Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 57

NAPOLEON.

_April 23rd._--Battle of Lerida. Suchet defeats Spaniards.

No. 2.

REPLY OF THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.

A thousand, thousand loving thanks for not having forgotten me. My son has just brought me your letter. With what impetuosity I read it, and yet I took a long time over it, for there was not a word which did not make me weep; but these tears were very pleasant ones. I have found my whole heart again--such as it will always be; there are affections which are life itself, and which can only end with it.

I was in despair to find my letter of the 19th had displeased you; I do not remember the exact expressions, but I know what torture I felt in writing it--the grief at having no news from you.

I wrote you on my departure from Malmaison, and since then how often have I wished to write you! but I appreciated the causes of your silence and feared to be importunate with a letter. Yours has been the true balm for me. Be happy, be as much so as you deserve; it is my whole heart which speaks to you. You have also just given me my share of happiness, and a share which I value the most, for nothing can equal in my estimation a proof that you still remember me.

Adieu, dear; I again thank you as affectionately as I shall always love you.

JOSEPHINE.

No. 2A.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE CHaTEAU NAVARRE.

_Compiegne, April 28, 1810._

_My Dear_,--I have just received two letters from you. I am writing to Eugene. I have ordered that the marriage of Tascher with the Princess de la Leyen shall take place.

To-morrow I shall go to Antwerp to see my fleet and to give orders about the works. I shall return on May 15th.

Eugene tells me that you wish to go to the waters; trouble yourself about nothing. Do not listen to the gossip of Paris; it is idle and far from knowing the real state of things. My affection for you does not change, and I long to know that you are happy and contented.

NAPOLEON.

No. 3.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT MALMAISON.

_My Dear_,--I have your letter. Eugene will give you tidings of my journey and of the Empress. I am very glad that you are going to the waters. I trust they may do you good.

I wish very much to see you. If you are at Malmaison at the end of the month, I will come to see you. I expect to be at St. Cloud on the 30th of the month. My health is very good ... it only needs to hear that you are contented and well. Let me know in what name you intend to travel.

Never doubt the whole truth of my affection for you; it will last as long as I. You would be very unjust if you doubted it.

NAPOLEON.

_July 1st.--Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, abdicates in favour of his son._

No. 4.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.

_Rambouillet, July 8, 1810._

_My Dear_,--I have your letter of July 8th. You will have seen Eugene, and his presence will have done you good. I learn with pleasure that the waters are beneficial to you. The King of Holland has just abdicated the throne, while leaving the Regency, according to the Const.i.tution, in the hands of the Queen. He has quitted Amsterdam and left the Grand Duke of Berg behind.

I have reunited Holland to France, which has, however, the advantage of setting the Queen at liberty, and that[38] unfortunate girl is coming to Paris with her son the Grand Duke of Berg--that will make her perfectly happy.

My health is good. I have come here to hunt for a few days. I shall see you this autumn with pleasure. Never doubt my friends.h.i.+p; I never change.

Keep well, be cheerful, and believe in the truth of my attachment.

NAPOLEON.

_July 9th._--Holland incorporated with the French Empire.

_July 10th._--Ney takes Ciudad Rodrigo, after twenty-five days open trenches.

No. 5.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.

_St. Cloud, July 20, 1810._

_My Dear_,--I have received your letter of July 14th, and note with pleasure that the waters are doing you good, and that you like Geneva.

I think that you are doing well to go there for a few weeks.

My health is fairly good. The conduct of the King of Holland has worried me.

Hortense is shortly coming to Paris. The Grand Duke of Berg is on his way; I expect him to-morrow.

Adieu, dear.

NAPOLEON.

No. 6.

TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, AT THE WATERS OF AIX, IN SAVOY.

_Trianon, August 10, 1810._