refused to lower himself in the opinion of his countrymen by seeking
refuge amidst the oppressors of Italy. He was ordered to the castle of
St. Elmo, there to appear before a court-martial, but on reaching
Naples, the placable Murat had forgotten his anger, and received him
kindly. "I treat all my subjects, and you in particular, like my
children," were his first words. In the interesting conversation that
followed, Pépé urged the king to grant a constitution, as the surest
means of securing the affections of his subjects and consolidating his
throne. Murat replied, that he should long since have done so, but that
such a proceeding would draw upon him the implacable animosity of
Austria. And he declined relying, as his unceremonious counsellor urged
him to do, upon the courage of six millions of Neapolitans and the
natural strongholds of the country. He was never offended at Pépé's
frankness, for he had faith in his personal attachment. "It is certain,"
says the General, "that, after my country, I was most truly attached to
Joachim, and I would have given my life for him." Subsequent events
proved this, and showed Murat that the man who, boldly and to his face,
had blamed the conduct of the king, was the firm friend of the depressed
and unhappy fugitive. In the closing scene of Joachim's reign, when the
disbanded Neapolitans, badly led, and in some instances deserted by
generals who should never have held the rank, fled before the hosts of
Austria, the sympathy and friendship of his plain-spoken follower were
amongst the last and best consolations of the falling monarch. Very
bitter must have been Murat's reflections at that moment; the conviction
was forced upon him that his misfortunes resulted chiefly from his own
want of judgment and too great facility; captivity or exile stared him
in the face; the sunny smile which, even in moments of the greatest
peril, rarely left his countenance, was chased by shame and
self-reproach, and tears stood upon his cheeks. "I could not restrain my
own, and, instead of speaking, I advanced, took his hand, and kissed it.