AfterasleepofafewhourstheEmperorawoke，seemingalmostasusual，althoughhisfacestillboretracesofwhathehadsuffered，andwhileI
　　assistedhiminhismorningtoiletdidnotutterawordrelatinginthemostindirectmannertothefrightfulnighthehadjustpassed。Hebreakfastedasusual，onlyalittlelaterthanordinary。Hisappearancehadresumeditsusualcalm，andheseemedmorecheerfulthanforalongtimepast。Wasittheresultofhissatisfactionathavingescapeddeath，whichamomentarydespairhadmadehimdesire？Ordiditnotratherarisefromthecertaintyofnolongerfearingitinhisbedmorethanonthebattlefield？Howeverthatmaybe，IattributetheremarkablepreservationoftheEmperor'slifetothefactthatthepoisoncontainedinthebaghadlostitsefficacy。
　　Wheneverythinghadreturnedtoitsusualorder，withoutanyoneinthepalaceexceptthoseIhavenamedsuspectingwhathadoccurred，IlearnedthatM。YvanhadleftFontainebleau。OverwhelmedbythequestiontheEmperorhadaddressedtohiminthepresenceoftheDukeofVicenza，andfearingthathemightsuspectthathehadgivenhisMajestythemeansofattemptinghislife，thisskillfulphysician，solongandsofaithfullyattachedtotheEmperor'sperson，had，sotospeak，losthisheadinthinkingoftheresponsibilityrestingonhim。HastilydescendingthestairsfromtheEmperor'sapartments，andfindingahorsereadysaddledandbridledinoneofthecourtsofthepalace，hethrewhimselfuponit，andhastilytooktheroadtoParis。ThiswasthemorningofthesamedaythatRoustanleftFontainebleau。
　　Onthe12thofApril，theEmperoralsoreceivedthelastadieuxofMarshalMacdonald。Whenhewasintroduced，theEmperorwasstillfeelingtheeffectsoftheeventsoftheprecedingnight；andIamsuretheDukeofTarentumperceived，withoutdiviningthecause，thathisMajestywasnotinhisusualcondition。HewasaccompaniedbytheDukeofVicenza；
　　andatthismomenttheEmperorwasstillsomuchdepressed，andseemedsoentirelyabsorbedinthought，thathedidnotatfirstperceivethesegentlemen，althoughhewasperfectlywideawake。TheDukeofTarentumbroughttotheEmperorthetreatywiththeallies，andIlefttheroomashewaspreparingtosignit。AfewmomentsaftertheDukeofVicenzasummonedme；andhisMajestysaid，“Constant，bringmethesaberwhichMourad-BeypresentedtomeinEgypt。Youknowwhichitis？“——“Yes，Sire。“Iwentout，andimmediatelyreturnedwiththismagnificentsword，whichtheEmperorhadwornatthebattleofMountTabor，asIhaveheardmanytimes。IhandedittotheDukeofVicenza，fromwhosehandstheEmperortookit，andpresentedittoMarshalMacdonald；andasIretiredheardtheEmperorspeakingtohimmostaffectionately，andcallinghimhisworthyfriend。
　　Thesegentlemen，accordingtomyrecollection，werepresentattheEmperor'sbreakfast，whereheappearedcalmerandmorecheerfulthanforalongtimepast；andwewereallsurprisedtoseehimconversefamiliarlyandinthemostamiablemannerwithpersonstowhomforsometimepasthehadusuallyaddressedverybriefanddistantremarks。
　　However，thisgayetywasonlymomentary；and，indeed，themannerinwhichtheEmperor'smoodvariedfromonemomenttoanotherduringthewholetimeofourstayatFontainebleauwasperfectlyindescribable。Ihaveseenhimonthesamedayplungedforseveralhoursintothemostterribledepression；then，amomentafter，walkingwithgreatstridesupanddownhisroom，whistlingorhummingLaMonaco；afterwhichhesuddenlyfellintoakindofstupor，seeingnothingaroundhim，andforgettingeventheordershehadgiven。AfactwhichimpressedmeforciblywastheremarkableeffectproducedonhimbylettersaddressedtohimfromParis。
　　Assoonasheperceivedthemhisagitationbecameextreme，——Imightsayconvulsive，withoutfearofbeingtaxedwithexaggeration。
　　InsupportofwhatIhavesaidoftheincrediblepreoccupationoftheEmperor，Iwillmentionanoccurrencewhichcomestomymemory。DuringoursojournatFontainebleautheCountessWalewska，ofwhomIhaveheretoforespoken，came，andhavingsummonedme，toldmehowanxiousshewastoseetheEmperor。ThinkingthatthiswouldbesuretodistracthisMajesty，Imentionedittohimthatveryevening，andreceivedorderstohavehercomeatteno'clock。MadameWalewskawas，asmaywellbebelieved，promptlyonhandattheappointedhour，andIenteredtheEmperor'sroomtoannounceherarrival。Hewaslyingonhisbed，andplungedsodeeplyinmeditationthatitwasonlyonasecondreminderfrommehereplied，“Askhertowait。“ShethenwaitedintheapartmentinfrontofhisMajesty's，andIremainedtokeephercompany。Meanwhilethenightpassedon，andthehoursseemedlongtothebeautifulvisitor；
　　andherdistressthattheEmperordidnotsummonherbecamesoevidentthatItookpityonher，andreenteredtheEmperor'sroomtoremindhimagain。Hewasnotasleep，butwassodeeplyabsorbedinthoughtthathemadenoreply。Atlastdaybegantobreak；andthecountess，fearingtobeseenbythepeopleofthehousehold，withdrewindespairatnothavingbiddenadieutotheobjectofheraffections；andshehadbeengonemorethananhourwhentheEmperorrememberedthatshewaswaiting，andaskedforher。ItoldhisMajestyhowitwas，anddidnotconcealthestateofdespairinwhichthecountesstookherdeparture。TheEmperorwasmuchaffected。“Poorwoman，shethinksherselfhumiliated！Constant，Iamreallygrieved。Ifyouseeheragain，tellherso。ButIhavesomanythingsthere！“addedheina，veryenergetictone，strikinghisbrowwithhishand。
　　ThevisitofthisladytoFontainebleaurecallsanotherofalmostthesamekind，buttodescribewhichitisnecessarythatItakeupthethreadofeventsalittlefurtherback——
　　[IhavelearnedsincethattheCountessdeWalewskawentwithhersontovisittheEmperorontheIslandofElba。ThischildresembledhisMajestysogreatlythatthereportwasstartedthattheKingofRomehadvisitedhisfather。MadamedeWalewskaremainedonlyashorttimeattheIslandofElba——CONSTANT。]——
　　AshorttimeafterhismarriagewiththeArchduchessMarieLouise，althoughshewasayoungandbeautifulwoman，andalthoughhereallylovedherdevotedly，theEmperorwasnomorecarefulthaninthetimeoftheEmpressJosephinetoscrupulouslyobserveconjugalfidelity。DuringoneofourstaysatSaint-CloudhetookafancytoMadamoiselleL——，whosemother'ssecondhusbandwasachiefofsquadron。TheseladiesthenstayedatBourg-la-Reine，wheretheywerediscoveredbyM。de——，oneofthemostzealousprotectorsoftheprettywomenwhowerepresentedtohisMajesty，andwhospoketohimofthisyoungperson，thenseventeenyearsold。Shewasabrunetteofordinaryheight，butwithabeautifulfigure，andprettyfeetandhands，herwholepersonfullofgrace，andwasindeedperfectlycharminginallrespects，and，besides，unitedwithmostenticingcoquetryeveryaccomplishment，dancedwithmuchgrace，playedonseveralinstruments，andwasfullofintelligence；infact，shehadreceivedthatkindofshowyeducationwhichformsthemostcharmingmistressesandtheworstwives。TheEmperortoldmeoneday，ateighto'clockintheevening，toseekherathermother's，tobringherandreturnateleveno'clockatlatest。Myvisitcausednosurprise；andI
　　sawthattheseladieshadbeenforewarned，nodoubtbytheirobligingpatron，fortheyawaitedmewithanimpatiencetheydidnotseektoconceal。Theyoungpersonwasdazzlingwithornamentsandbeauty，andthemotherradiantwithjoyattheideaofthehonordestinedforherdaughter。IsawwellthatsheimaginedtheEmperorcouldnotfailtobecaptivatedbysomanycharms，andthathewouldbeseizedwithagreatpassion；butallthiswasonlyadream，fortheEmperorwasamorousonlywhenallthingssuited。However，wearrivedatSaint-Cloudateleveno'clock，andenteredthechateaubytheorangery，forfearofindiscreeteyes。AsIhadapass-keytoallthegatesofthechateau，IconductedherintotheEmperor'sapartmentswithoutbeingseenbyanyone，wheresheremainedaboutthreehours。AttheendofthistimeIescortedhertoherhome，takingthesameprecautionsonleavingthechateau。
　　Thisyoungperson，whomtheEmperorhadsinceseenthreeorfourtimesatmost，alsocametoFontainebleau，accompaniedbyhermother；but，beingunabletoseehisMajesty，thislady，liketheCountessWalewska，determinedtomakethevoyagetotheIslandofElba，whereitissaidtheEmperormarriedMademoiselleL——toacolonelofartillery。
　　WhatIhavejustwrittenhascarriedmebackalmostunconsciouslytohappiertimes。Itisnecessary，however，toreturntothesadstayatFontainebleau；and，afterwhatIhavesaidofthedejectioninwhichtheEmperorlived，itisnotsurprisingthat，overwhelmedbysuchcrushingblows，hismindwasnotdisposedtogallantry。ItseemstomeIcanstillseetheevidencesofthegloomymelancholywhichdevouredhim；andinthemidstofsomanysorrowsthekindnessofheartofthemanseemedtoincreaseinproportiontothesufferingsofthedethronedsovereign。
　　Withwhatamenityhespoketousintheselastdays！Hethenfrequentlydeignedtoquestionmeastowhatwassaidofrecentevents。WithmyusualartlesscandorIrelatedtohimexactlywhatIhadheard；andI
　　rememberthatoneday，havingtoldhimIhadheardmanypersonsremarkthatthecontinuationofthelastwarswhichhadbeensofataltouswasgenerallyattributedtotheDukeofBassano，“TheydopoorMaretgrossinjustice，“saidhe。“Theyaccusehimwrongfully。HehasneverdoneanythingbutexecuteorderswhichIgave。“Then，accordingtohisusualhabit，whenhehadspokentomeamomentoftheseseriousaffairs，headded，“Whatashame！whathumiliation！TothinkthatIshouldhaveinmyverypalaceitselfalotofforeignemissaries！“
　　CHAPTERXXVIII。
　　Afterthe12thofAprilthereremainedwiththeEmperor，ofallthegreatpersonageswhousuallysurroundedhim，onlythegrandmarshalofthepalaceandCountDrouot。ThedestinationreservedfortheEmperor，andthefactthathehadacceptedit，wasnotlongasecretinthepalace。
　　Onthe16thwewitnessedthearrivalofthecommissionersofthealliesdeputedtoaccompanyhisMajestytotheplaceofhisembarkmentfortheIslandofElba。ThesewereCountSchuwaloff，aide-de-campoftheEmperorAlexanderfromRussia；ColonelNeilCampbellfromEngland；GeneralKohlerfromAustria；andfinallyCountofWaldburg-TruchsessforPrussia。
　　AlthoughhisMajestyhadhimselfdemandedthatheshouldbeaccompaniedbythesefourcommissioners，theirpresenceatFontainebleauseemedtomakeamostdisagreeableimpressiononhim。However，eachofthesegentlemenreceivedfromtheEmperoradifferentwelcome；andafterafewwordsthatIheardhisMajestysay，Iwasconvincedonthis，asonmanypreviousoccasions，thatheesteemedtheEnglishfarmorethanallhisotherenemies，andColonelCampbellwas，therefore，welcomedwithmoredistinctionthantheotherministers；whiletheill-humoroftheEmperorventeditselfespeciallyonthecommissioneroftheKingofPrussia，whotooknonoticeofit，andputonthebestpossiblecountenance。
　　WiththeexceptionoftheveryslightapparentchangemadeatFontainebleaubythepresenceofthesegentlemen，noremarkableincident，noneatleastinmyknowledge，cametodisturbthesadandmonotonouslifeoftheEmperorinthepalace。Everythingremainedgloomyandsilentamongtheinhabitantsofthislastimperialresidence；but，nevertheless，theEmperorpersonallyseemedtomemorecalmsincehehadcometoadefiniteconclusionthanatthetimehewaswaveringinpainfulindecision。HespokesometimesinmypresenceoftheEmpressandhisson，butnotasoftenasmighthavebeenexpected。Butonethingwhichstruckmedeeplywas，thatneverasingletimedidaawordescapehislipswhichcouldrecalltheactofdesperationofthenightofthe11th，whichfortunately，aswehaveseen，hadnotthefatalresultswefeared。
　　Whatanight！Whatanight！InmywholelifesinceIhaveneverbeenabletothinkofitwithoutshuddering。
　　Afterthearrivalofthecommissionersofthealliedpowers，theEmperorseemedbydegreestoacclimatehimself，sotospeak，totheirpresence；
　　andthechiefoccupationofthewholehouseholdconsistedofdutiesrelatingtoourpreparationsfordeparture。Oneday，asIwasdressinghisMajesty，hesaidtomesmiling，“Ah，well，myson，prepareyourcart；
　　wewillgoandplantourcabbages。“Alas！Iwasveryfarfromthinking，asIheardthesefamiliarwordsofhisMajesty，thatbyaninconceivableconcurrenceofevents，Ishouldbeforcedtoyieldtoaninexplicablefatality，whichdidnotwillthatinspiteofmyardentdesireIshouldaccompanytheEmperortohisplaceofexile。
　　Theeveningbeforethedayfixedforourdeparturethegrandmarshalofthepalacehadmecalled。Aftergivingmesomeordersrelativetothevoyage，hesaidtomethattheEmperorwishedtoknowwhatwasthesumofmoneyIhadinchargeforhim。Iimmediatelygaveanaccounttothegrandmarshal；andhesawthatthesumtotalwasaboutthreehundredthousandfrancs，includingthegoldinabogwhichBaronFainhadsentme，sincehewouldnotbeonthejourney。ThegrandmarshalsaidhewouldpresenttheaccounttotheEmperor。Anhourafterheagainsummonedme，andsaidthathisMajestythoughthehadonehundredthousandfrancsmore。IrepliedthatIhadinmypossessiononehundredthousandfrancs，whichtheEmperorhadpresentedtome，tellingmetoburyitinmygarden；infact，IrelatedtohimalltheparticularsI
　　havedescribedabove，andbeggedhimtoinquireoftheEmperorifitwastheseonehundredthousandfrancstowhichhisMajestyreferred。CountBertrandpromisedtodothis，andIthenmadethegreatmistakeofnotaddressingmyselfdirectlytotheEmperor。Nothingwouldhavebeeneasierinmyposition；andIhadoftenfoundthatitwasalwaysbetter，whenpossible，togodirectlytohimthantohaverecoursetoanyintermediatepersonwhatever。Itwouldhavebeenmuchbetterformetoactthus，since，iftheEmperorhaddemandedtheonehundredthousandfrancswhichhehadgivenme，which，afterall，washardlypossible，I
　　wasmorethandisposedtorestorethemtohimwithoutamoment'shesitation。MyastonishmentmaybeimaginedwhenthegrandmarshalreportedtomethattheEmperordidnotrememberhavinggivenmethesuminquestion。Iinstantlybecamecrimsonwithanger。What！theEmperorhadallowedittobebelievedbyCountBertrandthatIhadattempted——
　　I，hisfaithfulservant——toappropriateasumwhichhehadgivenmeunderallthecircumstancesIhaverelated！Iwasbesidemyselfatthisthought。Ileftinastateimpossibletobedescribed，assuringthegrandmarshalthatinanhouratmostIwouldrestoretohimthefatalpresentofhisMajesty。
　　WhilerapidlycrossingthecourtofthepalaceImetM。deTurenne，towhomIrelatedallthathadoccurred。“Thatdoesnotastonishme，“hereplied，“andwewillseemanyothersimilarcases。“Apreytoasortofmoralfever，myheaddistracted，myheartoppressed，IsoughtDenis，thewardrobeboy，ofwhomIhavespokenpreviously；Ifoundhimmostfortunately，andhastenedwithhimtomycountryplace；andGodismywitnessthatthelossofthehundredthousandfrancswasnotthecauseofmydistress，andIhardlythoughtofit。Asonthefirstoccasion，wepassedalongthesideofthewoodsinordernottobeseen；andbegantodiguptheearthtofindthemoneywehadplacedthere；andintheeagernesswithwhichIhuntedforthismiserablegold，inordertorestoreittothegrandmarshal，Idugupmorethanwasnecessary。I
　　cannotdescribemydespairwhenIsawthatwehadfoundnothing；I
　　thoughtthatsomeonehadseenandfollowedus，infact，thatIhadbeenrobbed。Thiswasamorecrushingblowtomethanthefirst，andI
　　foresawtheconsequenceswithhorror；whatwouldbesaid，whatwouldbethought，ofme？Wouldmywordbetaken？Thegrandmarshal，alreadyprejudicedbytheinexplicablereplyoftheEmperor，wouldconsidermeapersontotallydevoidofhonor。IwasoverwhelmedbythesefatalthoughtswhenDenissuggestedtomethatwehadnotdugintherightspot，andhadmadeamistakeofsomefeet。Ieagerlyembracedthisrayofhope；webeganagaintodiguptheearthwithmoreeagernessthanever，andIcansaywithoutexaggerationthatmyjoyborderedalmostondeliriumwhenIsawthefirstofthebags。Wedrewoutinsuccessionallthefive；andwiththeassistanceofDenisIcarriedthemtothepalace，andplacedthemwithoutdelayinthehandsofthegrandmarshal，withthekeysoftheEmperor'strunk，andthecasketwhichM。Fainhadcommittedtome。IsaidtohimasIleft，“Monseigneur，begoodenoughtosaytohisMajestythatIwillnotaccompanyhim。“——“Iwilltellhim。“
　　AfterthiscoldandlaconicreplyIimmediatelyleftthepalace，andwassoonafterinRueduCoq-Gris，withM。Clement，abailiff，whoforalongtimehadbeenchargedwithmysmallaffairs，andhadgiventhenecessaryattentiontomyfarmduringthelongabsenceswhichthejourneysandcampaignsoftheEmperornecessitated。ThenIgavefullventtomydespair。IwaschokingwithrageasIrememberedthatmyhonestyhadbeensuspected，——I，whoforfourteenyearshadservedtheEmperorwithadisinterestednesswhichwassoscrupulous，andevencarriedtosuchapointthatmanypersonscalleditsilliness；I，whohadneverdemandedanythingoftheEmperor，eitherformyselformypeople！MybrainreeledasItriedtoexplaintomyselfhowtheEmperor，whoknewallthissowell，couldhaveallowedmetoappeartoathirdpersonasadishonorableman；themoreIthoughtofitthemoreextremebecamemyirritation，andyetitwasnotpossibletofindtheshadowofamotivefortheblowaimedatme。Mydespairwasatitsheight，whenM。Hubert，ordinaryvaletdechambreoftheEmperor，cametotellmethathisMajestywouldgivemeallIwishedifIwouldfollowhim，andthatthreehundredthousandfrancswouldbeimmediatelyhandedme。Inthesecircumstances，Iaskofallhonestmen，whatcouldIdo，andwhatwouldtheyhavedoneinmyplace？IrepliedthatwhenIhadresolvedtoconsecratemywholelifetotheserviceoftheunfortunateEmperor，itwasnotfromviewsofvileinterest；butIwasindespairatthethoughtthatheshouldhavemademeappearbeforeCountBertrandasanimpostorandadishonestman。Ah！
　　howhappywoulditthenhavebeenformehadtheEmperorneverthoughtofgivingmethoseaccursedonehundredthousandfrancs！Theseideastorturedme。Ah！ifIcouldonlyhavetakentwenty-fourhoursforreflection，howeverjustmighthavebeenmyresentment，howgladlywouldIhavesacrificedit！IwouldhavethoughtoftheEmperoralone，andwouldhavefollowedhim；butasadandinexplicablefatalityhadnotdecreedthis。
　　Thistookplaceonthe19thofApril，themostmiserabledayofmylife。
　　Whatanevening，whatanightIpassed！WhatwasmygriefonlearningthenextdaythattheEmperorhaddepartedatnoon，aftermakinghisadieuxtohisguard！WhenIawokethatmorning，allmyresentmenthadbeenappeasedinthinkingoftheEmperor。TwentytimesIwishedtoreturntothepalace；twentytimesafterhisdepartureIwishedtotakeposthorsesandovertakehim；butIwasdeterredbytheofferhehadmademethroughM。Hubert。“Perhaps，“Ithought，“hewillthinkitisthemoneywhichinfluencesme；thiswill，doubtless，besaidbythosearoundhim；andwhatanopinionhewillhaveofme！“InthiscruelperplexityI
　　didnotdaretodecide。Isufferedallthatitispossibleforamantosuffer；and，attimes，thatwhichwasonlytootrueseemedlikeadreamtome，soimpossiblediditseemthatIcouldbewheretheEmperorwasnot。Everythinginthisterriblesituationcontributedtoaggravatemydistress。IknewtheEmperorwellenoughtobeawarethatevenhadI
　　returnedtohimthen，hewouldneverhaveforgottenthatIhadwishedtoleavehim；IfeltthatIhadnotthestrengthtobearthisreproachfromhislips。Ontheotherside，thephysicalsufferingcausedbymydiseasehadgreatlyincreased，andIwascompelledtoremaininbedalongwhile。
　　Icould，indeed，havetriumphedoverthesephysicalsufferingshowevercrueltheymighthavebeen，butinthefrightfulcomplicationsofmypositionIwasreducedtoaconditionofidiocy；Isawnothingofwhatwasaroundme；Iheardnothingofwhatwassaid；andafterthisstatementthereaderwillsurelynotexpectthatIshallhaveanythingtosayaboutthefarewelloftheEmperortohisoldandfaithfulguard，anaccountofwhich，moreover，hasbeenoftenenoughpublishedforthefactstobewellknownconcerningthisevent，which，besides，tookplaceinpublic。HeremyMemoirsmightwellclose；butthereader，Iwellbelieve，cannotrefusemehisattentionafewmomentslonger，thatImayrecallsomefactswhichIhavearighttoexplain，andtorelatesomeincidentsconcerningthereturnfromtheIslandofElba。I，therefore，nowcontinuemyremarksonthefirstoftheseheads，andthesecondwillbethesubjectofthenextchapter。
　　TheEmperorhadthenalreadystarted；andasformyself，shutupalone，mycountryhousebecamehenceforthasadresidencetome。Iheldnocommunicationwithanyonewhatever，readnonews，andsoughttolearnnone。AttheendofashorttimeIreceivedavisitfromoneofmyfriendsfromParis，whosaidtomethatthejournalsspokeofmyconductwithoutunderstandingit，andthattheycondemneditseverely。HeaddedthatitwasM。deTurennewhohadsenttotheeditorsthenoteinwhichIhadbeensoheavilycensured。ImustsaythatIdidnotbelievethis；
　　IknewM。deTurennetoowelltothinkhimcapableofaproceedingsodishonorable，inasmuchasIhadfranklyexplainedeverythingtohim，whenhemadetheanswerIgaveabove。Buthowevertheevilcame，itwasneverthelessdone；andbytheincrediblecomplicationsofmypositionI
　　foundmyselfcompelledtokeepsilence。Nothingcertainlywouldhavebeeneasierthantorepelthecalumnybyanexactrehearsalofthefacts；
　　butshouldIjustifymyselfinthismannerby，sotospeak，accusingtheEmperoratamomentespeciallywhentheEmperor'senemiesmanifestedmuchbitterness？WhenIsawsuchagreatmanmadeamarkfortheshaftsofcalumny，I，whowassocontemptibleandinsignificantamongthecrowd，couldsurelyallowafewoftheseenvenomedshaftstofallonme。To-daythetimehascometotellthetruth，andIhavedonesowithoutrestriction；nottoexcusemyself，foronthecontraryIblamemyselffornothavingcompletelysacrificedmyself，andfornothavingaccompaniedtheEmperortotheIslandofElbaregardlessofwhatmighthavebeensaid。Nevertheless，Imaybeallowedtosayinmyowndefense，thatinthiscombinationofphysicalandmentalsufferingswhichoverwhelmedmeallatonce，apersonmustbeverysureofinfallibilityhimselftocondemncompletelythissensitivenesssonaturalinamanofhonorwhenaccusedofafraudulenttransaction。This，then，Isaidtomyself，istherecompenseforallmycare，fortheenduranceofsomuchsuffering，forunboundeddevotion，andarefinementoffeelingforwhichtheEmperorhadoftenpraisedme，andforwhichherenderedmejusticelater，aswillbeseenwhenIshallhaveoccasiontospeakofcertaincircumstancesoccurringaboutthe20thofMarchofthefollowingyear。
　　Butgratuitously，andevenmalevolently，interestedmotiveshavebeenattributedtomeforthedecisionImadetoleavetheEmperor。Thesimplestcommon-sense，onthecontrary，wouldsufficetoseethat，hadI
　　allowedmyselftobeguidedbymyinterests，everythingwouldhaveinfluencedmetoaccompanyhisMajesty。Infact，thechagrinwhichtheincidentIhavementionedcausedme，andthemannerinwhichIwascompletelyoverwhelmedbyit，haveinjuredmyfortunemorethananydeterminationtofollowtheEmperorcouldpossiblyhavedone。WhatcouldIhopeforinFrance，whereIhadnorighttoanything？Isitnot，besides，veryevidenttowhoeverwouldrecallmyposition，whichwasoneofconfidenceneartheEmperor，that，ifIhadbeenactuatedbyaloveofmoney，thispositionwouldhavegivenmeanopportunitytoreapanabundantharvestwithoutinjuringmyreputation；butmydisinterestednesswassowellknownthat，whatevermaybesaidtothecontrary，IcanassertthatduringthewholetimemyfavorwiththeEmperorcontinued，I
　　onnooccasionusedittorenderanyotherbutunselfishservices，andoftenIrefusedtosupportademandforthesolereasonthatthepetitionhadbeenaccompaniedbyoffersofmoney，whichwereoftenofveryconsiderableamount。Allowmetociteoneexampleamongmanyothersofthesamenature。Ireceivedonedayanofferofthesumoffourhundredthousandfrancs，whichwasmademebyaladyofaverynoblefamily，ifI
　　wouldinfluencetheEmperortoconsiderfavorablyapetitioninwhichsheclaimedindemnityforapieceofpropertybelongingtoher，onwhichtheportofBayonnehadbeenconstructed。Ihadsucceededinobtainingfavorableanswerstoapplicationsmoredifficultthanthis，butIrefusedtoagreetosupportherpetitionsolelyonaccountoftheofferwhichhadbeenmadetome；Iwouldhavebeengladtoobligethislady，butonlyforthepleasureofbeingobliging，anditwasforthisreasonaloneI
　　allowedmyselftosolicitoftheEmperorthepardonswhichhenearlyalwaysgranted。NeithercanitbesaidthatIeverdemandedoftheEmperorlicensesforlotterydrawings，oranythingelseofthiskind，inwhich，asiswellknown，ascandalouscommerceisoftenmade，andwhich，nodoubt，ifIhaddemandedthemoftheEmperorhewouldhavereadilygranted。
　　TheconfidenceinmewhichtheEmperorhadalwaysshownwassuchthatevenatFontainebleau，whenithadbeendecidedthatnoneoftheordinaryvaletsdechambreweretoaccompanyhimtotheIslandofElba，theEmperorlefttomychoicetheselectionofayoungmantoassistmeinmyduties。Iselectedaboyoftheapartments，whoseuprightcharacterwaswellknowntome，andwhowas，moreover，thesonofMadameMarchand，theheadnurseoftheKingofRome。IspokeofhimtotheEmperor，whoacceptedhim；andIwentimmediatelytoinformM。Marchand，whoreceivedthepositionmostgratefully，andprovedtome，byhisthanks，howdelightedhewouldbetoaccompanyus。Isayus，foratthismomentI
　　wasveryfarfromforeseeingthesuccessionoffataleventswhichIhavefaithfullynarrated；anditmaybeseenafterwards，fromthemannerinwhichM。MarchandexpressedhimselfconcerningmeattheTuileriesduringtheHundredDays，thatIhadnotbestowedmyconfidenceunworthily。
　　CHAPTERXXIX。
　　IbecameastrangertoalltheworldafterthedepartureoftheEmperorfortheIslandofElba，and，filledwithadeepsenseofgratitudeforthekindnesswithwhichhisMajestyhadoverwhelmedmeduringthefourteenyearsIhadpassedinhisservice，thoughtincessantlyofthisgreatman，andtookpleasureinrenewinginmemoryalltheevents，eventhemosttrivial，ofmylifewithhim。Ithoughtitbestsuitedmyformerpositiontoliveinretirement，andpassedmytimemosttranquillyinthebosomofmyfamilyinthecountry-housebelongingtome。Atthesametimeafatalideapreoccupiedmymindinvoluntarily；forIfearedthatpersonswhowerejealousofmyformerfavormightsucceedindeceivingtheEmperorastomyunalterabledevotiontohisperson，andstrengtheninhismindthefalseopinionthattheyhadforatimesucceededingivinghimofme。Thisopinion，althoughmyconsciencetoldmethatitwasunjust，wasnotthelesspainfultome；but，aswillsoonbeseen，Iwasfortunateenoughtoobtainthecertaintythatmyfearsinthisrespectwerewithoutfoundation。
　　Althoughanentirestrangertopolitics，IhadreadwithdeepinterestthenewspapersIreceivedinmyretreat，sincethegreatpoliticalchangetowhichthenameoftheRestorationwasgiven；anditseemedtometoneedonlythesimplestcommon-sensetoseethemarkeddifferencewhichexistedbetweenthegovernmentwhichhadbeenoverthrownandthenew。InalldepartmentsIsawasuccessionoftitledmentaketheplacesofthelonglistofdistinguishedmenwhohadgivenundertheEmpiresomanyproofsofmeritandcourage；butIwasfarfromthinking，notwithstandingthelargenumberofdiscontented，thatthefortunesoftheEmperorandthewishesofthearmywouldeverrestorehimtothatthronewhichhehadvoluntarilyabdicatedinorderthathemightnotbethecauseofacivilwarinDance。Therefore，itwouldbeimpossibletodescribemyastonishment，andthemultiplicityofvariedfeelingswhichagitatedme，whenIreceivedthefirstnewsofthelandingoftheEmperoronthecoastofProvence。Ireadwithenthusiasmtheadmirableproclamationinwhichheannouncedthathiseagleswouldflyfromsteepletosteeple，andthathehimselfwouldfollowsocloselyinhistriumphalmarchfromtheBayofJuantoParis。
　　HereImustmakeaconfession，whichis，thatonlysinceIhadlefttheEmperor，hadIfullycomprehendedtheimmensityofhisgreatness。
　　AttachedtohisservicealmostfromthebeginningoftheConsulate，atatimewhenIwasstillveryyoung，hehadgrown，sotospeak，withoutmyhavingperceivedit，andIhadaboveallseeninhim，fromthenatureofmyduties，theexcellentmasterratherthanthegreatman；consequently，inthisinstancetheeffectsofdistancewereverydifferentfromwhatitusuallyproduces。ItwaswithdifficultyIcouldrealize，andIamoftenastonishedto-dayinrecallingthefrankcandorwithwhichIhaddaredtodefendtotheEmperorwhatIknewtobethetruth；hiskindness，however，seemedtoencouragemeinthis，foroften，insteadofbecomingirritatedbymyvehemence，hesaidtomegently，withabenevolentsmile，“Come，come！M。Constant，don'texciteyourself。“Adorablekindnessinamanofsuchelevatedrank！Ah，wellIthiswastheonlyimpressionitmadeonmeintheprivacyofhischamber，butsincethenIhavelearnedtoestimateitatitstruevalue。
　　OnlearningthattheEmperorwastoberestoredtous，myfirstimpulsewastorepairatoncetothepalace，thatImightbethereonhisarrival；butmorematurereflectionandtheadviceofmyfamilymademerealizethatitwouldbemoresuitableformetoawaithisorders，incasehewishedtorecallmetomyformerservice。Icongratulatedmyselfondecidingtotakethelattercourse，sinceIhadthehappinesstolearnthathisMajestyhadbeenkindenoughtoexpresshisapprovalofmyformerconduct。Ilearnedfrommostreliableauthority，thathehadhardlyarrivedattheTuileries，whenhecondescendedtoinquireofM。
　　Eible，thenconciergeofthepalace，“Well，whatisConstantdoing？Howishesucceeding？Whereishe？“——“Sire，heisathiscountry-place，whichhehasnotleft。“——“Ah，verygood。Heishappyraisinghiscabbages。“Ilearnedalsothat，duringthefirstdaysoftheEmperor'sreturn，hisMajestyhadbeeninvestigatingthelistofpensions，andhadbeengoodenoughtomakeanotethatmineshouldbeincreased。Finally，Iexperiencedanintensesatisfactionofanotherkind，nodoubt，butnonethelesssincereinthecertaintyofnotbeingconsideredaningrate。
　　IhavestatedthatIhadbeenfortunateenoughtoprocureapositionforM。MarchandwiththeEmperor；andthisiswhatwasrelatedtomebyaneye-witness。M。Marchand，inthebeginningoftheHundredDays，happenedtobeinoneofthesaloonsofthepalaceoftheTuileries，whereseveralpersonswereassembled，andsomeofthemwereexpressingthemselvesmostunkindlyinregardtome。MysuccessorwiththeEmperorinterruptedthembrusquely，sayingthattherewasnotawordoftruthinthecalumnieswhichwereassertedofme；andaddedthat，whileIheldtheposition，I
　　haduniformlybeenmostobligingtoallpersonsofthehouseholdwhohadaddressedthemselvestome，andhaddonenoinjurytoanyone。InthisrespectIcanaffirmthatM。Marchandtoldonlythetruth；butIwasnonethelessdeeplygratefultohimforsohonorablydefendingme，especiallyinmyabsence。
　　NotbeinginParisonthe20thofMarch，1815，aswehavejustseen，I
　　couldhavenothingtosayofthecircumstancesofthismemorableepoch，hadInotcollectedfromsomeofmyfriendsparticularsofwhatoccurredonthenightfollowingthere-entranceoftheEmperorintothepalace，onceagainbecomeImperial；anditmaybeimaginedhoweagerIwastoknoweverythingrelatingtothegreatmanwhomweregardedatthismomentasthesaviorofFrance。
　　Iwillbeginbyrepeatingexactlytheaccountwhichwasgivenmebyoneofmyfriends，abraveandexcellentman，atthattimesergeantintheNationalGuardofParis，whohappenedtobeondutyattheTuileriesexactlyonthe20thofMarch。“Atnoon，“hesaid，“threecompaniesofNationalGuardsenteredthecourtoftheTuileries，tooccupyalltheinteriorandexteriorpostsofthepalace。Ibelongedtooneofthesecompanies，whichformedapartofthefourthlegion。MycomradesandI
　　werestruckwiththeinexpressiblesadnessproducedbythesightofanabandonedpalace。Everything，infact，wasdeserted。Onlyafewmenwereseenhereandthereintheliveryoftheking，occupiedintakingdownandremovingportraitsofthevariousmembersoftheBourbonfamily。
　　Outsidecouldbeheardtheclamorousshoutsofafranticmob，whoclimbedonthegates，triedtoscalethem，andpressedagainstthemwithsuchforcethatatlasttheybentinseveralplacessofarthatitwasfearedtheywouldbethrowndown。Thismultitudeofpeoplepresentedafrightfulspectacle，andseemedasifdeterminedtopillagethepalace。
　　“Hardlyaquarterofanhourafterweenteredtheinteriorcourtanaccidentoccurredwhich，thoughnotseriousinitself，threwconsternationintoourranks，aswellasamongthosewhowerepressingagainstthegratingoftheCarrousel。WesawflamesissuingfromthechimneyoftheKing'sapartments，whichhadbeenaccidentallysetonfirebyaquantityofpaperswhichhadjustbeenburnedtherein。Thisaccidentgaverisetomostsinisterconjectures，andsoontherumorspreadthattheTuilerieshadbeenunderminedreadyforanexplosionbeforethedepartureofLouisXVIII。ApatrolwasimmediatelyformedoffifteenmenoftheNationalGuard，commandedbyasergeant；theyexploredthechateaumostthoroughly，visitedeachapartment，descendedintothecellars，andassuredthemselvesthattherewasnowheretheslightestindicationofdanger。
　　“Reassuredonthispoint，wewereneverthelessnotwithoutanxiety。Inreturningtoourpostswehadheardnumerousgroupsshouting，'ViveleRoi！ViventlesBourbons！'andwesoonhadproofsoftheexasperationandfuryofapartofthepeopleagainstNapoleon；forwewitnessedthearrivalinourmidst，inamostpitiablecondition，ofasuperiorofficerwhohadimprudentlydonnedtoosoonthetricoloredcockade，andconsequentlyhadbeenpursuedbythemobfromtheRueSaint-Denis。Wetookhimunderourprotection，andmadehimentertheinteriorofthepalace，ashewasalmostexhausted。Atthismomentwereceivedorderstoforcethepeopletowithdraw，astheyhadbecomestillmoredeterminedtoscalethegates；andinordertoaccomplishthiswewerecompelledtohaverecoursetoarms。
　　WehadoccupiedthepostattheTuileriesanhouratmostwhenGeneralExcelmans，whohadreceivedthechiefcommandoftheguardatthechateau，gaveorderstoraisethetricoloredbanneroverthemiddlepavilion。
　　“Thereappearanceofthenationalcolorsexcitedamongusallemotionsofthemostintensesatisfaction；andimmediatelythepopulacesubstitutedthecryof'Vivel'Empereur'forthatof'ViveleRoi，'andnothingelsewasheardthewholeday。Asforus，whenwewereorderedtodonthetricoloredcockadeitwasaveryeasyperformance，asalargenumberoftheguardhadpreservedtheiroldones，whichtheyhadsimplycoveredwithapieceofwhitecambric。Wewereorderedtostackarmsinfrontofthearchoftriumph，andnothingextraordinaryoccurreduntilsixo'clock；thenlightsbegantoshineontheexpectedrouteoftheEmperor，andalargenumberofofficersonhalfpaycollectednearthepavilionofFlora；andIlearnedfromoneofthem，M。Saunier，adecoratedofficer，thatitwasonthatsidetheEmperorwouldre-enterthepalaceoftheTuileries。Irepairedthereinallhaste；andasIwashurryingtoplacemyselfonhisroute，Iwassofortunateastomeetacommandingofficer，whoassignedmetodutyattheverydoorofNapoleon'sapartment，andtothiscircumstanceIowethefactthatIwitnessedwhatnowremainstoberelated。
　　“Ihadforsometimeremainedinexpectation，andinalmostperfectsolitude，when，atfifteenminutesbeforenine，anextraordinarynoisethatIheardoutsideannouncedtometheEmperor'sarrival；andafewmomentsafterIsawhimappear，amidstcriesofenthusiasm，borneonthearmsoftheofficerswhohadescortedhimfromtheislandofElba。TheEmperorbeggedthemearnestlytolethimwalk；buthisentreatieswereuseless，andtheyborehimthustotheverydoorofhisapartment，wheretheydepositedhimnearme。IhadnotseentheEmperorsincethedayofhisfarewelltotheNationalGuardinthegreatcourtofthepalace；andinspiteofthegreatagitationintowhichIwasthrownbyallthiscommotion，Icouldnothelpnoticinghowmuchstouterhehadbecome。
　　“TheEmperorhadhardlyenteredhisapartmentsthanIwasassignedtodutyintheinterior。MarshalBertrand，whohadjustreplacedGeneralExcelmansinthecommandoftheTuileries，gavemeanordertoallownoonetoenterwithoutinforminghim，andtogivehimthenamesofallwhorequestedtoseetheEmperor。OneofthefirsttopresenthimselfwasCambaceres，whoappearedtomeevenmorepallidthanusual。AshorttimeaftercamethefatherofGeneralBertrand；andasthisvenerableoldmanattemptedtopayhisrespectsfirsttotheEmperor，Napoleonsaidtohim，'No，monsieur！naturefirst；'andinsayingthis，withamovementasquickashiswords，theEmperor，sotospeak，threwhimintothearmsofhisson。NextcameQueenHortense，accompaniedbyhertwochildren；
　　then，CountRegnaultdeSaint-Jeand'Angely，andmanyotherpersonswhosenameshaveescapedme。IdidnotseeagainthoseIannouncedtoMarshalBertrand，astheyallwentoutbyanotherdoor。Icontinuedthisdutytilleleveno'clockintheevening，atwhichtimeIwasrelievedofmyduties，andwasinvitedtosupperatanimmensetableofaboutthreehundredcovers。Allthepersonspresentedatthepalacetooktheirplacesatthistable，oneaftertheother。ItheresawtheDukeofVicenza，andfoundmyselfplacedoppositeGeneralExcelmans。TheEmperorsuppedaloneinhisroomwithMarshalBertrand，andtheirsupperwasbynomeanssosplendidasours，foritconsistedonlyofaroastchickenandadishoflentils；andyetIlearnedfromanofficerwhofadattendedhimconstantlysinceheleftFontainebleau，thathisMajestyhadeatennothingsincemorning。TheEmperorwasexceedinglyfatigued；Ihadopportunitytomarkthiseachtimehisdoorwasopened。Hewasseatedonachairinfrontofthefire，withhisfeetonthemantelpiece。
　　“AsweallremainedattheTuileries，wordwassentusaboutoneo'clockthattheEmperorhadjustretired，andthatincaseanysoldiersshouldarriveduringthenightwhohadaccompaniedhim，hehadgivenordersthattheyshouldbeondutyatthepalaceconjointlywiththeNationalGuard。
　　Thepoorcreatureswerehardlyinaconditiontoobeysuchanorder。Attwoo'clockinthemorningwesawtwoofthemarriveinamostpitiablecondition；theywereperfectlyemaciated，andtheirfeetblistered。Allthattheycoulddowastothrowthemselvesontheirbags，onwhichtheyfellsoundasleep；andtheydidnotevenawakewhilethedutyofbandagingtheirfeetwasattendedtointheroomwhichtheyhadreachedwithsomuchdifficulty。Allwereeagertolavisheveryattentiononthem；andIadmitthatIhavealwaysregrettednothavinginquiredthenamesofthesetwobravegrenadiers，whoinspiredinallofusaninterestIcannotdescribe。
　　“Afterretiringatoneo'clock，theEmperorwasonhisfeetatfiveo'clockinthemorning；andtheorderwasimmediatelygiventothesoldiersonhalfpaytoholdthemselvesreadyforareview，andatbreakofdaytheywererangedinthreeranks。AtthismomentIwasdeputedtowatchoveranofficerwhowaspointedoutassuspicious，andwho，itwassaid，hadcomefromSaint-Denis。ThiswasM。deSaint-Chamans。Attheendofaquarterofanhourofarrest，whichhadnothingdisagreeableinit，hewassimplyaskedtoleave。Meanwhile，theEmperorhaddescendedfromthepalace，andpassedthroughtheranksofthesoldiersonhalfpay，speakingtoeachone，takingmanyofthembythehand，andsayingtothem，“Myfriends，Ineedyourservices；Irelyonyouasyoumayrelyonme。“MagicwordsonthelipsofNapoleon，andwhichdrewtearsofemotionfromallthosebravesoldierswhoseserviceshadbeenignoredforayear。
　　“FromthemorningthecrowdincreasedrapidlyonalltheapproachestotheTuileries，andamassofpeopleasseriabledunderthewindowsofthechateau，demandingwithloudshoutstoseeNapoleon。MarshalBertrandhavinginformedhimofthis，theEmperorshowedhimselfatthewindow，wherehewassalutedbytheshoutswhichhispresencehadsooftenexcited。Aftershowinghimselftothepeople，theEmperorhimselfpresentedtothemMarshalBertrand，hisarmrestingonthemarshal'sshoulder，whomhepressedtohisheartwithdemonstrationsoftheliveliestaffection。Duringthisscene，whichdeeplyaffectedallthewitnesses，whocheeredwithalltheirmight，officers，standingbehindtheEmperorandhisfriend，heldabovetheirheadsbannerssurmountedbytheireagles，ofwhichtheyformedakindofnationalcanopy。Ateleveno'clocktheEmperormountedhishorse，andreviewedthevariousregimentswhichwerearrivingfromeverydirection，andtheheroesoftheislandofElbawhohadreturnedtotheTuileriesduringthenight。Allseemeddeeplyimpressedwiththeappearanceofthesebravemen，whomthesunofItalyhadtanned，andwhohadtravelednearlytwohundredleaguesintwentydays。“
　　Thesearethecuriousdetailswhichweregiventomebyafriend；andI
　　canguaranteethetruthofhisrecitalthesameasifImyselfhadbeenaneye-witnessofallthatoccurredduringthememorablenightofthe20thand21stMarch，1815。Continuinginmyretreatduringthehundreddays，andlongafter，IhavenothingtosaywhichalltheworldwouldnotknowaswellasIconcerningthisimportantepochinthelifeoftheEmperor。Ihaveshedmanytearsoverhissufferingsatthetimeofhissecondabdication，andthetorturesinflictedonhimatSt。HelenabythemiserableHudsonLowe，whoseinfamywillgodownthroughtheagessidebysidewiththegloryoftheEmperor。IwillsimplycontentmyselfbyaddingtotheprecedingacertaindocumentwhichwasconfidedtomebytheformerQueenofWestphalia，andsayingawordinconclusionastothedestinationIthoughtbesttogivetothefirstcrossoftheLegionofHonorwhichtheFirstConsulhadworn。
　　PrincessCatharineofWurtemberg，thewife，ofPrinceJerome，is，asiswellknown，awomanofgreatbeauty，giftedatthesametimewithmoresolidqualities，whichtimeincreasesinsteadofdiminishing。Shejoins，tomuchnaturalintelligence，ahighlycultivatedmind，acharactertrulyworthyofasister-in-lawoftheEmperor，andcarrieseventoenthusiasmherloveofduty。Eventsdidnotallowhertobecomeagreatqueen，buttheyhavenotpreventedherremaininganaccomplishedwife。Hersentimentsarenobleandelevated；butsheshowshaughtinesstonone，andallwhosurroundhertakepleasureinboastingofthecharmsofherkindnesstowardsherhousehold，andshepossessesthehappiestgiftofnature，whichconsistsinmakingherselfbelovedbyeveryone。PrinceJeromeisnotwithoutacertaingrandeurofmannerandformalgenerosity，whichhelearnedwhileonthethroneofCassel，butheisgenerallyveryhaughty。AlthoughinconsequenceofthegreatchangeswhichhavetakenplaceinEuropesincethefalloftheEmperor，PrinceJeromeowesthecomfortablemaintenancewhichhestillenjoystotheloveoftheprincess，shedoesnotanythelessshowatrulyexemplarysubmissiontohiswill。PrincessCatharineoccupiesherselfalmostexclusivelywithherthreechildren，twoboysandonegirl，allofwhomareverybeautiful。TheeldestwasborninthemonthofAugust，1814。Herdaughter，thePrincessMathilde，oweshersuperioreducationtothecarehermotherexercisedoverit；sheispretty，butlesssothanherbrothers，whoallhavetheirmother'sfeatures。
　　Afterthedescription，whichisnotatallflattered，whichIhavejustgivenofPrincessCatharine，itmayseemsurprisingthat，providedassheiswithsomanysolidqualities，shehasneverbeenabletoconqueraninexplicableweaknessregardingpettysuperstitions。Thus，forinstance，sheisextremelyafraidtoseatherselfatatablewheretherearethirteenguests。IwillrelateananecdoteofwhichIcanguaranteetheauthenticity，andwhich，perhaps，mayfostertheweaknessofpersonssubjecttothesamesuperstitionsasthePrincessofWurtemberg。OnedayatFlorence，beingpresentatafamilydinner，sheperceivedthattherewereexactlythirteenplates，suddenlygrewpale，andobstinatelyrefusedtotakeherseat。PrincessElizaBacciochiridiculedhersister-in-law，shruggedhershoulders，andsaidtoher，smiling，“Thereisnodanger，thereareintruthfourteen，sinceIamenceinte。“PrincessCatharineyielded，butwithextremerepugnance。Ashorttimeaftershehadtoputonmourningforhersister-in-law；andthedeathofthePrincessEliza，asmaywellbebelieved，contributednolittletorenderhermoresuperstitiousthaneverastothenumberthirteen。Well！letstrongmindsboastthemselvesastheymay；butIcanconsoletheweak，asIdaretoaffirmthat，iftheEmperorhadwitnessedsuchanoccurrenceinhisownfamily，aninstinctstrongerthananyotherconsideration，strongereventhanhisall-powerfulreason，wouldhavecausedhimsomemomentsofvagueanxiety。
　　Now，itonlyremainsformetorenderanaccountofthebestowalImadeofthefirstcrossofhonortheFirstConsulwore。Thereaderneednotbealarmed；Ididnotmakeabaduseofit；itisonthebreastofabravesoldierofouroldarmy。In1817ImadetheacquaintanceofM。
　　Godeau，aformercaptainintheImperialGuard。HehadbeenseverelywoundedatLeipzigbyacannon-ball，whichbrokehisknee。IfoundinhimanadmirationfortheEmperorsointenseandsosincere，heurgedmesoearnestlytogivehimsomething，whateveritmightbe，whichhadbelongedtohisMajesty，thatImadehimapresentofthecrossofhonorofwhichIhavespoken，ashehadlongagobeendecoratedwiththatorder。Thiscrossis，Imightsay，ahistoricalmemento，beingthefirst，asIhavestated，whichhisMajestywore。Itisofsilver，mediumsize，andisnotsurmountedwiththeimperialcrown。TheEmperorworeitayear；itdecoratedhisbreastforthelasttimethedayofthebattleofAusterlitz。Fromthatday，infact，hisMajestyworeanofficer'scrossofgoldwiththecrown，andnolongerworethecrossofasimplememberofthelegion。
　　Heremysouvenirswouldendif，inre-readingthefirstvolumesofmymemoirs，thefactsIhavethererelatedhadnotrecalledtomesomeotherswhichmaybeofinterest。Withtheimpossibilityofpresentingthemintheproperorderandconnection，Ihavedecided，inorderthatthereadermaynotbedeprivedofthem，toofferthemasdetachedanecdotes，whichIhaveendeavoredtoclassasfaraspossible，accordingtotheorderoftime。
　　CHAPTERXXX。
　　ANECDOTESANDINCIDENTS。
　　AsIhaveoften-hadoccasiontoremark，theEmperor'stasteswereextremelysimpleineverythingrelatingtohisperson；moreover，hemanifestedadecidedaversiontotheusagesoffashion；hedidnotlike，sotospeak，toturnnightintoday，aswasdoneinthemostofthebrilliantcirclesofsocietyinParisundertheConsulate，andatthecommencementoftheEmpire。Unfortunately，theEmpressJosephinedidnotholdthesameviews，andbeingasubmissiveslaveoffashion，likedtoprolonghereveningsaftertheEmperorhadretired。
　　Shehadthehabitofthencollectingaroundherhermostintimateladiesandafewfriends，andgivingthemtea。Gamingwasentirelyprecludedfromthesenocturnalreunions，ofwhichconversationwastheonlycharm。
　　ThisconversationofthehighestcirclesofsocietywasamostagreeablerelaxationtotheEmpress；andthisselectcircleassembledfrequentlywithouttheEmperorbeingawareofit，andwas，infact，averyinnocententertainment。Nevertheless，someobligingpersonwassoindiscreetastomaketheEmperorareportconcerningtheseassemblies，containingmatterswhichrousedhisdispleasure。HeexpressedhisdissatisfactiontotheEmpressJosephine，andfromthattimesheretiredatthesametimeastheEmperor。
　　Theseteaswerethenabandoned，andallpersonsattachedtotheserviceoftheEmperorreceivedordersnottositupaftertheEmperorretired。
　　AswellasIremember，thisishowIheardhisMajestyexpresshimselfontheoccasion。“Whenthemastersareasleep，thevaletsshouldretiretobed；andwhenthemastersareawake，thevaletsshouldbeontheirfeet。“
　　Thesewordsproducedtheintendedeffect；andthatveryevening，assoonastheEmperorwasinbed，allatthepalaceretired，andathalf-pastelevennoonewasawakebutthesentinels。
　　Bydegrees，asalwaysoccurs，thestrictobservanceoftheEmperor'sorderswasgraduallyrelaxed，stillwithouttheEmpressdaringtoresumehernocturnalgatherings。ThewordsofhisMajestywerenotforgotten，however，andwerewellrememberedbyM。Colas，conciergeofthepavilionofFlora。
　　Onemorningaboutfouro'clock，M。Colasheardanunaccustomednoise，andacontinuedmovementintheinteriorofthepalace，andsupposedfromthisthattheEmperorwasawake，inwhichhewasnotmistaken。Hedressedinallhaste，andhadbeentenminutesathispostwhentheEmperor，descendingthestaircasewithMarshalDuroc，perceivedhim。
　　HisMajestyusuallytookpleasureinshowingthatheremarkedexactnessinfulfillinghisorders；thereforehestoppedamoment，andsaidtoM。
　　Colas，“Ah！alreadyawake，Colas？“——“Yes，Sire；Ihavenotforgottenthatvaletsshouldbeonfootwhenthemastersareawake。“——“Youhaveagoodmemory，Colas；anexcellentthing。“
　　Allthiswasverywell，andthedaybeganforM。Colasundermostfavorableauspices；butintheeveningthemedalofthemorningwasobligedtoshowtheoppositeside。TheEmperorwentthatmorningtovisittheworksonthecanaloftheOurcq。Hewasapparentlymuchdissatisfied；forhereturnedtothepalaceinsuchevidentillhumor，thatM。Colas，perceivingit，letthesewordsescapehislips，“Ilyadel'oignon。“Althoughhespokeinalowtone，theEmperorheardhim，andturningabruptlytohim，repeatedangrily，“Yes，Monsieur，youarenotmistaken；ilyadel'oignon。“Hethenrapidlyremountedthestaircase，whiletheconcierge，fearinghehadsaidtoomuch，approachedthegrandmarshal，begginghimtoexcusehimtohisMajesty；butheneverhadanideaofpunishinghimforthelibertyhehadtaken，andtheexpressionwhichhadescapedhislipsonewouldhardlyexpecttofindintheimperialvocabulary。
　　ThecomingofthePopetoParisforthepurposeofcrowningtheEmperorisoneofthoseeventswhichsufficetomarkthegrandeurofaperiod。
　　TheEmperorneverspokeofitexceptwithextremesatisfaction，andhewishedhisHolinesstobereceivedwithallthemagnificencewhichshouldattendthefounderofagreatempire。WiththisintentionhisMajestygaveordersthat，withoutanycomment，everythingshouldbefurnishednotonlythatthePope，butalsoallthatthepersonsofhissuite，mightdemand。Alas！itwasnotbyhisownpersonalexpensesthattheHolyFatherassistedtodepletetheimperialtreasuryPiusVII。drankonlywater，andhissobrietywastrulyapostolic；butthiswasnotthecasewiththeabbesattachedtohisservice，forthesegentlemeneachdayrequiredfivebottlesofChambertinwine，withoutcountingthoseofotherkindsandmostexpensiveliquors。
　　Thisrecallsanotheroccurrence，which，however，relatesonlyindirectlytothePope'sstayinParis。ItisknownthatDavidwasorderedbytheEmperortoexecutethepictureofthecoronation，aworkwhichofferedanincrediblenumberofalmostinsurmountabledifficulties，andwhichwas，infact，oneofthemasterpiecesofthegreatpainter。
　　Atallevents，thepreparationofthispicturegaverisetocontroversiesinwhichtheEmperorwascompelledtointerfere；andthecasewasserious，asweshallsee，sinceaCardinal'swigwasinquestion。DavidpersistedinnotpaintingtheheadofCardinalCaprarawithawig；andonhisparttheCardinalwasnotwillingtoallowhimtopainthisheadwithoutthewig。Sometooksideswiththepainter，somewiththemodel；
　　andthoughtheaffairwastreatedwithmuchdiplomacy，noconcessioncouldbeobtainedfromeitherofthecontractingparties，untilatlasttheEmperortookthepartofhisfirstpainteragainsttheCardinal'swig。Thisrecallsthestoryoftheartlessmanwhowouldnotallowhisheadtobepaintedbarebecausehetookcoldsoeasily，andhispicturewouldbehunginaroomwithoutafire。
　　WhenM。deBourriennelefttheEmperor，asiswellknown，hewasreplacedbyM。deMeneval，whohadbeenformerlyintheserviceofPrinceJoseph。
　　TheEmperorbecamemoreandmoreattachedtohisnewprivatesecretaryinproportionashecametoknowhimbetter。Bydegreestheworkofthecabinet，inwhichwastransactedthegreaterpartofthemostimportantbusiness，becamesoconsiderablethatitwasimpossibleforonemanalonetoperformit；andfromtheyear1805twoyoungmen，protegesofM。
　　Maret，secretaryofstate，wereadmittedtothehonorofworkingintheEmperor'scabinet；andthoughinitiatedbythenatureoftheirdutiesintothemostimportantstatesecrets，therewasnevertheslightestreasontosuspecttheirperfectdiscretion。Theywere，besides，verydiligent，andendowedwithmuchtalent，sothathisMajestyformedanexcellentopinionofthem。Theirpositionwasmostenviable。Lodgedinthepalace，andconsequentlysuppliedwithfuelandlights，theywerealsofed，andreceivedeachasalaryofeightthousandfrancs。Itmightwellhavebeenthoughtthatthissumwouldbesufficientforthesegentlementolivemostcomfortably；butthiswasnotthecase。Foriftheywereassiduousduringthehoursoflabor，theywerenotlesssoduringthosedevotedtopleasure；whenceitarosethatthesecondquarterhadhardlypassedbeforethewholeyear'ssalarywasspent，partofitingambling，andtherestamonglowcompanions。
　　AmongthetwosecretariesaddedtotheEmperor'sservice，therewasoneespeciallywhohadcontractedsomanydebts，andwhosecreditorsweresopitiless，that，hadtherebeennootherreason，hewouldinfalliblyhavebeendismissedfromtheprivatecabinetifthereportofthishadreachedhisMajesty'sears。
　　Afterpassinganentirenightreflectingonhisembarrassingposition，searchinghisimaginationtosecuresomemeansofobtainingthesumnecessarytosatisfythosecreditorswhoweremostimportunate，thenewspendthriftsoughtdistractioninwork，andwenttohisdeskatfiveo'clockinthemorninginordertodriveawayhispainfulthoughts；notthinkingthatatthishouranyonewouldhearhim，andwhileworkingbegantowhistleLaLinottewithallhismight。Now，thismorning，asoftenbefore，theEmperorhadalreadybeenworkingawholehourinhiscabinet，andhadjustgoneoutastheyoungmanentered，and，hearingthiswhistling，immediatelyreturned。
　　“Alreadyhere，Monsieur，“saidhisMajesty。“Zounds！Why，thatisremarkable！Maretshouldbewellsatisfiedwithyou。Whatisyoursalary？“——“Sire，Ihaveeightthousandfrancsayear，andbesidesamboardedandlodgedinthepalace。“——“Thatiswell，Monsieur，andyououghttobeveryhappy。“
　　Theyoungman，seeingthathisMajestywasinaverygoodhumor，thoughtthatfortunehadsenthimafavorableopportunityofbeingrelievedofhisembarrassment，andresolvedtoinformtheEmperorofhistryingsituation。“Alas，Sire！“saidhe，“nodoubtIoughttobehappy，butI
　　amnot。“——“Whyisthat？“——“Sire，ImustconfesstoyourMajestythatI
　　havesomanyEnglishtocarry，andbesidesIhavetosupportanoldfather，twosisters，andabrother。“——“Youareonlydoingyourduty。
　　ButwhatdoyoumeanbyyourEnglish？Areyousupportingthemalso？“——
　　“No，Sire；butitistheywhohavefedmypleasures，withthemoneytheyhavelentme，andallwhohavecreditorsnowcallthemtheEnglish。“——
　　“Stop！stop，Monsieur！What！youhavecreditors，andinspiteofyourlargesalaryyouhavemadedebts！Thatisenough，Monsieur。IdonotwishtohaveanylongernearmeamanwhohasrecoursetothegoldoftheEnglish，whenonwhatIgivehimhecanlivehonorably。Inanhouryouwillreceiveyourdischarge。“
　　TheEmperor，havingexpressedhimselfaswehavejustheard，pickedupsomepapersfromthedesk，threwasevereglanceattheyoungsecretary，andlefthiminsuchastateofdespairthat，whensomeoneelsefortunatelyenteredthecabinet，hewasonthepointofcommittingsuicidewithalongpaper-cutterheheldinhishand。Thispersonwastheaide-de-camponduty，whobroughthimaletterfromtheEmperor，couchedinthefollowingterms:
　　“Monsieur，youdeservetobedismissedfrommyservice，butIhavethoughtofyourfamily，andIpardonyouontheiraccount；andsinceitistheywhowouldsufferfromyourmisconduct，Iconsequentlysendyouwithmypardontenthousandfrancsinbank-notes。PaywiththissumalltheEnglishwhotormentyou，and，aboveall，donotagainfallintotheirclutches；forinthatcaseIshallabandonyou。
　　NAPOLEON。“
　　Anenormous“Vivel'Empereur！“sprangspontaneouslytothelipsoftheyoungman，whodartedoutlikelightningtoannouncetohisfamilythisnewproofofimperialtyranny。
　　Thiswasnottheend，however；forhiscompanion，havingbeeninformedofwhathadtakenplace，andalsodesiringsomebank-notestopacifyhisEnglish，redoubledhiszealandactivityinwork，andforseveraldaysinsuccessionrepairedtothecabinetatfourinthemorning，andalsowhistledLaLinotte；butitwasallinvain，theEmperordidnotseemtohearhim。
　　MuchwassaidatParisandintheCourtinridiculeoftheludicroussayingsofthewifeofMarshalLefebvre，andacollectioncouldbemadeofherqueerspeeches，manyofwhicharepurefabrications；butavolumewouldalsobenecessarytorecordalltheactsbywhichshemanifestedherkindnessofheart。
　　Oneday，atMalmaisonIthinkashorttimeaftertheEmpirewasfounded，theEmpressJosephinehadgivenexplicitordersthatnooneshouldbeadmitted。TheMarechaleLefebvrepresentedherself；buttheusher，compelledbyhisorders，refusedtoallowhertoenter。Sheinsisted，andhestillrefused。Duringthisdiscussion，theEmpress，passingfromoneapartmenttotheother，wasseenthroughaglassdoorwhichseparatedthisapartmentfromthatinwhichtheduchessthenwas。
　　TheEmpress，havingalsoseenher，hastilyadvancedtomeether，andinsistedonherentering。Beforepassingin，MadameLefebvreturnedtotheusher，andsaidtohiminamockingtone，“Well，mygoodfellow，youseeIgotin！“Thepoorusherblusheduptohisears，andwithdrewinconfusion。
　　MarshalLefebvrewasnotlessgood，lessexcellent，thanhiswife；anditmightwellbesaidofthemthathighhonorshadmadenochangeintheirmanners。Thegoodtheybothdidcouldnotbetold。Itmighthavebeensaidthatthiswastheironlypleasure，theonlycompensationforagreatdomesticmisfortune。Theyhadonlyoneson，whowasoneoftheworstmeninthewholeEmpire。Eachdaytherewerecomplaintsagainsthim；theEmperorhimselffrequentlyadmonishedhimonaccountofthehighesteemhehadforhisbravefather。Butthereresultednoimprovement，andhisnaturalviciousnessonlymanifesteditselfthemore。Hewaskilledinsomebattle，Iforgetwhich；andaslittleworthyofregretashewas，hisdeathwasadeepafflictiontohisexcellentmother，althoughheevenforgothimselfsofarastospeakdisrespectfullyofherinhiscoarsespeeches。SheusuallymadeM。deFontanestheconfidantofhersorrows；
　　forthegrandmasteroftheuniversity，notwithstandinghisexquisitepolitenessandhisadmirableliterarystyle，wasveryintimatelyassociatedwiththehouseholdofMarshalLefebvre。
　　InthisconnectionIrecallananecdotewhichprovesbetterthananythingthatcouldbesaidthekindnessandperfectsimplicityofthemarshal。
　　Onedayitwasannouncedtohimthatsomeonewhosenamewasnotgivenwishedtospeaktohim。Themarshallefthiscabinet，andrecognizedhisoldcaptainintheFrenchGuards，inwhich，aswehavesaid，themarshalhadbeenasergeant。Themarshalbeggedpermissiontoembracehim，offeredhisservices，hispurse，hishouse；treatedhimalmostexactlyasifhehadbeenunderhisorders。Theoldcaptainwasanemigre，andhadreturnedundecidedwhathewoulddo。Throughtheeffortsofthemarshalhisnamewaspromptlystruckoutofthelistofemigres；buthedidnotwishtore-enterthearmy，andyetwasinmuchneedofaposition。
　　HavingsupportedhimselfduringhisemigrationbygivinglessonsinFrenchandLatin，heexpressedadesiretoobtainapositionintheuniversity。“Well，mycolonel，“saidthemarshalwithhisGermanaccent，“IwilltakeyouatoncetomyfriendM。deFontanes。“Themarshal'scarriageissoonatthedoor，andtherespectfulprotectorandhisprotogeentertheapartmentsofthegrandmasteroftheuniversity。
　　M。deFontaneshastenstomeetthemarshal，who，Ihavebeeninformed，madehispresentationspeechinthisstyle:
　　“Mydearfriend，IpresenttoyoutheMarquisof。
　　Hewasmyformercaptain，mygoodcaptain。Hewouldliketoobtainaplaceintheuniversity。Ah！heisnotamanofnothing，amanoftheRevolutionlikeyouandme。Heismyoldcaptain，theMarquisof。“
　　Finallythemarshalclosedbysaying，“Ah，thegood，excellentman！I
　　shallneverforgetthatwhenIwentfororderstomygoodcaptain，heneverfailedtosay:'Lefebvre，mychild，passontothekitchen；goandgetsomethingtoeat。'Ah，mygood，myexcellentcaptain！“