The Second Empress (27 page)

“I saw the pills last month in her boudoir,” he explains. “But I’ve never seen them before or since.”

“Perhaps it’s a new treatment she’s started?”

“I don’t know. But she’s been sicker than I’ve ever seen her. If Your Majesty could refrain from telling the emperor, I will … I will return to her salon and make sure she never uses women as footstools again.”

“Then it’s happened before?” I ask incredulously.

“Never when I’m there. But yes.”

I stare at him, trying to determine what it is that makes him stay, after so many years. Then, as if he could read my mind, he tells me, “When I return to her chambers, she’ll ask me to read to her from Rousseau, and we’ll discuss the principles of this country’s Revolution. Tomorrow we’ll read Racine. I shouldn’t have left her. She is sick, Your Majesty, and when I’m with her, she feels safe. Calm.”

“And her
—eccentricities
—don’t worry you?”

“No. Her callousness does.”

To the empress at Malmaison
.

March 12, 1810
.

My love—I hope you will be pleased with what I have done for Navarre. You will see in it a new proof of my desire to make you happy. Take possession of Navarre. You can go there on the 25th of March, to spend the month of April
.

Adieu, my love
.

Napoleon

Joséphine to Napoleon
.

Navarre, April 10, 1810
.

Sire, I received this morning the welcome note. After having known all the sweets of a love that is shared, and all the sufferings of one that is so no longer—after having exhausted all the happiness that supreme power can confer, and the happiness of beholding the man whom I love enthusiastically admired, is there aught else save repose to be desired? What illusions can remain for me? All such vanished when it became necessary to renounce you. Thus the only ties which yet bind me to life, are my sentiments for you, attachment for my children, the possibility of being able still to do some good, and above all, the assurance that you are happy. Do not, then, condole with me on my being here, distant from a court which you appear to think I regret
.

I can not sufficiently thank you, sire, for the liberty you have permitted me of choosing the members of my household, all of whom contribute to the pleasures of a delightful society. One circumstance alone gives me pain, namely, the etiquette of costume, which becomes a little tiresome in the country. You fear there may be something wanting to the rank I have preserved, should a slight infraction be allowed in the toilette of these gentlemen. But I believe you are wrong in thinking they would for one minute forget the respect due to the woman who was your companion. Their respect for yourself, joined to the sincere attachment which they bear to me, which I cannot doubt, secures me against the danger of being ever obliged to recall what it is your wish they should remember. My most honorable title is derived, not from having been crowned, but assuredly from having been chosen by you. None other is of value—that alone suffices for my immortality
.

I expect Eugène. I doubly long to see him, for he will doubtless bring me a new pledge of your remembrance; and I can question him at my ease of a thousand things concerning which I desire to be informed, but cannot inquire of you; things, too, of which you ought still less speak to me. My daughter will come also, but later. In short, I find myself perfectly at home in the midst of my forest, and entreat you, sire, no longer to fancy yourself that there is no living at a distance from court. Besides you, there is nothing there that I regret, since I will have my children with me soon
.

Joséphine

To the empress at Navarre
.

April 28, 1810
.

My love—Eugène has informed me that you wish to go to the springs. Do not deprive yourself of anything. Do not listen to the gossips. They are idlers and know nothing of the true state of affairs. My affection for you is unchangeable; and I desire exceedingly to hear that you are tranquil and happy
.

Napoleon

To the empress at the Waters of Aix, in Savoy
.

July 8, 1810
.

My love—You will have seen Eugène, and his presence will have done you good. I have learned with pleasure that the waters agree with you. The King of Holland has abdicated the crown
.

My health is good. I shall see you with pleasure this autumn. Never doubt my love. I never change. Take care of your health, be cheerful, and believe in the truthfulness of my affections
.

Napoleon

September 9, 1810
.

My dear Hortense, respecting myself: I have received no letters from the emperor; but I have thought it proper to testify to him all the interest which I feel in the pregnancy of the empress. I have just written to him upon that subject. I hope that this act will place him at ease, and that he will be able to speak to me of that event with as much confidence as I have of attachment for him. I wait impatiently for you to receive the answer from the emperor, and to receive myself the assurance that you will come to rejoin me
.

Adieu, my dear daughter; I embrace you tenderly
.

Joséphine

P.S. Remember me to all your companions
.

To the empress at the Waters of Aix
.

September 14, 1810
.

My love—I have received your letter of the 9th of September. I learn with pleasure that you are well. The empress is decidedly
enceinte
for four months. She is well and is very much attached to me
.

My health is pretty good. I desire to hear that you are contented and happy. They say that one of your household has broken her leg by going upon the ice
.

Adieu, my love; never doubt the interest I feel in you, and the affection with which I cherish you
.

Napoleon