanddefense，andappearedmuchinterestedinthesight。AfewcannonballshadalreadyfalleninthecourtoftheImperialpalacewhenaflagoftrucecameoutofthetowntoannouncethattheArchduchessMarieLouisehadbeenunabletoaccompanyherfather，andwasillinthepalace，andconsequentlyexposedtodangerfromtheartillery；

andtheEmperorimmediatelygaveorderstochangethedirectionofthefiringsothatthebombsandballswouldpassoverthepalace。Thearchdukedidnotlongholdoutagainstsuchasharpandenergeticattack，butfled，abandoningViennatotheconquerors。

Onthe12thofMaytheEmperormadehisentranceintoVienna，onemonthaftertheoccupationofMunichbytheAustrians。Thiscircumstancemadeadeepimpression，anddidmuchtofosterthesuperstitiousideaswhichmanyofthetroopsheldinregardtothepersonoftheirchief。“See，“

saidone，“heneededonlythetimenecessaryforthejourney。Thatmanmustbeagod。“——“Heisadevilrather，“saidtheAustrians，whosestupefactionwasindescribable。Theyhadreachedapointwhenmanyallowedthearmstobetakenoutoftheirhandswithoutmakingtheleastresistance，orwithoutevenattemptingtofly，sodeepwastheirconvictionthattheEmperorandhisguardwerenotmen，andthatsoonerorlatertheymustfallintothepowerofthesesupernaturalenemies。

CHAPTERXV。

TheEmperordidnotremaininVienna，butestablishedhisheadquartersatthechateauofSchoenbrunn，animperialresidencesituatedabouthalfaleaguefromthetown；andthegroundinfrontofthechateauwasarrangedfortheencampmentoftheguard。ThechateauofSchoenbrunn，erectedbytheEmpressMariaTheresain1754，andsituatedinacommandingposition，isbuiltinaveryirregular，anddefective，butatthesametimemajestic，styleofarchitecture。Inordertoreachit，therehasbeenthrownoverthelittleriver，laVienne，abroadandwell-constructedbridge，ornamentedwithfourstonesphinxes；andinfrontofthebridgeisalargeirongate，openingonanimmensecourt，inwhichsevenoreightthousandmencouldbedrilled。Thiscourtissquare，surroundedbycoveredgalleries，andornamentedwithtwolargebasinswithmarblestatues；andoneachsideofthegatewayaretwolargeobelisksinrose-

coloredstone，surmountedbyeaglesofgildedlead。

\'Schoenbrunn\'，inGerman，signifiesbeautifulfountain；andthisnamecomesfromaclearandlimpidspring，whichrisesinagroveinthepark，onaslightelevation，aroundwhichhasbeenbuiltalittlepavilion，carvedontheinsidetoimitatestalactites。InthispavilionliesasleepingNaiad，holdinginherhandashell，fromwhichthewatergushesandfallsintoamarblebasin。Thisisadeliciousretreatinsummer。

Wecanspeakonlyintermsofadmirationregardingtheinteriorofthepalace，thefurnitureofwhichwashandsomeandofanoriginalandelegantstyle。TheEmperor\'ssleeping-room，theonlypartofthebuildinginwhichtherewasafireplace，wasornamentedwithwainscotinginChineselacquerwork，thenveryold，thoughthepaintingandgildingwerestillfresh，andthecabinetwasdecoratedlikethebedroom；andalltheapartments，exceptthis，werewarmedinwinterbyimmensestoves，whichgreatlyinjuredtheeffectoftheinteriorarchitecture。BetweenthestudyandtheEmperor\'sroomwasaverycuriousmachine，calledtheflyingchariot，akindofmechanicalcontrivance，whichhadbeenmadefortheEmpressMariaTheresa，andwasusedinconveyingherfromonestorytotheother，sothatshemightnotbeobligedtoascendanddescendstaircasesliketherestoftheworld。Thismachinewasoperatedbymeansofcords，pulleys，andweights，likethoseatthetheater。

ThebeautifulgrovewhichservesasparkandgardentothepalaceofSchoenbrunnismuchtoosmalltobelongtoanimperialresidence；but，ontheotherhand，itwouldbehardtofindonemorebeautifulorbetterarranged。TheparkofVersaillesisgranderandmoreimposing；butithasnotthepicturesqueirregularity，thefantasticandunexpectedbeauties，oftheparkofSchoenbrunn，andmorecloselyresemblestheparkatMalmaison。Infrontoftheinteriorfacadeofthepalacewasamagnificentlawn，slopingdowntoabroadlake，decoratedwithagroupofstatuaryrepresentingthetriumphofNeptune。Thisgroupisveryfine；

butFrenchamateurs(everyFrenchman，asyouareaware，desirestobeconsideredaconnoisseur)insistedthatthewomenweremoreAustrianthanGrecian，andthattheydidnotpossesstheslendergracebelongingtoantiqueforms；and，formypart，Imustconfessthatthesestatuesdidnotappeartomeveryremarkable。

Attheendofthegrandavenue，andboundingthehorizon，roseahill，whichoverlookedthepark，andwascrownedbyahandsomebuilding，whichborethenameoflaGloriette。Thisbuildingwasacirculargallery，inclosedwithglass，supportedbyacharmingcolonnade，betweenthearchesofwhichhungvarioustrophies。OnenteringtheavenuefromthedirectionofVienna，laGlorietteroseatthefartherend，seemingalmosttoformapartofthepalace；andtheeffectwasveryfine。

WhattheAustriansespeciallyadmiredinthepalaceofSchoenbrunnwasagrove，containingwhattheycalledtheRuins，andalakewithafountainspringingfromthemidst，andseveralsmallcascadesflowingfromit；bythislakeweretheruinsofanaqueductandatemple，fallenvases，tombs，brokenbas-reliefs，statueswithoutheads，arms，orlimbs，whilelimbs，arms，andheadslaythicklyscatteredaround；columnsmutilatedandhalf-buried，othersstandingandsupportingtheremainsofpedimentsandentablatures；allcombiningtoformasceneofbeautifuldisorder，andrepresentingagenuineancientruinwhenviewedfromashortdistance。Viewedmoreclosely，itisquiteanotherthing:thehandofthemodernsculptorisseen；itisevidentthatallthesefragmentsaremadefromthesamekindofstone；andtheweedswhichgrowinthehollowsofthesecolumnsappearwhattheyreallyare，thatistosay，madeofstone，andpaintedtoimitateverdure。

ButiftheproductionsofartscatteredthroughtheparkofSchoenbrunnwerenotallirreproachable，thoseofnaturefullymadeupthedeficiency。Whatmagnificenttrees！Whatthickhedges！Whatdenseandrefreshingshade！Theavenueswereremarkablyhighandbroad，andborderedwithtrees，whichformedavaultimpenetrabletothesun，whiletheeyelostitselfintheirmanywindings；fromtheseothersmallerwalksdiverged，wherefreshsurpriseswereinstoreateverystep。Attheendofthebroadestofthesewasplacedthemenagerie，whichwasoneofthemostextensiveandvariedinEurope，anditsconstruction，whichwasveryingenious，mightwellserveasamodel；itwasshapedlikeastar，andintheroundcenterofthisstarhadbeenerectedasmallbutveryelegantkiosk，placedtherebytheEmpressMariaTheresaasaresting-placeforherself，andfromwhichthewholemenageriecouldbeviewedatleisure。

Eachpointofthisstarformedaseparategarden，wheretherecouldbeseenelephants，buffaloes，camels，dromedaries，stags，andkangaroosgrazing；handsomeandsubstantialcagesheldtigers，bears，leopards，lions，hyenas，etc；andswansandrareaquaticbirdsandamphibiousanimalssportedinbasinssurroundedbyirongratings。InthismenagerieIspeciallyremarkedaveryextraordinaryanimal，whichhisMajestyhadorderedbroughttoFrance，butwhichhaddiedthedaybeforeitwastohavestarted。ThisanimalwasfromPoland，andwascalleda\'curus\'；itwasakindofox，thoughmuchlargerthananordinaryox，withamanelikealion，hornsrathershortandsomewhatcurved，andenormouslylargeatthebase。

Everymorning，atsixo\'clock，thedrumsbeat，andtwoorthreehoursafterthetroopswereorderedtoparadeinthecourtofhonor；andatpreciselyteno\'clockhisMajestydescended，andputhimselfattheheadofhisgenerals。

Itisimpossibletogiveanideaoftheseparades，whichinnoparticularresembledreviewsinParis。TheEmperor，duringthesereviews，investigatedthesmallestdetails，andexaminedthesoldiersonebyone，sotospeak，lookedintotheeyesofeachtoseewhethertherewaspleasureorworkinhishead，questionedtheofficers，sometimesalsothesoldiersthemselves；anditwasusuallyontheseoccasionsthattheEmperormadehispromotions。Duringoneofthesereviews，ifheaskedacolonelwhowasthebravestofficerinhisregiment，therewasnohesitationinhisanswer；anditwasalwaysprompt，forheknewthattheEmperorwasalreadywellinformedonthispoint。Afterthecolonelhadreplied，headdressedhimselftoalltheotherofficers，saying，“Whoisthebravestamongyou？“——“Sire，itissuchanone；“andthetwoanswerswerealmostalwaysthesame。“Then，“saidtheEmperor，“Imakehimabaron；andIrewardinhim，notonlyhisownpersonalbravery，butthatofthecorpsofwhichheformsapart。Hedoesnotowethisfavortomealone，butalsototheesteemofhiscomrades。“Itwasthesamecasewiththesoldiers；andthosemostdistinguishedforcourageorgoodconductwerepromotedorreceivedrewards，andsometimespensions，theEmperorgivingoneoftwelvehundredfrancstoasoldier，who，onhisfirstcampaign，hadpassedthroughtheenemy\'ssquadron，bearingonhisshouldershiswoundedgeneral，protectinghimashewouldhisownfather。

OnthesereviewstheEmperorcouldbeseenpersonallyinspectingthehaversacksofthesoldiers，examiningtheircertificates，ortakingagunfromtheshouldersofayoungmanwhowasweak，pale；andsuffering，andsayingtohim，inasympathetictone，“Thatistooheavyforyou。“Heoftendrilledthemhimself；andwhenhedidnot，thedrillingwasdirectedbyGeneralsDorsenne，Curial，orMouton。Sometimeshewasseizedwithasuddenwhim；forexample，onemorning，afterreviewingaregimentoftheConfederation，heturnedtotheordnanceofficers，andaddressingPrinceSalm，whowasamongthem，remarked“M。deSalm，thesoldiersoughttogetacquaintedwithyou；approach，andorderthemtomakeachargeintwelvemovements。“Theyoungprinceturnedcrimson，withoutbeingdisconcerted，however，bowed，anddrawinghisswordmostgracefully，executedtheordersoftheEmperorwithaneaseandprecisionwhichcharmedhim。

Anotherday，astheengineercorpspassedwithaboutfortywagons，theEmperorcried，“Halt！“andpointingoutawagontoGeneralBertrand，orderedhimtosummononeoftheofficers。“Whatdoesthatwagoncontain？“——“Sire，bolts，bagsofnails，ropes，hatchets，andsaws。“——

“Howmuchofeach？“Theofficergavetheexactaccount。HisMajesty，toverifythisreport，hadthewagonemptied，countedthepieces，andfoundthenumbercorrect；andinordertoassurehimselfthatnothingwasleftinthewagon，climbedupintoitbymeansofthewheel，holdingontothespokes。Therewasamurmurofapprobationandcriesofjoyallalongtheline。“Bravo！“theysaid；“wellandgood！thatisthewaytomakesureofnotbeingdeceived。“AllthesethingsconspiredtomakethesoldiersadoretheEmperor。

CHAPTERXVI。

AtoneofthereviewswhichIhavejustdescribed，andwhichusuallyattractedacrowdofcuriouspeoplefromViennaanditssuburbs，theEmperorcamenearbeingassassinated。Itwasonthe13thofOctober，hisMajestyhadjustalightedfromhishorse，andwascrossingthecourtonfootwiththePrincedeNeuchatelandGeneralRappbesidehim，whenayoungmanwithapassablygoodcountenancepushedhiswayrudelythroughthecrowd，andaskedinbadFrenchifhecouldspeaktotheEmperor。HisMajestyreceivedhimkindly，butnotunderstandinghislanguage，askedGeneralRapptoseewhattheyoungmanwanted，andthegeneralaskedhimafewquestions；andnotsatisfiedapparentlywithhisanswers，orderedthepolice-officerondutytoremovehim。Asub-officerconductedtheyoungmanoutofthecircleformedbythestaff，anddrovehimbackintothecrowd。Thiscircumstancehadbeenforgotten，whensuddenlytheEmperor，onturning，foundagainnearhimthepretendedsuppliant，whohadreturnedholdinghisrighthandinhisbreast，asiftodrawapetitionfromthepocketofhiscoat。GeneralRappseizedthemanbythearm，andsaidtohim，“Monsieur，youhavealreadybeenorderedaway；whatdoyouwant？“Ashewasabouttoretireasecondtimethegeneral，thinkinghisappearancesuspicious，gaveorderstothepolice-officertoarresthim，andheaccordinglymadeasigntohissubalterns。Oneofthemseizinghimbythecollarshookhimslightly，whenhiscoatbecamepartlyunbuttoned，andsomethingfelloutresemblingapackageofpapers；

onexaminationitwasfoundtobealargecarvingknife，withseveralfoldsofgraypaperwrappedarounditasasheath；thereuponhewasconductedtoGeneralSavary。

Thisyoungmanwasastudent，andthesonofaProtestantministerofNaumbourg；hewascalledFredericStabs，andwasabouteighteenornineteenyearsold，withapallidfaceandeffeminatefeatures。HedidnotdenyforaninstantthatitwashisintentiontokilltheEmperor；

butonthecontraryboastedofit，andexpressedhisintenseregretthatcircumstanceshadpreventedtheaccomplishmentofhisdesign。

Hehadlefthisfather\'shouseonahorsewhichthewantofmoneyhadcompelledhimtosellontheway，andnoneofhisrelativesorfriendshadanyknowledgeofhisplan。Thedayafterhisdeparturehehadwrittentohisfatherthatheneednotbeanxiousabouthimnorthehorse；thathehadlongsincepromisedsomeonetovisitVienna，andhisfamilywouldsoonhearofhimwithpride。HehadarrivedatViennaonlytwodaysbefore，andhadoccupiedhimselffirstinobtaininginformationastotheEmperor\'shabits，andfindingthatheheldarevieweverymorninginthecourtofthechateau，hadbeenthereonceinordertoacquainthimselfwiththelocality。Thenextdayhehadundertakentomaketheattack，andhadbeenarrested。

TheDukeofRovigo，afterquestioningStabs，soughttheEmperor，whohadreturnedtohisapartments，andacquaintedhimwiththedangerhehadjustescaped。TheEmperoratfirstshruggedhisshoulders，buthavingbeenshowntheknifewhichhadbeentakenfromStabs，said，“Ah，ha！

sendfortheyoungman；Ishouldlikeverymuchtotalkwithhim。“Thedukewentout，andreturnedinafewmomentswithStabs。Whenthelatterentered，theEmperormadeagestureofpity，andsaidtothePrincedeNeuchatel，“Why，really，heisnothingmorethanachild！

“Aninterpreterwassummonedandtheinterrogationbegun。

HisMajestyfirstaskedtheassassinifhehadseenhim，anywherebeforethis。“Yes；Isawyou，“repliedStabbs，“atErfurtlastyear。“——“Itseemsthatacrimeisnothinginyoureyes。Whydidyouwishtokillme？“——“Tokillyouisnotacrime；onthecontrary，itisthedutyofeverygoodGerman。IwishedtokillyoubecauseyouaretheoppressorofGermany。“——“ItisnotIwhocommencedthewar；itisyournation。Whosepictureisthis？“(theEmperorheldinhishandsthepictureofawomanthathadbeenfoundonStabs)。“Itisthatofmybestfriend，myfather\'sadopteddaughter。“——“What！andyouareanassassin！andhavenofearofafflictinganddestroyingbeingswhoaresodeartoyou？“——“I

wishedtodomyduty，andnothingcouldhavedeterredmefromit。“——“Buthowwouldyouhavesucceededin，strikingme？“——“Iwouldfirsthaveaskedyouifweweresoontohavepeace；andifyouhadansweredno，I

shouldhavestabbedyou。“——“Heismad！“saidtheEmperor；“heisevidentlymad！Andhowcouldyouhavehopedtoescape，afteryouhadstruckmethusinthemidstofmysoldiers？“——“IknewwelltowhatIwasexposingmyself，andamastonishedtobestillalive。“ThisboldnessmadesuchadeepimpressionontheEmperorthatheremainedsilentforseveralmoments，intentlyregardingStabs，whoremainedentirelyunmovedunderthisscrutiny。ThentheEmperorcontinued，“Theoneyoulovewillbemuchdistressed。“——“Oh，shewillnodoubtbedistressedbecauseIdidnotsucceed，forshehatesyouatleastasmuchasIhateyoumyself。“——

“SupposeIpardonedyou？“——“Youwouldbewrong，forIwouldagaintrytokillyou。“TheEmperorsummonedM。Corvisartandsaidtohim，“Thisyoungmaniseithersickorinsane，itcannotbeotherwise。“——“Iamneithertheonenortheother，“repliedtheassassinquickly。

M。CorvisartfeltStabs\'spulse。“Thisgentlemaniswell，“hesaid。

“Ihavealreadytoldyouso，“repliedStabswithatriumphantair——

“Well，doctor，“saidhisMajesty，“thisyoungmanwhoisinsuchgoodhealthhastraveledahundredmilestoassassinateme。“

NotwithstandingthisdeclarationofthephysicianandtheavowalofStabs，theEmperor，touchedbythecoolnessandassuranceoftheunfortunatefellow，againofferedhimhispardon，uponthesoleconditionofexpressingsomerepentanceforhiscrime。；butasStabsagainassertedthathisonlyregretwasthathehadnotsucceededinhisundertaking，theEmperorreluctantlygavehimuptopunishment。

Afterhewasconductedtoprison，ashestillpersistedinhisassertions，hewasimmediatelybroughtbeforeamilitarycommission，whichcondemnedhimtodeath。Hedidnotundergohispunishmenttillthe17th；andafterthe13th，thedayonwhichhewasarrested，tooknofood，sayingthathewouldhavestrengthenoughtogotohisdeath。TheEmperorhadorderedthattheexecutionshouldbedelayedaslongaspossible，inthehopethatsoonerorlaterStabswouldrepent；butheremainedunshaken。Ashewasbeingconductedtotheplacewherehewastobeshot，someonehavingtoldhimthatpeacehadjustbeenconcluded，hecriedinaloudvoice，“Longliveliberty！LongliveGermany！“

Thesewerehislastwords。

CHAPTERXVII。

DuringhisstayatSchoenbrunntheEmperorwasconstantlyengagedingallantadventures。HewasonedaypromenadingonthePraterinVienna，withaverynumeroussuite(thePraterisahandsomepromenadesituatedintheFaubourgLeopold)，whenayoungGerman，widowofarichmerchant，sawhim，andexclaimedinvoluntarilytotheladiespromenadingwithher，“Itishe！“ThisexclamationwasoverheardbyhisMajesty，whostoppedshort，andbowedtotheladieswithasmile，whiletheonewhohadspokenblushedcrimson；theEmperorcomprehendedthisunequivocalsign，lookedathersteadfastly，andthencontinuedhiswalk。

Forsovereignsthereareneitherlongattacksnorgreatdifficulties，andthisnewconquestofhisMajestywasnotlessrapidthantheothers。Inordernottobeseparatedfromherillustriouslover，MadameB——

followedthearmytoBavaria，andafterwardscametohimatParis，whereshediedin1812。

HisMajesty\'sattentionwasattractedbyacharmingyoungpersononemorninginthesuburbsofSchoenbrunn；andsomeonewasorderedtoseethisyounglady，andarrangeforarendezvousatthechateauthefollowingevening。FortunefavoredhisMajestyonthisoccasion。Theeclatofsoillustriousaname，andtherenownofhisvictories，hadproducedadeepimpressiononthemindoftheyounggirl，andhaddisposedhertolistenfavorablytothepropositionsmadetoher。Shethereforeeagerlyconsentedtomeethimatthechateau；andattheappointedhourthepersonofwhomIhavespokencameforher，andI

receivedheronherarrival，andintroducedhertohisMajesty。ShedidnotspeakFrench，butsheknewItalianwell，anditwasconsequentlyeasyfortheEmperortoconversewithher；andhesoonlearnedwithastonishmentthatthischarmingyoungladybelongedtoaveryhonorablefamilyofVienna，andthatincomingtohimthateveningshewasinspiredalonebyadesiretoexpresstohimhersincereadmiration。TheEmperorrespectedtheinnocenceoftheyounggirl，hadherreconductedtoherparents\'residence，andgaveordersthatamarriageshouldbearrangedforher，andthatitshouldberenderedmoreadvantageousbymeansofaconsiderabledowry。

AtSchoenbrunn，asatParis，hisMajestydinedhabituallyatsixo\'clock；

butsinceheworkedsometimesveryfarintothenight，carewastakentoprepareeveryeveningalightsupper，whichwasplacedinalittlelockedbasketcoveredwithoil-cloth。Thereweretwokeystothisbasket；oneofwhichthestewardkept，andItheother。Thecareofthisbasketbelongedtomealone；andashisMajestywasextremelybusy，hehardlyeveraskedforsupper。OneeveningRoustan，whohadbeenbusilyoccupiedalldayinhismaster\'sservice，wasinalittleroomnexttotheEmperor\'s，andmeetingmejustafterIhadassistedinputtinghisMajestytobed，saidtomeinhisbadFrench，lookingatthebasketwithanenviouseye，“Icouldeatachickenwingmyself；Iamveryhungry。“

Irefusedatfirst；butfinally，asIknewthattheEmperorhadgonetobed，andhadnoideahewouldtakeafancytoaskmeforsupperthatevening，IletRoustanhaveit。He，muchdelighted，beganwithaleg，andnexttookawing；andIdonotknowifanyofthechickenwouldhavebeenlefthadInotsuddenlyheardthebellringsharply。Ienteredtheroom，andwasshockedtoheartheEmperorsaytome，“Constant，mychicken。“Myembarrassmentmaybeimagined。Ihadnootherchicken；andbywhatmeans，atsuchanhour，couldIprocureone！AtlastIdecidedwhattodo。Itwasbesttocutupthefowl，asthusIwouldbeabletoconcealtheabsenceofthetwolimbsRoustanhadeaten；soIenteredproudlywiththechickenreplacedonthedishRoustanfollowingme，forI

wasverywilling，iftherewereanyreproaches，tosharethemwithhim。

Ipickeduptheremainingwing，andpresentedittotheEmperor；butherefusedit，sayingtome，“Givemethechicken；Iwillchooseformyself。“Thistimetherewasnomeansofsavingourselves，forthedismemberedchickenmustpassunderhisMajesty\'seyes。“Seehere，“saidhe，“sincewhendidchickensbegintohaveonlyonewingandoneleg？

Thatisfine；itseemsthatImusteatwhatothersleave。Who，then，eatshalfofmysupper？“IlookedatRoustan，whoinconfusionreplied，“Iwasveryhungry，Sire，andIateawingandleg。“——“What，youidiot！

soitwasyou，wasit？“

“Ah，Iwillpunishyouforit。“AndwithoutanotherwordtheEmperoratetheremaininglegandwing。

Thenextdayathistoilethesummonedthegrandmarshalforsomepurpose，andduringtheconversationsaid，“IleaveyoutoguesswhatI

atelastnightformysupper。ThescrapswhichM。Roustanleft。Yes，thewretchtookanotiontoeathalfofmychicken。“Roustanenteredatthatmoment。“Comehere，youidiot，“continuedtheEmperor；“andthenexttimethishappens，besureyouwillpayforit。“Sayingthis，heseizedhimbytheearsandlaughedheartily。

CHAPTERXVIII。

Onthe22dofMay，tendaysafterthetriumphantentryoftheEmperorintotheAustriancapital，thebattleofEsslingtookplace，abloodycombatlastingfromfourinthemorningtillsixintheevening。ThisbattlewassadlymemorabletoalltheoldsoldiersoftheEmpire，sinceitcostthelifeofperhapsthebravestofthemall，——theDukeofMontebello，thedevotedfriendoftheEmperor，theonlyonewhosharedwithMarshalAugereautherighttospeaktohimfranklyfacetoface。

TheeveningbeforethebattlethemarshalenteredhisMajesty\'sresidence，andfoundhimsurroundedbyseveralpersons。TheDukeof——

alwaysundertooktoplacehimselfbetweentheEmperorandpersonswhowishedtospeakwithhim。TheDukeofMontebello，seeinghimplayhisusualgame，tookhimbythelappetofhiscoat，and，wheelinghimaround，saidtohim:“Takeyourselfawayfromhere！TheEmperordoesnotneedyoutostandguard。Itissingularthatonthefieldofbattleyouarealwayssofarfromusthatwecannotseeyou，whileherewecansaynothingtotheEmperorwithoutyourbeingintheway。“Thedukewasfurious。Helookedfirstatthemarshal，thenattheEmperor，whosimplysaid，“GentlyLannes。“

Thateveninginthedomesticapartmentstheywerediscussingthisapostropheofthemarshal\'s。AnofficerofthearmyofEgyptsaidthathewasnotsurprised，sincetheDukeofMontebellohadneverforgiventheDukeof——forthethreehundredsickpersonspoisonedatJaffa。

Dr。Lannefranque，oneofthosewhoattendedtheunfortunateDukeofMontebello，saidthatashewasmountinghishorseonstartingtotheislandofLobau，thedukewaspossessedbygloomypresentiments。Hepausedamoment，tookM。Lannefranque\'shand，andpressedit，sayingtohimwithasadsmile，“Aurevoir；youwillsoonseeusagain，perhaps。

Therewillbeworkforyouandforthosegentlemento-day，“pointingtoseveralsurgeonsanddoctorsstandingnear。“M。leDuc，“repliedLannefranque，“thisdaywilladdyetmoretoyourglory。“——“Myglory，“

interruptedthemarshaleagerly；“doyouwishmetospeakfrankly？Idonotapproveveryhighlyofthisaffair；and，moreover，whatevermaybetheissue，thiswillbemylastbattle。“Thedoctorwishedtoaskthemarshalhisreasonsforthisconviction；buthesetoffatagallop，andwassoonoutofsight。

Onthemorningofthebattle，aboutsixorseveno\'clock，theAustrianshadalreadyadvanced，whenanaide-de-campcametoannouncetohisMajestythatasuddenriseintheDanubehadwasheddownagreatnumberoflargetreeswhichhadbeencutdownwhenViennawastaken，andthatthesetreeshaddrivenagainstandbrokenthebridgeswhichservedascommunicationbetweenEsslingandtheislandofLobau；andinconsequenceofthisthereservecorps，partoftheheavycavalry，andMarshalDavoust\'sentirecorps，foundthemselvesforcedtoremaininactiveontheotherside。ThismisfortunearrestedthemovementwhichtheEmperorwaspreparingtomake，andtheenemytookcourage。

TheDukeofMontebelloreceivedorderstoholdthefieldofbattle，andtookhisposition，restingonthevillageofEssling，insteadofcontinuingthepursuitoftheAustrianswhichhehadalreadybegun，andheldthispositionfromnineo\'clockinthemorningtilltheevening；andatseveno\'clockintheeveningthebattlewasgained。Atsixo\'clocktheunfortunatemarshal，whilestandingonanelevationtoobtainabetterviewofthemovements，wasstruckbyacannon-ball，whichbrokehisrightthighandhisleftknee。

Hethoughtatfirstthathehadonlyafewmomentstolive，andhadhimselfcarriedonalittertotheEmperor，sayingthathewishedtoembracehimbeforehedied。TheEmperor，seeinghimthuswelteringinhisblood，hadthelitterplacedontheground，and，throwinghimselfonhisknees，tookthemarshalinhisarms，andsaidtohim，weeping，“Lannes，doyouknowme？“——“Yes，Sire；youarelosingyourbestfriend。“——

“No！no！youwilllive。Canyounotanswerforhislife，M。

Larrey？“ThewoundedsoldiershearinghisMajestyspeakthus，triedtoriseontheirelbows，andcried，“Vivel\'Empereur！“

ThesurgeonscarriedthemarshaltoalittlevillagecalledEbersdorf，onthebankoftheriver，andnearthefieldofbattle。Atthehouseofabrewertheyfoundaroomoverastablewheretheheatwasstifling，andwasrenderedstillmoreunendurablefromtheodorofthecorpsesbywhichthehousewassurrounded。

Butasnootherplacecouldbefound，itwasnecessarytomakethebestofit。Themarshalboretheamputationofhislimbwithheroiccourage；

butthefeverwhichcameonimmediatelywassoviolentthat，fearinghewoulddieundertheoperation，thesurgeonspostponedcuttingoffhisotherleg。Thisfeverwascausedpartlybyexhaustion，foratthetimehewaswoundedthemarshalhadeatennothingfortwenty-fourhours。

FinallyMessieursLarrey，——[BaronDominiqueJeanLarrey，eminentsurgeon，bornatBagneres-de-Bigorre，1766。AccompaniedNapoleontoEgypt。Surgeon-in-chiefofthegrandarmy，1812。WoundedandtakenprisoneratWaterloo。InhiswilltheEmperorstyleshimthebestmanhehadeverknown。

Died1842。]——

Yvan，Paulet，andLannefranquedecidedonthesecondamputation；andafterthishadbeenperformedthequietconditionofthewoundedmanmadethemhopefulofsavinghislife。Butitwasnottobe。Thefeverincreased，andbecameofamostalarmingcharacter；andinspiteoftheattentionsoftheseskillfulsurgeons，andofDoctorFrank，thenthemostcelebratedphysicianinEurope，themarshalbreathedhislastonthe31stofMay，atfiveo\'clockinthemorning，barelyfortyyearsofage。

Duringhisweekofagony(forhissufferingsmaybecalledbythatname)

theEmperorcameoftentoseehim，andalwaysleftindeepdistress。I

alsowenttoseethemarshaleachdayfortheEmperor，andadmiredthepatiencewithwhichheenduredthesesufferings，althoughhehadnohope；

forheknewwellthathewasdying，andsawthesesadtidingsreflectedineveryface。Itwastouchingandterribletoseearoundhishouse，hisdoor，inhischambereven，theseoldgrenadiersoftheguard，alwaysstolidandunmovedtillnow，weepingandsobbinglikechildren。Whatanatrociousthingwarseemsatsuchmoments。

Theeveningbeforehisdeaththemarshalsaidtome，“Iseewell，mydearConstant，thatImustdie。IwishthatyourmastercouldhaveevernearhimmenasdevotedasI。TelltheEmperorIwouldliketoseehim。“AsIwasgoingouttheEmperorentered，adeepsilenceensued，andeveryoneretired；butthedooroftheroombeinghalfopenwecouldhearapartoftheconversation，whichwaslongandpainful。ThemarshalrecalledhisservicestotheEmperor，andendedwiththesewords，pronouncedintonesstillstrongandfirm:“Idonotsaythistointerestyouinmyfamily；I

donotneedtorecommendtoyoumywifeandchildren。SinceIdieforyou，yourglorywillbidyouprotectthem；andIdonotfearinaddressingyoutheselastwords，dictatedbysincereaffection，tochangeyourplanstowardsthem。Youhavejustmadeagreatmistake，andalthoughitdeprivesyouofyourbestfriendyouwillnotcorrectit。

Yourambitionisinsatiable，andwilldestroyyou。Yousacrificeunsparinglyandunnecessarilythosemenwhoserveyoubest；andwhentheyfallyoudonotregretthem。Youhavearoundyouonlyflatterers；Iseenofriendwhodarestotellyouthetruth。Youwillbebetrayedandabandoned。Hastentoendthiswar；itisthegeneralwish。Youwillneverbemorepowerful，butyoumaybemorebeloved。Pardonthesetruthsinadyingman——who，dying，lovesyou。“

Themarshal，ashefinished，heldouthishandtotheEmperor，whoembracedhim，weeping，andinsilence。

Thedayofthemarshal\'sdeathhisbodywasgiventoM。LarreyandM。

CadetdeGassicourt，ordinarychemisttotheEmperor，withorderstopreserveit，asthatofColonelMorlandhadbeen，whowaskilledatthebattleofAusterlitz。ForthispurposethecorpsewascarriedtoSchoenbrunn，andplacedintheleftwingofthechateau，farfromtheinhabitedrooms。Inafewhoursputrefactionbecamecomplete，andtheywereobligedtoplungethemutilatedbodyintoabathfilledwithcorrosivesublimate。Thisextremelydangerousoperationwaslongandpainful；andM。CadetdeGassicourtdeservesmuchcommendationforthecouragehedisplayedunderthesecircumstances；fornotwithstandingeveryprecaution，andinspiteofthestrongdisinfectantsburnedintheroom，theodorofthiscorpsewassofetid，andthevaporfromthesublimatesostrong，thatthedistinguishedchemistwasseriouslyindisposed。

Likeseveralotherpersons，Ihadasadcuriositytoseethemarshal\'sbodyinthiscondition。Itwasfrightful。Thetrunk，whichhadbeencoveredbythesolution，wasgreatlyswollen；whileonthecontrary，thehead，whichhadbeenleftoutsidethebath，hadshrunkremarkably，andthemusclesofthefacehadcontractedinthemosthideousmanner，thewide-openeyesstartingoutoftheirsockets。Afterthebodyhadremainedeightdaysinthecorrosivesublimate，whichitwasnecessarytorenew，sincetheemanationsfromtheinteriorofthecorpsehaddecomposedthesolution，itwasputintoacaskmadeforthepurpose，andfilledwiththesameliquid；anditwasinthiscaskthatitwascarriedfromSchoenbrunntoStrasburg。Inthislastplaceitwastakenoutofthestrangecoffin，driedinanet，andwrappedintheEgyptianstyle；

thatis，surroundedwithbandages，withthefaceuncovered。M。LarreyandM。deGassicourtconfidedthishonorabletasktoM。Fortin，ayoungchemistmajor，whoin1807hadbyhisindefatigablecourageandperseverancesavedfromcertaindeathninehundredsick，abandoned，withoutphysiciansorsurgeons，inahospitalnearDantzic，andnearlyallsufferingfromaninfectiousmalady。InthemonthofMarch，1810

(whatfollowsisanextractfromtheletterofM。FortintohismasterandfriendM。CadetdeGassicourt)，theDuchessofMontebello，inpassingthroughStrasburg，wishedtoseeagainthehusbandshelovedsotenderly。

“ThankstoyouandM。Larrey(itisM。Fortinwhospeaks)，theembalmingofthemarshalhassucceededperfectly。WhenIdrewthebodyfromthecaskIfounditinastateofperfectpreservation。Iarrangedanetinalowerhallofthemayor\'sresidence，inwhichIdrieditbymeansofastove，theheatbeingcarefullyregulated。Ithenhadaveryhandsomecoffinmadeofhardwoodwelloiled；andthemarshalwrappedinbandages，hisfaceuncovered，wasplacedinanopencoffinnearthatofGeneralSaint-Hilaireinasubterraneanvault，ofwhichIhavethekey。A

sentinelwatchestheredayandnight。M。WangendeGueroldseck，mayorofStrasburg，hasgivenmeeveryassistanceinmywork。

“Thiswasthestateofaffairswhen，anhourafterherMajestytheEmpress\'sarrival，Madame，theDuchessofMontebello，whoaccompaniedherasladyofhonor，sentM。Cretu，hercousinatwhosehouseshewastovisit，toseekme。Icameinanswertoherorders；andtheduchessquestionedandcomplimentedmeonthehonorablemissionwithwhichIwascharged，andthenexpressedtome，withmuchagitation，herdesiretoseeforthelasttimethebodyofherhusband。Ihesitatedafewmomentsbeforeansweringher，andforeseeingtheeffectwhichwouldbeproducedonherbythesadspectacle，toldherthattheorderswhichIhadreceivedwouldpreventmydoingwhatshewished；butsheinsistedinsuchapressingmannerthatIyielded。Weagreed(inordernottocompromiseme，andthatshemightnotberecognized)thatIwould-goforheratmidnight，andthatshewouldbeaccompaniedbyoneofherrelatives。

“Iwenttotheduchessattheappointedhour；andassoonasIarrived，sheroseandsaidthatshewasreadytoaccompanyme。Iwaitedafewmoments，begginghertoconsiderthematterwell。Iwarnedheroftheconditioninwhichshewouldfindthemarshal，andbeggedhertoreflectontheimpressionshewouldreceiveinthesadplaceshewasabouttovisit。Sherepliedthatshewaswell，preparedforthis，andfeltthatshehadthenecessary，courage，andshehopedtofindinthislastvisitsomeameliorationofthebittersorrowsheendured。Whilespeakingthus，hersadandbeautifulcountenancewascalmandpensive。Wethenstarted，M。Cretugivinghisarmtohiscousin。Theduchess\'scarriagefollowedatadistance，empty；andtwoservantsfollowedus。

“Thecitywasilluminated；andthegoodinhabitantswerealltakingholiday，andinmanyhousesgaymusicwasinspiritingthemtothecelebrationofthismemorableday。Whatacontrastbetweenthisgayetyandthequestinwhichwewereengaged！Isawthatthestepsoftheduchessdraggednowandthen，whileshesighedandshuddered；andmyownheartseemedoppressed，myideasconfused。