按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
strict surveillance； their smallest actions were watched； they were
followed outside the chateau； their conduct was reported even to the
smallest details。 At the time the conspiracy of Pichegru was discovered；
there was only a single guardian of the portfolio； by the name of
Landoire； and his position was very trying； for he must always be present
in a little dark corridor upon which the door of the cabinet opened； and
he took his meals on the run； and half…dressed。 Happily for Landoire；
they gave him an assistant； and this was the occasion of it。
Angel； one of the doorkeepers of the palace； was ordered by the First
Consul to place himself at the barrier of Bonshommes during the trial of
Pichegru； to recognize and watch the people of the household who came and
went in the transaction of their business； no one being allowed to leave
Paris without permission。 Augel's reports having pleased the First
Consul； he sent for him； was satisfied with his replies and intelligence；
and appointed him assistant to Landoire in the custody of the portfolio。
Thus the task of the latter became lighter by half。 In 1812 Angel was in
the campaign of Russia； and died on the return； when within a few leagues
of Paris； in consequence of the fatigue and privations which we shared
with the army。
However； it was not only those attached to the service of the First
Consul； or the chateau； who were subject to this surveillance。
When Napoleon became Emperor； the custodians of all the imperial palaces
were furnished with a register upon which all persons from outside； and
all strangers who came to visit any one in the palace were obliged to
inscribe their names； with that of the persons whom they came to see。
Every evening this register was carried to the grand marshal of the
palace； and in his absence to the governor； and the Emperor often
consulted it。 He once found there a certain name which； as a husband； he
had his reasons； and perhaps good ones； to suspect。 His Majesty had
previously ordered the exclusion of this person； and finding this unlucky
name again upon the custodian's register； he was angry beyond measure；
believing that they had dared on both sides to disobey his orders。
Investigation was immediately made； and it was fortunately ascertained
that the visitor was a most insignificant person； whose only fault was
that of bearing a name which was justly compromised。
CHAPTER XV。
The year 1804； which was so full of glory for the Emperor； was also the
year which brought him more care and anxiety than all others； except
those of 1814 and 1815。 It is not my province to pass judgment on such
grave events； nor to determine what part was taken in them by the
Emperor； or by those who surrounded and counseled him； for it is my
object to relate only what I saw and heard。 On the 21st of March of that
year I entered the Emperor's room at an early hour； and found him awake；
leaning on his elbow。 He seemed gloomy and tired； but when I entered he
sat up； passed his hand many times over his forehead； and said to me；
〃Constant； I have a headache。〃 Then； throwing off the covering； he
added； 〃I have slept very badly。〃 He seemed extremely preoccupied and
absorbed； and his appearance evinced melancholy and suffering to such a
degree that I was surprised and somewhat anxious。 While I was dressing
him he did not utter a word； which never occurred except when something
agitated or worried him。 During this time only Roustan and I were
present。 His toilet being completed； just as I was handing him his
snuff…box； handkerchief； and little bonbon box； the door opened suddenly；
and the First Consul's wife entered； in her morning negligee； much
agitated； with traces of tears on her cheeks。 Her sudden appearance
astonished； and even alarmed； Roustan and myself； for it was only an
extraordinary circumstance which could have induced Madame Bonaparte to
leave her room in this costume； before taking all necessary precautions
to conceal the damage which the want of the accessories of the toilet did
her。 She entered； or rather rushed； into the room； crying； 〃The Duke
d'Enghien is dead！ Ah； my friend！ what have you done？〃 Then she fell
sobbing into the arms of the First Consul； who became pale as death； and
said with extraordinary emotion； 〃The miserable wretches have been too
quick！〃 He then left the room； supporting Madame Bonaparte； who could
hardly walk； and was still weeping。 The news of the prince's death
spread consternation in the chateau； and the First Consul remarked this
universal grief； but reprimanded no one for it。 The fact is； the
greatest chagrin which this mournful catastrophe caused his servants；
most of whom were attached to him by affection even more than by duty；
came from the belief that it would inevitably tarnish the glory and
destroy the peace of mind of their master。
The First Consul probably understood our feelings perfectly； but however
that may be； I have here related all that I myself saw and know of this
deplorable event。 I do not pretend to know what passed in the cabinet
meeting； but the emotion of the First Consul appeared to me sincere and
unaffected； and he remained sad and silent for many days； speaking very
little at his toilet； and saying only what was necessary。
During this month and the following I noticed constantly passing；
repassing； and holding frequent interviews with the First Consul； many
persons whom I was told were members of the council of state； tribunes；
or senators。 For a long time the army and a great number of citizens；
who idolized the hero of Italy and Egypt； had manifested openly their
desire to see him wear a title worthy of his renown and the greatness of
France。 It was well known； also； that he alone performed all the duties
of government； and that his nominal colleagues were really his
subordinates。 It was thought proper； therefore； that he should become
supreme head of the state in name； as he already was in fact。 I have
often since his fall heard his Majesty called an usurper： but the only
effect of this on me is to provoke a smile of pity； for if the Emperor
usurped the throne； he had more accomplices than all the tyrants of
tragedy and melodrama combined； for three…fourths of the French people
were in the conspiracy。 As is well known； it was on May 18 that the
Empire was proclaimed； and the First Consul （whom I shall henceforward
call the Emperor） received at Saint…Cloud the Senate； led by Consul
Cambaceres； who became； a few hours later； arch…chancellor of the Empire；
and it was by him that the Emperor heard himself for the first time
saluted with the title of Sire。 After this audience the Senate went to
present its homage to the Empress Josephine。 The rest of the day was
passed in receptions； presentations； interviews； and congratulations；
everybody in the chateau was drunk with joy； each one felt that he had
been suddenly promoted in rank； so they embraced each other； exchanged
compliments； and confided to each other hopes and plans for the future。
There was no subaltern too humble to be inspired with ambition； in a
word； the antechamber； saving the difference of persons