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fourteen years old fifteen days after our marriage。
〃Both my sister and I are always received with extreme kindness by
her Majesty the Empress； and whenever； for fear of annoying her； we
let some time pass without going to see her； she complains of it to
my father。 She sometimes admits us to her morning toilet； which is
conducted in our presence； and to which are admitted in her
apartments only her women； and a few persons of her household； who；
like us； count among their happiest moments those in which they can
thus behold this adored princess。 The conversations are almost
always delightful； and her Majesty frequently relates anecdotes
which a word from one or another of us recalls to her。〃
Her Majesty the Empress had promised Louise a dowry； but the money which
she intended for that she spent otherwise； and consequently my wife had
only a few jewels of little value and two or three pieces of stuff。
M。 Charvet was too refined to recall this promise to her Majesty's
recollection。 However； that was the only way to get anything from her；
for she knew no better how to economize than how to refuse。 The Emperor
asked me a short time after my marriage what the Empress had given my
wife； and on my reply showed the greatest possible vexation； no doubt
because the sum that had been demanded of him for Louise's dowry had been
spent otherwise。 His Majesty the Emperor had the goodness； while on this
subject； to assure me that he himself would hereafter look after my
interests； and that he was well satisfied with my services； and would
prove it to me。
I have said above that my wife's younger sister was the favorite of her
Majesty the Empress； and yet she received on her marriage no richer dowry
than Louise； nevertheless； the Empress asked to have my sister…in…law's
husband presented to her； and said to him in the most maternal tone；
〃Monsieur； I recommend my daughter to you； and I entreat you to make her
happy。 She deserves it； and I earnestly hope that you know how to
appreciate her！〃 When my sister…in…law； fleeing from Compiegne； in 1814；
went with her husband's mother to Evreux for her confinement； the Empress
sent by her first valet de chambre every thing necessary for a young
woman in that condition； and； even reproached her with not having come to
Navarre。
My sister…in…law had been reared in the same boarding…school as
Mademoiselle Josephine Tallien； god…daughter of the Empress； who has
since married M。 Pelet de la Lozere； and another daughter of Madame
Tallien； Mademoiselle Clemence Cabarus。 The school was conducted by
Madame Vigogne； widow of the colonel of that name； and an old friend of
the Empress； who had advised her to take a boarding…school； and promised
to procure for her as many pupils as she could。 This institution
prospered under the direction of this lady； who was distinguished for her
intelligence and culture； and she frequently brought to the Empress these
protegees； with other young persons who by good conduct had earned this
reward； and this was made a powerful means of exciting the emulation of
these children； whom her Majesty overwhelmed with caresses； and presented
with little gifts。
One morning just as Madame Vigogne was about to visit the Empress； and
was descending the staircase to enter her carriage； she heard piercing
cries in one of the schoolrooms； and； hastening to the spot； saw a young
girl with her clothing on fire。 With a presence of mind worthy of a
mother； Madame Vigogne wrapped her pupil in the long train of her dress；
and thus extinguished the flames； not； however； until the hands of the
courageous instructress had been most painfully burned。 She made the
visit to her Majesty in this condition； and related to her the sad
accident which had occurred； while her Majesty； who was easily moved by
everything noble and generous； overwhelmed her with praises for her
courage； and was so deeply touched that she wept with admiration； and
ordered； her private physician to give his best services to Madame
Vigogne and her young pupil。
CHAPTER XXIV。
The Empress Josephine was of medium height； with an exquisite figure； and
in all her movements there was an airiness and grace which gave to her
walk something ethereal； without detracting from the majesty of the
sovereign。 Her expressive countenance portrayed all the emotions of her
soul； while retaining the charming sweetness which was its ruling
expression。 In pleasure； as in grief； she was beautiful； and even
against your will you would smile when she smiled； if she was sad； you
would be also。 Never did a woman justify better than she the expression
that the eyes are the mirror of the soul。 Hers were of a deep blue； and
nearly always half closed by her long lids； which were slightly arched；
and fringed with the most beautiful lashes in the world； in regarding her
you felt yourself drawn to her by an irresistible power。 It must have
been difficult for the Empress to give severity to that seductive look；
but she could do this； and well knew how to render it imposing when
necessary。 Her hair was very beautiful； long and silken； its nut…brown
tint contrasting exquisitely with the dazzling whiteness of her fine
fresh complexion。 At the commencement of her supreme power； the Empress
still liked to adorn her head in the morning with a red madras
handkerchief； which gave her a most piquant Creole air； and rendered her
still more charming。
But what more than all else constituted the inexpressible charm of the
Empress's presence were the ravishing tones of her voice。 How many times
have I； like many others； stopped suddenly on hearing that voice； simply
to enjoy the pleasure of listening to it。 It cannot perhaps be said that
the Empress was a strictly beautiful woman； but her lovely countenance；
expressing sweetness and good nature； and the angelic grace diffused
around her person； made her the most attractive of women。
During her stay at Saint…Cloud； the Empress rose habitually at nine
o'clock； and made her first toilet； which lasted till ten； then she
passed into a saloon； where she found assembled those persons who had
solicited and obtained the favor of an audience； and sometimes also at
this hour； and in the same saloon； her Majesty received her tradespeople；
and at eleven o'clock； when the Emperor was absent； she breakfasted with
her first lady of honor and a few others。 Madame de la Rochefoucauld；
first lady of honor to the Empress； was a hunchback； and so small that it
was necessary； when she was to have a place at the table； to heighten the
seat of her chair by another very thick cushion made of violet satin。
Madame de la Rochefoucauld knew well how to efface； by means of her
bright and sparkling； though somewhat caustic wit； her striking elegance；
and her exquisite court manners； any unpleasant impression which might be
made by her physical deformity。
Before breakfast the Empress had a game of billiards； or； when the
weather was good； she walked in the gardens or in the inclosed park；
which recreation lasted only a short while； and her Majesty soon returned
to he