Page:History of the Empress Josephine (2).pdf/9

 HISTORY OF THR EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. 9 soldiers, though it be as yet only a promise, said to me, 'Think they, then, I have need of their protection to arrive at power? Egregious mistake! They will all be but too happy one day should I condescend to grant then mine. My sword is by my side, and with it I will go far.' What say yon to this security of success? Is it not a proof bf confidence springing from an excess of vanity? A general of brigade protect the heads of government ! that truly, is in event highly probable! I know not how, it is, but sometimes this waywardness gains upon me to such a degree, that almost I believe possible whatever this singular man may take it in his head to attempt; and with his imagination, who can calculate what he will not undertake? " Here we all regret you, and console ourselves for your prolonged absence only by thinking of you every minute, and by endeavouring to follow you step by step through the beau- tiful country you are now traversing. Were I sure of meeting you in Italy, I would get married to-morrow, upon condition of following the general; but we might, perhaps, cross each other on the route: thus I deem it more prudent to wait for your reply before taking my determination, Speed, then, your answer--and your return still more." This is quite in keeping with Josephine's character, as it has already been developed—gentle and elegant, but always self-possessed—weighing all her actions, both with a view to their consequences, and the light in which others would re- gard them-a character in which delightful natural disposi- tions were worked up into something highly artificial- something which would have been yet more pleasing than it was, but that the means by which it had been made so were too apparent. After her marriage with Napoleon, she remained some time in France, but afterwards joined her husband at Milan, where she spent some of the happiest days of her life. Pre- vious to Bonaparte ascending the throne of France, she wrote him the following letter :- "My Friend, - For the tenth time, perhaps, have I per- used your letter, and must confess that the amazement into