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me： How he conformed to this injunction the event has shown。 Real told
me that when Moreau and Georges found themselves in the presence of
Pichegru they could not come to any understanding； because Georges would
not act against the Bourbons。 Well； he had a plan； but Moreau had none；
he merely wished for my overthrow； without having formed any ulterior
views whatever。 This showed that he was destitute of even common sense。
Apropos； Bourrienne； have you seen Corvisart？〃〃Yes； Sire。〃〃Well！〃
〃He delivered to me the message with which you entrusted him。〃〃And
Desmaisons！I wager that you have not spoken to him in conformity to my
wishes。〃〃 Sire； the estimation in which I hold Desmaisons deterred me
from a course so injurious to him； for in what other light could he have
considered what I should have said to him？ I have never visited at his
house since the commencement of the trial。〃〃Well！ well！ Be prudent and
discreet； I shall not forget you。〃 He then waved a very gracious salute
with his hand； and withdrew into his cabinet。
The Emperor had detained me more than an hour。 On leaving the audience…
chamber I passed through the outer salon； where a number of individuals
were waiting； and I perceived that an observance of etiquette was fast
gaining ground； though the Emperor had not yet adopted the admirable
institution of Court Chamberlains。
I cannot deny that I was much gratified with my reception； besides I was
beginning to be weary of an inactive life； and was anxious to obtain a
place； of which I stood in great need； from the losses I had sustained
and the unjust resumption which Bonaparte had made of his gifts。 Being
desirous to speak of Napoleon with the strictest impartiality； I prefer
drawing my conclusions from those actions in which I had no personal
concern。 I shall therefore only relate here； even before giving an
account of my visit to the Empress on leaving the audience…chamber； the
former conduct of Napoleon towards myself and Madame de Bourrienne； which
will justify the momentary alarm with which I was seized when summoned to
the Tuileries； and the satisfaction I felt at my reception。 I had a
proof of what Rapp said of the Emperor being in good…humour； and was
flattered by the confidential manner in which he spoke to me concerning
some of the great political secrets of his Government。 On seeing me come
out Rapp observed； 〃You have had a long audience。〃〃Yes； not amiss；〃 and
this circumstance procured for me a courtly salutation from all persons
waiting in the antechamber。'
I shall now relate how I spent the two preceding years。 The month after
I tendered my resignation to the First Consul； and which he refused to
accept； the house at St。 Cloud belonging to Madame Deville was offered to
me； it was that in which the Due d'Angouleme and the Due de Berri were
inoculated。 I visited this mansion； thinking it might be suitable for my
family； but； notwithstanding the beauty of its situation； it seemed far
too splendid either for my taste or my fortune。 Except the outer walls；
it was in a very dilapidated state； and would require numerous and
expensive repairs。 Josephine； being informed that Madame de Bourrienne
had set her face against the purchase； expressed a wish to see the
mansion； and accompanied us for that purpose。 She was so much delighted
with it that she blamed my wife for starting any objections to my
becoming； its possessor。 〃With regard to the expense；〃 Josephine replied
to her； 〃ah； we shall arrange that。〃 On our return to Malmaison she
spoke of it in such high terms that Bonaparte said to me； 〃Why don't you
purchase it； Bourrienne； since the price is so reasonable？〃
The house was accordingly purchased。 An outlay of 20；000 francs was
immediately required to render it habitable。 Furniture was also
necessary for this large mansion； and orders for it were accordingly
given。 But no sooner were repairs begun than everything crumbled to
pieces； which rendered many additional expenses necessary。
About this period Bonaparte hurried forward the works at St。 Cloud； to
which place he immediately removed。 My services being constantly
required； I found it so fatiguing to go twice or thrice a day from Ruel
to St。 Cloud that I took possession of my new mansion； though it was
still filled with workmen。 Scarcely eight days had elapsed from this
period when Bonaparte intimated that he no longer had occasion for my
services。 When my wife went to take leave Napoleon spoke to her in a
flattering manner of my good qualities； my merit； and the utility of my
labours； saying that he was himself the most unfortunate of the three；
and that my loss could never be replaced。 He then added； 〃I shall be
absent for a month； but Bourrienne may be quite easy； let him remain in
retirement； and on my return I shall reward his services； should I even
create a place on purpose for him。
Madame de Bourrienne then requested leave to retain the apartments
appropriated to her in the Tuileries till after her accouchement； which
was not far distant； to which he replied； 〃You may keep them as long as
you please； for it will be some time before I again reside in Paris。〃
Bonaparte set out on his journey； and shortly…afterwards I went with my
family to visit Madame de Coubertin； my cousin…german； who received us
with her usual kindness。 We passed the time of the First Consul's
absence at her country seat； and only returned to St。 Cloud on the day
Bonaparte was expected。
Scarcely a quarter of an hour had elapsed after his arrival when I
received an intimation to give up； in twenty…four hours； the apartments
in the Tuileries； which he had promised my wife should retain till after
her confinement。 He reclaimed at the same time the furniture of Ruel；
which he presented to me two years before； when I purchased that small
house on purpose to be near him。
I addressed several memorials to him on this subject； stating that I had
replaced the worn…out furniture with new and superior articles； but this
he wholly disregarded； compelling me to give up everything； even to the
greatest trifle。 It may be right to say that on his return the Emperor
found his table covered with information respecting my conduct in Paris；
though I had not held the smallest communication with any one in the
capital； nor once entered it during his absence。
After my departure for Hamburg； Bonaparte took possession of my stables
and coach…house； which he filled with horses。 Even the very avenues and
walks were converted into stabling。 A handsome house at the entrance to
the park was also appropriated to similar purposes； in fact； he spared
nothing。 Everything was done in the true military style； I neither had
previous intimation of the proceedings nor received any remuneration for
my loss。 The Emperor seemed to regard the property as his own； but
though he all but ordered me to make the purchase； he did not furnish the
money that was paid for it。 In this way it was occupied for more than
four years。
The recollection of those arbitrary and vexatious proceedings on the part
of Bonaparte has led me farther than I intended。 I shall therefore
return to the imperial residence of St。 Cloud。 On leaving the audience…
chamber； as already stated； I repaired to the apartments of the Empress；
who； knowing that I was in the Palace； had intimated her wishes for my
attendance。 No command could have been more agreeable to me； for every
one was certain of a gracious reception from Josephine。 I do not
recollect which of the ladies in waiting was in attendance when my name
was announced； but she immediately retired； and left me alone with
Josephine。 Her recent elevation had not changed the usual amenity of her
disposition。 After some conversation respecting the change in her
situation； I gave her an account of what had passed between the Emperor
and myself。
I faithfully related all that he had said of Moreau； observing that at
one moment I imagined he was about to speak of the Due d'Enghien； when he
suddenly reverted to what he had been saying； and never made the
slightest allusion to the subject。
Madame Bonaparte replied to me； 〃Napoleon has spoken the truth respecting
Moreau。 He was grossly deceived by those who believed they could best
pay their court to him by calumniating that general。 His silence on the
subject of the Due d'Enghien does not surprise me； he says as little
respecting it as possible； and always in a vague manner； and with
manifest repugnance。 When you see Bonaparte again be silent on the
subject； and should chance bring it forward； avoid every expression in
the smallest degree indicative of reproach； he would not suffer it； you
would ruin yourself for ever in his estimation； and the evil is； alas！
without remedy。 When you came to Malmaison I told you that I had vainly
endeavoured to turn him from his fatal purpose； and how he had treated
me。 Since then he has experienced but little internal satisfaction； it
is only in the presence of his courtiers that he affects a calm and
tranquil deportment； but I perceive his sufferings are the greater from
thus endeavouring to conceal them。 By the by； I forgot to mention that
h