Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 54

NAPOLEON.

No. 10.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_Friday_, 8 P.M., 1810.

I wished to come and see you to-day, but I cannot; it will be, I hope, in the morning. It is a long time since I heard from you. I learnt with pleasure that you take walks in your garden these cold days.

Adieu, dear; keep well, and never doubt my affection.

NAPOLEON.

No. 11.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_Sunday_, 8 P.M., 1810.

I was very glad to see you yesterday; I feel what charms your society has for me.

To-day I walked with Esteve.[37] I have allowed 4000 for 1810, for the extraordinary expenses at Malmaison. You can therefore do as much planting as you like; you will distribute that sum as you may require.

I have instructed Esteve to send 8000 the moment the contract for the Maison Julien shall be made. I have ordered them to pay for your _parure_ of rubies, which will be valued by the Department, for I do not wish to be robbed by jewellers. So, there goes the 16,000 that this may cost me.

I have ordered them to hold the million which the Civil List owes you for 1810 at the disposal of your man of business, in order to pay your debts.

You should find in the coffers of Malmaison twenty to twenty-five thousand pounds; you can take them to buy your plate and linen.

I have instructed them to make you a very fine porcelain service; they will take your commands in order that it may be a very fine one.

NAPOLEON.

No. 12.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_Wednesday_, 6 P.M., 1810.

_My Dear_,--I see no objection to your receiving the King of Westphalia whenever you wish. The King and Queen of Bavaria will probably come to see you on Friday.

I long to come to Malmaison, but you must really show fort.i.tude and self-restraint; the page on duty this morning told me that he saw you weeping.

I am going to dine quite alone.

Adieu, dear. Never doubt the depth of my feelings for you; you would be unjust and unfair if you did.

NAPOLEON.

No. 13.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_Sat.u.r.day_, 1 P.M., 1810.

_My Dear_,--Yesterday I saw Eugene, who told me that you gave a reception to the kings. I was at the concert till eight o'clock, and only dined, quite alone, at that hour.

I long to see you. If I do not come to-day, I will come after ma.s.s.

Adieu, dear. I hope to find you sensible and in good health. This weather should indeed make you put on flesh.

NAPOLEON.

_January 9.--The clergy of Paris annul the religious marriage of Napoleon with Josephine_ (so _Biographie Universelle_, Michaud; Montgaillard gives January 18). _Confirmed by the Metropolitan Officialite, January 12_ (Pasquier).

No. 14.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_Trianon, January 17, 1810._

_My Dear_,--D'Audenarde, whom I sent to you this morning, tells me that since you have been at Malmaison you have no longer any courage.

Yet that place is full of our happy memories, which can and ought never to change, at least on my side.

I want badly to see you, but I must have some a.s.surance that you are strong and not weak; I too am rather like you, and it makes me frightfully wretched.

Adieu, Josephine; good-night. If you doubted me, you would be very ungrateful.

NAPOLEON.

No. 15.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT MALMAISON.

_January 20, 1810._

_My Dear_,--I send you the box that I promised you the day before yesterday--representing the Island of Lobau. I was rather tired yesterday. I work much, and do not go out.

Adieu, dear.

NAPOLEON.