I cannot forbear relating here a few particulars which I learned from Rapp respecting his mission after the cure of his wound; and the marriage of Prince Eugene to the Princess Augusta of Bavaria.  The friendship which Rapp cherished for me was of the most sincere kind.  During my disgrace he did not even conceal it from Napoleon; and whoever knows anything of the Emperor’s Court will acknowledge that that was a greater mark of courage than the carrying of a redoubt or making the most brilliant charge of cavalry.  Rapp possessed courage of every kind, an excellent heart, and a downright frankness, which for a time brought him into disgrace with Napoleon.  The only thing for which Rapp could be reproached was his extreme prejudice against the nobility, which I am convinced was the sole reason why he was not created a Duke.  The Emperor made him a Count because he wished that all his aides de camp should have titles.

“He had been a fortnight at Schoenbrunn,” said Rapp to me, “and I had not yet resumed my duties, when the Emperor sent for me.  He asked me whether I was able to travel, and on my replying in the affirmative, he said, ’Go then, and give an account of the battle of Austerlitz to Marmont, and vex him for not having been at it.’  I set off, and in conformity with the instructions I had received from the Emperor I proceeded to Gratz, where I found Marmont, who was indeed deeply mortified at not having had a share in the great battle.  I told him, as the Emperor had directed me, that the negotiations were commenced, but that nothing was yet concluded, and that therefore, at all events, he must hold himself in readiness.  I ascertained the situation of his army in Styria, and the amount of the enemy’s force before him:  The Emperor wished him to send a number of spies into Hungary, and to transmit to him a detailed report from their communications.  I next proceeded to Laybach, where I found Massena at the head of the eighth corps, and I informed him that the Emperor wished him to march in all haste upon Vienna, in case he should hear of the rupture of the negotiations.  I continued the itinerary marked out for me until I reached Venice, and thence till I met the troops of Carra St. Cyr, who had received orders to march back upon Naples as soon as the Emperor heard of the treachery of the King of Naples and the landing of the English and Russians.  Having fulfilled these different missions I proceeded to Klagenfurth, where I saw Marshal Ney, and I afterwards rejoined the Emperor at Munich.  There I had the pleasure of finding our friends assembled, and among them Josephine, still as affable and amiable as ever.  How delighted I was when, an my arrival, I learned that the Emperor had adopted Eugene.  I was present at his marriage with the Princess Augusta of Bavaria.  As to me, you know I am not very fond of fetes, and the Emperor might have dispensed with my performing the duties of Chamberlain; Eugene had no idea of what was going on when the Emperor