, to spend a week
with the emperor.

"The emperor resided at Boulogne in a little villa called _Pont de
Brigue_. His sister, Caroline, and Murat, lived in another little villa
near by. I lived with them, and every day we went to dine with the
emperor. During two years, our troops had been concentrating in full
view of England, and every one expected an attack. The camp at Boulogne
was erected on the sea-side, and resembled a long and regularly-built
city. Each hut had a little garden, flowers, and birds. In the middle of
the camp, on an elevation, stood the emperor's tent; near by, that of
Marshal Berthier. All the men-of-war on the water were drawn up in a
line, only waiting the signal of departure. In the distance we could see
England, and its beautiful ships that were cruising along the coast
seemed to form an impenetrable barrier. This grand spectacle gave us for
the first time an illustration of an unknown, hitherto not-dreamed-of
power that stood opposed to us. Here every thing was calculated to
excite the imagination. This boundless sea might soon transform itself
into a battle-field, and swallow up the _elite_ of the two greatest
nations. Our troops, proud in the feeling that there were no obstacles
for them, made impatient by two years' repose, glowing with energy and
bravery, already imagined themselves to have attained the opposite
coast. When one considered their bravery and confidence, success seemed
certain; but when the eye turned to the impenetrable forest of masts on
the hostile ships, a feeling of anxiety and fear suddenly took
possession of the heart. And yet nothing seemed to be wanting to the
expedition but a favorable wind.

"Of all the homage that a woman can receive, military homage has in the
highest degree the chivalrous character, and it is impossible not to
feel flattered by it.

"There could not be any thing more delightful or imposing than the
homage of which I was here the object, and it was only here that it made
any impression on me.

"The emperor gave me as an escort his equerry, General Defrance.
Whenever I approached a camp division, the guard was called out and
presented arms.

"I had interceded for several soldiers who were undergoing punishment
for breaches of discipline, and was on this account received everywhere
with the liveliest enthusiasm. The entire mounted general staff escorted
my carriage, and my approach was everywhere hailed by brilliant music.
It was on such an