Fouche, as I have stated, was in the interest of Josephine, and Lucien was the most bitter of her enemies.  One day Raederer inveighed with so much violence against Fouche in the presence of Madame Bonaparte that she replied with extreme warmth, “The real enemies of Bonaparte are those who feed him with notions of hereditary descent, of a dynasty, of divorce, and of marriage!” Josephine could not check this exclamation, as she knew that Roederer encouraged those ideas, which he spread abroad by Lucien’s direction.  I recollect one day when she had been to see us at our little house at Ruel:  as I walked with her along the high road to her carriage, which she had sent forward, I acknowledged too unreservedly my fears on account of the ambition of Bonaparte, and of the perfidious advice of his brothers.  “Madame,” said I, “if we cannot succeed in dissuading the General from making himself a King, I dread the future for his sake.  If ever he re-establishes royalty he will in all probability labour for the Bourbons, and enable them one day to re-ascend the throne which he shall erect.  No one, doubtless, without passing for a fool, can pretend to say with certainty what series of chances and events such a proceeding will produce; but common sense alone is sufficient to convince any one that unfavourable chances must long be dreaded.  The ancient system being re-established, the occupation of the throne will then be only a family question, and not a question of government between liberty and despotic power.  Why should not France, if it ceases to be free, prefer the race of her ancient kings?  You surely know it.  You had not been married two years when, on returning from Italy, your husband told me that he aspired to royalty.  Now he is Consul for life.  Would he but resolve to stop there!  He already possesses everything but an empty title.  No sovereign in Europe has so much power as he has.  I am sorry for it, Madame, but I really believe that, in spite of yourself, you will be made Queen or Empress.”

Madame Bonaparte had allowed me to speak without interruption, but when I pronounced the words Queen and Empress she exclaimed, “My God!  Bourrienne, such ambition is far from my thoughts.  That I may always continue the wife of the First Consul is all I desire.  Say to him all that you have said to me.  Try and prevent him from making himself King.”—­“Madame,” I replied, “times are greatly altered.  The wisest men, the strongest minds, have resolutely and courageously opposed his tendency to the hereditary system.  But advice is now useless.  He would not listen to me.  In all discussions on the subject he adheres inflexibly to the view he has taken.  If he be seriously opposed his anger knows no bounds; his language is harsh and abrupt, his tone imperious, and his authority bears down all before him.”—­“Yet, Bourrienne, he has so much confidence in you that of you should try once more!”—­“Madame, I assure you he will not listen to me.  Besides,