Chapter 1, The Emperor, pg. 33-45 Summary

It rains for several days of Henri's visit, but he still makes his rounds among his friends and neighbors. On the last day of his leave, Henri promises his mother that she can join him in Paris after the coronation. Henri is reunited with Napoleon in Paris, where extravagant preparations are underway for the crowning. Napoleon's court, Henri included, works at a harried pace to satisfy the eccentric emperor. This includes keeping a scalding hot bath on standby, should his majesty wish to bathe.

In the course of his duties, Henri meets the Lady Josephine. She is taken by Henri, briefly suggesting that he might want to work for her rather than the emperor. Seeing Henri's obvious distress at the idea, Josephine retracts the offer, pointing out Henri's obvious hero-worship of Napoleon. Jealous, Henri wishes...