The Private Life of Napoleon Bonaparte | Page 9

many hardships I arrived at last in
the neighborhood of Saint-Amand, which I found in the possession of
the Austrians, and that it was impossible for me to reach the town, as
the French surrounded it. In my despair I seated myself on the side of a
ditch and was weeping bitterly, when I was noticed by the chief of
squadron, Michau,

[I afterwards had the happiness of obtaining for him, from the Emperor,
a position he wished, as a place of retirement, having lost the use of his
right arm.--CONSTANT.]
who afterwards became colonel and aide-de-camp to General Loison.
Michau approached me, questioned me with great interest, and made
me relate my sad adventures, which touched him deeply, while he did
not conceal his inability to send me back to my family. He had just
obtained leave of absence, which he was going to spend with his family
at Chinon, and proposed to me to accompany him, which invitation I
accepted with gratitude. I cannot say too much of the kindness and
consideration shown me by his household during the three or four
months I spent with them. At the end of that time he took me to Paris,
where I was soon after placed in the house of M. Gobert, a rich
merchant, who treated me with the greatest, kindness.
I lately visited M. Gobert; and he recalled to me that, when we traveled
together, he gave up to me one of the seats of his carriage, upon which I
was permitted to stretch myself out and sleep. I mention this
circumstance, otherwise unimportant, to show the kindness he always
showed me.
Some years later I made the acquaintance of Carrat, who was in the
service of Madame Bonaparte while the general was absent on the
Egyptian expedition. Before relating how I came to enter her household,
it is proper to mention how Carrat himself came into her service, and at
the same time narrate some anecdotes in regard to him, which will
show what were the pastimes of the inhabitants of Malmaison at that
date.
Carrat happened to be at Plombieres when Madame Bonaparte
[Madame Bonaparte, nee Marie Joseph Rose Tascher de la Pagerie,
was born in Martinique, 1763; became the widow of Viscount
Alexander de Beauharnais, 1794; married Napoleon Bonaparte March,
1796; became Empress May 18, 1804; was divorced Dec. 16, 1809;
died at Malmaison, May 20, 1814.--TRANS.]

went there to take the waters. Every day he brought her bouquets, and
addressed to her little complimentary speeches, so singular and so droll,
that Josephine was much diverted, as were also the ladies who
accompanied her, among whom were Mesdames de Cambis and de
Criguy, and especially her own daughter Hortense, who was convulsed
at his oddities. The truth is, he was exceedingly amusing, by reason of a
certain simplicity and originality of character, which, however, did not
prevent him from being a person of intelligence; and his eccentricities
did not displease Madame Bonaparte. A sentimental scene took place
when this excellent lady left the springs. Carrat wept, bemoaned
himself, and expressed his lasting grief at not being able to see
Madame Bonaparte daily, as he had been accustomed; and Madame
Bonaparte was so kind-hearted that she at once decided to carry him to
Paris with her. She taught him to dress hair, and finally appointed him
her hair-dresser and valet, at least such were the duties he had to
perform when I made his acquaintance. He was permitted a most
astonishing freedom of speech, sometimes even scolding her; and when
Madame Bonaparte, who was extremely generous and always gracious
towards every one, made presents to her women, or chatted familiarly
with them, Carrat would reproach her. "Why give that?" he would say,
adding, "See how you do, Madame; you allow yourself to jest with
your domestics. Some day they will show you a want of respect." But if
he thus endeavored to restrain the generosity of his mistress towards
those around her, he did not hesitate to stimulate her generosity towards
himself; and whenever he took a fancy to anything, would simply say,
"You ought to give me that."
Bravery is not always the inseparable companion of wit, and Carrat
gave more than once proof of this. Being endowed with a kind of
simple and uncontrollable poltroonery, which never fails in comedies to
excite the laughter of the spectators, it was a great pleasure to Madame
Bonaparte to play on him such pranks as would bring out his singular
want of courage.
It should be stated, first of all, that one of the greatest pleasures of
Madame Bonaparte, at Malmaison, was to take walks on the road just
outside the walls of the park; and she always preferred this outside road,

in spite of the clouds of dust which