I do not know if it is true, as has been written somewhere, that Madame Leclerc, when she was obliged to set out for San Domingo, had a fancy for an actor of the Theatre Francais.  Nor am I able to say whether it is true that Mademoiselle Duchesnois had the naivete to exclaim before a hundred people in reference to this departure, “Lafon will never be consoled; it will kill him!” but what I myself know of the frailty of this princess leads me to believe that the anecdote is true.

All Paris knew the special favor with which she honored M. Jules de Canouville, a young and brilliant colonel who was handsome and brave, with a perfect figure, and an assurance which was the cause of his innumerable successes with certain women, although he used little discretion in respect to them.  The liaison of Princess Pauline with this amiable officer was the most lasting that she ever formed; and as, unfortunately, neither of them was discreet, their mutual tenderness acquired in a short while a scandalous publicity.  I shall take occasion later to relate in its proper place the incident which caused the disgrace, banishment, and perhaps even the death, of Colonel de Canouville.  A death so premature, and above all so cruel, since it was not an enemy’s bullet which struck him, was deplored by the whole army.

[Monsieur Bousquet was called to Neuilly (residence of the Princess Pauline) in order to examine the beautiful teeth of her Imperial Highness.  Presented to her, he prepared to begin work.  “Monsieur,” said a charming young man in a wrapper, negligently lying on a sofa, “take care, I pray, what you do.  I feel a great interest in the teeth of my Paulette, and I hold you responsible for any accident.”—­“Be tranquil, my Prince; I can assure your Imperial Highness that there is no danger.”  During all the time that Bousquet was engaged in working on the pretty mouth, these recommendations continued.  At length, having finished what he had to do, he passed into the waiting-room, where he found assembled the ladies of the palace, the chamberlains, etc., who were awaiting to enter the apartments of the Princess.

They hastened to ask Bousquet news of the princess, “Her Imperial Highness is very well, and must be happy in the tender attachment her august husband feels for her, which he has shown in my presence in so touching a manner.  His anxiety was extreme.  It was only with difficulty I could reassure him as to the result of the simplest thing in the world; I shall tell everywhere what I have just witnessed.  It is pleasant to be able to cite such an example of conjugal tenderness in so high a rank.  I am deeply impressed with it.”  They did not try to stop good M. Bousquet in these expressions of his enthusiasm.  The desire to laugh prevented a single word; and he left convinced that nowhere existed a better household than that of the Prince and Princess Borghese.  The latter was in Italy, and the handsome young