Chapter 29 The Next Day: We Aren't French Any Long

The Emperor was expecting us at eleven oclock. At five to eleven we were ready, outside his study. How long would he make us wait? Other visitors --- foreign princes, ambassadors, generals, ministers--- often wait for hours before he sees them.

The palace officers stared at Jeans Swedish uniform. Nobody spoke to us. Nobody was glad to see us. Of course, they knew why we had come. They knew too that the Emperor was wildly angry.

The clock struck eleven--- and the door opened. "His Majesty will see you now," an officer said in a solemn voice.

So we didnt have to wait! Was that a good sign, or was it a bad one? A bad one, I was sure.

The Emperors study is a very long room. His desk is at the far end of it. He usually gets up and meets his friends in the middle of the room. He didnt get up for us; he remained in his chair. We walked down the room in silence till we reached his desk.

Then we stood there, and Oscar stood between us. He and Jean bowed, and I curtseyed. Napoleon still didnt move. He was staring angrily at Jean.

Suddenly he jumped to his feet and pushed his chair back. "How dare you appear in front of your Emperor in those clothes, Marshal Bernadotte?"

Jean answered quietly: "Its a Swedish uniform, Your Majesty."

"And you dare appear here in a Swedish uniform? You, a Marshal of France?" he screamed like a madman. Poor little Oscar was shaking with fear.

"Im sorry if the uniform annoys Your Majesty. It seemed the proper one for this visit. If Your Majesty allows my request, I cannot wear a French marshals uniform any longer."

I felt tired and I wanted to sit down. While the Emperor stood, I too had to stand. Clearly he wasnt going to sit.

"Yes, I received your letter, marshal," he said. He wasnt shouting now. His voice was cold. He was trying to make Jean feel ashamed. "It astonished me. Have you forgotten the battles that youve fought for France in the last thirty years? Have you forgotten the men who fought with you? Are you no longer proud to be marshal?"

Jean remained silent. Behind Napoleons back, Talleyrand was whispering into the Foreign Ministers ear. I wondered what he was saying. It made the others men smile.

"France needs men like you," Napoleon went on. "Ive told you that before, Bernadotte. Once, long ago, you were ready to have me shot, because I came back from Egypt without permission. You were always ready to do your duty, Bernadotte. I repeat---France needs men like you."

He looked at Jeans letter for a moment, then he pushed it aside. "I cant understand why the people of Sweden have chosen you. But they have. So I, your Emperor, give you permission to accept their offer, if---" he paused and stared straight at Jean, "if you remain a Frenchman and a marshal of France. That is all!"

"Then I must tell the King of Sweden that I cannot accept the offer," said Jean "The people of Sweden demand a Swedish crown prince, Your Majesty."

Napoleon had just sat down. He jumped up again and said fiercely: "That is nonsense, Bernadotte. Three of my brothers are kings, but they are still French."

Jean didnt answer. Napoleon left his desk and marched angrily up and down the room. His hands were held tightly together behind his back.

Talleyrands eyes met mine, and they seemed to be sending me a message. Were they saying that Jean would win in the end? That seemed unlikely.

Suddenly the Emperor stopped in front of me. "Princess," he said. "do you know that the Swedish royal family are mad? Their King Charles, and the two kings before him--- theyve all been mad. Is your husband mad too? He wants you and your son to become Swedish!"

"It isnt his wish. Your Majesty," I said. "Its the wish of the Swedish people." Had I said the right thing? I looked at Talleyrand, and he nodded gently.

Napoleon turned to Jean. "You want to leave the French army. I cant agree. If war comes again, I shall need you and your Swedish army."

"I cant place the Swedish army under Your majestys command," said Jean.

Napoleons hand hit the desk so hard that Oscar jumped. But before he could speak, I said: "My feet hurt. May I sit down, Your Majesty?"

"At public ceremonies in Sweden, youll have to stand for many hours, Desiree." His voice was calm again, and he was using my first name. "Please sit down. Gentlemen, let us all sit down."

We sat down, around his desk. "What were we discussing?" he continued. "Oh yes. The Swedish army. It will fight for us against England. But it will fight under your command, not under mine. Is that right?"

Tallyerand was watching Jean very closely. Now I understood what Napoleon wanted. He wanted Jean to become a crown prince so that he could bring Sweden into Frances wars. His voice was soft as he went on: "If that is your plan, I accept your requests. And I hope youll be happy in Sweden, Bernadotte!"

"Mama, he really isnt as bad as I thought," said Oscar aloud.

Talleyrand was trying hard not to laugh. So was the Foreign Minister. Napoleon looked at Oscar and said: " I chose a Scandinavian name for this boy when I was in the Egyptian desert. Isnt life a mystery, Bernadotte?" he laughed a loud and happy laugh. The angry quarrel was forgotten.

Next, he asked for a map of Scandinavia and spread it on his knee. "sit beside me, Bernadotte," he said. And Jean sat on the arm of Napoleons chair. They must often have sat like that when they planned their battles together.

"All Europe had promised not to trade with Britain, but Sweden still trades with her. British goods are unloaded at Gothenburg. From there they are taken secretly to Germany. "

"And to Russia." Talleyrand added quickly.

"Yes. Unfortunately my friend, the Tsar of Russia, is careless about his promises. Too many British goods reach Moscow from Sweden. You will deal with this problem, Bernadotte. You wont let Sweden trade with the British. If necessary, you will fight them."

Jean was silent. He was still looking at the map.

"Do you object to this plan?" The Emperor asked sharply. "Or can we depend on you?"

Jean looked up. "I shall serve the needs of Sweden with all my power. You can depend on that."

"And the needs of France?"

Jean folded the map and stood up. "The French and Swedish governments are already holding discussions." He said. "if these discussions produce the right result, the needs of France and Sweden will be the same."

Napoleon didnt look pleased, but he didnt argue any longer.

"Perhaps youre right, Bernadotte," he said . He picked up his pen. "If I sign this document, you and your wife and son wont be French any longer. And I sign this one, you wont be a marshal of France. Do you want me to sign?"

Jean nodded, and Napoleon signed both documents.

Then he put his hand on Oscars shoulder and he walked with us to the door. Outside it, ambassadors and ministers and generals were waiting. They bowed deeply to the Emperor.

"Gentlemen," he said to them, "we must all offer our good wishes to Their Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Sweden."

"And their son," cried a bright little voice beside him.

"And their son, Prince Oscar," Napoleon added solemnly.