第4章 Chapter 3 The Same Evening: A Young Man Brought Me

On our way he told me about himself. Hes a Corsican, and he only came to France last year. His mother and His brothers and sisters came with him. Their new home is in Marseilles. "Our real name is Buonaparte," he said. "Its an Italian name and the French dont pronounce it properly. So weve changed it to Bonaparte."

"Corsica belongs to Italy, doesnt it?" I asked. I know very little about these things. Papa taught me to read, but I never went to school. "It does not! It has belonged to France for twenty-five years. We speak Italian; thats true. But we are French now. One of my brothers was trained at a French army school. He is a general."

I said "Oh!" I had to say something, because a general is an important person. "And you are the daughter of Francois Clare, a silk merchant. He supplied silk to the noble families , the enemies of the people. And he once wrote an unwise letter to the Queen who was guillotined. Robespierres police found it. They didnt like it. And they decided to arrest him. "

"But Papa is dead!" I cried. "Yes. So your brother was arrested by mistake. But I dont want to talk about him. Tell me about yourself. What is your name?" "My name is Desiree," I said. Then a sudden thought came to me. "And my sisters name is Julie. She is eighteen."

"Is she pretty?" "Very pretty." I answered quickly. It isnt quite true; but she has nice brown eyes, and I like the curve of her lips. "You must visit us tomorrow evening. Then I can introduce ou to her. If its warm enough, we can sit in the garden. Thats our house, where the lights are."

When he saw the big white house, his voice changed. "Will your mother be glad to see me?" he asked. It was a difficult question. But I had to introduce him to Julie, and this was my only chance. "Of course my mother will be glad, " I lied. "Please bring your brother, the general, with you. Is he much older than you?"

"Older? No hes a year younger. Hes only twenty-four. But hes a very fool general. And his head is full of exciting ideas. His name is Napoleon." We said good night, and I went in. My family were having dinner. They were very angry with me. Nobody blamed Suzanne, of course. Why did she come home without me? But my family always blame me for everything.

Mama said: "Where have been? You must never walk alone through the streets at night. Anything could happen." "I wasnt alone," I replied. "One of Albittes men came with me. Hes a very nice young man. He knows Robespierre. And Ive-----" Etienne interrupted me. "Whats his name?"

"Its Bonaparte, Joseph Bonaparte. Hes a Corsican. And Ive-----" Now Mama interrupted. "Youre forgetting your dinner, Desiree. Your soup is getting cold." I picked up my spoon, but I still had to finish my sentence. "His brother is a general. And Ive invited them both to visit us tomorrow evening." I said it in a rush, before anyone else could interrupt. Then I quickly started my soup.

"They cant come here!" Etienne shouted angrily. And Julie added: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Desiree." Mama said : "Shes only a child. She doesnt understand." She was trying to kind, of course. But now I was angry too. "Im not a child," I told her. "You gave me some wine today, so I must be grown up. Please remember that." Then I turned to Julie: "And Im not ashamed of myself either."

For a moment they were all too surprised to speak. Then Mama said: "Go to your room at once, Desiree!" "But Im hungry, Mama. Ive only just begun my diner." "Marie will bring it to your room," she replied. Then she added more gently: "Youve given us all a lot of trouble. Think about it. Good night, my child. Marie brought me my dinner. Then she sat down on my bed. When we are alone, shes my friend; shes not only a servant. "Whats the matter?" she asked. "Youve been crying. Dry your tears, and tell me about it." "Ive only invite two young men to visit us tomorrow." Marie smiled. She may be a servant; but she understands me, and my family dont. "Youre quite right," she said. "Your sister needs to meet some young men." Later Julie came in. "Mama says that your two gentlemen may come. But you must never invited then again." She looked at herself in the mirror. Then she added: "Is he good-looking?" Poor Julie! Shes quite excited. But shes trying not to show it. "Very good-looking by moonlight," I told her. "And by lamplight too. But I havent yet seen him by daylight." She went out, and I opened my diary. Ive had an exciting day. But tomorrow is going to be even more exciting.