justify or to defend herself; I told him that it was no proof of affection for Junot to add domestic troubles to the grave anxieties which already overburdened him.  Notwithstanding my observations, to which, however, he listened with composure, the word ‘separation’ fell often from his lips, and one must understand to what a pitch the excitement of his feelings could carry him, to be able to imagine how Bonaparte appeared during this painful scene.  I did not, however, give up the point; I came back to what I had said.  I reminded him with what carelessness men received and circulated such reckless stories, suited only to the idle curiosity of gossips, and unworthy the attention of strong minds.  I spoke to him of his fame:  ‘My fame?’ cried he, ’ah, I know not what I would give if what Junot has told me is not true—­so much do I love this woman ... if Josephine is guilty, I must be divorced from her forever. ...  I will not be the ridicule of the idle babblers of Paris!  I must write to Joseph to procure this separation.’

“Though he was still much excited, yet he was somewhat more quiet.  I took advantage of a moment’s pause to combat this idea of separation which seemed to overrule him.  I called his attention to the unreasonableness it would be, on such vague and probably false rumors, to write to his brother.  ‘If you send a letter,’ said I, ’it will bear the impress of the excitement which has dictated it; as regards a separation, it will be time, after mature consideration, to speak of it.’

“These last words made an impression on him which I had not expected so soon to see; he became perfectly calm, and listened to me as if he felt the need of receiving words of encouragement, and after this conversation he never again alluded to the subject.  Fourteen days after, before Acre, he manifested to me the most violent displeasure against Junot, complained of the sufferings which such indiscreet revelations had caused him, and which he now considered as purely an invention of malice.  I afterward noticed that he did not forgive Junot this stupidity.  It is easy to understand why Josephine, when she learned from Napoleon this conduct of Junot, never could feel for him a very warm interest, or intercede in his favor.” [Footnote:  Bourrienne, “Memoires,” vol. ii., p. 212.]

It will be seen that the very sensitive heart of Bonaparte had again been kindled into jealousy, as it so often had happened before in Italy.  Absence—­a momentary separation—­was enough to enkindle these flames.  We have seen in the letters which Bonaparte wrote to Josephine during the Italian campaign, how her silence—­the least delay in her answering his letters—­was enough for him to incriminate her, on account of his jealous affections; how, because she does not constantly write, he threatens to rush in some night unexpectedly, and with the rage of jealousy force the doors open, and murder “the young lover of eighteen, and curse Josephine because he must love her without bounds.”