I entered Lille on the 22d, and Louis XVIII. arrived on the 23d.  His Majesty also found the gates closed, and more than an hour elapsed before an order could be obtained for opening them, for the Duke of Orleans, who commanded the town, was inspecting the troops when his Majesty arrived.  The King was perfectly well received at Lille.  There indeed appeared some symptoms of defection, but it must be acknowledged that the officers of the old army had been so singularly sacrificed to the promotion of the returned emigrants that it was very natural the former should hail the return of the man who had so often led them to victory.  I put up at the Hotel de Grand, certainly without forming any prognostic respecting the future residence of the King.  When I saw his Majesty’s retinue I went down and stood at the door of the hotel, where as soon as Louis XVIII. perceived me he distinguished me from among all the persons who were awaiting his arrival, and holding out his hand for me to kiss he said, “Follow me, M. de Bourrienne.”

On entering the apartments prepared for him the King expressed to me his approval of my conduct since the Restoration, and especially during the short interval in which I had discharged the functions of Prefect of the Police.  He did me the honour to invite me to breakfast with him.  The conversation naturally turned on the events of the day, of which every one present spoke according to his hopes or fears.  Observing that Louis XVIII. concurred in Berthier’s discouraging view of affairs, I ventured to repeat what I had already said at the Tuileries, that, judging from the disposition of the sovereigns of Europe and the information which I had received, it appeared very probable that his Majesty would be again seated on his throne in three months.  Berthier bit his nails as he did when he wanted to leave the army of Egypt and return to Paris to the object of his adoration.  Berthier was not hopeful; he was always one of those men who have the least confidence and the most depression.  I could perceive that the King regarded my observation as one of those compliments which he was accustomed to receive, and that he had no great confidence in the fulfilment of my prediction.  However, wishing to seem to believe it, he said, what he had more than hinted before, “M. de Bourrienne, as long as I am King you shall be my Prefect of the Police.”

It was the decided intention of Louis XVIII. to remain in France as long as he could, but the Napoleonic fever, which spread like an epidemic among the troops, had infected the garrison of Lille.  Marshal Mortier, who commanded at Lille, and the Duke of Orleans, expressed to me their well-founded fears, and repeatedly recommended me to urge the King to quit Lille speedily, in order to avoid any fatal occurrence.  During the two days I passed with his Majesty I entreated him to yield to the imperious circumstances in which he was placed.  At length the King, with deep regret, consented to go, and I left Lille the day before that fixed for his Majesty’s departure.