This is part of a series of letters to Eugene de Beauharnais. Previous entries are here.
Napoleon had come to realize his plan to marry Eugène to a princess from Bavaria. The marriage was celebrated in Munich on January 13 and 14, 1806. But Hortense did not attend. By an act of cruelty, her husband had prevented her from leaving when there was still time. She painfully felt the effects of this abuse of power and she poured out her sadness in the letters she wrote to her brother at that time in her life.
Dear Eugene,
The 30th of December, 1805.
I must admit that I am very unhappy. I will annoy everyone and yet I will always be the saddest. The Emperor writes, on the 15th, to Louis. He asks him to send me immediately, with Napoleon, to Munich. This invitation puts Louis in despair. He is a lost man, dishonored if his wife leaves without him. Going to find his mother, his stepfather and maybe his brother, all that is nothing for him.
Me, always used to these sacrifices to have, at least, peace, I give in, but I see that it will come back to me as a lot of trouble, a lot of sorrow. On the side of the Emperor, there are the rumbles about my weakness and, on the side of my husband, no more happiness than usual. I therefore remain with the consolation that it is only me who suffers and that, if I am made to grieve, at least I grieve no one.
If, however, your marriage, about which much is said, was celebrated in Munich, I would perhaps be very rebellious and urge you to come through Paris, because we could be together day and night. You could verify that I am not doing anything dishonorable, because that is the only excuse anyone can give me.
Adieu, my dear Eugène. If you are asked, don't forget to come through Paris. Do not fear scrutinizing my behavior, you know that I am not a little mistress. Despite my grief, I have been very careful to keep the Emperor’s wishes in mind.
HORTENSE. Anyway, I would not bring Napoleon. It’s too cold. It would hurt him.
The memoirs so far are available here.