This letter forms a part of a series of letters from Josephine and Hortense to Eugene.
Dear Eugene,
Paris, this Wednesday, February 26th, 1806.
Do not be worried about my health, my dear Eugène, I am much better; I was still sick from not having been in Munich when Mom told you about it, but the distraction and the horseriding did me a lot of good.
However, it is sadness that hurts me, I tremble that I won’t be well in some time. Would you believe that we are to be sent to Holland (1)? Without inner happiness and without ambition, what will I become? I can't think of it without tears in my eyes. There are so many people who want to be queen! ... Why not give them the happiness that would make me, so unhappy! I still hope, but the Emperor seems like he’s sticking to it and his policy comes first.
My God, I can imagine that I will die of grief!
Mom was yesterday near the Emperor when he received a letter from you and one from Junot (2). You told him what you had done and Junot asked him for advice on everything he wanted to do. He noticed the difference very clearly and you are going to receive a slightly dry letter from him (3). We believe we are doing well and we are often wrong. As long as he judges the intention, that's all we can ask for.
Farewell, my good Eugene, you will always be my sweetest consolation in all my sadness; so think of me and love me always.
HORTENSE.
(1) The plan for the creation of a kingdom of Holland dates from the day after Austerlitz.
(2) Junot, since January 19, 1806, was Governor General of Parma and Piacenza. Due to the insurrection of the Apennines, he had, moreover, on February 5, received the military command of these States.
(3) See letter from Napoleon to Eugène, Paris, February 25, 1806 (Memoirs of Prince Eugène, II, 91),
Cette lettre fait partie d'une série de lettres de Joséphine et Hortense à Eugène.
