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第11章

napoleon bonaparte, v4-第11章

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and believed him to be prodigal。  The first attentions of her lover
confirmed her in this opinion; and she demanded a house。  He at once
presented her with one richly and elegantly furnished; the deed being put
in her hands on the day she took possession; and each visit of the count
added to the actress's wardrobe or jewel…case some new gifts。  This
lasted some months; at the end of which Lucien became disgusted with his
bargain; and began to consider by what means to break it without losing
too much。  Among other things; he had made mademoiselle a present of a
pair of girandoles; containing diamonds of great value。  In one of the
last interviews; before the count had allowed any signs of coldness to be
seen; he perceived the girandoles on the toilet…table of his mistress;
and; taking them in his hands; said; 〃Really; my dear; you do me
injustice; why do you not show more confidence in me?  I do not wish you
to wear jewelry so much out of date as these。〃〃Why; it has been only
six months since you gave them to me。〃〃I know it; but a woman of good
taste; a woman who respects herself; should never wear anything six
months old。  I will take the ear…rings and send them to de Villiers 'he
was the count's jeweler' with orders to mount them as I wish。〃  The count
was tenderly thanked for so delicate an attention; and put the girandoles
in his pocket; with one or two necklaces which had also been his gift;
and which did not appear to him sufficiently new in style; and the breach
took place before any of these had been returned。

Notwithstanding this; Mademoiselle believed herself well provided for
with her furniture and her house; until one morning the true proprietor
came to ask her wishes as to making a new lease。  She ran to examine her
deed; which she had not yet thought to do; and found that it was simply a
description of the property; at the end of which was a receipt for two
years' rent。

During our stay at Genoa the heat was insupportable; from this the
Emperor suffered greatly; saying he had never experienced the like in
Egypt; and undressed many times a day。  His bed was covered with a
mosquito netting; for the insects were numerous and worrying。  The
windows of the bedroom looked out upon a grand terrace on the margin of
the sea; and from them could be seen the gulf and all the surrounding
country。  The fetes given by the city were superb。  An immense number of
vessels were fastened together; and filled with orange and citrontrees
and shrubs; some covered with flowers; some with fruits; and all combined
formed a most exquisite floating garden which their Majesties visited on
a magnificent yacht。

On his return to France; the Emperor made no halt between Turin and
Fontainebleau。  He traveled incognito; in the name of the minister of the
interior; and went at such speed that at each relay they were obliged to
throw water on the wheels; but in spite of this his Majesty complained of
the slowness of the postilions; and cried continually; 〃Hurry up!  hurry
up!  we are hardly moving。〃  Many of the servants' carriages were; left
in the rear; though mine experienced no delay; and I arrived at each
relay at the same time as the Emperor。

In ascending the steep hill of Tarare; the Emperor alighted from the
carriage; as did also Berthier; who accompanied him; the carriages of the
suite being some distance behind; as the drivers had stopped to breathe
their horses。

His Majesty saw; climbing the hill a few steps before him; an old;
decrepit woman; who hobbled along with great difficulty。  As the Emperor
approached her he inquired why; infirm as she was; and apparently so
fatigued; she should attempt to travel so difficult a road。

〃Sir;〃 replied she; 〃they tell me the Emperor is to pass along here; and
I wish to see him before I die。〃  His Majesty; who liked to be amused;
said to her; 〃Ah; but why trouble yourself about him?  He is a tyrant;
like all the rest。〃  The good woman; indignant at this remark; angrily
replied; 〃At least; Sir; he is our choice; and since we must have a
master; it is at least right that we should choose him。〃  I was not an
eye…witness of this incident; but I heard the Emperor himself relate it
to Dr。 Corvisart; with some remarks upon the good sense of the masses;
who; according to the opinion of his Majesty and his chief doctor; had
generally formed very correct opinions。




CHAPTER XXVII。

His Majesty the Emperor passed the month of January; 1806; at Munich and
Stuttgard; during which; in the first of these two capitals; the marriage
of the vice…king and the Princess of Bavaria was celebrated。  On this
occasion there was a succession of magnificent fetes; of which the
Emperor was always the hero; and at which his hosts tried; by every
variety of homage; to express to this great man the admiration with which
his military genius inspired them。

The vice…king and vice…queen had never met before their marriage; but
were soon as much attached to each other as if they had been acquainted
for years; for never were two persons more perfectly congenial。  No
princess; and indeed no mother; could have manifested more affection and
care for her children than the vice…queen; and she might well serve as a
model for all women。  I have been told an incident concerning this
admirable princess which I take pleasure in relating here。  One of her
daughters; who was quite young; having spoken in a very harsh tone to her
maid; her most serene highness the vice…queen was informed of it; and in
order to give her daughter a lesson; forbade the servants to render the
young princess any service; or to reply to any of her demands; from that
time。  The child at once complained to her mother; who told her gravely
that when any one received; like her; the care and attention of all
around them; it was necessary to merit this; and to show her appreciation
by consideration and an obliging politeness。  Then she required her to
ask pardon of the 'femme de chambre'; and henceforward to speak to her
politely; assuring her that by this means she would always obtain
compliance with all reasonable and just requests she might make。

The child obeyed; and the lesson was of such benefit to her that she
became; if general report is to be believed; one of the most accomplished
princesses of Europe。  The report of her perfections spread abroad even
to the New World; which contended for her with the Old; and has been
fortunate enough to obtain her。  She is at this time; I think; Empress of
Brazil。

His Majesty the King of Bavaria; Maximilian Joseph; then about fifty
years of age; was very tall; with a noble and attractive physiognomy and
fascinating manners。  Before the Revolution he had been colonel of an
Alsatian regiment in the service of France; under the name of Prince
Maximilian; or Prince Max as the soldiers called him; and stationed at
Strasburg; where he left a reputation for elegance and chivalrous
gallantry。  His subjects; his family; his servants; everybody; adored
him。  He often took long walks through the city of Munich in the morning;
went to the market; inquired the price of grain; entered the shops; spoke
to every one; especially the children; whom he persuaded to go to school。
This excellent prince did not fear to compromise his dignity by the
simplicity of his manners; and he was right; for I do not think any one
ever failed to show him respect; and the love which he inspired lessened
in no wise the veneration which was felt for him。  Such was his devotion
to the Emperor; that his kindly feelings extended even to the persons who
by their functions approached nearest to his Majesty; and were in the
best position to know his needs and wishes。  Thus (I do not relate it out
of vanity; but in proof of what I have just said) his Majesty the King of
Bavaria never came to see the Emperor; that he did not take my hand and
inquire first after the health of his Imperial Majesty; then after my
own; adding many things which plainly showed his attachment for the
Emperor and his natural goodness。

His Majesty the King of Bavaria is now in the tomb; like him who gave him
a throne; but this tomb is still a royal tomb; and the loyal

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