Chapter 50 Jun 29, 1815: The Emperor's Sword

Tonight Napoleons sword lies on the table beside my bed. Everyone else is wildly happy. They say that I have brought peace to France. But I myself am terribly sad.

Last night I lay awake for hours. The last heavy guns of Napoleons army were rolling past my house. They were supposed to defend Paris against the enemy. The plan was hopeless, of course. Half the city would have been destroyed, and half its people would have been killed.

The sun had only just risen when Marie came into my room. "Count Rosen wants to speak to you at once," she said.

Rosen brought a curious message: "The government and the people of France are waiting downstairs. They beg you to see them as soon as possible."

"The government and the people of France! Who are they? And what do they want?" I asked.

"Talleyrand and Fouche will speak for the government," he replied. "general Lafayette will speak for the people of France."

General Lafayette! Ive always wanted to meet him, but Ive never had the chance. He hasnt lived in Paris since the King was guillotined.

When I went down, there he was. A small thin man, with an old and tired face. But his eyes were bright and his smile was very sweet.

"General Lafayette," I said. "a copy of the Rights of Man was my fathers greatest treasure. Im proud to meet the man who wrote that document." Then I turned to the others. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"

"Your Highness," said Talleyrand, "long ago I told you that one day I would bring you an important request. That day has come. France begs the Crown Princess of Sweden to save Paris and its people."

Before I could reply, Fouche added: "Let me explain. Our government sent a message to Wellington and Blucher. We are ready to surrender. If we dont theyll destroy our city."

"Did they agree?" I asked.

"They agreed," said Talleyrand, "but they made one special demand. If we surrender, General Bonapatre must leave France at once."

"And General Bonaparte refuses!" Fouche cried. "Most of his army were killed at Waterloo. He wants to defend Paris with the rest. He wants them all to die---and the people of Paris too---for the sake of his honour!"

I said nothing. Fouche went on: "The allies are at Versailles. We cannot delay any longer. Bonaparte must leave Malmaison today. He must go to Rockefort harbour and get on to a French warship. There are English warships there too, of course. Hey wont let him escape again."

Lafayette spoke now, for the first time. His voice was deep and calm and sad. "Madame, General Bonapartes wars have cost ten million lives. France has lost three million of her own sons. Unless someone persuades Bonaparte to go, many more French lives will be lost. He has refused our request; instead he demands more soldiers. But he trusts you, madame. Perhaps you can persuade him."

"Very well. Ill try," I said.

Fouche put an envelope into my hand. He offered me a thousand soldiers as a guard. I refused the offer. "Count Rosen can take care of me," I told him. "I shall go at once."

"With your permission, I shall sit in your garden till you return," said Lafayette. "But my thoughts will go with you, my child."

When we reached Malmaison, familiar faces welcomed me: Julie and Joseph. Hortense, Lucien, Madame Letitia.

"Joseph," I said. "I want to speak to your brother."

"Youre very kind, Desiree, but you must wait. The emperor is expecting an important message from the government. He wishes to remain alone meanwhile. He is sitting in his favourite place, at the end of the rose garden."

"I have the message with me," I replied.

I walked quickly up the grass path to that lonely seat. Napoleon was sitting there, in his dark green uniform. His head rested on one hand, and he was staring at the roses in front of him.

He must have been dreaming, because his first words were: "Josephine, is it lunch time already?"

Only my silence woke him properly. Then he recognized me and said: "Desiree! What a nice surprise! Please sit down here, beside me."

When I sat down, he looked at me with a smile. "Many years have passed since you and I first sat together in a rose garden. But I wasnt expecting you. I was waiting for a message from the government--- and Im not used to waiting!"

"You neednt wait any longer," I said. "Here is the governments answer."

I gave him their envelope. He pulled the letter out and read it quickly. "Why did they give this to you?" he asked angrily. "Why didnt they send a minister or an officer? I offered to defend Paris, madame, and the government refuses my offer!"

"They allies have reached Versailles," I said. "are you going to let them catch you?"

"No. No one shall catch me," he replied. "This letter asks me to go to Rockfort. If I go on the warship there, will I be safe? Will the captain follow my orders?"

"The British are watching Rockfort," I told him. "Their ships are watching all French harbours. You cant escape."

I thought that that would make him angry. It didnt. he gave me a curious look and said:

"If I surrender freely, what will happen? Will they put me on another island?"

"I dont know, general. But one thing is certain: if you dont surrender, you will be caught."

He sat in silence for several minutes. Then suddenly he stood up. "Shall I make Wellington and Blucher look stupid? Shall I spoil their fun?" he was holding out his sword, and its handle was towards me. "Here, Desiree, take it! Take the sword of Waterloo!"

The sun shone on the street blade. "Be careful, Desiree. Dont touch the blade. Its sharp," he warned me with a smile. Then, as I took the sword, he added:

"At this moment I am surrendering to the allies. When an officer surrenders to someone, he always gives that person his sword. I give mine to the Crown Princess of Sweden."

"And what shall I tell the French government, general?"

"I shall go to Rockfort this morning. Tell them that." He stared at the ground. "But I dont want to go to St Helena. Id rather die. Before they took me to Elba, I tried to kill myself. Did you know that?"

I nodded. "I must go now, Napoleon," I said.

"Yes, you must go, Desiree, and we shall never meet again. But I want you to remember one thing. When I asked you to marry me in Marseilles, your money was not the only reason. I loved you. I----" he shook his head. "Go quickly, Desiree. Take my sword before I change my mind."

I hurried back to the house and told the family my story. Then Rosen and I got into the carriage and drove away.

"He cant change his mind now," I thought. "Its too late for that."

When we reached Paris, the street outside our house was full of people. They cheered when they saw my carriage. I wondered why.

In my drawing room Lafayette was waiting. So were Talleyrand and Fouche. I asked them about the crowds outside.

"They know that you went to Malmaison, Your Highness," said Fouche. "And they know why. So theyve been waiting anxiously for your return."

I turned to Lafayette. "Please tell them that General Bonaparte has surrendered to the allies," I said. Then I showed him the sword and added: "here is the proof. Tell them that he has gone to Rockfort. Now they can go home in peace."

"They will want to see you, madame," said Lafaette. "Please come with me to the window. You have saved Paris, and pairs wants to thank you."

He opened the window above the street. When the people saw him, they were suddenly silent. Their lives depended on his news.

"People of Paris," he cried, "there is peace. A French girl, who will one day be Queen of Sweden, has persuaded General Bonaparte to surrender. He has given her his sword--- the sword of Waterloo!"

He drew me forward, so that the crowd could see me. Then I raised the sword, and everyone cheered madly. "Notre Dame de la Paix!" they cried. "our lady of Peace!"

When my visitors had gone, I went up to my bedroom. I was feeling terribly tired. Marie undressed me and brought me some supper. Now Im writing my diary in bed.

Dear Papa, I wish you had been here today! You would have been proud to meet general Lafayette at your daughters house. You gave me this diary on my fourteenth birthday. I began it when Napoleon came into my life. Now he and I have said goodbye, I shall never see him again.