第20章 Chapter 19 Two weeks Later: A Dance At The Opera H

Tonight the marshals held a dance. We, their wives, have been busy all the week. The food, the wine, the music, the guests --- we had to take care of everything. We hired the opera House, and we chose our guests with special care. I was busy in the Opera House this morning. When I got home, a visitor was waiting foe me. It was Princess Paulette. Two good-looking young officers were with her. Paulettte has a husband, of course, but she always has boy friends too.

She wanted to talk to me alone, so we went up to my bedroom. "Which of those two young men is my faourite?" she asked. "Can you tell me?" I said that I couldnt. "Both!" she said happily. Then she noticed the gold box on a table. "Who gave you that?" "Its your turn now," I said. "Can you tell me?"

She thought of a moment. "Was it--- could it be---" "Yes," I told her. "It was. His Majesty the Emperor of France gave me that box." Paulette whistled, like a boy in the street. "I dont understand it," she said. "I thought that Georgina the dancer was His Majestys favourite now."

My face went red. "Long ago, in Marseilles, Napoleon needed money. I gave him some. On the day of his coronation he paid it back. That is all." "Of course," said Paulette with a smile. "Of course that is all, my dear child." Then she remembered the reason for her visit. "I want to talk to you about Mama. She arrived here secretly yesterday. Even Fouche doesnt know. Shes staying with me at present. But you must help them, Desiree."

"Who are they?" I asked. "Mama and Napoleon, the boy with the crown," she replied "He said to me last week: When Mama arrives in Paris, I shall welcome her properly. I shall sit on my throne. Joseph will lead her forward. She will curtsey. And my palace officers will give her a seat beside me."

I had to laugh, and Paulette laughed with me. Did he really think that Madame Lettitia would curtsey in front of his throne? "Hes angry," Paulette went on, "because Mama didnt come to his coronation. But in his heart he really loves her, and he needs her. She wont go to his throne room. So I want them to meet by surprise. I want them to be alone together. Can you do that for me?"

I said: "You really are a terrible family." Paulette smiled. "You understand us, Desiree. You know that I like Napoleon. The others only want to get things from him. Even Josephine does that. She wants one of her grandsons to be the next Emperor. They arent Napoleons grandsons. So why should he choose one of them?"

Louis and Hortnse have two little boys now. They arent Napoleons grandsons; thats true. But they are his nephews. And Julie doesnt want to be an empress. Thats secret between Julie and me. If I told Paulette, it would start another family quarrel. The Bonapartes have enough quarrels already. So I said:

"Yes, Ill help you, Paulette. You must bring your mother to our dance tonight. They can meet in his own room at the Opera House." I felt that Napoleon would come. He did. He was wearing the ordinary uniform that he wore in the Dome des Invalides. No stars, no gold on the shoulders, no marks of rank at all. He often appears like that now. And he likes to have tall men around him. Julie says: "He has strange ideas." Shes quite right. No one really understands him; not even his mother.

He danced, and he drank champagne. He seemed to be pleases with everything. At last he danced with me. My chance had come. In the middle of our dance he whispered into my ear: "Youre looking very beautiful tonight, Desiree." I whispered back: "Your majesty. I want to speak to you, alone, for a few moments. Could you meet me in your room, where you left your cloak?"

He didnt reply at once. Then a smile began to play round his mouth. "One of my officers shall take me there," he said. They met me at the door of his room. The officer went away. Napoleon opened the door and said: "After you, madame" Then he followed me in. Madame Lettitia was sitting in a corner. She stood up and took a step forward into the lamplight. Napoleon didnt move. "My boy, wont you say good evening to your mother?" she said. And she took another step. "Madame, this is a wonderful surprise," he answered. But still he didnt move. He wanted her to curtsey. She wouldnt even bow. Three more steps brought her to him. She bent her head. But she wasnt bowing; she was going to kiss him. At that moment I forgot that he was the Emperor. I pushed him into her arms, and I rushed outside. The party went on till three oclock. During the last dance I asked Jean: "Where is Hanover?" "In northwest Germany. Its people have had a bad time during our wars." "And who is going to be its new French governor?" "I dont know," he said. "It may be---" then he suddenly stopped and looked into eyes. "Is it true?" I nodded. "Napoleon had just told me. Tomorrow you will be Governor of Hanover." We finished our dance, but Jean was very excited. "Now this Emperor and his generals shall see something." He said. "What will they see?" I asked. "An example of good government. Hanover is going to be a happy place." Happy? Yes. Jean himself was suddenly happy. For years he has wanted a job kike this. Wars can only destroy a country; he wants to build one. Now at last he has the chance. "But youll have to live in a castle with me!" he said.