Chapter 45 April 9, 1814: I Have Met The Tsar of R

At two oclock on the morning of March 30th, the French government surrendered to the allies. When I woke, The Swedish flag was flying over my house. An angry crowd filled the street outside.

"Theyve heard that His Highness is coming today," said Villatte.

When a carriage came, the angry noise grew louder. But it was only the queen of Holland with her two little boys: nine-year-old Napoleon Louis and six-year-old Charles Louis Napoleon.

"Will you look after them for me?" she begged. "Im going to my mother at Malmaison, but roads arent safe for children." So of course I took them in.

Next day the allies marched into Paris. The people werent really sorry to see them. There had been no food in the shops for several days.

On April 1st Talleyrand formed a new government. That evening he gave a special dinner for the Tsar of Russia, who is staying at Talleyrands own house. A lot of French noblemen were invited. People say that Talleyrand wants to bring back the Bourbon royal family.

Other bits of news reached us each day. The Empress had gone south, to Blois. Most of the Bonapartes had gone with her. The Emperor himself was at Fontainebleau, about forty miles southeast of Paris. Five thousand of his best men were guarding him.

"He sent Gaulaincourt to discuss peace with the allies. Villatte told me. "Hes ready to leave France, for the sake of peace. But hell only go if his son can be Emperor instead. And the allies dont want his son."

Today I went out in my carriage and bought some things in the shops. When I came back, Marie was waiting for me at the front door. "You must dress quickly," she said. "The Tsar is coming to visit you before lunch. " First she made me drink a glass of brandy. It burnt my mouth, but it gave me courage.

While I was dressing, Julie came in. "Shall I wear my crown or not?" she asked. "I want to behave correctly when you introduce me to the Tsar."

"Introduce you?" I said in surprise. "Why ever should I do that? You arent a queen any longer. Im afraid. Youre just Julie Bonaparte. And the Bonapartes havent yet made peace with the allies."

The little crown fell on the floor with a crash, and Julie went angrily out.

I put on the diamond earrings that the Swedish queen Mother gave me. Then I asked Marie for another glass of brandy, and I floated bravely down the stairs.

Everyone was standing at the foot of the stairs: Julie and her daughters; Hortenses boys; La Flotte, Villatte and Rosen. I told all of them, except Rosen, to go into the sitting room. "And stay there," I added. "I shall welcome the Tsar in the drawing room."

At that moment I heard a carriage outside. The Tsar had arrived. He was a very big man; but his face was round, like a boys, and he had a boys smile. He was wearing a white uniform.

Talleyrand came in behind him, and half a dozen foreign officers. I bowed and held out my hand to the Tsar. He raised it to his lips.

"Your Highness," he said in very good French. "Ive been eager to meet the wife of he Crown Prince of Sweden. Without him we would never have won this war."

He and I sat down on a sofa. Talleyrand sat in an armchair near us. Everyone else stood.

"I had hoped to ride into Paris beside your husband, madame," said the Tsar. "He didnt come. I was very sorry. Can you tell me when he will arrive?"

I shook my head. "Im afraid I cant." I said.

"I need his advice while were discussing the future of France," he went on . "He understands the French peoples wishes. My friends the Kings of Prussia and the Emperor of Austria dont understand them."

He emptied his glass, and one of his officers filled it. My servants werent allowed to go near him.

"The new French government has its own ideas." He nodded towards Talleyrand, and Talleyrand bowed. "They think that France wants the Bourbons to rule again. This idea surprises me. Your husband once said that France never trust the Bourbons again. So I suggested that he himself should be King of France."

"And what did he reply, Your Majesty?" I asked.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. I dont understand him. He hasnt answered my letter. He hasnt come to Paris. In fact he seems to have disappeared completely." He held up his empty glass for more champagne. Then he looked at me sadly. "Austria and Prussia want to crown a Bourbon as King Louis XVIII. England is ready to bring him to France in one of her warships. If your husband doesnt reply, I shall have to accept this plan."

We got up and walked into the garden, where even Talleyrand couldnt hear us.

"Why doesnt your husband reply?" he asked.

"My husband knows that the people of France want a French republic. They dont want a king or an emperor," I answered quietly.

He nodded and said: "Thank you, Your Highness. I begin to understand."

Then I remembered something. "Your Majesty, you have not only offered the throne of France to my husband. You have also offered him a Russian princess," I said angrily.

He laughed. "That was a secret. You shouldnt have heard it. Do you know what he replied to that offer? He said: Im married already. So you neednt worry."

"I never did worry," I told him. "I trust my husband."

"If I had met you before, I would never have suggested it," he said with a smile. "The unmarried ladies of my family are all very ugly. And you, my dear princess, are very beautiful. Now I must go; but some of my men will guard your house till your husband arrives."

When he left, I felt very tired. I came upstairs and lay down. Now its evening. I still have no news of Jean. Even the crowds in the street have got tired of waiting for him. Theyve all gone home. Oh, Jean! When will you come?