On these observations the First Consul rose and said, “Come, Bourrienne, I want you in the library.”  After we had left the salon he added, “This is always the way with you.  Why are you vexed at such trifles?  I assure you I believe the news but too confidently, and I feared it before it came.  But they think they please me by thus appearing to doubt it.  Never mind them.”—­“I ask your pardon,” said I, “but I conceive the best way of proving my attachment to you is to tell you what I believe to be true.  You desire me not to delay a moment in announcing bad news to you.  It would be far worse to disguise than to conceal it.”

CHAPTER V.

1801-1802.

An experiment of royalty—­Louis de Bourbon and Maria Louisa, of Spain—­Creation of the kingdom of Etruria—­The Count of Leghorn in Paris—­Entertainments given him—­Bonaparte’s opinion of the King of Etruria—­His departure for Florence, and bad reception there—­ Negotiations with the Pope—­Bonaparte’s opinion on religion—­Te Deum at Notre Dame—­Behaviour of the people in the church—­Irreligion of the Consular Court—­Augerean’s remark on the Te Deum—­First Mass at St. Cloud-Mass in Bonaparte’s apartments—­Talleyrand relieved from his clerical vows—­My appointment to the Council of State.

Before he placed two crowns on his own head Bonaparte thought it would promote the interests of his policy to place one on the head of a prince, and even a prince of the House of Bourbon.  He wished to accustom the French to the sight of a king.  It will hereafter be seen that he gave sceptres, like his confidence, conditionally, and that he was always ready to undo his own work when it became an obstacle to his ambitious designs.

In May 1801 the Infanta of Spain, Maria Louisa, third daughter of Charles iv., visited Paris.  The Infante Louis de Bourbon, eldest son of the Duke of Parma, had gone to Madrid in 1798 to contract a marriage with Maria Amelia, the sister of Maria Louisa; but he fell in love with the latter.  Godoy favoured the attachment, and employed all his influence to bring about the marriage.  The son who, six years later, was born of this union, was named Charles Louis, after the King of Spain.  France occupied the Duchy of Parma, which, in fulfilment of the conventions signed by Lucien Bonaparte, was to belong to her after the death of the reigning Duke.  On the other hand, France was to cede the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to the son of the Duke of Parma; and Spain paid to France, according to stipulation, a considerable sum of money.  Soon after the treaty was communicated to Don Louis and his wife they left Madrid and travelled through France.  The prince took the title of Count of Leghorn.  All accounts are unanimous as to the attentions which the Prince and Princess received on their journey.  Among the, fetes in honour of the illustrious couple that given by M. de Talleyrand at Neuilly was remarkable for magnificence.