knowledge of
Napoleon. The mocking critics of the camp and the stern moralists
amongst the civilians vied with each other in babbling commentary of
the growing dilapidated reputation that the Commander-in-Chief's wife
was precipitately acquiring. Wherever she is or goes, so long as
Bonaparte is at a safe distance, Charles is hanging on to her skirts.
Some writers have said that on the occasion of her visit to Genoa to
attend the fetes given by the Republic he was in attendance, and it is
most likely that this clumsy act of strategy on the part of Josephine
brought about the climax. Unquestionably her movements were being
watched by members of the Bonaparte family. They not unnaturally felt
that the scandal was exposing them as well as their brother to
ridicule.

But, as frequently happens, great events are brought about in the most
unexpected way. The vivacious Paulette had fallen in love with Freron,
a man of forty, holding a high position in the Government service.
Napoleon was strongly averse to the match, so decided that she should
become the wife of General Leclerc, aged twenty-five, who was said to
be Napoleon's double. Hippolyte Charles had been the friend of
Leclerc, and Paulette resolutely set her mind on inflicting salutary
punishment on her sister-in-law for the wrong she was doing her
brother. She quickly managed to wriggle confidences out of Leclerc
concerning the Josephine-Charles connection, then peached. Charles was
banished from the army, and, on the authority of Madame Leclerc, we
learn that Josephine "nearly died of grief." The avenging little vixen
had put a big spoke in the wheel, although there were other powerful
agencies that had no small part in bringing light to the aching and
devout heart.

From this dates the fall of Josephine's complete magical divinity over
him, and a new era begins. We hear no more of "shutting her up in his
heart," or of sending her "kisses as fiery as his soul and as chaste
as herself"; though to the end his letters are studiously kind and
even reverential.

Meanwhile, the intrepid General, having brought the campaign of Italy
and Austria to a successful end, came back to Paris, received the
plaudits of a grateful and adoring nation, and the doubtful favour of
a jealous Directory. They banqueted him at the Luxembourg with every
outward sign of satisfaction. Talleyrand and Barras made eloquent and
flattering speeches of his accomplishments and talents, and the latter