sensitive heart had been touched.  I do not know if any one ever received from her a refusal of a demand of this sort.  The Emperor was deeply touched each time that he was informed of a benevolent act of the Empress.  At eight o’clock in the morning the curtains and blinds were half opened in the apartments of the Empress Marie Louise, and the papers were handed her; after reading which, chocolate or coffee was served, with a kind of pastry called tongue.  This first breakfast she took in bed.  At nine o’clock Marie Louise arose, made her morning toilet, and received those persons privileged to attend at this hour.  Every day in the Emperor’s absence, the Empress ascended to the apartment of Madame de Montebello, her lady of honor, followed by her service, composed of the chevalier of honor, and some of the ladies of the palace; and on her return to her apartments, a light breakfast was served, consisting of pastry and fruits.  After her lessons in drawing, painting, and music, she commenced her grand toilet.  Between six and seven o’clock she dined with the Emperor, or in his absence with Madame de Montebello, the dinner comprising only one course.  The evening was spent in receptions, or at concerts, plays, etc.; and the Empress retired at eleven o’clock.  One of her women always slept in the room in front of her bedroom, and it was through this the Emperor was obliged to pass when he spent the night in his wife’s room.

This customary routine of the Empress was changed, however, when the Emperor was at the chateau; but when alone she was punctual in all her employments, and did exactly the same things at the same hours.  Her personal domestics seemed much attached to her; for though cool and distant in her manner, they always found her good and just.

In the Emperor’s absence the portrait of the Duchess of Montebello ornamented the Empress’s room with those of the entire Imperial family of Austria; but when the Emperor returned, the portrait of the duchess was removed; and during the war between Napoleon and the Emperors of Austria and Russia, the portrait of Francis ii. was removed from his daughter’s room, by order of his Majesty, and was, I think, consigned to some secret spot.

The King of Rome was a very fine child; and though he resembled the Emperor less than the son of Hortense had done, his features were an agreeable union of those of his father and mother.  I never knew him except in his infancy, and what was most remarkable in him at that age was the great kindness and affection he showed to those around him.  He was much devoted to a young and pretty person named Fanny Soufflot, daughter of the first lady of the bedchamber, who was his constant companion; and, as he liked to see her always well dressed, he begged of Marie Louise, or his governess, Madame the Countess of Montesquiou, any finery that struck his fancy, which he wished to give to his young friend.  He made her promise to follow him to the war when he was grown, and said many charming things which showed his affectionate disposition.