My face went red. "Long ago, in Marseilles, Napoleon needed money. I gave him some. On the day of his coronation he paid it back. That is all."

"Hes angry," Paulette went on, "because Mama didnt come to his coronation. But in his heart he really loves her, and he needs her. She wont go to his throne room. So I want them to meet by surprise. I want them to be alone together. Can you do that for me?"

I whispered back: "Your majesty. I want to speak to you, alone, for a few moments. Could you meet me in your room, where you left your cloak?"

"An example of good government. Hanover is going to be a happy place."

Louis and Hortnse have two little boys now. They arent Napoleons grandsons; thats true. But they are his nephews. And Julie doesnt want to be an empress.

"Madame, this is a wonderful surprise," he answered. But still he didnt move. He wanted her to curtsey. She wouldnt e九-九-藏-書ven bow.

Happy? Yes. Jean himself was suddenly happy. For years he has wanted a job kike this. Wars can only destroy a country; he wants to build one. Now at last he has the chance.

I said: "You really are a terrible family."

"Its your turn now," I said. "Can you tell me?"

Paulette whistled, like a boy in the street. "I dont understand it," she said. "I thought that Georgina the dancer was His Majestys favourite now."

He didnt reply at once. Then a smile began to play round his mouth. "One of my officers shall take me there," he said.

"Of course," said Paulette with a smile. "Of course that is all, my dear child." Then she remembered the reason for her visit. "I want to talk to you about Mama. She arrived here secretly yesterday. Even Fouche doesnt know. Shes staying with me at present. But you must help them, Desiree."

I felt that N九九藏書apoleon would come. He did. He was wearing the ordinary uniform that he wore in the Dome des Invalides. No stars, no gold on the shoulders, no marks of rank at all. He often appears like that now. And he likes to have tall men around him. Julie says: "He has strange ideas." Shes quite right. No one really understands him; not even his mother.

I nodded. "Napoleon had just told me. Tomorrow you will be Governor of Hanover."

"Yes, Ill help you, Paulette. You must bring your mother to our dance tonight. They can meet in his own room at the Opera House."

"In northwest Germany. Its people have had a bad time during our wars."

Paulette smiled. "You understand us, Desiree. You know that I like Napoleon. The others only want to get things from him. Even Josephine does that. She wants one of her grandsons to be the next Emperor. They arent Napoleons grandsons. So why should he choose one of the九-九-藏-書m?"

They met me at the door of his room. The officer went away. Napoleon opened the door and said: "After you, madame" Then he followed me in.

"Yes," I told her. "It was. His Majesty the Emperor of France gave me that box."

"But youll have to live in a castle with me!" he said.

Madame Lettitia was sitting in a corner. She stood up and took a step forward into the lamplight. Napoleon didnt move.

"I dont know," he said. "It may be---" then he suddenly stopped and looked into eyes. "Is it true?"

In the middle of our dance he whispered into my ear: "Youre looking very beautiful tonight, Desiree."

She thought of a moment. "Was it--- could it be---"

"And who is going to be its new French governor?"

I was busy in the Opera House this morning. When I got home, a visitor was waiting foe me. It was Princess Paulette. Two good-looking young rｅａｄ.99cｓｗ•cｏmofficers were with her. Paulettte has a husband, of course, but she always has boy friends too.

He danced, and he drank champagne. He seemed to be pleases with everything. At last he danced with me. My chance had come.

"Which of those two young men is my faourite?" she asked. "Can you tell me?"

Thats secret between Julie and me. If I told Paulette, it would start another family quarrel. The Bonapartes have enough quarrels already. So I said:

The party went on till three oclock. During the last dance I asked Jean: "Where is Hanover?"

"Who are they?" I asked.

"Mama and Napoleon, the boy with the crown," she replied "He said to me last week: When Mama arrives in Paris, I shall welcome her properly. I shall sit on my throne. Joseph will lead her forward. She will curtsey. And my palace officers will give her a seat beside me."

I had to laugh, and Paulette laughed with me. Did he rea九-九-藏-書lly think that Madame Lettitia would curtsey in front of his throne?

We finished our dance, but Jean was very excited. "Now this Emperor and his generals shall see something." He said.

Tonight the marshals held a dance. We, their wives, have been busy all the week. The food, the wine, the music, the guests --- we had to take care of everything. We hired the opera House, and we chose our guests with special care.

I said that I couldnt.

She wanted to talk to me alone, so we went up to my bedroom.

"Both!" she said happily. Then she noticed the gold box on a table. "Who gave you that?"

"My boy, wont you say good evening to your mother?" she said. And she took another step.

Three more steps brought her to him. She bent her head. But she wasnt bowing; she was going to kiss him. At that moment I forgot that he was the Emperor. I pushed him into her arms, and I rushed outside.

"What will they see?" I asked.