Desiree's Diary(Book One) 精彩片段：
Chapter 15 March 1804: The Noble Families Have Ret
A few days ago, Julie brought me my diary.
"I was emptying some boxes," she said. "My children needed them for their toys. I found your diary in one of them. It has been there for four years. You have a lot to write in it now."
A lot. Yes. But where shall I start? And what do I want to remember? Many things have happened. Some seemed important at the time but are almost forgotten now. for example, there were Oscars first words, and his first little walk across the room; but now Oscar is four years old.
I must write one thing first. Mama died last summer, Julie and I were sitting in the garden when Joseph brought us Etiennes letter. Mama had died suddenly, in her sleep.
"Now we are quite alone," said Julie.
"But you have me." Said Joseph.
He didnt understand. Men often dont. she and I belong to our husbands. But Papa and Mama loves us first; and in the bottom of our hearts we are still the Clary girls.
Mama never met my Jean. I dont see him enough myself. He is often away in the wars. And when he isnt fighting, hes governing conquered lands. Our armies seem to control half Europe now.
I miss him, but I enjoy my life in Paris. It has become the gayest city in the world. Its ancient noble families are here again. Many of them escaped to England when the revolution came. Napoleon invited them to return. He gave everything that the revolution had taken from them.
These noblemen--- these dukes and counts--- show great respect for our first Consul. The gentlemen bow and the ladies curtsey when they meet Napoleon and Josephine. And they receive respect in return. These dukes and counts are welcomed at the Tuileris Palace.
Indeed, we all have to bow and curtsey when we go there. Napoleons own brothers and sisters have to do it too. And they arent even allowed to choose their own husbands and wives.
Napoleon ordered Paulette to marry Prince Camillo Borghese, the head of the noblest family in Italy. So she is the Princess Paulette.
He ordered Lucien to marry a noblemans daughter. But Lucien refused. He married a fat little woman with bright red hair; her father worked in a bank. Napoleon was terribly angry when he heard this. "Leave France at once," he said, "and never come back!" And Lucien had to go.
Then he ordered his favourite brother, fat Louis, to marry Josephines daughter Hortense. Louis didnt like her, and she hated him. Poor Hortense! She went to her bedroom, and she screamed all the afternoon.