第17章

“Atlastwearrivedatthemayor\'sresidence，whereMadamedeMontebellogaveherservantsorderstoawaither，anddescendedslowly，accompaniedbyhercousinandmyself，tothedoorofthelowerhall。Alanternlightedourway，andtheduchesstrembledwhilesheaffectedasortofbravery；butwhensheenteredasortofcavern，thesilenceofthedeadwhichreignedinthissubterraneanvault，themournfullightwhichfilledit，thesightofthecorpseextendedinitscoffin，producedaterribleeffectonher；shegaveapiercingscream，andfainted。Ihadforeseenthis，andhadwatchedherattentively；andassoonasIsawherstrengthfailing，supportedherinmyarmsandseatedher，havinginreadinesseverythingnecessarytorestoreher。Iusedtheseremedies，andsherevivedattheendofafewmoments；andwethenbeggedhertowithdraw，butsherefused；thenrose，approachedthecoffin，andwalkedarounditslowlyinsilence；thenstoppingandlettingherfoldedhandsfallbyherside，sheremainedforsometimeimmovable，regardingtheinanimatefigureofherhusband，andwateringitwithhertears。Atlastsheinameasureregainedherself-controlandexclaimedinstifledtonesthroughhersobs，MonDieu，monDieu！howheischanged！\'ImadeasigntoM。

Cretuthatitwastimetoretire；butwecoulddragtheduchessawayonlybypromisinghertobringherbacknextday，——apromisewhichcouldnotbekept。Iclosedthedoorquickly，andgavemyarmtotheduchess，whichshegratefullyaccepted。WhenweleftthemayoraltyItookleaveofher；butsheinsistedonmyenteringhercarriage，andgaveorderstocarrymetomyresidence。Inthisshortridesheshedatorrentoftears；andwhenthecarriagestopped，saidtomewithinexpressiblekindness，\'Ishallneverforget，Monsieur，theimportantserviceyouhavejustrenderedme。\'“

LongafterthistheEmperorandEmpressMarieLouisevisitedtogetherthemanufactureofSevresporcelain，andtheDuchessofMontebelloaccompaniedtheEmpressasladyofhonor。TheEmperor，seeingafinebustofthemarshal，inbisque，exquisitelymade，paused，and，notnoticingthepallorwhichoverspreadthecountenanceoftheduchess，askedherwhatshethoughtofthisbust，andifitwasagoodlikeness。

Thewidowfeltasifheroldwoundwasreopened；shecouldnotreply，andretired，bathedintears，anditwasseveraldaysbeforeshereappearedatcourt。Apartfromthefactthatthisunexpectedquestionrenewedhergrief，theinconceivablethoughtlessnesstheEmperorhadshownwoundedhersodeeplythat，herfriendshadmuchdifficultyinpersuadinghertoresumeherdutiesneartheEmpress。

CHAPTERXIX。

ThebattleofEsslingwasdisastrousineveryrespect。TwelvethousandFrenchmenwereslain；andthesourceofallthistroublewasthedestructionofthebridges，whichcouldhavebeenprevented，itseemstome，forthesameaccidenthadoccurredtwoorthreedaysbeforethebattle。Thesoldierscomplainedloudly，andseveralcorpsoftheinfantrycriedouttothegeneralstodismountandfightintheirmidst；

butthisillhumorinnowiseaffectedtheircourageorpatience，forregimentsremainedfivehoursunderarms，exposedtothemostterriblefire。ThreetimesduringtheeveningtheEmperorsenttoinquireofGeneralMassenaifhecouldholdhisposition；andthebravecaptain，whothatdaysawhissononthefieldofbattleforthefirsttime，andhisfriendsandhisbravestofficersfallingbydozensaroundhim，heldittillnightclosedin。“Iwillnotfallback，“saidhe，“whilethereislight。ThoserascallyAustrianswouldbetooglad。“Theconstancyofthemarshalsavedtheday；but，ashehimselfsaid，hewasalwaysblessedwithgoodluck。Inthebeginningofthebattle，seeingthatoneofhisstirrupswastoolong，hecalledasoldiertoshortenit，andduringthisoperationplacedhislegonhishorse\'sneck；acannon-ballwhizzedby，killedthesoldier，andcutoffthestirrup，withouttouchingthemarshalorhishorse。“There，“saidhe，“nowIshallhavetogetdownandchangemysaddle；“whichobservationthemarshalmadeinajestingtone。

Thesurgeonandhisassistantsconductedthemselvesadmirablyonthisterribleday，anddisplayedazealequaltoeveryemergency，combinedwithanactivitywhichdelightedtheEmperorsomuch，thatseveraltimes，inpassingnearthem，hecalledthem“mybravesurgeons。“M。Larreyaboveallwassublime。Afterhavingattendedtoallthewoundedoftheguard，whowerecrowdedtogetherontheIslandofLobau，heaskediftherewasanybrothtogivethem。“No，“repliedtheassistants。“Havesomemade，“saidhe，“havesomemadeofthatgroup，“pointingtoseveralhorsesnearhim；butthesehorsesbelongedtoageneral，andwhenitwasattemptedtocarryoutM。Larrey\'sorders，theownerindignantlyrefusedtoallowthemtobetaken。“Well，takeminethen，“saidthebravesoldier，“andhavethemkilled，inorderthatmycomradesmayhavebroth。“Thiswasdone；andasnopotscouldbefoundontheislanditwasboiledinhelmets，andsaltedwithcannonpowderinplaceofsalt。

MarshalMassenatastedthissoup，andthoughtitverygood。Onehardlyknowswhichtoadmiremost，——thezealofthesurgeons，thecouragewithwhichtheyconfronteddangerincaringforthewoundedonthefieldofbattle，andeveninthemidstoftheconflict；orthestoicalconstancyofthesoldiers，who，lyingontheground，somewithoutanarm，somewithoutaleg，talkedovertheircampaignswitheachotherwhilewaitingtobeoperatedon，someevengoingsofarastoshowexcessivepoliteness。“M。Docteur，beginwithmyneighbor；heissufferingmorethanI。Icanwait。“

Acannoneerhadbothlegscarriedawaybyaball；twoofhiscomradespickedhimupandmadealitterwithbranchesoftrees，onwhichtheyplacedhiminordertoconveyhimtotheisland。Thepoormutilatedfellowdidnotutterasinglegroan，butmurmured，“Iamverythirsty，“

fromtimetotime，tothosewhoborehim。Astheypassedoneofthebridges，hebeggedthemtostopandseekalittlewineorbrandytorestorehisstrength。Theybelievedhim，anddidasherequested，buthadnotgonetwentystepswhenthecannoneercalledtothem，“Don\'tgosofast，mycomrades；Ihavenolegs，andIwillreachtheendofmyjourneysoonerthanyou。\'VivelaFrance；\'“and，withasupremeeffort，herolledoffintotheDanube。

Theconductofasurgeon-majoroftheguard，sometimeafter，camenearcompromisingtheentirecorpsinhisMajesty\'sopinion。Thissurgeon，M。

M——，lodgedwithGeneralDorsenneandsomesuperiorofficersinaprettycountryseat，belongingtothePrincessofLichtenstein，theconciergeofthehousebeinganoldGermanwhowasbluntandpeculiar，andservedthemwiththegreatestrepugnance，makingthemasuncomfortableaspossible。Invain，forinstance，theyrequestedofhimlinenforthebedsandtable；healwayspretendednottohear。

GeneralDorsennewrotetotheprincess，complainingofthisconditionofaffairs；andinconsequenceshenodoubtgaveorders，butthegeneral\'sletterremainedunanswered，andseveraldayspassedwithnochangeofaffairs。Theyhadhadnochangeofnapkinsforamonth，whenthegeneraltookafancytogiveagrandsupper，atwhichRhenishandHungarianwinewerefreelyindulgedin，followedbypunch。Thehostwashighlycomplimented；butwiththesepraisesweremingledenergeticreproachesonthedoubtfulwhitenessofthenapery，GeneralDorsenneexcusinghimselfonthescoreoftheill-humorandsordideconomyoftheconcierge，whowasafitexponentofthescantcourtesyshownbytheprincess。“Thatisunendurable！“criedthejoyousguestsinchorus。“Thishostesswhosocompletelyignoresusmustbecalledtoorder。Come，M——，takepenandpaperandwritehersomestrongepigrams；wemustteachthisprincessofGermanyhowtolive。Frenchofficersandconquerorssleepinginrumpledsheets，andusingsoilednapkins！Whatanoutrage！“M。Mwasonlytoofaithfulaninterpreteroftheunanimoussentimentsofthesegentlemen；

andundertheexcitementofthefumesoftheseHungarianwineswrotethePrincessofLichtensteinalettersuchasduringtheCarnivalitselfonewouldnotdaretowriteeventopublicwomen。HowcanIexpresswhatmusthavebeenMadameLichtenstein\'shorroronreadingthisproduction，——

anincomprehensiblecollectionofallthelowexpressionsthatarmyslangcouldfurnish！Theevidenceofathirdpersonwasnecessarytoconvinceherthatthesignature，M——，Surgeon-majoroftheImperialFrenchGuard，wasnottheforgeryofsomemiserabledrunkard。InherprofoundindignationtheprincesshastenedtoGeneralAndreossy，hisMajesty\'sGovernorofVienna，showedhimthisletter，anddemandedvengeance。

Whereuponthegeneral，evenmoreincensedthanshe，enteredhiscarriage，and，proceedingtoSchoenbrunn，laidthewonderfulproductionbeforetheEmperor。TheEmperorreadit，recoiledthreepaces，hischeeksreddenedwithanger，hiswholecountenancewasdisturbed，andinaterribletoneorderedthegrandmarshaltosummonM。M——，whileeveryonewaitedintremblingsuspense。

“Didyouwritethisdisgustingletter？“——“Sire。“——“Reply，Iorderyou；

wasityou？“——“Yes，Sire，inamomentofforgetfulness，afterasupper。“——

“Wretch！“criedhisMajesty，insuchamannerastoterrifyallwhoheardhim。“Youdeservetobeinstantlyshot！Insultawomansobasely！

Andanoldwomantoo。Haveyounomother？Irespectandhonoreveryoldwomanbecausesheremindsmeofmymother！“——“Sire，Iamguilty，Iadmit，butmyrepentanceisgreat。Deigntoremembermyservices。Ihavefollowedyouthrougheighteencampaigns；Iamthefatherofafamily。“

TheselastwordsonlyincreasedtheangerofhisMajesty。“Lethimbearrested！Tearoffhisdecorations；heisunworthytowearthem。Lethimbetriedintwenty-fourhours。“Thenturningtothegenerals，whostoodstupefiedandimmovablearoundhim，heexclaimed，“Look，gentlemen！

readthis！Seehowthisblackguardaddressesaprincess，andattheverymomentwhenherhusbandisnegotiatingapeacewithme。“

Theparadewasveryshortthatday；andassoonasitwasended，GeneralsDorsenneandLarreyhastenedtoMadameLichtenstein，and，describingtoherthescenewhichhadjusttakenplace，madehermosthumbleapologies，inthenameoftheImperialGuard，andatthesametimeentreatedhertointercedefortheunfortunatefellow，whodeservedblame，nodoubt，butwhowasnothimselfwhenhewrotetheoffensiveepistle。“Herepentsbitterly，Madame，“saidgoodM。Larrey；“heweepsoverhisfault，andbravelyawaitshispunishment，esteemingitajustreparationoftheinsulttoyou。Butheisoneofthebestofficersofthearmy；heisbelovedandesteemed；hehassavedthelifeofthousands，andhisdistinguishedtalentsaretheonlyfortunehisfamilypossesses。Whatwillbecomeofthemifheisshot？“——“Shot！“exclaimedtheprincess；

“shot！Bon-Dieu！wouldthematterbecarriedasfarasthat？“ThenGeneralDorsennedescribedtohertheEmperor\'sresentmentasincomparablydeeperthanherown；andtheprincess，muchmoved，immediatelywrotetheEmperoraletter，inwhichsheexpressedherselfasgrateful，andfullysatisfiedwiththereparationwhichhadalreadybeenmade，andentreatedhimtopardonM。M——

HisMajestyreadtheletter，butmadenoreply。Theprincesswasagainvisited；andshehadbythistimebecomesomuchalarmedthatsheregrettedexceedinglyhavingshowntheletterofM。M——tothegeneral；

and，havingdecidedatanycosttoobtainthesurgeon\'spardon，sheaddressedapetitiontotheEmperor，whichclosedwiththissentence，expressingangelicforgiveness:“Sire，Iamgoingtofallonmykneesinmyoratory，andwillnotriseuntilIhaveobtainedfromHeavenyourMajesty\'spardon。“TheEmperorcouldnolongerholdout；hegrantedthepardon，andM。M——wasreleasedafteramonthofcloseconfinement。

M。LarreywaschargedbyhisMajestytoreprovehimmostseverely，withacautiontoguardmorecarefullythehonorofthecorpstowhichhebelonged；andtheremonstrancesofthisexcellentmanweremadeinsopaternalamannerthattheydoubledinM。M——\'seyesthevalueoftheinestimableserviceM。Larreyhadrenderedhim。

M。leBaronLarreywasalwaysmostdisinterestedinhiskindservices，afactwhichwaswellknownandoftenabused。Generald\'A——，thesonofarichsenator，hadhisshoulderbrokenbyashellatWagram；andanexceedinglydelicateoperationwasfoundnecessary，requiringaskilledhand，andwhichM。Larreyalonecouldperform。Thisoperationwasacompletesuccess；butthewoundedmanhadadelicateconstitution，whichhadbeenmuchimpaired，andconsequentlyrequiredthemostincessantcareandattention。M。Larreyhardlyeverlefthisbedside，andwasassistedbytwomedicalstudents，whowatchedbyturns，andassistedhimindressingthewound。Thetreatmentwaslongandpainful，butacompletecurewastheresult；andwhenalmostentirelyrecovered，thegeneraltookleaveoftheEmperortoreturntoFrance。Apensionanddecorationscanceledthedebtoftheheadofthestatetohim，butthemannerinwhichheacquittedhisowntowardsthemanwhohadsavedhislifeisworthyofconsideration。

Asheenteredhiscarriagehehandedtooneofhisfriendsaletterandalittlebox，sayingtothisgeneral，“IcannotleaveViennawithoutthankingM。Larrey；domethefavorofhandingtohimformethismarkofmygratitude。GoodLarrey，Iwillneverforgettheserviceshehasrenderedme。“Nextdaythefriendperformedhiscommission；andasoldierwassentwiththeletterandthepresent，and，ashereachedSchoenbrunnduringtheparade，soughtM。Larreyintheline。“HereisaletterandaboxwhichIbringfromGeneralA。“M。Larreyputbothinhispocket，butaftertheparadeexaminedthem，andshowedthepackagetoCadetdeGassicourt，saying，“Lookatit，andtellmewhatyouthinkofit。“Theletterwasveryprettilywritten；asforthebox，itcontainedadiamondworthaboutsixtyfrancs。

Thispitifulrecompenserecallsonebothgloriousandwell-earnedwhichM。LarreyreceivedfromtheEmperorduringthecampaigninEgypt。AtthebattleofAboukir，GeneralFugiereswasoperatedonbyM。Larreyundertheenemies\'fireforadangerouswoundontheshoulder；andthinkinghimselfabouttodie，offeredhisswordtoGeneralBonaparte，sayingtohim，“General，perhapsonedayyoumayenvymyfate。“Thegeneral-in-

chiefpresentedthisswordtoM。Larrey，afterhavingengravedonitthenameofM。Larreyandthatofthebattle。However，GeneralFugieresdidnotdie；hislifewassavedbytheskillfuloperationhehadundergone，andforseventeenyearshecommandedtheInvalidsatAvignon。

CHAPTERXX。

Itisnotinthepresenceoftheenemythatdifferencesinthemannerandbearingofsoldierscanberemarked，fortherequirementsoftheservicecompletelyengrossboththeideasandtimeofofficers，whatevertheirgrade，anduniformityofoccupationproducesalsoakindofuniformityofhabitandcharacter；but，inthemonotonouslifeofthecamp，differencesduetonatureandeducationreassertthemselves。InotedthismanytimesafterthetrucesandtreatiesofpeacewhichcrownedthemostgloriouscampaignsoftheEmperor，andhadoccasiontorenewmyobservationsonthispointduringthelongsojournwhichwemadeatSchoenbrunnwiththearmy。Militarytoneinthearmyisamostdifficultthingtodefine，anddiffersaccordingtorank，timeofservice，andkindofservice；andtherearenogenuinesoldiersexceptthosewhoformpartoftheline，orwhocommandit。Inthesoldiers\'opinion，thePrincedeNeuchatelandhisbrilliantstaff，thegrandmarshal，GeneralsBertrand，Baclerd\'Albe，etc。，wereonlymenofthecabinetcouncil，whoseexperiencemightbeofsomeuseinsuchdeliberations，buttowhombraverywasnotindispensable。

Thechiefgenerals，suchasPrinceEugene，MarshalsOudinot，Davoust，Bessieres，andhisMajesty\'saides-decamp，Rapp，Lebrun，Lauriston，Mouton，etc。，wereexceedinglyaffable，andeveryonewasmostpolitelyreceivedbythem；theirdignityneverbecamehaughtiness，northeireaseanexcessivefamiliarity，thoughtheirmannerswereatalltimesslightlytingedbytheausterityinseparablefromthecharacterofawarrior。

Thiswasnottheideaheldinthearmyinregardtoafewoftheordnanceandstaffofficers(aides-de-camp)；for，whileaccordingthemalltheconsiderationduebothtotheireducationandtheircourage，theycalledthemthejay-birdsofthearmy；receivingfavorswhichothersdeserved；

obtainingcordonsandpromotionsforcarryingafewlettersintocamp，oftenwithouthavingevenseentheenemy；insultingbytheirluxurythemodesttemperanceofthebraverofficers；andmorefoppishinthemidstoftheirbattalionsthanintheboudoirsoftheirmistresses。Thesilver-giltboxofoneofthesegentlemenwasacompleteportabledressing-case，andcontained，insteadofcartridges，essencebottles，brushes，amirror，atongue-scraper，ashell-comb，and——Idonotknowthatitlackedevenapotofrouge。Itcouldnotbesaidthattheywerenotbrave，fortheywouldallowthemselvestobekilledforaglance；

buttheywerevery，rarelyexposedtodanger。ForeignerswouldberightinmaintainingtheassertionthattheFrenchsoldierisfrivolous，presumptuous，impertinent，andimmoral，iftheyformedtheirjudgmentalonefromtheseofficersbycourtesy，who，inplaceofstudyandfaithfulservice，hadoftennoothertitletotheirrankthanthemeritofhavingemigrated。

Theofficersoftheline，whohadservedinseveralcampaignsandhadgainedtheirepaulettesonthefieldofbattle，heldaverydifferentpositioninthearmy。Alwaysgrave，polite，andconsiderate，therewasakindoffraternityamongthem；andhavingknownsufferingandmiserythemselves，theywerealwaysreadytohelpothers；andtheirconversation，thoughnotdistinguishedbybrilliantinformation，wasoftenfullofinterest。Innearlyeverycaseboastingquittedthemwiththeiryouth，andthebravestwerealwaysthemostmodest。Influencedbynoimaginarypointsofhonor，theyestimatedthemselvesattheirrealworth；andallfearofbeingsuspectedofcowardicewasbeneaththem。

Withthesebravesoldiers，whooftenunitedtothegreatestkindnessofheartamettlenolessgreat，aflatcontradictionorevenalittlehastyabusefromoneoftheirbrothersinarmswasnotobligedtobewashedoutinblood；andexamplesofthemoderationwhichtruecouragealonehasarighttoshowwerenotrareinthearmy。Thosewhocaredleastformoney，andweremostgenerous，weremostexposed，theartillerymenandthehussars，forinstance。AtWagramIsawalieutenantpayalouisforabottleofbrandy，andimmediatelydivideitamongthesoldiersofhiscompany；andbraveofficersoftenformedsuchanattachmenttotheirregiment，especiallyifithaddistinguisheditself，thattheysometimesrefusedpromotionratherthanbeseparatedfromtheirchildren，astheycalledthem。InthemwebeholdthetruemodeloftheFrenchsoldier；anditisthiskindness，mingledwiththeausterityofawarrior，thisattachmentofthechieftothesoldier，whichthelatterissocapableofappreciating，andanimpregnablehonor，whichservetodistinguishoursoldiersfromallothers，andnot，asforeignersthink，presumption，braggadocio，andlibertinage，whichlatterareeverthecharacteristicsoftheparasitesofgloryalone。

InthecampofLobauontheeveningbeforethebattleofWagram，theEmperor，ashewaswalkingoutsidehistent，stoppedamomentwatchingthegrenadiersofhisguardwhowerebreakfasting。“Well，mychildren，whatdoyouthinkofthewine？“——“Itwillnotmakeustipsy，Sire；thereisourcellar，“saidasoldierpointingtotheDanube。TheEmperor，whohadorderedabottleofgoodwinetobedistributedtoeachsoldier，wassurprisedtoseethattheyweresoabstemioustheeveningbeforeabattle。HeinquiredofthePrincedeNeuchatelthecauseofthis；anduponinvestigation，itwaslearnedthattwostorekeepersandanemployeeinthecommissarydepartmenthadsoldfortythousandbottlesofthewinewhichtheEmperorhadorderedtobedistributed，andhadreplaceditwithsomeofinferiorquality。ThiswinehadbeenseizedbytheImperialGuardinarichabbey，andwasvaluedatthirtythousandflorins。Theculpritswerearrested，tried，andcondemnedtodeath。

TherewasinthecampatLobauadogwhichIthinkallthearmyknewbythenameofcorps-de-garde。Hewasold，emaciated，andugly；buthismoralqualitiescausedhisexteriordefectstobequicklylostsightof。

HewassometimescalledthebravedogoftheEmpire；sincehehadreceivedabayonetstrokeatMarengo，andhadapawbrokenbyagunatAusterlitz，beingatthattimeattachedtoaregimentofdragoons。Hehadnomaster。Hewasinthehabitofattachinghimselftoacorps，andcontinuingfaithfulsolongastheyfedhimwellanddidnotbeathim。

Akickorablowwiththeflatofaswordwouldcausehimtodesertthisregiment，andpassontoanother。Hewasunusuallyintelligent；andwhateverpositionofthecorpsinwhichhemightbethewasserving，hedidnotabandonit，orconfounditwithanyother，andinthethickestofthefightwasalwaysnearthebannerhehadchosen；andifinthecamphemetasoldierfromtheregimenthehaddeserted，hewoulddroophisears，drophistailbetweenhislegs，andscamperoffquicklytorejoinhisnewbrothersinarms。Whenhisregimentwasonthemarchhecircledasascoutallaroundit，andgavewarningbyabarkifhefoundanythingunusual，thusonmorethanoneoccasionsavinghiscomradesfromambush。

AmongtheofficerswhoperishedatthebattleofWagram，orratherinasmallengagementwhichtookplaceafterthebattlehadended，oneofthosemostregrettedbythesoldierswasGeneralOudet。Hewasoneofthebravestgeneralsofthearmy；butwhatbringshisnameespeciallytomind，amongallthosewhomthearmylostonthatmemorableday，isanotewhichIhavepreservedofaconversationIheldseveralyearsafterthisbattlewithanexcellentofficerwhowasoneofmysincerestfriends。

InaconversationwithLieutenant-colonelB——in1812，heremarked，“I

musttellyou，mydearConstant，ofastrangeadventurewhichhappenedtomeatWagram。Ididnottellyouatthetime，becauseIhadpromisedtobesilent；butsinceatthepresenttimenoonecanbecompromisedbymyindiscretion，andsincethosewhothenhadmosttofeariftheirsingularideas(forIcancallthembynoothername)hadbeenrevealed，wouldnowbefirsttolaughatthem，IcanwellinformyouofthemysteriousdiscoveryImadeatthatperiod。

“YouwellknowthatIwasmuchattachedtopoorF——whomwesomuchregretted；andhewasoneofourmostpopularandattractiveofficers，hisgoodqualitieswinningtheheartsofall，especiallyofthosewholikehimselfhadanunfailingfundoffranknessandgoodhumor。AllatonceInoticedagreatchangeinhismanner，aswellasinthatofhishabitualcompanions；theyappearedgloomy，andmettogethernomoreforgayconversation，butonthecontraryspokeinlowtonesandwithanairofmystery。Morethanoncethissuddenchangehadstruckme；andifbychanceImettheminretiredplaces，insteadofreceivingmecordiallyashadalwaysbeentheircustom，theyseemedasiftryingtoavoidme。Atlast，wearyofthisinexplicablemystery，ItookF——aside，andaskedhimwhatthisstrangeconductmeant。\'Youhaveforestalledme，mydearfriend，\'saidhe。\'Iwasonthepointofmakinganimportantdisclosure；

Itrustyouwillnotaccusemeofwantofconfidence，butsweartomebeforeIconfideinyouthatyouwilltellnolivingsoulwhatIamnowgoingtoreveal。\'WhenIhadtakenthisoath，whichhedemandedofmeinatoneofgravitywhichsurprisedmeinexpressibly，hecontinued，\'IfI

havenotalreadytoldyouofthe\'Philadelphi\'，itisonlybecauseIknewthatreasonswhichIrespectwouldpreventyoureverjoiningthem；butsinceyouhaveaskedthissecret，itwouldbeawantofconfidenceinyou，andatthesametimeperhapsanimprudence，nottorevealit。Somepatriotshaveunitedthemselvesunderthetitleof\'Philadelphi\'，inordertosaveourcountryfromthedangerstowhichitisexposed。TheEmperorNapoleonhastarnishedthegloryoftheFirstConsulBonaparte；

hehadsavedourliberty，buthehassincedestroyeditbythereestablishmentofthenobilityandbytheConcordat。Thesocietyofthe\'Philadelphi\'hasasyetnowell-definedplansforpreventingtheevilswithwhichambitionwillcontinuetooverwhelmFrance；butwhenpeaceisrestoredweshallseeifitisimpossibletoforceBonapartetorestorerepublicaninstitutions，andmeanwhileweareovercomebygriefanddespair。Thebravechiefofthe\'Philadelphi\'，thepureOudet，hasbeenassassinated，andwhoisworthytotakehisplace？PoorOudet！neverwasonebraverormoreeloquentthanhe！Withanoblehaughtinessandanimmovablefirmnessofcharacter，hepossessedanexcellentheart。Hisfirstbattleshowedhisintrepidspirit。WhencutdownatSaintBartholomewbyaball，hiscomradeswishedtobearhimaway，“No，no，“

criedhe；“don\'twastetimeoverme。TheSpaniards！theSpaniards！“——

“Shallweleaveyoutotheenemy？“saidoneofthosewhohadadvancedtowardshim。“Well，drivethembackifyoudonotwishmetobeleftwiththem。“AtthebeginningofthecampaignofWagram，hewascoloneloftheNinthregimentoftheline，andwasmadegeneralofbrigadeontheeveningbeforethebattle，hiscorpsformingpartoftheleftwingcommandedbyMassena。Ourlinewasbrokenonthissideforamoment，andOudetmadeheroiceffortstoreformit；andafterhehadbeenwoundedbythreebayonetstrokes，withthelossofmuchblood，anddraggedawaybythoseofuswhowereforcedtofallback，stillhadhimselffastenedonhishorseinorderthathemightnotbeforcedtoleavethebattlefield。

“\'Afterthebattle，hereceivedorderstoadvancetothefront，andtoplacehimselfwithhisregimentinanadvantageouspositionforobservation，andthenreturnimmediatelytoheadquarters，withacertainnumberofhisofficers，toreceiveneworders。Heexecutedtheseorders，andwasreturninginthenight，whenadischargeofmusketrywassuddenlyheard，andhefellintoanambush；hefoughtfuriouslyinthedarkness，knowingneitherthenumbernorcharacterofhisadversaries，andatbreakofdaywasfound，coveredwithwounds，inthemidstoftwentyofficerswhohadbeenslainaroundhim。Hewasstillbreathing，andlivedthreedays；buttheonlywordshepronouncedwerethoseofcommiserationforthefateofhiscountry。Whenhisbodywastakenfromthehospitaltoprepareitforburial，severalofthewoundedintheirdespairtorethebandagesfromtheirwounds，asergeant-majorthrewhimselfonhisswordnearthegrave，andalieutenantthereblewouthisbrains。Behold，\'

saidF——，\'adeaththatplungesusintothedeepestdespair！\'Itriedtoprovetohimthathewasmistaken，andthattheplansofthe\'Philadelphi\'weremad，butsucceededveryimperfectly；andthoughhelistenedtomyadvice，heagainearnestlyrecommendedsecrecy。“

ThedayafterthebattleofWagram，Ithink，alargenumberofofficerswerebreakfastingneartheEmperor\'stent，thegeneralsseatedonthegrass，andtheofficersstandingaroundthem。Theydiscussedthebattleatlength，andrelatednumerousremarkableanecdotes，someofwhichremainengravenonmymemory。Astaff-officerofhisMajestysaid，“I

thoughtIhadlostmyfinesthorse。AsIhadriddenhimonthe5thandwishedhimtorest，Igavehimtomyservanttoholdbythebridle；andwhenhelefthimonemomenttoattendtohisown，thehorsewasstoleninaflashbyadragoon，whoinstantlysoldhimtoadismountedcaptain，tellinghimhewasacapturedhorse。Irecognizedhimintheranks，andclaimedhim，provingbymysaddle-bagsandtheircontentsthathewasnotahorsetakenfromtheAustrians，andhadtorepaythecaptainthefivelouiswhichhehadpaidtothedragoonforthishorsewhichhadcostmesixty。“

Thebestanecdote，perhaps，ofthedaywasthis:M。Salsdorf，aSaxon，andsurgeoninPrinceChristian\'sregiment，inthebeginningofthebattlehadhislegfracturedbyashell。Lyingontheground，hesaw，fifteenpacesfromhim，M。AmedeedeKerbourg，whowaswoundedbyabullet，andvomitingblood。Hesawthatthisofficerwoulddieofapoplexyifsomethingwasnotdoneforhim，andcollectingallhisstrength，draggedhimselfalonginthedust，bledhim，andsavedhislife。

M。deKerbourghadnoopportunitytoembracetheonewhohadsavedhislife；forM。deSalsdorfwascarriedtoVienna，andonlysurvivedtheamputationfourdays。

CHAPTERXXI。

AtSchoenbrunn，aselsewhere，hisMajestymarkedhispresencebyhisbenefactions。Istillretainvividrecollectionsofanoccurrencewhichlongcontinuedtobethesubjectofconversationatthisperiod，andthesingulardetailsofwhichrenderitworthyofnarration。

Alittlegirlnineyearsold，belongingtoaverywealthyandhighlyesteemedfamilyofConstantinople，wascarriedawaybybanditsasshewaspromenadingonedaywithherattendantoutsidethecity。ThebanditscarriedtheirtwocaptivestoAnatolia，andtheresoldthem。Thelittlegirl，whogavepromiseofgreatbeauty，felltothelotofarichmerchantofBroussa，theharshest，mostsevere，andintractablemanofthetown；buttheartlessgraceofthischildtouchedevenhisferociousheart。Heconceivedagreataffectionforher，anddistinguishedherfromhisotherslavesbygivingheronlylightemployment，suchasthecareofflowers，etc。AEuropeangentlemanwholivedwiththismerchantofferedtotakechargeofhereducation；towhichthemanconsented，allthemorewillinglysinceshehadgainedhisheart，andhewishedtomakeherhiswifeassoonasshereachedamarriageableage。ButtheEuropeanhadthesameidea；andashewasyoung，withanagreeableandintelligentcountenance，andveryrich，hesucceededinwinningtheyoungslave\'saffection；andsheescapedonedayfromhermaster，and，likeanotherHeloise，followedherAbelardtoKutahie，wheretheyremainedconcealedforsixmonths。

Shewasthentenyearsold。Herpreceptor，whobecamemoredevotedtohereachday，carriedhertoConstantinople，andconfidedhertothecareofaGreekbishop，charginghimtomakeheragoodChristian，andthenreturnedtoVienna，withtheintentionofobtainingtheconsentofhisfamilyandthepermissionofhisgovernmenttomarryaslave。

Twoyearsthenpassed，andthepoorgirlheardnothingfromherfuturehusband。Meanwhilethebishophaddied，andhisheirshadabandonedMarie(thiswasthebaptismalnameoftheconvert)；andshe，withnomeansandnoprotector，rantheriskofbeingatanymomentdiscoveredbysomerelationorfriendofherfamily——anditiswellknownthattheTurksneverforgiveachangeofreligion。

Tormentedbyathousandfears，wearyofherretreatandthedeepobscurityinwhichshewasburied，shetooktheboldresolutionofrejoiningherbenefactor，andnotdeterredbydangersoftheroadsetoutfromConstantinoplealoneonfoot。OnherarrivalinthecapitalofAustria，shelearnedthatherintendedhusbandhadbeendeadformorethanayear。

Thedespairintowhichthepoorgirlwasplungedbythissadnewscanbebetterimaginedthandescribed。Whatwastobedone？Whatwouldbecomeofher？Shedecidedtoreturntoherfamily，andforthispurposerepairedtoTrieste，whichtownshefoundinastateofgreatcommotion。

IthadjustreceivedaFrenchgarrison；butthedisturbancesinseparablefromwarwerenotyetended，andyoungMarieconsequentlyenteredaGreekconventtoawaitasuitableopportunityofreturningtoConstantinople。

Thereasub-lieutenantofinfantry，namedDartois，sawher，becamemadlyinlove，wonherheart，andmarriedherattheendofayear。

ThehappinesswhichMadameDartoisnowenjoyeddidnotcausehertorenounceherplanofvisitingherownfamily；and，asshenowhadbecomeaFrenchwoman，shethoughtthistitlewouldaccelerateherreturntoherparents\'favor。Herhusband\'sregimentreceivedorderstoleaveTrieste；

andthisgaveMadameDartoistheopportunitytorenewherentreatiestobeallowedtovisitConstantinople，towhichherhusbandgavehisconsent，notwithoutexplainingtoher，however，allshehadtofear，andallthedangerstowhichthisjourneywouldagainexposeher。Atlastshestarted，andafewdaysafterherarrivalwasonthepointofmakingherselfknowntoherfamily，whensherecognizedonthestreetthroughherveil，theBroussanmerchant，herformermaster，whowasseekingherthroughoutConstantinople，andhadsworntokillheronsight。

Thisterrible\'rencontre\'threwherintosuchafright，thatforthreedaysshelivedinconstantterror，scarcelydaringtoventureout，evenonthemosturgentbusiness，andalwaysfearinglestsheshouldseeagaintheferociousAnatolian。Fromtimetotimeshereceivedlettersfromherhusband，whostillmarchedwiththeFrencharmy；and，asitwasnowadvancing，heconjuredherinhislastletterstoreturntoFrance，hopingtobeablesoontorejoinherthere。

Deprivedofallhopeofareconciliationwithherfamily，MadameDartoisdeterminedtocomplywithherhusband\'srequest；and，althoughthewarbetweenRussiaandTurkeyrenderedtheroadsveryunsafe，sheleftConstantinopleinthemonthofJuly，1809。

AfterpassingthroughHungaryandthemidstoftheAustriancamp，MadameDartoisbentherstepstowardsVienna，whereshehadthesorrowtolearnthatherhusbandhadbeenmortallywoundedatthebattleofWagram，andwasnowinthattown；shehastenedtohim，andheexpiredinherarms。

Shemournedherhusbanddeeply，butwassooncompelledtothinkofthefuture，asthesmallamountofmoneyremainingtoherwhensheleftConstantinoplehadbeenbarelysufficientfortheexpensesofherjourney，andM。Dartoishadleftnoproperty。SomeonehavingadvisedthepoorwomantogotoSchoenbrunnandaskhisMajesty\'sassistance，asuperiorofficergaveheraletterofrecommendationtoM。Jaubert，interpretingsecretaryoftheEmperor。

MadameDartoisarrivedashisMajestywaspreparingtoleaveSchoenbrunn，andmadeapplicationtoM。Jaubert，theDukeofBassano，GeneralLebrun，andmanyotherpersonswhobecamedeeplyinterestedinhermisfortunes。

TheEmperor，wheninformedbytheDukeofBassanoofthedeplorableconditionofthiswoman，atoncemadeaspecialordergrantingMadameDartoisanannualpensionofsixteenhundredfrancs，thefirstyearofwhichwaspaidinadvance。WhentheDukeofBassanoannouncedtothewidowhisMajesty\'sdecision，andhandedherthefirstyear\'spension，shefellathisfeet，andbathedthemwithhertears。

TheEmperor\'sfetewascelebratedatViennawithmuchbrilliancy；andasalltheinhabitantsfeltthemselvesobligedtoilluminetheirwindows，theeffectwasextraordinarilybrilliant。Theyhadnosetilluminations；

butalmostallthewindowshaddoublesashes，andbetweenthesesasheswereplacedlamps，candles，etc。，ingeniouslyarranged，theeffectofwhichwascharming。TheAustriansappearedasgayasoursoldiers；theyhadnotfetedtheirownEmperorwithsomuchardor，and，thoughdeepdownintheirheartstheymusthaveexperiencedafeelingofconstraintatsuchunaccustomedjoy，appearancesgavenosignofthis。

Ontheeveningofthefete，duringtheparade，aterribleexplosionwasheardatSchoenbrunn，thenoiseofwhichseemedtocomefromthetown；

andafewmomentsafterwardsagendarmeappeared，hishorseinagallop。

“Oh，oh！“saidColonelMechnem，“theremustbeafireatVienna，ifagendarmeisgalloping。“Infact，hebroughttidingsofaverydeplorableevent。Whileanartillerycompanyhadbeenpreparing，inthearsenalofthetown，numerousfireworkstocelebratehisMajesty\'sfete，oneofthem，inpreparingarocket，accidentallysetthefuseonfire，andbecomingfrightenedthrewitawayfromhim。Itfellonthepowderwhichtheshopcontained，andeighteencannoneerswerekilledbytheexplosion，andsevenwounded。

DuringhisMajesty\'sfete，asIenteredhiscabinetonemorning，IfoundwithhimM。CharlesSulmetter，commissarygeneralofthepoliceofVienna，whomIhadseenoftenbefore。HehadbegunasheadspyfortheEmperor；andthishadprovedsuchaprofitablebusinessthathehadamassedanincomeoffortythousandpounds。HehadbeenbornatStrasburg；andinhisearlylifehadbeenchiefofabandofsmugglers，towhichvocationhewasaswonderfullyadaptedbynatureastothatwhichheafterwardspursued。Headmittedthisinrelatinghisadventures，andmaintainedthatsmugglingandpoliceservicehadmanypointsofsimilarity，sincethegreatartofsmugglingwastoknowhowtoevade，whilethatofaspywastoknowhowtoseek。HeinspiredsuchterrorintheViennesethathewasequaltoawholearmy-corpsinkeepingtheminsubjection。Hisquickandpenetratingglance，hisairofresolutionandseverity，theabruptnessofhisstepandgestures，histerriblevoice，andhisappearanceofgreatstrength，fullyjustifiedhisreputation；andhisadventuresfurnishamplematerialsforaromance。

DuringthefirstcampaignsofGermany，beingchargedwithamessagefromtheFrenchgovernmenttooneofthemostprominentpersonsintheAustrianarmy，hepassedamongtheenemydisguisedasaGermanpeddler，furnishedwithregularpassports，andprovidedwithacompletestockofdiamondsandjewelry。Hewasbetrayed，arrested，andsearched；andtheletterconcealedinthedoublebottomofagoldboxwasfound，andveryfoolishlyreadbeforehim。Hewastriedandcondemnedtodeath，anddeliveredtothesoldiersbywhomhewastobeexecuted；butasnighthadarrivedbythistime，theypostponedhisexecutiontillmorning。HerecognizedamonghisguardsaFrenchdeserter，talkedwithhim，andpromisedhimalargesumofmoney:hehadwinebrought，drankwiththesoldiers，intoxicatedthem，anddisguisedinoneoftheircoats，escapedwiththeFrenchman。Beforere-enteringthecamp，however，hefoundmeanstoinformthepersonforwhomtheletterwasintended，ofitscontents，andofwhathadhappened。

Countersignsdifficulttorememberwereoftengiveninthearmyinordertoattractthesoldiers\'attentionmoreclosely。OnedaythewordwasPericles，Persepolis；andacaptainoftheguardwhohadabetterknowledgeofhowtocommandachargethanofGreekhistoryandgeography，nothearingitdistinctly，gaveasthecountersign，\'percel\'eglise\'，whichmistakefurnishedmuchamusement。Theoldcaptainwasnotatallangry，andsaidthatafterallhewasnotveryfarwrong。

ThesecretaryofGeneralAndreossy，GovernorofVienna，hadanunfortunatepassionforgambling；andfindingthathedidnotgainenoughtopayhisdebts，soldhimselftotheenemy。Hiscorrespondencewasseized；headmittedhistreachery，andwascondemnedtodeath，andinconfrontingdeathevincedastonishingself-possession。“Comenearer，“

saidhetothesoldierswhoweretoshoot，“sothatyoumayseemebetter，andIwillhavelesstosuffer。“

InoneofhisexcursionsintheenvironsofVienna，theEmperormetaveryyoungconscriptwhowasrejoininghiscorps。Hestoppedhim，askedhisname，hisage，regiment，andcountry。“Monsieur，“saidthesoldier，whodidnotknowhim，“mynameisMartin；Iamseventeenyearsold，andfromtheUpperPyrenees。“——“youareaFrenchman，then？“——“yes，Monsieur。“——

“Ah，youareamiserable\'Frenchman。Disarmthisman，andhanghim！“——

“Yes，youfool，IamFrench，“repeatedtheconscript；“andVivel\'Empereur！“HisMajestywasmuchamused；theconscriptwasundeceived，congratulated，andhastenedtorejoinhiscomrades，withthepromiseofareward，——apromisewhichtheEmperorwasnotslowtoperform。

TwoorthreedaysbeforehisdeparturefromSchoenbrunn，theEmperoragaincamenearbeingassassinated。Thistimetheattackwastohavebeenmadebyawoman。

TheCountessatthistimewaswellknown，bothonaccountofherastonishingbeautyandthescandalofherliaisonswithLordPaget，theEnglishambassador。

Itwouldbehardtofindwordswhichwouldtruthfullydescribethegraceandcharmsofthislady，whomthebestsocietyofViennaadmittedonlywiththegreatestrepugnance，butwhoconsoledherselffortheirscornbyreceivingatherownhousethemostbrilliantpartoftheFrencharmy。

AnarmycontractorconceivedtheideaofprocuringthisladyfortheEmperor，and，withoutinforminghisMajesty，madepropositionstothecountessthroughoneofhisfriends，acavalryofficerattachedtothemilitarypoliceofthetownofVienna。

ThecavalryofficerthoughthewasrepresentinghisMajesty，andingoodfaithsaidtothecountessthathisMajestywasexceedinglyanxioustoseeheratSchoenbrunn。Onemorning，accordingly，hemadepropositionsforthatevening，which，appearingsomewhatabrupttothecountess，shedidnotdecideatonce，butdemandedadayforreflection，addingthatshemusthavegoodproofthattheEmperorwasreallysincereinthismatter。Theofficerprotestedhissincerity，promised，moreover，togiveeveryproofsherequired，andmadeanappointmentforthatevening。

Havinggiventhecontractoranaccountofhisnegotiation，thelattergaveordersthatacarriage，escortedbythecavalryofficer，shouldbereadyforthecountessontheeveningindicated。Attheappointedhourtheofficerreturnedtothecountess，expectinghertoaccompanyhim，butshebeggedhimtoreturnnextday，sayingthatshehadnotyetdecided，andneededthenightforlongerreflection。Attheofficer\'ssolicitationsshedecided，however，andappointedthenextday，givingherwordofhonortobereadyattheappointedhour。

Thecarriagewasthensentaway，andorderedforthenexteveningatthesamehour。Thistimethecontractor\'senvoyfoundthecountesswelldisposed；shereceivedhimgayly，eagerlyeven，andtoldhimthatshehadgivenordersinregardtoheraffairsasifsheweregoingonajourney；

then，regardinghimfixedly，said，tutoyinghim，“YoumayreturninanhourandIwillbeready；Iwillgotohim，youmayrelyuponit。

YesterdayIhadbusinesstofinish，butto-dayIamfree。IfyouareagoodAustrian，youwillproveittome；youknowhowmuchharmhehasdoneourcountry！Thiseveningourcountrywillbeavenged！Comeforme；donotfail！“

Thecavalryofficer，frightenedatsuchaconfidenceasthis，wasunwillingtoaccepttheresponsibility，andrepeatedeverythingatthechateau；inreturnforwhichtheEmperorrewardedhimgenerously，urgedhimforhisownsakenottoseethecountessagain，andexpresslyforbadehishavinganythingmoretodowiththematter。Allthesedangersinnowise-depressedtheEmperor；andhehadahabitofsaying，“WhathaveItofear？Icannotbeassassinated；Icandieonlyonthefieldofbattle。“

Butevenonthefieldofbattlehetooknocareofhimself，andatEssling，forexample，exposedhimselflikeachiefofbattalionwhowantstobeacolonel；bulletsslewthoseinfront，behind，besidehim，buthedidnotbudge。Itwasthenthataterrifiedgeneralcried，“Sire，ifyourMajestydoesnotretire，itwillbenecessaryformetohaveyoucarriedoffbymygrenadiers。“Thisanecdoteprovestookanyprecautionsinregardtohimself。ThesignsofexasperationmanifestedbytheinhabitantsofViennamadehimverywatchful，however，forthesafetyofhistroops，andheexpresslyforbadetheirleavingtheircantonmentsintheevening。HisMajestywasafraidforthem。

ThechateauofSchoenbrunnwastherendezvousofalltheillustrioussavantsofGermany；andnonewwork，nocuriousinvention，appeared，buttheEmperorimmediatelygaveorderstohavetheauthorpresentedtohim。

ItwasthusthatM。Maelzel，thefamousinventorofmetronomy，wasallowedthehonorofexhibitingbeforehisMajestyseveralofhisowninventions。TheEmperoradmiredtheartificiallimbsintendedtoreplacemorecomfortablyandsatisfactorilythanwoodenonesthosecarriedoffbyballs，andgavehimorderstohaveawagonconstructedtoconveythewoundedfromthefieldofbattle。Thiswagonwastobeofsuchakindthatitcouldbefoldedupandeasilycarriedbehindmenonhorseback，whoaccompaniedthearmy，suchassurgeons，aides，servants，etc。M。

MaelzelhadalsobuiltanautomatonknownthroughoutEuropeunderthenameofthechessplayer，whichhebroughttoSchoenbrunntoshowtohisMajesty，andsetitupintheapartmentsofthePrincedeNeuchatel。TheEmperorvisitedthePrince；andI，incompanywithseveralotherpersons，accompaniedhim，andfoundthisautomatonseatedbeforeatableonwhichthechessmenwerearranged。HisMajestytookachair，andseatinghimselfinfrontoftheautomaton，said，withalaugh，“Come，mycomrade，weareready。“TheautomatonbowedandmadeasignwithhishandtotheEmperor，asiftotellhimtobegin，uponwhichthegamecommenced。TheEmperormadetwoorthreemoves，andintentionallymadeawrongone。Theautomatonbowed，tookthepiece，andputitinitsproperplace。HisMajestycheatedasecondtime；theautomatonbowedagain，andtookthepiece。“Thatisright，“saidtheEmperor；andwhenhecheatedathirdtime，theautomaton，passinghishandoverthechess-board，spoiledthegame。

TheEmperorcomplimentedtheinventorhighly。Aswelefttheroom，accompaniedbythePrincedeNeuchatelwefoundintheantechambertwoyounggirls，whopresentedtotheprince，inthenameoftheirmother，abasketofbeautifulfruit。Astheprincewelcomedthemwithanairoffamiliarity，theEmperor，curioustofindoutwhotheywere，drewnearandquestionedthem；buttheydidnotunderstandFrench:SomeonethentoldhisMajestythatthesetwoprettygirlsweredaughtersofagoodwoman，whoselifeMarshalBerthierhadsavedin1805。Onthisoccasionhewasaloneonhorseback，thecoldwasterrible，andthegroundcoveredwithsnow，whenheperceived，lyingatthefootofatree，awomanwhoappearedtobedying，andhadbeenseizedwithastupor。Themarshaltookherinhisarms，andplacedheronhishorsewithhiscloakwrappedaroundher，andthusconveyedhertoherhome，whereherdaughtersweremourningherabsence。Heleftwithoutmakinghimselfknown；buttheyrecognizedhimatthecaptureofVienna，andeveryweekthetwosisterscametoseetheirbenefactor，bringinghimflowersorfruitasatokenoftheirgratitude。

EndRECOLLECTIONSOFTHEPRIVATELIFEOFNAPOLEON，V6

BYCONSTANT

PREMIERVALETDECHAMBRE

TRANSLATEDBYWALTERCLARK

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERVII。toCHAPTERXII。

CHAPTERVII。

WearrivedinParisonthe1stofJanuaryatnineo\'clockintheevening；

andasthetheaterofthepalaceoftheTuilerieswasnowcompleted，ontheSundayfollowinghisMajesty\'sreturntheGriseldaofM。Paerwaspresentedinthismagnificenthall。TheirMajesties\'boxesweresituatedinfrontofthecurtain，oppositeeachother，andpresentedacharmingpicture，withtheirhangingsofcrimsonsilkdrapedabove，andformingabackgroundtobroad，movablemirrors，whichreflectedatwilltheaudienceortheplay。TheEmperor，stillimpressedwiththerecollectionsofthetheatersofItaly，criticisedunsparinglythatoftheTuileries，sayingthatitwasinconvenient，badlyplanned，andmuchtoolargeforapalacetheater；butnotwithstandingallthesecriticisms，whenthedayofinaugurationcame，andtheEmperorwasconvincedoftheverygreatingenuityM。Fontainehadshownindistributingtheboxessoastomakethesplendidtoiletsappeartotheutmostadvantage，heappearedwellsatisfied，andchargedtheDukeofFrioultopresenttoM。

Fontainethecongratulationshesowelldeserved。

Aweekafterwesawthereverseofthemedal。OnthatdayCinnawaspresented，andacomedy，thenameofwhichIhaveforgotten。Itwassuchextremelycoldweatherthatwewereobligedtoleavethetheaterimmediatelyafterthetragedy，inconsequenceofwhichtheEmperorexhaustedhimselfininvectivesagainstthehall，whichaccordingtohimwasgoodfornothingbuttobeburnt。M。Fontaine——[BornatPontoise，1762；erectedthearchoftheCarrousel；died1853]——wassummoned，andpromisedtodoeverythinginhispowertoremedytheinconveniencespointedouttohim；andinfact，bymeansofnewfurnacesplacedunderthetheater，withpipesthroughtheceiling，andstepsplacedunderthebenchesofthesecondtierofboxes，inaweekthehallwasmadewarmandcomfortable。

ForseveralweekstheEmperoroccupiedhimselfalmostexclusivelywithbuildingsandimprovements。ThearchoftriumphofthePlaceduCarrousel，fromwhichthescaffoldinghadbeenremovedinordertoallowtheImperialGuardtopassbeneathitontheirreturnfromPrussia，firstattractedhisMajesty\'sattention。Thismonumentwasthenalmostcompleted，withtheexceptionofafewbas-reliefswhichwerestilltobeputinposition。TheEmperortookacriticalviewofitfromoneofthepalacewindows，andsaid，afterknittinghisbrowstwoorthreetimes，thatthismassresembledmuchmoreapavilionthanagate，andthathewouldhavemuchpreferredoneconstructedinthestyleoftheporteSaint-Denis。

Aftervisitingindetailthevariousworksbegunorcarriedonsincehisdeparture，hisMajestyonemorningsentforM。Fontaine，andhavingdiscoursedatlengthonwhathethoughtworthyofpraiseorblameinallthathehadseen，informedhimofhisintentionswithregardtotheplanswhichthearchitecthadfurnishedforjoiningtheTuileriestotheLouvre。ItwasagreedbytheEmperorandM。Fontainethatthesebuildingsshouldbeunitedbytwowings，thefirstofwhichshouldbefinishedinfiveyears，amilliontobegrantedeachyearforthispurpose；andthatasecondwingshouldalsobeconstructedontheoppositeside，extendingfromtheLouvretotheTuileries，formingthusaperfectsquare，inthemidstofwhichwouldbeerectedanoperahouse，isolatedonallsides，andcommunicatingwiththepalacebyasubterraneangallery。

ThegalleryformingthecourtinfrontoftheLouvrewastobeopenedtothepublicinwinter，anddecoratedwithstatues，andalsowithalltheshrubberynowinboxesinthegardenoftheTuileries；andinthiscourtheintendedtoerectanarchoftriumphverysimilartothatoftheCarrousel。Finally，allthesebeautifulbuildingsweretobeusedaslodgingsforthegrandofficersofthecrown，asstables，etc。Thenecessaryexpensewasestimatedasapproximatingforty-twomillions。

TheEmperorwasoccupiedinsuccessionwithapalaceofarts；withanewbuildingfortheImperiallibrary，tobeplacedonthespotnowoccupiedbytheBourse；withapalaceforthestock-exchangeonthequayDesaix；

withtherestorationoftheSorbonneandthehotelSoubise；withatriumphalcolumnatNeuilly；withafountainonthePlaceLouisXV。；withtearingdowntheHotel-DieutoenlargeandbeautifytheCathedralquarter；andwiththeconstructionoffourhospitalsatMont-Parnasse，atChaillot，atMontmartre，andintheFaubourgSaint-Antoine，etc。Alltheseplanswereverygrand；andthereisnodoubtthathewhohadconceivedthemwouldhaveexecutedthem；andithasoftenbeensaidthathadhelived，Pariswouldhavehadnorivalinanydepartmentintheworld。

AtthesametimehisMajestydecideddefinitelyontheformofthearchoftriumphdel\'Etoile，whichhadbeenlongdebated，andforwhichallthearchitectsofthecrownhadsubmittedplans。ItwasM。Fontainewhoseopinionprevailed；sinceamongalltheplanspresentedhiswasthesimplest，andatthesametimethemostimposing。

TheEmperorwasalsomuchinterestedintherestorationofthepalaceofVersailles。M。FontainehadsubmittedtohisMajestyaplanforthefirstrepairs，bythetermsofwhich，forthesumofsixmillions，theEmperorandEmpresswouldhavehadacomfortabledwelling。HisMajesty，wholikedeverythinggrand，handsome，superb，butatthesametimeeconomical，wroteatthebottomofthisestimatethefollowingnote，whichM。deBaussetreportsthusinhisMemoirs:——

“TheplansinregardtoVersaillesmustbecarefullyconsidered。

ThosewhichM。Fontainesubmitsareveryreasonable，theestimatebeingsixmillions；butthisincludesdwellings，withtherestorationofthechapelandthatofthetheater，onlysufficientlycomfortableforpresentuse，notsuchastheyshouldbeoneday。

“Bythisplan，theEmperorandEmpresswouldhavetheirapartments；

butwemustrememberthatthissumshouldalsofurnishlodgingsforprinces，grandandinferiorofficers。

“Itisalsonecessarytoknowwherewillbeplacedthefactoryofarms，whichwillbeneededatVersailles，sinceitputssilverincirculation。

“Itwillbenecessaryoutofthesesixmillionstofindsixlodgingsforprinces，twelveforgrandofficers，andfiftyforinferiorofficers。

“ThenonlycanwedecidetomakeVersaillesourresidence，andpassthesummersthere。Beforeadoptingtheseplans，itwillbenecessarythatthearchitectwhoengagestoexecutethemshouldcertifythattheycanbeexecutedfortheproposedsum。“

AfewdaysaftertheirarrivaltheirMajesties，theEmperorandEmpress，wenttovisitthecelebratedDavid——[JacquesLouisDavid，borninParis，1748，celebratedhistoricalpainter，memberofconvention，1792，andvotedforthedeathoftheking。DiedinBrussels，1825。]——

athisstudiointheSorbonne，inordertoseethemagnificentpictureofthecoronation，whichhadjustbeenfinished。TheirMajesties\'suitewascomposedofMarshalBessieres，anaide-de-campoftheEmperor，M。Lebrun，severalladiesofthepalace，andchamberlains。TheEmperorandEmpresscontemplatedwithadmirationforalongwhilethisbeautifulpainting，whichcomprisedeveryspeciesofmerit；andthepainterwasinhisglorywhilehearinghisMajestyname，onebyone，allthedifferentpersonagesofthepicture，fortheresemblancewasreallymiraculous。“Howgrandthatis！“saidtheEmperor；“howfine！howthefiguresarebroughtoutinrelief！howtruthful！Thisisnotapainting；thefiguresliveinthispicture！“Firstdirectinghisattentiontothegrandtribuneinthemidst，theEmperor，recognizedMadamehismother，GeneralBeaumont，M。deCosse，M。deLaVille，MadamedeFontanges，andMadameSoult。“Iseeinthedistance，“saidhe，“goodM。Vien。“M。Davidreplied，“Yes，Sire；I

wishedtoshowmyadmirationformyillustriousmasterbyplacinghiminthispicture，which，onaccountofitssubject，willbethemostfamousofmyworks。“TheEmpressthentookpartintheconversation，andpointedouttotheEmperorhowhappilyM。DavidhadseizeduponandrepresentedtheinterestingmomentwhentheEmperorisonthepointofbeingcrowned。“Yes，“saidhisMajesty，regardingitwithapleasurethathedidnotseektodisguise，“themomentiswellchosen，andthesceneperfectlyrepresented；thetwofiguresareveryfine，“andspeakingthus，theEmperorlookedattheEmpress。

HisMajestycontinuedtheexaminationofthepictureinallitsdetails，andpraisedespeciallythegroupoftheItalianclergynearthealtar，whichepisodewasinventedbythepainter。HeseemedtowishonlythatthePopehadbeenrepresentedinmoredirectaction，appearingtogivehisblessing，andthatthecrownoftheEmpresshadbeenbornebythecardinallegate。Inregardtothisgroup，MarshalBessieresmadetheEmperorlaughheartily，byrelatingtohimtheveryamusingdiscussionwhichhadtakenplacebetweenDavidandCardinalCaprara。

Itiswellknownthattheartisthadagreataversiontodressedfigures，especiallytothoseclothedinthemodernstyle。Inallhispaintings，theremayberemarkedsuchapronouncedlovefortheantiquethatitevenshowsitselfinhismannerofdrapinglivingpersons。Now，CardinalCaprara，oneoftheassistantsofthePopeattheceremonyofthecoronation，woreawig；andDavid，ingivinghimaplaceinhispicture，thoughtitmoresuitabletotakeoffhiswig，andrepresenthimwithabaldhead，thelikenessbeingotherwiseperfect。TheCardinalwasmuchgrieved，andbeggedtheartisttorestorehiswig，butreceivedfromDavidaformalrefusal。“Never，“saidhe，“willIdegrademypencilsofarastopaintawig。“HisEminencewentawayveryangry，andcomplainedtoM。deTalleyrand，whowasatthistimeMinisterofForeignAffairs，giving，amongotherreasons，this，whichseemedtohimunanswerable，that，asnoPopehadeverwornawig，theywouldnotfailtoattributetohim，CardinalCaprara，anintentionofaspiringtothepontificalchairincaseofavacancy，whichintentionwouldbeclearlyshownbythesuppressionofhiswiginthepictureofthecoronation。

TheentreatiesofhisEminencewereallinvain；forDavidwouldnotconsenttorestorehispreciouswig，saying，that“heoughttobeverygladhehadtakenoffnomorethanthat。“

Afterhearingthisstory，theparticularsofwhichwereconfirmedbytheprincipalactorinthescene，hisMajestymadesomeobservationstoM。

David，withallpossibledelicacy。Theywereattentivelynotedbythisadmirableartist，who，withabow，promisedtheEmperortoprofitbyhisadvice。TheirMajesties\'visitwaslong，andlasteduntilthefadinglightwarnedtheEmperorthatitwastimetoreturn。M。Davidescortedhimtothedoorofhisstudio；andthere，stoppingshort，theEmperortookoffhishat，and，byamostgracefulbow，testifiedtothehonorhefeltforsuchdistinguishedtalent。TheEmpressaddedtotheagitationbywhichM。Davidseemedalmostovercomebyafewofthecharmingwordsofappreciationshesowellknewhowtosay，andsaidsoopportunely。

OppositethepictureofthecoronationwasplacedthatoftheSabines。

TheEmperor，whoperceivedhowanxiousM。Davidwastodisposeofthis，gaveorderstoM。Lebrun，asheleft，toseeifthispicturecouldnotbeplacedtoadvantageinthegrandgalleryattheTuileries。Buthesoonchangedhismindwhenhereflectedthatmostofthefigureswererepresentedinnaturalibus，whichwouldappearincongruousinanapartmentusedforgranddiplomaticreceptions，andinwhichtheCouncilofMinistersusuallysat。

CHAPTERVIII。

ThelastofJanuary，MademoiselledeTascher，nieceofherMajestytheEmpress，wasmarriedtotheDukeofAremberg。TheEmperoronthisoccasionraisedMademoiselledeTaschertothedignityofaprincess，anddeigned，incompanywiththeEmpress，tohonorwithhispresencethemarriage，whichtookplaceattheresidenceofherMajestytheQueenofHolland，intheRuedeCeriltti，andwascelebratedwithasplendorworthyoftheaugustguests。TheEmpressremainedsometimeafterdinner，andopenedtheballwiththeDukeofAremberg。AfewdaysafterthisthePrinceofHohenzollernmarriedthenieceoftheGrandDukeofBergandCleves，MademoiselleAntoinetteMurat。

HisMajestyhonoredherashehaddoneMademoiselleTascher，and，incompanywiththeEmpress，alsoattendedtheballwhichtheGrandDukeofBerggaveontheoccasionofthismarriage，andatwhichPrincessCarolinepresided。

ThiswasabrilliantwinteratParis，owingtothegreatnumberoffetesandballswhichweregiven。TheEmperor，asIhavealreadysaid，hadanaversiontoballs，andespeciallymaskedballs，whichheconsideredthemostsenselessthingsintheworld，andthiswasasubjectonwhichhewasoftenatwarwiththeEmpress；but，notwithstandingthis，ononeoccasionheyieldedtotheentreatiesofM。deMarescalchi，theItalianambassador，notedforhismagnificentballs，whichthemostdistinguishedpersonagesofthekingdomattended。Thesebrilliantreunionstookplaceinahallwhichtheambassadorhadbuiltforthepurpose，anddecoratedwithextraordinaryluxuryandsplendor；andhisMajesty，asIhavesaid，consentedtohonorwithhispresenceamaskedballgivenbythisambassador，whichwastoeclipseallothers。

InthemorningtheEmperorcalledme，andsaid，“IhavedecidedtodancethiseveningatthehouseoftheambassadorofItaly；youwillcarry，duringtheday，tencompletecostumestotheapartmentshehaspreparedforme。“Iobeyed，andintheeveningaccompaniedhisMajestytotheresidenceofM。Marescalchi，anddressedhimasbestIcouldinablackdomino，takinggreatpainstorenderhimunrecognizable；andeverythingwentwell，inspiteofnumerousobservationsontheEmperor\'spartastotheabsurdityofadisguise，thebadappearanceadominomakes，etc。

But，whenitwasproposedtochangehisshoes，herebelledabsolutely，inspiteofallIcouldsayonthispoint；andconsequentlyhewasrecognizedthemomentheenteredtheballroom。Hewentstraighttoamasker，hishandsbehindhisback，asusual，andattemptedtoenterintoanintrigue，andatthefirstquestionheaskedwascalledSire，inreply。Whereupon，muchdisappointed，heturnedonhisheel，andcamebacktome。“Youareright，Constant；Iamrecognized。Bringmelace-

bootsandanothercostume。“Iputthebootsonhisfeet，anddisguisedhimanew，advisinghimtolethisarmshang，ifhedidnotwishtoberecognizedatonce；andhisMajestypromisedtoobeyineveryparticularwhathecalledmyinstructions。Hehadhardlyenteredtheroominhisnewcostume，however，beforehewasaccostedbyalady，who，seeinghimwithhishandsagaincrossedbehindhisback，said，“Sire，youarerecognized！“TheEmperorimmediatelylethisarmsfall；butitwastoolate，foralreadyeveryonemovedasiderespectfullytomakeroomforhim。Hethenreturnedtohisroom，andtookathirdcostume，promisingmeimplicitlytopayattentiontohisgesturesandhiswalk，andofferingtobetthathewouldnotberecognized。Thistime，infact，heenteredthehallasifitwereabarrack，pushingandelbowingallaroundhim；

but，inspiteofthis，someonewhisperedinhisear，“YourMajestyisrecognized。“Anewdisappointment，newchangeofcostume，andnewadviceonmypart，withthesameresult；untilatlasthisMajestylefttheambassador\'sball，persuadedthathecouldnotbedisguised，andthattheEmperorwouldberecognizedwhatevermaskhemightassume。

Thateveningatsupper，thePrincedeNeuchatel，theDukedeTrevise，theDukedeFrioul，andsomeotherofficersbeingpresent，theEmperorrelatedthehistoryofhisdisguises，andmademanyjestsonhisawkwardness。Inspeakingoftheyoungladywhohadrecognizedhimtheeveningbefore，andwhohad，itappeared，puzzledhimgreatly，“Canyoubelieveit，Messieurs，“saidhe，“Ineversucceededinrecognizingthelittlewretchatall？“DuringthecarnivaltheEmpressexpressedawishtogooncetothemaskedballattheopera；andwhenshebeggedtheEmperortoaccompanyherherefused，inspiteofallthetenderandenticingthingstheEmpresscouldsay，andallthegracewithwhich，asiswellknown，shecouldsurroundapetition。Shefoundthatallwasuseless，astheEmperorsaidplainlythathewouldnotgo。“Well，Iwillgowithoutyou。“——“Asyouplease，“andtheEmperorwentout。

ThateveningattheappointedhourtheEmpresswenttotheball；andtheEmperor，whowishedtosurpriseher，hadoneofherfemmesdechambresummoned，andobtainedfromheranexactdescriptionoftheEmpress\'scostume。Hethentoldmetodresshiminadomino，enteredacarriagewithoutdecorations，andaccompaniedbythegrandmarshalofthepalace，asuperiorofficer，andmyself，tooktheroadtotheopera。OnreachingtheprivateentranceoftheEmperor\'shousehold，weencounteredsomedifficulty，asthedoorkeeperwouldnotletuspasstillIhadtoldmynameandrank。“Thesegentlemenarewithyou？“——“Asyousee。“——“Ibegyourpardon，MonsieurConstant；butitisbecauseinsuchtimesasthesetherearealwayspersonswhotrytoenterwithoutpaying。“——“Thatisgood！Thatisgood！“andtheEmperorlaughedheartilyatthedoorkeeper\'sobservations。Atlastweentered，andhavinggotasfarasthehall，promenadedincouples，IgivingmyarmtotheEmperor，whosaidthoutome，andbademereplyinthesameway。Wegaveeachotherfictitiousnames，theEmperorcallinghimselfAuguste；theDukedeFrioul，Francois；thesuperiorofficer，whosenameescapesme，Charles；

whileIwasJoseph。AssoonashisMajestysawadominosimilartotheonethefemmedechambrehaddescribed，hepressedmyarmandsaid，“Isthatshe？“——“No，Si——no，Auguste，“repliedI，constantlycorrectingmyself；foritwasimpossibletoaccustommyselftocallingtheEmperorotherwisethanSireoryourMajesty。Hehad，asI，havesaid，expresslyorderedmetotutoyhim；buthewaseverymomentcompelledtorepeatthisordertome，forrespecttiedmytongueeverytimeItriedtosaytu。Atlast，afterhavinggoneineverydirection，exploredeverycornerandnookofthesaloon，thegreen-room，theboxes，etc。，infact，examinedeverything，andlookedeachcostumeoverindetail，hisMajesty，whowasnomoresuccessfulinrecognizingherMajestythanwerewe，begantofeelgreatanxiety，whichI，however，succeededinallayingbytellinghimthatdoubtlesstheEmpresshadgonetochangehercostume。AsIwasspeaking，adominoarrivedwhoseemedenamouredoftheEmperor，accostedhim，mystifiedhim，tormentedhimineveryway，andwithsomuchvivacitythatAugustewasbesidehimself；anditisimpossibletogiveevenafaintideaofthecomicalsighttheEmperorpresentedinhisembarrassment。Thedomino，delightedatthis，redoubledherwitandrailleryuntil，thinkingittimetocease，shedisappearedinthecrowd。

TheEmperorwascompletelyexasperated；hehadseenenough，andwelefttheball。

ThenextmorningwhenhesawtheEmpress，heremarked，“Well，youdidnotgototheoperaball，afterall！“——“Oh，yes，indeedIdid。“——“Nonsense！“——

“IassureyouthatIwent。Andyou，mydear，whatdidyoudoalltheevening？“——“Iworked。“——“Why，thatisverysingular；forIsawattheballlastnightadominowhohadexactlyyourfootandboots。Itookhimforyou，andconsequentlyaddressedhim。“TheEmperorlaughedheartilyonlearningthathehadbeenthusduped；theEmpress，justassheleftfortheball，hadchangedhercostume，notthinkingthefirstsufficientlyelegant。

Thecarnivalwasextremelybrilliantthisyear，andtherewereinParisallkindsofmasquerades。ThemostamusingwerethoseinwhichthetheoryadvocatedbythefamousDoctorGall——[FranzJosephGall，founderofthesystemofphrenology。BorninBaden，1758；diedinParis，1825]——

wasillustrated。IsawatrooppassingthePlaceduCarrousel，composedofclowns，harlequins，fishwives，etc。，allrubbingtheirskulls，andmakingexpressivegrimaces；whileaclownboreseveralskullsofdifferentsizes，paintedred，blue，orgreen，withtheseinscriptions:

Skullofarobber，skullofanassassin，skullofabankrupt，etc。；andamaskedfigure，representingDoctorGall，wasseatedonanass，hisheadturnedtotheanimal\'stail，andreceivingfromthehandsofawomanwhofollowedhim，andwasalsoseatedonanass，headscoveredwithwigsmadeoflonggrass。

HerMajestyQueenCarolinegaveamaskedball，atwhichtheEmperorandEmpresswerepresent，whichwasoneofthemostbrilliantIhaveeverattended。

TheoperaoflaVestalewasthennew，andverymuchthefashion；itrepresentedaquadrilleofpriestsandvestalswhoenteredtothesoundofdeliciousmusiconthefluteandharp，andinadditiontothisthereweremagicians，aSwissmarriage，Tyrolianbetrothals，etc。Allthecostumeswerewonderfullyhandsomeandtruetonature；andtherehadbeenarrangedintheapartmentsatthepalaceasupplyofcostumeswhichenabledthedancerstochangefourorfivetimesduringthenight，andwhichhadtheeffectofrenewingtheballasmanytimes。

AsIwasdressingtheEmperorforthisball，hesaidtome，“Constant，youmustgowithmeindisguise。Takewhatevercostumeyoulike，disguiseyourselfsothatyoucannotpossiblyberecognized，andIwillgiveyouinstructions:IhastenedtodoashisMajestyordered，donnedaSwisscostumewhichsuitedmeverywell，andthusequippedawaitedhisMajesty\'sorders。

Hehadaplanformystifyingseveralgreatpersonages，andtwoorthreeladieswhomtheEmperordesignatedtomewithsuchminutedetailsthatitwasimpossibletomistakethem，andtoldmesomesingularthingsinregardtothem，whichwerenotgenerallyknown，andwerewellcalculatedtoembarrassthemterribly。AsIwasstarting，theEmperorcalledmeback，saying，“Aboveall，Constant，takecaretomakenomistake，anddonotconfoundMadamedeM——withhersister；theyhavealmostexactlythesamecostume，butMadamedeM——islargerthanshe，sotakecare。“

Onmyarrivalattheball，IsoughtandeasilyfoundthepersonswhomhisMajestyhaddesignated，andthereplieswhichtheymadeaffordedhimmuchamusementwhenInarratedthemashewasretiring。

Therewasatthistimeathirdmarriageatthecourt，thatofthePrincedeNeuchatelandthePrincessofBavaria，whichwascelebratedinthechapeloftheTuileriesbyCardinalFesch。

AtravelerjustreturnedfromtheIsleofFrancepresentedtotheEmpressafemalemonkeyoftheorang-outangspecies；andherMajestygaveordersthattheanimalshouldbeplacedinthemenagerieatMalmaison。Thisbaboonwasextremelygentleanddocile，anditsmasterhadgivenitanexcellenteducation。Itwaswonderfultoseeher，whenanyoneapproachedthechaironwhichshewasseated，takeadecentposition，drawoverherlegsandthighsthefrontsofalongredingote，and，whensherosetomakeabow，holdtheredingotecarefullyinfrontofher，acting，infact，exactlyaswouldayounggirlwhohadbeenwellreared。

Sheateatthetablewithaknifeandforkmoreproperlythanmanychildrenwhoarethoughttobecarefullytrained，andliked，whileeating，tocoverherfacewithhernapkin，andthenuncoveritwithacryofjoy。Turnipswereherfavoritefood；and，whenaladyofthepalaceshowedherone，shebegantorun，caper，andcutsomersaults，forgettingentirelythelessonsofmodestyanddecencyherprofessorhadtaughther。

TheEmpresswasmuchamusedatseeingthebaboonloseherdignitysocompletelyundertheinfluenceofthislady。

Thispoorbeasthadinflammationofthestomach，and，accordingtothedirectionsofthetravelerwhobroughther，wasplacedinbedandanight-dressputonher。Shetookgreatcaretokeepthecoveringuptoherchin，thoughunwillingtohaveanythingonherhead；andheldherarmsoutofthebed，herhandshiddeninthesleevesofthenight-dress。

Whenanyonewhomsheknewenteredtheroom，shenoddedtothemandtooktheirhand，pressingitaffectionately。Sheeagerlyswallowedthemedicinesprescribed，astheyweresweet；andoneday，whileadraughtofmannawasbeingprepared，whichshethoughttoolongdelayed，sheshowedeverysignofimpatience，andthrewherselffromsidetosidelikeafretfulchild；atlast，throwingoffthecovering，sheseizedherphysicianbythecoatwithsomuchobstinacythathewascompelledtoyield。Theinstantsheobtainedpossessionoftheeagerlycovetedcupshemanifestedthegreatestdelight，andbegantodrink，takinglittlesips，andsmackingherlipswithallthegratificationofanepicurewhotastesaglassofwinewhichhethinksveryoldandverydelicious。Atlastthecupwasemptied，shereturnedit，andlaydownagain。Itisimpossibletogiveanideaofthegratitudethispooranimalshowedwheneveranythingwasdoneforher。TheEmpresswasdeeplyattachedtoher。

CHAPTERIX。

AfterremainingaboutaweekatthechateauofSaint-Cloud，hisMajestysetout，onthe2dofApril，at11o\'clockinthemorning，tovisitthedepartmentsoftheSouth；andasthisjourneywastobeginatBordeaux，theEmperorrequestedtheEmpresstomeethimthere。Thispubliclyannouncedintentionwassimplyapretext，inorder，tomisleadthecurious，forweknewthatweweregoingtothefrontierofSpain。

TheEmperorremainedbarelytendaysthere，andthenleftforBayonnealone，leavingtheEmpressatBordeaux，andreachingBayonneonthenightofthe14-15thofApril，whereherMajestytheEmpressrejoinedhimtwoorthreedaysafterwards。

ThePrinceofNeuchatelandthegrandmarshallodgedatthechateauofMarrac，therestoftheirMajesties\'suitelodgedatBayonneanditssuburbs，theguardcampedinfrontofthechateauonaplacecalledtheParterre，andinthreedaysallwerecomfortablylocated。

Onthemorningofthe15thofApril，theEmperorhadhardlyrecoveredfromthefatigueofhisjourney，whenhereceivedtheauthoritiesofBayonne，whocametocongratulatehim，andquestionedthem，aswashiscustom，mostpointedly。HisMajestythensetouttovisitthefortandfortifications，whichoccupiedhimtilltheevening，whenhereturnedtotheGovernmentpalace，whichheoccupiedtemporarilywhilewaitingtillthechateauofMarracshouldbereadytoreceivehim。

OnhisreturntothepalacetheEmperorexpectedtofindtheInfantDonCarlos，whomhisbrotherFerdinand，thePrinceoftheAsturias，hadsenttoBayonnetopresenthiscomplimentstotheEmperor；buthewasinformedthattheInfantwasill，andwouldnotbeabletocome。TheEmperorimmediatelygaveorderstosendoneofhisphysicianstoattenduponhim，withavaletdechambreandseveralotherpersons；fortheprincehadcometoBayonnewithoutattendants，andincognito，attendedonlybyamilitaryservicecomposedofafewsoldiersofthegarrison。TheEmperoralsoorderedthatthisserviceshouldbereplacedbyonemoresuitable，consistingoftheGuardofHonorofBayonne，andsenttwoorthreetimeseachdaytoinquiretheconditionoftheInfant，whoitwasfreelyadmittedinthepalacewasveryill。