of Princesse Louis’s bedchamber.  On coming to the scene of riot, two officers were found there fighting, and the Princesse Louis, more than half undressed, came out and called the sentries on duty to separate the combatants, who were both wounded.  This affair occasioned great scandal; and General Ney, after having put the officers under arrest, sent a courier to Napoleon at Boulogne, relating the particulars and demanding His Majesty’s orders.  It was related and believed as a fact that the quarrel originated about two of the maids of the Princess (whose virtue was never suspected), with whom the officers were intriguing.  The Emperor ordered the culprits to be broken and delivered up to his Minister of Police, who knew how to proceed.  The Princesse Louis also received an invitation to join her sister-in-law, Madame Murat, then in the camp at Boulogne, and to remain under her care until her husband’s return from St. Amand.

General Murat was then at Paris, and his lady was merely on a visit to her Imperial brother, who made her responsible for Madame Louis, whom he severely reprimanded for the misconduct of her maids.  The bedrooms of the two sisters were on the same floor.  One night, Princesse Louis thought she heard the footsteps of a person on the staircase, not like those of a female, and afterwards the door of Madame Murat’s room opened softly.  This occurrence deprived her of all desire to sleep; and curiosity, or perhaps revenge, excited her to remove her doubts concerning the virtue of her guardian.  In about an hour afterwards, she stole into Madame Murat’s bedroom, by the way of their sitting-room, the door in the passage being bolted.  Passing her hand over the pillow, she almost pricked herself with the strong beard of a man, and, screaming out, awoke her sister, who inquired what she could want at such an unusual hour.

“I believe,” replied the Princess, “my room is haunted.  I have not shut my eyes, and intended to ask for a place by your side, but I find it is already engaged: 

“My maid always sleeps with me when my husband is absent,” said Madame Murat.

“It is very rude of your maid to go to bed with her mistress without first shaving herself,” said the Princess, and left the room.

The next morning an explanation took place; the ladies understood each other, and each, during the remaining part of her husband’s absence, had for consolation a maid for a bedfellow.  Madame Murat also convinced the Emperor that his suspicions with regard to the Princesse Louis were totally unfounded; and he with some precious presents, indemnified her for his harsh treatment.