The letter mentioned by M. de Marbois, and which was the occasion of this digression on the violation of private correspondence, derived importance from the circumstance that Wednesday, the 20th of October, when Bonaparte received it, was the day on which I left the Consular palace.

I retired to a house which Bonaparte had advised me to purchase at St. Cloud, and for the fitting up and furnishing of which he had promised to pay.  We shall see how he kept this promise!  I immediately sent to direct Landoire, the messenger of Bonaparte’s cabinet, to place all letters sent to me in the First Consul’s portfolio, because many intended for him came under cover for me.  In consequence of this message I received the following letter from M. de Meneval: 

My dear Bourrienne—­I cannot believe that the First Consul would wish that your letters should be presented to him.  I presume you allude only to those which may concern him, and which come addressed under cover to you.  The First Consul has written to citizens Lavallette and Mollien directing them to address their packets to him.  I cannot allow Landoire to obey the order you sent.

   The First Consul yesterday evening evinced great regret.  He
   repeatedly said, “How miserable I am!  I have known that man since
   he was seven years old.”  I cannot but believe that he will
   reconsider his unfortunate decision.  I have intimated to him that
   the burden of the business is too much for me, and that he must be
   extremely at a loss for the services of one to whom he was so much
   accustomed, and whose situation, I am confident, nobody else can
   satisfactorily fill.  He went to bed very low-spirited.  I am, etc. 
                    (Signed) Meneval.

   19 Vendemiaire, an X.
   (21st October 1802.)

Next day I received another letter from M. Meneval as follows:—­

   I send you your letters.  The First Consul prefers that you should
   break them open, and send here those which are intended for him.  I
   enclose some German papers, which he begs you to translate.

Madame Bonaparte is much interested in your behalf; and I can assure you that no one more heartily desires than the First Consul himself to see you again at your old post, for which it would be difficult to find a successor equal to you, either as regards fidelity or fitness.  I do not relinquish the hope of seeing you here again.

A whole week passed away in conflicts between the First Consul’s friendship and pride.  The least desire he manifested to recall me was opposed by his flatterers.  On the fifth day of our separation he directed me to come to him.  He received me with the greatest kindness, and after having good-humouredly told me that I often expressed myself with too much freedom—­a fault I was never solicitous to correct—­he added:  “I regret