life of regularity
and of religion shall be presented in the palace where he
reigns. Desirous of strengthening more and more the Church
re-established by himself, and unable to change the laws
appointed by her observances, his intention is, at least, to
keep at a distance from his court all who may have availed
themselves of the opportunity for a divorce. Hence the cause
of his refusing the favor I asked of having you with me. The
refusal has occasioned me unspeakable regret, but he is too
absolute to leave even the hope of seeing him retract. I am
thus constrained to renounce the pleasure I had promised
myself of being constantly with you, studying to make you
forget the sovereign in the friend. Pity my lot in being too
public a personage to follow my own inclination, and cherish
for me a friendship, the remembrance of which gives me now
as much pleasure as its reality afforded consolation in
prison. Often do I regret that small, dark, and dismal
chamber which we shared together, for there, at least, I
could pour out my whole heart, and was sincerely beloved in
return."

CHAPTER XI.

JOSEPHINE AN EMPRESS.

A.D. 1805

Coronation fetes.--Ascent of a balloon.--The Italians petition Napoleon
to be their king.--Crossing the Alps.--Happiness of Josephine.--Views
from the Alps.--Splendid fete on the field of Marengo.--A sublime
spectacle.--Triumphal entry into Milan.--The coronation.--Napoleon again
crowns himself and Josephine.--Entertainments at Milan.--Anecdote.--
Reception at Genoa.--A floating garden.--A gorgeous spectacle.--
Josephine's obedience to Napoleon.--Difficult road through the forest
of Ardennes.--Josephine receives a lecture.--Her mind well stored.--Her
kindness to her attendants.--Visits the baths at Aix.--Josephine and
her ladies proceed on foot to visit the model of Paris.--Enthusiasm
of the people.--The party return on foot.--Josephine's candor.--Fond
of breakfasting in the open air.--The presentation.--Josephine's
maternal sensitiveness.--An expensive compliment.--A delightful
excursion.--Personal habits of Napoleon.--He sleeps on the field
of battle.--Napoleon's wonderful mental activity.--Retirement at
Malmaison.--Anecdote.--Instructions to a lady respecting etiquette.
--The court at Cologne.--_En pirouette._--An amusing misunderstanding.
--Josephine accused of extravagance.--Josephine is charged