ges and the gay world
reappear, or rather no more recall as after a long dream that they
have ever ceased to glitter. Readings, lecture courses in history,
botany, astronomy, etc., follow one another. Everything is here
collected to amuse and render life agreeable; you are taken out of
your thoughts; how can you have the blues in this intensity of purpose
and whirling turmoil? The women are everywhere, at the play, on the
promenades, in the libraries. In the scholar's study you find very
charming persons. Here only of all places in the world they deserve to
hold the helm: the men are mad about them, think only of them, and
live only by means of their influence. A woman needs six months in
Paris to know what is her due and what is her sphere."[51] As yet he
had not met Mme. Beauharnais. The whole tone of the correspondence is
cheerful, and indicates that Buonaparte's efforts for a new alliance
had been successful, that his fortunes were looking up, and that the
giddy world contained something of uncommon interest. As his fortunes
improved, he grew more hopeful, and appeared more in society. On
occasion he even ventured upon little gallantries. Presented to Mme.
Tallien, he was frequently seen at her receptions. He was at first shy
and reserved, but time and custom put him more at his ease. One
evening, as little groups were gradually formed for the interchange of
jest and repartee, he seemed to lose his timidity altogether, and,
assuming the mien of a fortune-teller, caught his hostess's hand, and
poured out a long rigmarole of nonsense which much amused the rest of
the circle.

[Footnote 51: Napoleon to Joseph, July, 1795; in Du
Casse: Les rois freres de Napoleon, 8, and in Jung, III,
41.]

These months had also improved the situation of the family. His mother
and younger sisters were somehow more comfortable in their Marseilles
home. Strange doings were afterward charged against them, but it is
probable that these stories are without other foundation than spite.
Napoleon had received a considerable sum for mileage, nearly
twenty-seven hundred francs, and, good son as he always was, it is
likely that he shared the money with his family. Both Elisa and the
little Pauline now had suitors. Fesch, described by Lucien as "ever
fresh, not like a rose, but like a good radish," was comfortably
waiting at Aix in the house of old acquaintances for a chance to
return to Corsica. Joseph'