here, even before giving an account of my visit to the Empress on leaving the audience-chamber, the former conduct of Napoleon towards myself and Madame de Bourrienne, which will justify the momentary alarm with which I was seized when summoned to the Tuileries, and the satisfaction I felt at my reception.  I had a proof of what Rapp said of the Emperor being in good-humour, and was flattered by the confidential manner in which he spoke to me concerning some of the great political secrets of his Government.  On seeing me come out Rapp observed, “You have had a long audience.”—­“Yes, not amiss;” and this circumstance procured for me a courtly salutation from all persons waiting in the antechamber.’

I shall now relate how I spent the two preceding years.  The month after I tendered my resignation to the First Consul, and which he refused to accept, the house at St. Cloud belonging to Madame Deville was offered to me; it was that in which the Due d’Angouleme and the Due de Berri were inoculated.  I visited this mansion, thinking it might be suitable for my family; but, notwithstanding the beauty of its situation, it seemed far too splendid either for my taste or my fortune.  Except the outer walls, it was in a very dilapidated state, and would require numerous and expensive repairs.  Josephine, being informed that Madame de Bourrienne had set her face against the purchase, expressed a wish to see the mansion, and accompanied us for that purpose.  She was so much delighted with it that she blamed my wife for starting any objections to my becoming, its possessor.  “With regard to the expense,” Josephine replied to her, “ah, we shall arrange that.”  On our return to Malmaison she spoke of it in such high terms that Bonaparte said to me, “Why don’t you purchase it, Bourrienne, since the price is so reasonable?”

The house was accordingly purchased.  An outlay of 20,000 francs was immediately required to render it habitable.  Furniture was also necessary for this large mansion, and orders for it were accordingly given.  But no sooner were repairs begun than everything crumbled to pieces, which rendered many additional expenses necessary.

About this period Bonaparte hurried forward the works at St. Cloud, to which place he immediately removed.  My services being constantly required, I found it so fatiguing to go twice or thrice a day from Ruel to St. Cloud that I took possession of my new mansion, though it was still filled with workmen.  Scarcely eight days had elapsed from this period when Bonaparte intimated that he no longer had occasion for my services.  When my wife went to take leave Napoleon spoke to her in a flattering manner of my good qualities, my merit, and the utility of my labours, saying that he was himself the most unfortunate of the three, and that my loss could never be replaced.  He then added, “I shall be absent for a month, but Bourrienne may be quite easy; let him remain in retirement, and on my return I shall reward his services, should I even create a place on purpose for him.”