LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, "PS 350 I + Shelf ,.UA6.3 hsi 3 I 854 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NAPOLEON B plav in foxxv Bets BY HEXKY A. ADAMS, M.A. NE.W YORK J. SELWIN TAIT & SONS 05 Fifth Avenue 1894 r FEB 121894^: -ft' 3^'^ ■Jl^ W3 TO MY AVIFE. PREFACE. In tlie development of tlie play, I have availed myself as little as possible of "poetic license." The scenes occur, without exception, exactly in the or- der, and at the time and place assigned to them in History. With the exception of Babette, all of the charac- ters are historical personages ; for even Imperotor, ■ the shade of Charlemagne, was seen on more than one occasion b}^ Napoleon — in his dreams. His faith in the entire accountability of such appearances is undisputed, and he has told us that the im^^res- sions made upon his mind by vivid presentations of dead men, and other unsubstantial fancies of his brain, had much to do in shaping his career and fostering his views on Destiny. Just before th6 battle of Arcole, Napoleon saw Josephine's spirit distinctly, says Saint-Amand. Be^'ond the necessary grouping of the dialogues and incidents within the practicable limits of st;ige scenes, I feel that 1 have not done History much violence. As will appear by my brief " Outlines of the Char- acters," and numerous nppended notes, the senti- (] PREFA OK. Dients and traits, and frequently the very language, attril)nted to the driimatis i^ersonce, rest upon good authority. The Ilemolrsoi Mine, de Roniusat, Mme. de Stael, the Duchess of Abrantcs, Bourrienne, Pasquier, Con- stant, Inibert de Saint-Aniand, Marniont, Segur, Las Cases, O'Meara, etc., etc., have been minute- ly studied, no less than the more formal works of standard historians. Quite naturally, the jllemoivfi prove for the playwright the richer mine, their higher colouring and more fannliar details giving the portraits painted the touch of life. Napoleon has figured on the stage for half a cen- tury, but until very recently he has been made to cut a sorry figure, being the central person, merely, in pieces purely spectacular — or, still worse, the grotesque swashbuckler of more serious plays. The sudden and widespread revival of interest this 3'ear, bids fair to call from the French drama- tists of note some great Napoleon. Meanwdhle, an humble fellow-craftsman offers this modest effort. H. A. A. QuESTOVER Lodge, Christmas, 1893. CAST OF CHAKACTERS. Napoleon Emperor of the French. LuciEN Bonaparte Brother to Napoleon. Joseph Bonaparte , Brother to Napoleon. Talleyrand Minister of Foreign Affairs. FouciiE Minister of Police. Pius VII The reigniag Pope. Caulaincourt Duke of Vicenza. ^'^^Y \ Marshals of France. IMacdonald S Constant Valet to Napoleon. Yvan A Court Physici • u. llusTAN A Mameluke Slave. Cardinal Fescii i^ncle to Napoleon. Imperator • ■ -4yi Hallucination. Josephine Emijress of the French. Countess Walkwska Mistress to Napoleon. Hortense Step-davghter to Napoleon. Mme. de Rem u sat A Lady in- Waiting. Mmic. Murat Sister to Napoleon. Babette A Chaniherniaid. Pages, Attendants, etc , etc. THE SCENES. Act I. : 1S04. At Bay. Scene 1 : The Library at Malmaison. S(;ene 2 : The Pavilion of Flora at tlie Tuilcries. Act TI. : 18:)T. Hkhinoon and Afti-.h. Scene 1 : A Piivate Room at Finkeiistciii Custle. ScI':ne 2 : A Terrace at Foutaiiiebleaii. Act III. : 180<). The Evening Saciiifre. Scene 1 : A Secret Boudoir at Saint-Cloud. Scene 2 : A Gallery at Foiitainebleau. Act IV. : 1814. The Shadow op Death. Scene 1 : A Bed-room at Malmaison. ScI':ne 2 : A Bed-room at Fontainebleau. THE STORY. "The Emperor had just been proclaimed. . . . The curtain has risen, the play begins, and no drama is fuller of contrasts, of incidents, of movement. The leading actor, Napoleon, was already as familiar with his part as if he had played it since his child- hood. JosepJwie is also at home in hers, . The minor actors are not so accustomed to their new positions." ^ So writes M. Imbert de Saint-Amand, whose yividly dramatic style has done so much toward making the people and the scenes of the Napoleonic era realities to us. Tlje brief magnificent decade of the First •Empire came to an end. The Emperor, deserted, stung witli the unendurable sense of failure and dashed and ruined hopes, must abdicate. The Mar- shals must return with the news of doom. They come. The little bed room on the second floor at Fontaiuebleau becomes the scene of what, dramati- cally speaking, is tlie real end. More tlian one writer has so declared it. M. de Bourrienne, Napo- leonic private secretary, says in his ^Memoirs : " Such was this night-scene, which possessed more dramatic ' Tlie Court of the Empress Joseiiliine (Scribner's). pag-e 4. 10 THE STORY. effect than maDy wliicli are performed on the stage ; on its denouement depended the political state of France, and the eaddence of all those who had already declared themselves in favour of the Bourbons.^ It is to the period of the Empire, therefore, that an effort to present the marvellous Corsican's career with due respect to that unity which fits a storj' for the stage, would best be confined. Theatrical situations and telling effects are, of course, to be found throughout the life of Napoleon. Splendid opportunities are offered, both in the bril- liant years before the Empire and the pathetic days at St. Helena. But it is rather to the historical painter than to the playwright that the dramatic situations during both those periods appeal. The 13th Vendemiaire, the 18th Brumaire, the bridge at Arcole. ... a score of others, are sore tempta- tions, and to be met only by rigorous adhesion to those inexorable principles of composition which the exigencies of theatrical representation no less than the canons of good taste demand. In any other life any one of such crises must have been seized upon. But in the case of Bonaparte, Fortune has been so prodigal of splendors, that even the breathless in- terest of the IStli Brumaire, if used, would be an ante-climax. With his first abdication in April, 1814, the curtain reallj' falls upon Napoleon. The rest is but that natural "ever afterward" to which tlie skill of tlie 'Memoirs, Vol. III., 435 (Scribner's;. THE STORY. 11 dramatist and the imagination of the audience con- sign the peo})le in a play when falls the final curtain. The dazzling return from Elba, the Hundred Days, Waterloo, the English prison -ship . . . are, it must be confessed, a costly sacrifice to make upon the altar of the unities ; but made it must be. In- deed, these thrilling scenes form but an episode in no ^^•ise capable of being woven into the tinished plot. They were an unexpected flicker from the socket- sunk taper of a life. It was as if his audience, Europe, unwilling or unable to think him gone, had noisil}^ demanded one more look at the peerless actor. The curtain was rung up again. A feverish, un- utterable burst of acting follows. But it is the same last act. Nothing not said and done before is added : no situation, no motif is new. He abdicates once more. Again the treacheries, the biting of the dust, the broken heart. Again a prisoner on board a ship bound for an island. Then forever — curtain. The play begins at Malmaison, the charming coun- try-house which Josephine had bought. It is the spring of 1804. Napoleon has been First Consul for five 3'ears. Little by little all power had been en- trusted to him. The Republic exists in name alone. He is France. He has not yet said so. The proper moment has not yet arrived. It is approaching fast. And there are enemies. There are the Bourbons, the exiled Kino- of France. And there are the re- 12 THE STORY public'.'iiis who Lave reiiiained true to the Revolution. And there are the iiameless fears of Josrphine, Napo- leon s wife. Assassination is in the air, has been attempted even. "Rumours of Bourbon boldness upon the near frontiers ; and Chouan plotters here in the heart of Paris. On every hand suspicion, jealou.sy, fear of Napoleon. The time has come to strike. The blow falls by an accident upon the young-, romantic, in- nocent Due D'Enghien, a Bourbon prince. Europe is horrilied ; Napoleon called a monster. Something nuist be done, and done at once. There is only one thing to do. The farce must end. The mask be Ldd aside, the Consulate become the Empire. At this point our plav begins. All is uneasiness around Napoleon. Josephine, "his star," predicts the worst — one of the motives of the tragedy. Tlie brothers of the Consul are divided. Two are awa}', one in disgrace. JosepJi, the eldest, witty, subservient, politic, will await events, Jyucien, republican to the core, breaks away. TaUeyrand and Fouclie fence for first influ- ence over the man of fate ; but neither publicly commits himself as yet, Napoleoa is at bay ! Pub- lic opinion has turned against him now. Even tlie aiany has grown restless, anxious. His dearest friends, Mme. cle liemuml, Horlem^e, his wife, and Caulaincoiivl, entreat, denounce, and apprehend the worst. His councillors are wary, double-faced. Shall he proclaim himself the state? THE STORY. 13 His geiiiuy, the terrible lialluciuation of bis bfe, " L}}perator," appears. The die is cnst. "Vive I'Em- pereuL" ! " The first scene of tbe drama has been played. Tlie splendid ceremonies of the coronation have at last ended. The members of the Court, fatigued and not too much at home, wander about the gal- leries of the Tuileries ; gossip and conjecture and jealousy abound. Napoleonic sister, (kiroline JIuraf, begins her work of malice with Fouche. The venerable and saintly Fope, FiHS VIL, now installed in the Pavilion of Flora, is to receive the Court this evening. The Emperor realizes himself superbly. The zenith being now reached, nobody thinks that the decline must of necessity begiu — nobody feels this but the Empress : she does intensely. The shadow of the coming fate appears to her, but it is now no larger than a man's hand. Wait ! The Emperor projects his policy. His star is blazing in the blue above. Near the horizon only do we detect how rapidly stars, having once reached the meridian, fall. The cloud has cast its shadow on tlje face of the aged Pope. The Emperor's first night is not de- void of dreams, nor are the dreams of glor}^ oiih'- And now more blows, more startling acts, more glory are required. 14 THE STORY. Three years have passed. The map of Europe has been changed. Its thrones have been at the disposal of Napoleon. Eylan and Friedland have just been added to the bright chaplet of his victories. He has retired to winter quarters at the Castle of Fiiikenstein. Europe in chorus sings his praises. But the cloud is larger than a nian's hand now. Josephine at May- ence, lies beneath it, wretched. Another woman now is in her place. " The only woman that Napoleon ever really loved." A timid and deep-eyed, passionate creature whom accident had brought within the magic reach of the ail-power- ful man. She now becomes the second motive of the theme — lies like an undefined but irresistible sub-influence in Napoleon's heart, is heard like an unspeakably sweet alto to Josephines own plaint — an alto at the last to mingle so sublimely, too, in those pathetic cadences at Malmaison. She, Countess Walewska, here in mid-winter at cold Finken stein, knows only that she loves Na- poleon, and that she lies secure, hushed, happy beyond all dreams, within his arms. liustan, the Mameluke slave, stirs up the great wood fire. Napoleon burns up Josephine's last letter. Marie Walewska sings sittiug at his feet. The world is at his feet, too — let the cold wind blow to-night. Tlie spring is coming. He will return to France covered with glory. The night has fallen. More wood there, Uustan ! It is dark. THE STORY. 15 And this girl at Lis feet has come to teach him love. Paris is far away — too far to hear the sobs of Josephine, who somehow cannot sleep. The Conqueror of the World is back in France. Fete i\itevf'2le attests the people's joy. There is to be a jolly party of his friends at Fontainebleau. About the grounds groups of friends wander. Upon the terrace two friends are discovered when the curtain rises on this scene. He does not hear what all these friends have got to say. They come and go in groups of two and three. There is a little music now : some games, a lame attempt at dancing. Something is wrong. The merrymaking is a lugubrious failure. Will nobotly explain '? Where's T(fllei/)'and f Foiiche, Jomph, Mme. de Eemumt, A[me. Marat f K\\ dumb as oysters. '•' Later," whispers the tantalizing Talleij- rand. The devil ! Wliere's Josei^lilne? Ah! here on the terrace ! The cloud has hid the sun ! Away with it ! Nor must our dear Walewska remain an- other moment ! Fouche must be suppressed ! Mme. Marat, be patient ! All in good season — even your hate shall satiate itself. To-day is Josephine's and honour's and the new quadrille's. Out at Saint-Cloud there is a secret apartment. Two years have passed away. Josephines star has sunk into a sea of troubles. The liiant has been 16 THE STORY. forging liis resistless way into the very heart of uni- versal power. Five years an Emperor. Tlie world is blind, and wondering, and afraid. There is no limit to this man's dominion ! And yet the vast and splendid fabric of his power has no foundation but his own frail life. There is no heir. There is no hope of one. The world cannot contrive to see, with all its spying, so far into NdixAeoiis motives as it would. Its sight cannot by any means reach to the little secret boudoir of this scene, nor its alarmed imagination conjure a guess so mad as is the truth. Marie Walcwfiha, about to be the mother of Na- poleon's child, lives in that small apartment at Saint-Cloud. The graceful Talleyrand meets Fouche^ much less graceful, blunt, "divorce her," by the adroit sugges- tion that Josephine can have a child by proxy and no one be the wiser. And if a child — why not this child ? Bat he does not allow sufficiently for what he probably was not aware existed outside the bour- geoisie, namely maternal instincts. At all events, here are a dove, a leopardess, a giant, and a babe en- tangled in the meshes of his net — and nothing land- ed. Indeed his cause is lost : not he ! He merely leaves the sinking Josephine, aiid gives Fouches less politic designs the needed savoir-faire. Divorce it must be. The cloud has covered all the heavens now. Tlie man of Destiny soars not from henceforth ; crashes, the rather, in trackless, lightless space, do- THE STORY. 17 iiig wliat harm lie can — to no one so niucli barm as to himself, the Destroyer ! But the tinkling of the lute, and the low plaintive contralto — heard not beyond the walls of the boudoir — the world of love and of imagination in his Marie: s eyes, these still are his — here let him rest in peace a little while. At terribly historic Fontainebleau there is a gal- lery with a succession of embrasured windov/s. In one of these Foaclie is to unfold to Josephine the now perfected scheme for the divorce. France is his text. If it were merely to make room for some fresh wanton favourite, who would denounce it so inexor- abl}' as he, Fouche f If it were possible to hope for a legitimate child ! And any other — bah ! what honourable man could dream of so imposing upon France ? What then? Shall the Imperial power descend to one or other of the Bonapartes? It is enough ! The victim has been bound by cords the strength of which Fouche knew well enough. The sacrifice is the supremest in history — it means a living agony of death — but it is for him, Napoleon ; it is for France ! Come in, thou man of Fate — thy evening hastens, but now the lires of this thy evening sacrifice shall light the nioments which remain for thee : Come in, and show tliy wife thy Policy. She is thy star. She will not fail thee now. 18 2'HE STORY. At Mcalmaison again after five years. A woman lies there dying — it is she, Joi^epJu'ne, the outcast Empress of the French. Death has no terrors, but this bad news is quite too hard to bear. He is in trouble ; Napoleon has been trampled to the earth. Here by her, is Ilortense, herself a Queen — more than outcast. And here, miraculously so, is she who reigned supreme over the man who ruled the world — Blarie Waleivaka ! She and her boy, who also is Napoleon's, and by the bed of Josephine, who lies here dying — dying and wishing that she could help Nupoleon ! The pleasure palace, this of Malmaison, witnesses much these days. And death and Napoleons ruin come nearer day by day. The Star has set forever — and he knows it. Through the long watches of those awful nights these three think of him, speak of him, pray for him, ceaselessly. These three. And he remembers — now that he cannot hope. It is not far from Malmaison to Fontainebleau : and it is here at Fontainebleau that the ruined man has at last fallen. Few remain faithful. On these he throws himself in hopeless, helpless pleadings. In vain. At every point, in very love, they have to show him that nothing now can possibly be done. He abdicates — withdraws his abdication — appeals THE STORY. 19 once more. Offers iinlieard-of victories to France — an^'tbing. The Marshals come back to him hopeless. Abso- lute abdication. His son^ — for whom he flung away his Star — must be involved in his own ruin. Fate is ironical. And Josephine is d^'ing as he frets, and fumes, and gnaws his heart away. Death ! Let death end all. But even death had sided with the Bourbons, it would not come to him, although he conjured it with deadly drugs. No, he must live to drink the dregs of grief and desolation and remorse. Darkness is falling on those two royal palaces. In one Hortense is kissing her dead mother's face ; and in the other, at midnight, even Bustan the black slave, slinks from his post outside Napoleons door and flees, thus leaving him alone with memory. Curtain, BRIEF PERSONAL OUTLINES. Napoleon. The appearance and general cbaractenstics of the First Napoleon are too familiar to call for any lengthy notice here. The gossip of his secretaries, valets, and close friends has supplied ns with a few of his habitual traits, tricks, and moods, which niay be nsed by the player to the heightening of the colour of his portrayal. Private Secveinvy Bo iirrienue speaks of Napoleon's wont to sit on tables rather than chairs when inter- ested or excited ; his jerky, mussy way of taking- snuff (to which Las Cams demurs, loyally denying excess in its use, etc.) ; and his absent-minded moods, during which he would countermand every command, and keep his servants and aides running about to no purpose. 3[me. de Rhnuml describes his dress, in which he exercised a studied negligence — while tyrannically punctilious as to the appear- ance of everyone else. Another Secretary, JTeneoal, tells of his supersti- tious moods, and the supernatural effect upon him of church bells. Las Cases records his habit of crossing himself perpetually, (jliaucellor Pasquicr BRIEF PJiJUbJONAL OUTLINEt^. 21 testifies to Napoleon's great tenderness in times of sorrow, or quiet joy. LuciEN Bonaparte. "Tall, ill-sliaped . . . very near-sigbted," says the chatty Mine. Junot (Duchess of A bran lis), of Lucien. He "had a fiery soul," according to Fas- quier ; was the bitterest enemy of Josephine, com- plains the gallant Bourriemie ; most independent and quick-tempered, declares Mme. Janof, Joseph BoxAPAP/rE. Brother Joseph was" witty, voluptuous, and eftem- inate," if Pasqider does him justice. He had, none the less, "a handsome face," was "fond of the so- ciety of women," and was possessed of " gentler manners than any of his brothers," says Mme. de Hem used. Talleyrand. Talleyrand was polished to a degree, a survival, in manners, of the old regime, and the typical njaster of ceremonies— all in addition to a depth and dui)lic- ity of heart and mind never surpassed, {llilers.) He "was careful in his dress, nsed perfumes, and was a lover of good cheer and all the pleasures of the senses," according to Mme. de Bemused. FoUCHK. " Careless of his appearance, he wore the gold lace and ribbons which were the insignia of his dio-. BRIEF PERSONAL OUTLINES. iiitiesas if he disilained to arrange them .... active, animated, always restless." So far Mme. de Remusdt. He maintained always, says Pasquier, " the outward appearance of imperturbable cool- ness." Indifference, perfidy, and cunning are gener- ally accorded to him. Pius VII. At the time he was about sixty-two years old ; but his appearance and bearing were most venerable. Saint-Amand speaks of the transparent holiness of the old man which commanded the reverent homage of the very atheists of Paris. " I never saw a man with a finer countenance," exclaims Eapp. {Bour- r'lemie.) Caulaincoukt, He had, says the Duchesf^ of Abrantls, " as much the manners of a gentleman as any man in France ; " and his "air of reserve," the Duchess thinks, only "superficial persons took for haughtiness." Ney. Napoleon's snappish charge that Marshal Ney was " factious,'' is due to Ney's unfailing firmness and frankness. He was a blunt, out-spoken, soldierly man. {Tliier.<, Scott, Bourrienne.) Macdonald. This Marshal was a man of very quiet but tremen- dous firmness of manner ; less blunt, but quite as positive as Ney. (Bourrienne.) BRIEF PERSONAL OUTLINES. 28 Constant. The valet of Napoleon for inaDj years, from whose Memoir.^ we learn of the hero in dishabille. Con- stant was a dry wit and a kindly man withal. YVAN. Was the Court Physician who was in attendance at Fontainebleau on the night of the Emperor's at- tempt at suicide. [Hazlitt.) EUSTAN. This man was a Mameluke slave given to Napoleon in Egypt, in 1798, by the Sheik El Bekri, on the oc- casion of a festival. He became attached to Napo- leon's person, sleeping at his door, and jealously guarding it. Like his race, he was silent, oracular, and possessed of the loyal courage of a blood-hound. {Bourrlenne.) Cardinal Fesch. A maternal uncle to Napoleon, who with consider- able courage sided with the Cluu-ch against the Em- peror. Dignified. [Bourrienne.) Imperatok. I have ventured to embody in a bodiless ghost those hallucinfitions to which Napoleon was subject, and which most frequently emanated from his ab- sorbing thoughts on Charlemagne. 24 BRIEF PERSONAL OUTLINES. Josephine. It were impertinent to sketch in re few lines so well- known a personage. It may be well for the actress to remember, however, that in every situation (even the death-bed scene), the charming Empress was conscious of the fact that "appearances are worth while," and that the minutest point of toilet and adornment is worthy of attention. For details con- sult the Memoirs of Mile. Acrlllion. Countess Walewska. Of this woman, " the only one Napoleon ever really loved," Saint- Amand says that she was a "charming person, with light hair, blue eyes, a brilliant com- plexion, a graceful figure, and dignified carriage." All writers mention her melancholy sweetness, which "only added to her beaut}^" Hoktense. The unfortunate daughter of Josephine had be- come, by the time of our play, broken and ill. Dig- nity, reserve, and earnestness, would seem to have been her strongest traits. {Mine, de lieniusai, Mnie. Jnnot, Sainl-Amand.) Mme. de Reimusat. To the graceful pen of M. de Talleyrand we owe our exact knowledge of the charms of Mme. de Bemu- mfs personality. (See his letter of 29th April, 1811.) BRIEF PEI180NAL OUTLINES. From scores of adjectives take these: "Graceful, unaffected, Dot thin, mingled tenderness and vivac- ity." It seems that she was given to wearing her hair over her forehead (bangs?) — "and that," says the former Bishop of Antun, "is a pity." Mme. Murat. "Struck me as very charming," generousty ex- claims her contemporary at Court, Aline. de Ilemuwf. {Memoirs.) "She bore a great resemblance to the Emperor," and was possessed of " seductive charms," says lasquier. {J/onoirs.) Babette. As to the fair Bahette, we trust there is no reason why she luight not have been historical. ACT I. At Bay.— 1804. ACT L Scene 1. — The Libraru ot AfalmaisonA Discovered — Joseph and Lucien Bonaparte angrili/ discussiiig. A large table strewn ivifh maps and jjapers ; cliairs, desks, globes, etc., etc. Joseph. Fudge ! Ball ! Absurd ! Lucien, you are a fool !— fool ! Lucien. Coward ! You are not ! Joseph, you are a tool ! Joseph. A tool ? In ^Yllose Lauds, pray ? Not in Napoleon's ? Lucieji. Yes! Joseph. No. Lncien. I say yes ! JosepjJi. No I 30 NAPOLEON. Lucien. I say you lie, then ! I say that you are privy to his foul schemes. I say you've set a price upon your honour. You are infected with his base ambition. He has deceived the world and you completely. And who can wonder at it ? Look at these lines ! {Picks up a map of Europe from the table.) Here, these red, braggart, pencilled lines— look at them ! Then look at this ! This was the France of Nature Until the bloody finger of his rashness Smeared France, France, France, on lands that are not France. Look ! And the end is not yet. No ! You hope to see The whole of Europe forced into France by blood. Joseph. You missed your calling, Lucien, by my soul, man ! You should have gone into the Church. Ha, ha, ha ! Lucien. Perhaps ! Pretend I am a priest already, Come now, confess to me. Have you not plotted Murder? Joseph. Murder, vou say? NAPOLEON. Liicien. Of the Republic. Joseph. Oil ! of the Republic ! I thought you might mean Of the Due d'Eijgliieu. You start ! You did not know ! Lucien. Y'ou cannot mean it. Napoleon is not mad ? His butcheiT of armies men can forgive ; He knows how to transmute gore into glory. But let him know that wdien he adds the murder Of a Bourbon to his crimes, Europe will rise ! Joseph . You think so '? Not so bad as that ? Might lose friends. Liicie^}. If you haye influence with him, warn him now. But then, you cannot mean it, Jose]3li. Tell me ! Joseph. I will ! But— ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha !■ ha ! ha ! Lucien, you do remind me of a story. Sit down, man, while I tell it — it is so good ! There was a cobbler once who had a wife, and — Lucien. This man would tipple at his own funeral ! 32 NAPOLEON. Joseph. And fourteen cliiklreii living, and more in view- Lucie)). Damn everyone of them at once ! Now tell nie. What is this matter of the Due d'Eughien ? Napoleon did not eat, nor sleep, nor qaarrel ! "^ Something is all wrong. Madame de Kemusat Looked like a ghost.'^ Josephine sighed and sim- pered.^ Couriers kept coming with their infernal racket. I could not sleep nor ascertain the nature Of all this mystery.' Come, now, what is it? Another coup cVetcU f What z.s my brother ? King? Emperor? Czar? or is he great Mogul? Joseph. Not yet ! Not yet ! But when he is, remember He may remember these indiscretions, boy ! Lacie)). Let him remember ! Let him remember more ! Let him remember who helped him in Brumaire ; " Whose voice it was upheld him in the Tribune ; Who seconded his measures against all odds ; Who silenced all his foes in the Five Hundred ; Let him remember that it was Lucien. I, ' I who would gladly die for the Republic ! Let him remember furthermore, that Lucien NAPOLEON. 33 Did not forsake Inm 'till he forsook old France ; But that, when he unmasked himself a tyrant, Trampled the liberties of France beneath him, Outraged the sacred comity of nations, And for his own advancement forswore all faith. Broke vows, betrayed old friends, lied — yes ! and murdered.^ . . . Then I denounced him ! Let him remem- ber that ! Joseph. Wh — ew ! Liicien, what in the devil's name, means this ? Who has been stirring np all your bad blood thus ? You really do Napoleon injustice. His very life is not safe now in Paris. It is all honeycombed with Chouan plotters,^ In close communication with the Bourbons. Napoleon really must defend himself.''^ Has he no friends ? Laden. Joseph. No! he has only courtiers.'^ Lucie n. True ! True ! Napoleon now must protect himself. Had he been true^ — but never mind ! What about D'Eugliien? Has he been apprehended— murdered? 34 NAPOLEON. Joseph. Arrested, but on Napoleon's word, quite safe. Jjucien. God grant it, but I have m}^ doubts. Where is lie? Joseph. At Vincennes.^^ Lucien. So near as that? I fear some wrong. If — but why anticipate ? Where is Fouche? Joseph. Here. Lucien. And Tallevrand ? Joseph. Here too. Lucien. And Caulaiucourt? Joseph. Not yet returned. But why? Lucien. I wish he had, then. Joseph. You puzzle me. NAPOLEOX. 35 Lucien. Pray, do not alarm ^^ourself, For I meant nothing by it. I do not like Foucbe, nor Talleyrand, you know. I do like CaulaincoLirt, and I regret his being sent On any such nefarious expedition. ^'^ Joseph. It is extremely close here. Let us go out. Lucien. In heaven's name, Joseph, — out on the terrace. Something is choking me — like D'Enghien's fingers. Joseph. Nonsense ! Come ! Depend upon Napoleon's word. Come ! Come ! France is Napoleon. Don't be ab- surd. (Exeunt. Enter Mme. de Roiusat, hurrying and sobbing. Mme. de Itemusat. Monsieur Lucien ! Monsieur Lucien ! Where are you ? Re-enter Lucien and Joseph. Lucien. Here ! IMadame de Remusat — Crying ! What ! Speak ! 36 Js'AFOLEON. Mme. de B emu sat. The Due — the Due — d'Engliieii — was shot this iiiorning'. Lucien. Napoleon ! Was it for this I bled for 3'ou? Joseph, this means the end ! This is perdition ! Joseph. Fool ! Cannot you read the writing on the wall ? It means the Empire — Liicien. Hold ! Not another word ! Madame, where is my brother? God ! What a deed Is this ! No prate of destiny will mend it. ]\Ime. de BemusaL He is with Messieurs Talleyrand and Fouehe, I believe — raves madly over a mistake Whieh had been made J' Luc ten. Mistake? Damnable error! Enough of this. Come ! Has Josephine been told ? ]\Ime. de Mejiinsat. "Twas she who told me. She's paralyzed with grief ; NAPOLEON. 37 Moans that her doom is fixed ; predicts death, ruiu, Napoleon's overthrow— every tbing dreadfulj^ Lncien. And she is right. Joseph. Perliaps she is, fool — idiot ! Bat my advice is now, that you hold your tongue. I know Napoleon better than you do, Sir, He is at bay. Beware ! Come, Madame, with me. [Exeunt Joseph and Mme. de Ri^.MusAT. Lvcieii. At bay, is he? Hark ! Is that the yelping pack? [Cliilter of aiu/ri/ voices liefird withoui.) (Exit LuciEN, mun'nig. Enter Constant, ilie valet. Constant. (Crossing quicldy to l.) Dear ! dear ! dear ! dear! ! dear ! ! ! It is, " Con- stant, do that ! " I do't, and then it is, "Constant, you blockhead, "What are you doing that for? " T-r-r-r-rumpery ! [Hurries away to l. Enter B.\bette at l., meets Constant. Batjette. Babettethis! Babette that ! Here! There! Every- where ! NAPOLEON. Not a solitary wink of sleep all niglit ! Hj'ster-r-r-r- r-r-r-rics ! [Sails across.) Constant. Citizeness Babette seems much excited ! ^^' Bahette. No, Citizen Constant, I'm not excited. I'm mad ! Madame called me a little ninny ! Con>tant. Is that all ? Called you a little ninnj', eh ? What's that compared to having a boot-jack thrown Square at your head ? Called you a little ninny ! How would you like to have to shave a madman? I had to chase him round the room all lathered,^' And shave him on the fl}^, while he w\as writing, Talking, tearing, ramping, ordering — stark mad ! Bahetle. And what's the matter, eh. Citizen Constant ? Constant. What is the matter? Oh ! heaven only knows ; Citizen Talleyrand says one thing ; Fouche Another. Between ourselves, Babette, both lie. They're deep, but not so deep as is their master. They tlrink they know him through and through — They do not. One has to shave a man before he knows him. NAPOLEON. 39 Bahette. And that's true, Citizen Constant, with women. Would you beHeve it ? Madame dressing and dressed Is not the same creature — not by any means. Not really ? Eh ? Constant. Bahette. Upon my word of honour. Constant. And what's the main distinction ? Of quality ? BaJjette. Of quantity, ha, ha, ha, ha, quantity ! The madame the world knows is a composite ; Heaven made a part, and I do all the rest. Constant. The finished article does you both credit. Bahette. {Courtesy lug.) Heaven thanks Citizen Constant as I do. Bat what, since you're so knowing, is in the air ? Constant. Can you keep secrets ? 40 NAPOLEON. Babette. I keep secrets ! How long- Do you imagine that I would be allowed To dress and undress Madame, if I could not ? Constant. True ! Citizen ess Babette — of course, of course. Well then, I'll tell you. What's in the air, you say ? This, dear Babette ; there's going- to be a change. Babette. What ! You're not going without informing me ? Conntant. {Returning.) Promise not to tell ! Babette. Quick ! Someone is calling ! {Voiees heard witlwut.) Constant. Citizeness Babette, m}' master is deep ! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ! Adieu, my dear Babette. (Exit, Babette. Preposterous man ! preposterous monster ! Are they all gone daft? And over what, forsooth ? So far as I can see thev have done nothing' NAPOLEON. 41 But kill one Bourbon ! That's iiotbiiig- ^ew in France. There's something in this! Mark my ^vo^as ! Ill find out ! I'll dr-r-r-ress it out of Madame before dinner ! {E.riL (Napoleon's voice heard wifhoiit.) Enter Napoleon and Josephlne ivho clings to him.'^^ Josephine, Bonaparte, don't be a King, I beg of you ! Am I not Josephine, your star? — You said soj'-* Nf/pofi'oii, I thought that Lucieii was here, and Joseph. Don't, Don't, Josephine — this is iio tinje for weakness.-'^ [Diseti gages h imself. ) Somebod}', there ! Command my brother's pres- ence. Now, wife, what is it ? Crying ! Fie, Josephine ! I shall be forced to add the name of D'Engliien To the long list of those of whom I have been Jealous, if you so mourn him."-i Come, come, my star, The crisis of my fortune has been reached. Tliis day, This day I am to fight the battle of my life ! ■ And you desert me ? It is not kind of vou. 42 NAPOLEON. Josephine. But was it necessary to destroy him ? Napoleon. As the event proved, yes. There was some errour.^- My orders were not followed. I cannot say Who dared to disobey me till Canlainconrt Arrives. Bat then, this is not women's business ! ^' Josephine, look you. The trouble of your dreams Last night . . . '^^ Josephine. Last night? Say for a year, Napoleon. Napoleon. The trouble of your dreams had a foundation. Josephine. Alas ! Napoleon, the troubled dreams of wives Are never causeless. The shadows which events Are said to cast as they approach, fall always First upon the white solicitude which makes So large a portion of every true wife's life- — Solicitude so white, so sensitive, that Any shadow, aye, be it no larger than A man's hand even, is ominous enough To terrify, to break one's heart, as mine breaks. NAPOLEON. 43 Na-poleon. Don't, Josephine, don't ! You know I can't bear this ! Come, sit down, darling. I have mncli to say to you. Josp.pli ine. Say anything, but . . . Napoleon. But what ? Joiippldne. You know but what. Napoleon. Well then, I will not. But you must hear me out. (JosEpmNE situ ; Napoleon walks about.) My star rose at Areola.'"' Before that day Power was a pastime and Destin}- a word. The victories which crowned my arms on all sides Meant scarcely more to me than the caresses Of that mistress, Fate, who would grow tired of me And leave me in the lurch at some great crisis. The flatteries of France intoxicated, Bat did not deceive me. I was not so young As to imagine that men really loved me. They feared me. I knew that. But let me Jose one Battle, and I could hear their sneers of " Upstart ! " 44 NAPOLEON. Yes ! Scores of times, in dreams npon my camp- bed I bave lost tbat figbt, and France bas spit at me,^^ But, Josepbine, at Areola, I saw it. Wben I bad worked tbat miracle, Destiny Blazed, and for tbe first time, I bebeld myself. Tbat nigbt I saw it. Are you prepared to bear ? I saw tbe sbade of Cbarlemagne, Josepbine ! Crowned, bearing tbe conquered world in bis rigbt band. He beckoned to me. And I came back to France An Emperor ! No! Nopoleon. Yes ! Josepbine, in soul ! An Emperor, in my invagination. Imagination rules tbe world. ^^ And I sball ! From tbencefortb all was cbanged. Tbe map of Europe, Tbe boundaries of nations, tbe tbrones of kings — All was to be at my disposal. Wbat, tben, Was tbe poltroon Director}^, wbat all France, Tb[it tbey sbould give me orders, bamper my will ? Tbe Eigbteentb Brumaire was a necessity. I mnst become First Consul, or all was lost. Josephine. You are First Consul, Bonaparte. Now, wbat more ? NAPOLEON. 4.-) Ncvpoleon. This, Josephine. Look iii the map of Europe. These red lines show what has been done ah'eady. All they include is France, or subject to her ; But nothing- is secure. At any moment What may this multiplicit}^ of counsels -'^ Not undo ? An Empire iieeds an Emperor : France is an Empire, and Destiny calls me ! Josepliine. Pause, Bonaparte. I also have seen visions. I've seen Death sitting upon the throne of France. Enter a Servant. Napoleon. It is time, then, that I dethrone Death. Well? Well? Servant. Citizen General Caulaincourt. Napoleon. Admit him ! Now, Josephine, for heaven's sake be quiet. JoHepldne. Yes ! Yes ! Eater Caulaincourt aiid Hortexse. That murderer, Hortensel Avoid him I ■'•' • 46 NAPOLEON. Napoleon. Hold your tongue, madame ! Well, Caulaincourt, explain ! Hortenm. He will ! He will ! He has explained already. Napoleon. Hush, Hortense ! Who disobeyed me, Caulain- court ? Caulaincourt. General, not I. I was obedient.''^ Napoleon. As ever, Caulaincourt. But of my letter ? •'^^ I wrote them to postpone the execution. Savary says that no such letter reached him. Oh ! if it had, all tbis might have been spared us. Josepldne. And you are innocent of D'Enghien's blood ?^^ Napoleon. Am I not, Caulaincourt ? Caulaincourt. Alas ! I fear not ! Napoleon. How ! Traitor ! Scoundrel ! You turn upon me, too ? NAPOLEON. 47 Caulain court. Tlie Citizen First Consul has a few friends- Napoleon. Has be, indeed ? Thanks ! He can dispense with joii. Joseph ine. Must General Caulaincourt insult liis cliief When all the world seems to be turned against him ? CaulaiiicourL Madame did not observe that the First Consul Would not allow^ me to conclude my sentence. Napoleon. Pardon me, i)ray. There were some other insults ? Caulaincourt. With the First Consul's pardon, I meant to say, That the First Consul has yet a few true friends Who tell him the plain truth. I am one of them.-'^ Napoleon. And the plain truth is Caulaincourt. That the First Consul wished The execution of the Due d'Enghien ! Napoleon. I ordered it postponed ! 48 NAPOLEON. Caulaincourt. Postponed — ill order To extort important secrets from him first.'^^ But let none of the guilt be tlie First Consul's : Let me be punished. I was not near Vincennes, Nor had I heard about the horrid murder Until I came here. I obeyed my orders. I was commanded to arrest D'Eiighien. 1 did arrest him ; brought him to Savary. I disapproved this, but did not disobey .^^ Therefore I, Caulaincourt, must be called butcher. Did I not seize him? bring him to the shambles? The innocence of the First Consul is quite clear. •^'' Madame is right. Yes, I am the murderer. Of the First Consul I have no more to ask Than that he may remember that it was through Unquestioning obedience that Caulaincourt Came to disgrace. My sword. Mesdames, my homage. (Offers his sword to Napoleon.) Napoleon. Keep it ; but go ! {E.cit Caulaincouijt. I shall need swords like that one. Hortense, you saved him. Had it not been for you, I should have flung him from me, as I have scores. Hortense. Grant me another boon, and I'll believe you. NAPOLEON. 49 Josephine. Hortense, implore him, to resist temptation. Enter Mme. Muiut, unobserved. Napoleon. You are not discreet. Horteuse herself, my dear, Is a temptation ! Mme. Murat. (Aside.) Did I not know as much ? Horfense. (Kneeling.) Succumb to me then ! Mme. Marat. (Aside.) Dear me ! before his wife ! Hortense. Succumb ! Napoteoii. I do. What is your pleasure, Hortense ? Hortense. That you will not be hoodwinked by Mme. Murat.''' 3[me. Marat. (Aside.) Indeed ! I like that. 50 NAPOLEON. Josephine. Pray, Hor tense, be cautious ! Mme. 3Iaraf. (Aside.) Tliese Beaubarnais ! Napoleon. Is CaroHne still plotting ? Iloiiense. Ceaselessly, fiendisbh", against my motber.^^ Josephine. Hortense ! Napoleon. Bonrrienne ! Constant ! Tbere, somebody ! Enler Constant. Call Madame Murat ! [Ej:it Constant. Mme. Marat. Madame Murat is bere ! Napoleon. Josepbine, Hortense, leave ber alone witb me. [Exeunt Josephine and Hortense. "Well, vixen, marplot, vvbat are you batcbing now ? ]\[me. Marat. Ha, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba ! ba ! NAPOLEON. 51 Napoleon. You have l3een nosing with Citizen Fouche. Mme. Marat. Yes, we've been nosing, and we have smelt a rat. Napoleon. We know too much of one another, sister, For this tomfoolery. What are yoa up to ? Mme. Marat. Trying to save you — but, then, what is the use ? Don't be a fool, Napoleon ! These Beauharnais Stand between you and glor}', and while you waste These precious hours in mooning with an idiot Whom you call your wife Napoleon. By the cross, Caroline ! Mme. Ma7XLt. Yes ! and in fondling that little chit, Hortense, AVhom all the world believes to be j'our mistress,'''-* The opportunity of all your life slips Through yoar foolish fingers.^^ Have you no courage ? Europe is hissing you : France calling you names. Paris is all aflame : the arm}^ restless. And resignations by the score are threatened. Why, Bonaj^arte, your very servants giggle. And all the household feels that 3^our end has come. 52 NAPOLEON. Napoleon. In God's name, then, I'll show them what end has come. {Exit Napoleon. Mme. 3Turot. These are the moments which make up history ! Enter Rust an. Rustan, the Citizen Foiiche is somewhere. Give him the compliments of Madame Marat, And this. {Writes a brief note.) So ! Lose no time. You understand me ? JRiistan. To hear is to obe}'. (Starts toward the door.) Mme. Murat. And return quickly. And then remain near the First Consul's person, Prepared for an3^thing-. He is in danger. Rastan. Rastan will be prepared. Rustan is sleej^less. [Exit, fingering his poniard. Mme. Marat. God ! If I only were a man, I'd show them ! NAPOLEON. 53 Enter Fouche. Fouche. Madame Mnrat is not a politician. 3Tme. Muraf. ■ By politician 3-011 mean coward, doubtless. Fouche. All ! well ! But I must beg Madame not to write Firebrand words like these, to me, at 'dwy rate. Blme. Murat. The Citizen Fouche has changed his mind, then? Fouche. Say his words, rather. His mind remains un- changed.^^ Citizen Talleyrand has undertaken To advocate my dangerous policy, Which is extremely good of him. It leaves me Free to oppose my policy in public. Which I shall do, as every passing hour Deepens the danger which surrounds the Consul. And Talleyrand is very near a statesman : ^' He lies so well, and nobody expects him To mean a word he says ; but Fouche is good I The Chaplain of all the immoralities *■' Cannot impair his reputation, can he ? No, Talleyrand must act : Fouche be silent. 54 NAPOLEON. Enter Napoleon, Talleyrand, Joseph, and Lucien. Talleyrand. When the First Consul asks whence came my for- tune, I merely answer that I bought stock in France The clay before the Eighteenth Brumaire, and sold On the day after. The profit realized Was the foundation of my fortune/^^ Lucien. (Aside.) Hear him ! Napoleon. Citizen Talleyrand has told the truth there. Fouche. And yet how gracefully withal ! It sounded Quite as smooth as any lie I ever heard ! Na^wleon. You jest, Fouche ? This is no time for jesting. God's wounds ! Am I a dog for you to harry ? Joseph, since you alone seem to be a man, Tell them what my deteiiniuation is. Speak ! Ijucien. Think twice before j^ou do so ! I beseech you ! Napoleon. Lucien, I have endured enough from you. Speak ! (To Joseph.) NAPOLEON. Fouchk V.'ere it not best that such a proclamation ShoLikl emanate from the establislied — Nopolecm. [To Joseph.) Speak ! TaUeijrcmd. Best wait until we feel the pulse of Europe. Foiivlt'e. And of the arm}-. Savary fears the worst. Lucteii. And the resii^nation of Chateaubriand '^ Has just arrived : does that mean nothing, think you ? Josepli. Truly, Napoleon, there does seem need of care. Napoleon. Out ! Malediction ! Have I no friends ? Eustau ! Enter Rustan brandishing Jiis poniard. riusfan. E-ustan sleeps not. In which heart first ? Napoleon. Hold, hell-dog! Find Madame Bonaparte, and bid her come here. 56 NAPOLEON. Talleyrand. Are we to iiiiderstand that even onr lives Are jeopardized in the First Consurs preseiice ? Ndixjleou. No, Talleyrand, no ! Withdraw that caknnny ! Talleyrand. I do. Before Madanie arrives, however, Permit nie to withdraw. My veneration For her is so deej), that I cannot consent To have her witness what, I am now convinced, It will become my very painful duty Both to say and do. Mme. Mtind. {Aaide to LuciEN.) Do yon hear that, Lncien ? I had not heard of this amour ; had you? Napoleon. Go, Talleyrand, by all means, but be assured That you shall not escaj^e, if harm befall me. Nor profit by ray favour, if I succeed. Sycophant, coward, sneak, I shall unveil you ! Enter Josephine, slowly. Talleyrand. WLen the First Consul requires my services^ NAPOLEON. rj7 Napoleon. I shall know, TalleyraiKl, just what to expect. You are a thief, a coward without honour.**' You don't believe in God, whose j^riest you once were. You've been a traitor all your life to duty. Nothing- is sacred to you. Y'ou would sell God ! Have I not loaded you with gifts, yon ingrate ? Yet there is nothing that you would hesitate To do against me, if I should be in straits. You wish me to proclaim myself Emj^eror, But don't dare to publicly commit yourself Until the risk be past, and this unhappy Matter of D'Enghien blown over. Hj-pocrite ! Who drove me to deal cruelly with him? You ! '* By whom was I advised of his location ? You, yon, yon ! I say. What are you scheming for ? Bah ! I could smash you as I could a wine-glass ; But I would not touch you. I despise you ! Go ! {Exit Talleyeand, icith great dignity. Josephine. My presence was required by the First Consul ? Napoleon. Ah, Josephine, thrice welcome. I am aloneJ^ Lncien. There are three Bonapartes at least, Napoleon, In the First Consul's presence at this moment. 58 NAPOLEON. Napoleon. Tliey do not signify. Josepliine, come liere. Joseph. Bv heaven, this is too much. Come, Caroline. [ExeAUit Joseph and Caroliis'e. Jo^epliuie. Don't let them go in anger. Pray call them back. N/polfOJi. They will return in time : Joseph to borrow, And Caroline to plot. Lncieu, you still here ? Lucie IK I am still here, Napoleon, but Napoleon. Well, Lucien, Have you read carefully my propositiou ? Lucien. I have. Napoleon. And ? Lucien. I reject it, and defy you ! Nrpoleon. Lucien, I am the man of Destiny, I ! Brother, I beg you in God's name, rise with me. NAPOLEON. 50 I am about to found a vast uew empire. Choose any portion of it : it shall be yours."^^ Fouche. Pro^dc^ed always that our vast schemes succeed ! Luclen. You tempt in vain. You are the blinded victim Of hallucination — Josephine. Have I not said so ? Luclen. You ask me to disown my wife in order That I may the better serve your purposes. You ask me to believe that you will trample The powers of Europe underneath your feet ; That you will soon be able to cut the world Into as many slices as you have friends. You are about to murder the Republic. You will ascend the imperial throne over The murdered institutions of your country. Raised up by violence you will require crime To carry on your universal outrage. And 3'ou will fall — you — and be crushed like this ! ^^ (Seizes a small screen and dashes to ijieces.) {Exit. Foil die. Was he the seventh sou ? Saints ! What a preacher ! (Napoleon remains silent a long irhile and then, starting up, rusJies to the door.) 60 NAPOLEON. Napoleon. Lueien ! Liicieu ! — But never mind ! Josephine ! JoHepliine. Decide ! decide ! — I — This terrible suspense ! Napoleon. Help 3ne to decide. I falter, Josephine ! Fouche. {Tnvperator glides in as Foucni^] speaks.) You are in doubt ? Give France the benefit ! Napoleon. Go! {Exit Fouche. Look, Josephine, look ! Charlemagne walks again ! Josephine. I can see nothing. You are worn out and dream. (Napoleon yb//oit;s Imperator, loho lifts the world high in the air.) Napoleon. I will ! I will !— Gone ? [Evit Imperator. Josephine, the Empire ! Curtain. NAPOLEON. 01 Scene 2. — A stately room in the Pavilion of Flora in the palace of til e Tuileries. Eveninr/.^^ DiscovEEED — Cardinal Fesch icolking with the Pope. A throne for Napoleon ; a smaller throne for His Ploliness. Fesch. Yonr Holiness takes it too seriously. Did Dot 3'our Holiness observe, that when His Imperial Majesty reached forth to take ■'' The Crown, which it had been more seemly he should Have w\aited to receive, he was excited, Nervous ? It chanced that whence I stood I could see Plainly that His Imperial Majesty, ' My nephew, was visibly wrought up and moved. Pius VIL Your Eminence had the advantage of us ; For where we stood — immediately in front, And near enough to touch — we saw too plainly. We saw that we had been inveigled into Our most unusual departure from the Eternal City by the false promises Of an ambitious enemy of Holy Clnirch. We saw that what was heralded abroad- As the revival of a prerogative. Now many years denied the Sovereign Pontiffs, 62 NAPOLEON. Niimely, the right to crown all Christiiin rulers, -^^ Was made but the occasion of fresh insults. Tiie upstart crowned himself, while we stood sheep- ish, As though we had incurred the dangers of the Journey, endured the unaccustomed hardships, Gone counter to the dictates of our prudence,-^'* Imperilling the person of Christ's Vicar, And all, forsooth, that we might be made sport of. FeHch. It was, indeed, a serious miscarriage ; But I am sure that accident, not malice, Is to be charged with it. Your Holiness is In all other points assured of the devout And tilial feelings of His Majesty? Yes, they have made an old man comfortable. INIore, they have spared no words, no protestations. I would that we might comfort our poor daughter, This Josephine, now crowned, when the black tem- pest. Which must inevitably whelm her, comes. Saw you, my son, from where you stood, Joseph- ine's '^^ Face, the moment that the Crown was placed Upon Napoleon's head ? The light of hope w^ent out. The light burst forth an instant when he crowned her •'"^'' NAPOLEOI^. 63 " But it was gone at once, and gone forever ! The surest oracles of propliecj are Anxious women's eves, and they're infallible. Imperial Majesty, beware ! beware ! Your arm, my son. We wish to rest a wbile. {Exeunt Pius YII. and Fesch. Enter Mme. de Rkmusat. 3[me. de Bern used. His Holiness not here : How can I reach him ? Enter FoucHi:. All, Monsieur Fouche. Fouclie. Madame de Ec'musat ! ]\[me. de Brmusat. Monsieur Fouche will help me? His Holiness — Where could I find him ? I thought that he was here. Fouche. His Holiness receives the Court here shortly. Mnie. de Reniusat. But before that, Monsieur ? It is important. Fouche. Doubtless a note would reach him — 64 NAPOLEON. Mine, de Bemusat. Monsieur Foiiclie ! But how to send it ? Foiiche. If Madame honours me ! {Voices are heard.) 3Ime. de Bemiisat. Then, Monsieur, at once — and not a word ! {Glees FoucHE a note.) Fouche. Trust me ! {Exit Mme. de RiMuSxVT. {Beads.) " The Holy Father : For his own Hands only." Indeed ? And from the Empress ! As Minister Of the Imperial Police and an old Friend, I must see to it that no curious Eyes pry into this ! {Opens the note and goes toward tJie door.) What's this ? What's this ? What's this ? {Exit hurried 1 1/. Enter M. de Talleyeand, musing. T< die y rand. H — m ! The servant of the servants of the Lord ! ^' He is well housed. If one could manao-e to fret Into the service of Ills servant's servant, NAPOLEON. 65 What else could one desire? I was a BisLop •''^ Once myself ! I know just bow the hirelings fare. But this old man seems most miraculously To have somehow caught reflections of the truth, And, notwithstanding that he is a Christian, Contrives in spite of all to remain honest ! Enter Fouche. Fouche. Monsieur de Talleyrand ! Talleijravd. Yours, Monsieur Fouche ! {Then exchange smiff-hoxes and pass.) Fouche. {At the door.) Monsieur de Talleyrand ! Talleyrand. {Taming at door.) Yours, Monsieur Fouche ! Fouche. There will be music — His Holiness is mad. Talleiirand. Monsieur Fouche is thoughtful. He understands How much I CDJoy these Christian harmonies. I shall come early. * QQ NAPOLEON. Fouche. Do! The Coronntion Is the cantata that will be sung to-night. {Exeuht. Enter Mme. Murat and Joseph Bonaparte. ]\lme. Ifirrat. Do 3'OU not see that she is playing with ns? And that she has Napoleon under her thumb ? Such airs! Stars! Pauline and I were bound that we AVould drop her train right in the middle of the Coronation, and we did ; and how she scowled ! ^•' And then Napoleon stormed at us so, rigljt there. In Notre Dame, that we picked up the nasty Train again, to hide our blushes. I tell you, Joseph, this Beauharnais must be got rid of, If any of Napoleon's flesh and blood hoj^e To get on in this world. And let me tell you. The Faculty of Paris has just declared That Josephine can never be a mother. Joseph. Don't look so devilish, Caroline ! Suppose That Josephine can never be a mother, Though, with all due respect, I have my own doubts I cannot, for the life of me, imagine Jast why the Faculty and 3'ou should chuckle ! Mme. Murat. Joseph, you are no poli^cian. Look you ! NAPOLEON. 67 Napoleon must Lave somebody, I fancy, To wliom to leave liis crown. Joseph. All tliat is settled. Mme. 3Iurat. Oh, yes, I know. But how ? Why, you yourself have Told me, that all this talk about your children, iLiid Louis's, succeediug him, is balderdash.''^ No ! No ! There will be no more coronations In our family, Joseph, unless an heir Direct turns up. Joseph. And this the Faculty and All of you gossips have formally declared To be highly improbable ? Mme. 3Iurat. Impossible ! Worse yet ! W^ell, then, have you as yet decided Enter Fouchk, quietly. What you pro20ose to do ? Mme. Murat. Divorce Josephine ! louche. Treason, so soon ? 68 NAPOLEON. Joseph. No, Monsieur Fouclio, gossip ! Fouche. There is no difference between tliem, except That treason is sometimes merciful to souls. Josepli. Whereas — Mme. Murat. Whereas ! Whereas ! Don't listen to him ! Joseph. I leave you, then, Madame. Ha ! ha ! I pity You, Monsieur. {Exit. Fuuche. (Eagerly.) Read this and tell me what you think. Mine. Mured. What is it ? Fouche. Read it ! Read it ! Mme. Murat. From Josephine ? Fouche. Aye, from the Empress and to His Holiness. NAPOLEON. 60 3Ime. Murat. How caiDe 3'ou bj it ? Fouche. All sorts of offices Are being created. They have appointed me The Grand High Secret Bearer of billets-doux! 3Imc. Bhirat. By whom appointed ? Fouche. Madame de Bemusat ! Alme. Murat. She gave you this? Fouche. Implored me to convey it, Mme. Murat. She is a bigger fool than I supposed her. Fouche. But what a kind fool ! Bead the note, and say so. Mine. 31 u rat. {Beads the note.) " The Empress humbly imi3lores His Holiness To graciousW elucidate a weighty Matter which much disturbs her. The Emperor 70 NAPOLEON. Has been advised, by some malicious person, That, as the parish priest was absent from our'^^ Marriage, according to the laws of Holy Church, no less than those of France, the lawfulness Of the said marriage might be called in question." • • ^ • • • Monsieur Fouche ! If this be true, we— Fouchg another group of courtiers ahead of him and followed by Talleyrand. Napoleon. Pass on ! Pass on ! No more of this dejection ! The theatre waits you, friends. The play begins. Monsieur de Talleyrand, a word with you, please. [Exeunt omnes except Napoleon a7id Talleyrand. Talleyrand. Sire, there is no master of ceremonies Like yourself. Napoleon. Perhaps ! Ordering fools about Came naturally to me. Nov/, Talleyrand, Prove yourself capable of ruling one fool. Talleyrand, Wiio, Sire ? Napoleon. Yourself! You have been talking to the Empress? Talleyrand. Upon my honouj", Sire, I have. What of it ? Napoleon. This, that she dreams of nothing but of divorce ! NAPOLEON. 117 Divorce, Sire ? Talleyrand. Nci]joleo)i. Divorce ! Talks of it in her sleep. Now, Talleyrand, have you turned priest again, that You must carry tales of our iniquities To the already quite too jealous Empress ? Eh ? Hypocrite ? Say, do you go straight from the Embraces of your own kept mistresses to ^^^ Prate of our shortcomings to our poor Empress ? TaUeyrand. Sire I You paralyze me with amazement. Sire ! Napoleon. If it be possible for you to tell the Truth, tell it this once in expiation of Your lifelong lying. ^03 The Etnpress has been told That we have brought a certain noble lady To Fontainebleau, and it has so inflamed her Jealousy, that at this very sunnnit of Onr glory she is about to seek divorce ! Talleyrand. Ah !— ha ! (Long pondering.) Napoleon. Well? What do you see in it so deep ? NAPOLEON. Talleyrand. Sire, two things ! I see Monsieur Fouche, I see Madame Murat. NapoleGii. Tliey have been telling, have they ? T<(lleyrand. Sire, the Empress seeks no divorce. Alas ! she Fears one. I see the meaning of all this now ! Napoleon. Then, have the goodness to unfold it to us. Talleyrand. Sire, Monsieur Fouche is stirring up the old Design of the Imperial divorce, for — Napoleo)K — For some unfathomable purpose, doubtless. Talleyrand. — Suggested to him by Her Imperial Highness, Madame Murat. ^'^'^ At all events, this Is quite clear — what now disturbs the Empress Napoleon, Is Not our passion for the noble Countess, eh ? But these maliciously suggested rumours Of a divorce ? This comforts me. Talleyrand, Find out the Countess now, and personally NAPOLEON. 119 Become responsible that slie does not for An}^ reason appear to-day. And lnean^vlu!e Send the Empress to ns. Tallei/nmJ. She will come gladly. {Exit. Enter Caulaincourt, Hortense, Mme. de Ekmusat, Ladies, Joseph Bonaparte, Macdonald, Ney, OJ/i- cers, etc., etc. Nupoleoi). So at last you have decided to enjoy Yourselves? To prove it, you shall dance before us. Hortense, we trust your Majesty will honour Us? Caulaincourt, bid {\\q musicians yonder Play the new quadrille brought recently from Spain. That Andalusian music is as sweet To me as my wife's voice — and what is sweeter ? "'•' {The music beg ins: the;/ dance.) Napoleon. {Duinng a paiise.) Macdonald, take our place. You've done so often. Macdonald. Never before, Sire, one-half so willingly. Your Majesty accepts the substitute ? LLortensc. With Genuine pleasure, may it please your Grace, but 120 NAPOLEON. I expect that her Imperial Majesty, My mother, is coming with Monsieur Foiicho, And I must be excused when she has reached us, As she desires my service. Until then — 3'ours ! (They dance. Napoleon loatclies. During the dancinr/ Fouche a?i