singularly with the splendour of the Imperial Court since the marriage of
Napoleon with Maria Louisa. In this state of affairs a chorus of
complaints reached the ears of the Duc de Rovigo every day. I must say
that Savary was never kinder to me than since my disgrace; he nourished
my hope of getting Napoleon to overcome the prejudices against me with
which the spirit of vengeance had inspired him, and I know for certain
that Savary returned to the charge more than once to manage this. The
Emperor listened without anger, did not blame him for the closeness of
our intimacy, and even said to him some obliging but insignificant words
about me. This gave time for new machinations against me, and to fill
him with fresh doubts when he had almost overcome his former, ideas.




CHAPTER XXV.

M. Czernischeff--Dissimulation of Napoleon--Napoleon and Alexander--
Josephine's foresight respecting the affairs of Spain--My visits to
Malmaison--Grief of Josephine--Tears and the toilet--Vast extent of
the Empire--List of persons condemned to death and banishment in
Piedmont--Observation of Alfieri respecting the Spaniards--Success
in Spain--Check of Massena in Portugal--Money lavished by the
English--Bertrand sent to Illyria, and Marmont to Portugal--
Situation of the French army--Assembling of the Cortes--Europe
sacrificed to the Continental system--Conversation with Murat in the
Champs Elysees--New titles and old names--Napoleon's dislike of
literary men--Odes, etc., on the marriage of Napoleon--Chateaubriand
and Lemereier--Death of Chenier--Chateaubriand elected his successor
--His discourse read by Napoleon--Bonaparte compared to Nero-