Both Napoleon and Josephine pushed Hortense into marrying Louis Bonaparte for their own reasons. By 1810, both Napoleon and Hortense are extricated from their marriages and Louis is on the run.
In the letter below, Josephine shows herself in despair and extremely preoccupied with the negative turn of circumstances. Although I empathize with Josephine’s unhappiness, these letters make her sound like a person with Borderline Personality Disorder of the waif variety.
Dear Eugène,
Aix, the 20 of July, 1810,
M. de la Bedoyere has come to take my commissions for you, my dear Eugene. He is very happy to join you, while I have been so far from you finally seeing you brought me a single moment of happiness. It was very sweet for me since it was a diversion to all my sorrows. I have not had another letter from the Queen (Hortense) since the 16th. I am waiting for her these days in Aix, where she will come to take the waters.
We still don’t know what’s going on with the King (Hortense’s husband Louis). It is presumed that he has slipped away to the Dutch colonies. We talk a lot about this disappearance in Paris.
The Emperor must be very unhappy. It is said that the King's proclamation was arranged in the Moniteur. He complained much of his brother and even uttered the word hatred. If I learn something more definitive, I'll tell you. I can not help but be worried about his fate. I hope your little girls are healthy. Give me their news, Auguste’s and yours. I kiss you all tenderly.
PS. Send me good cheese.
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