This is part of a series translating the memoirs of Napoleon’s rumored last mistress, Countess Albine de Montholon. When we last left off Napoleon and his suite are trying to figure out how to actually get to America. We have a solid case by a toxicologist about why he believed Albine’s husband was getting close to Napoleon in order to slowly poison him in a way that would provide plausible deniability to the murderer - an act which would create the illusion of a natural death.
[describing where they stayed] - size, it suited us perfectly. The day the Duke of Rovigo entered my house as I was with Madame Bertrand. We talked about the different options to take.
Going to the English was one. Madame Bertrand, English on her father’s side, she was a niece of Lord Dillon’s, she was brought up in England. She supported this project.
“And you, Madame de Montholon," said the Duke, "what do you think of it? How do you think they will treat us? I was probably inspired when I replied: "We will start with curtsies and we will end up with locks." Alas! We didn't even get the curtsies!
During the three days that we remained on the island of Aix, we had lunch and dinner in the house occupied by the Emperor; By us, I mean to say the generals, the officers, M. de Las-Cases, Mme. Bertrand and me.
The officers, the doctor, the quartermaster, etc., dined at another table. The Emperor did not appear; he ate in his room; the aide-de-camp service with his person alternated between the generals and he hardly saw my husband.
It was therefore necessary to do the best one could; we spent the time opening and closing out trunks. The first time I went to lunch, I did not know the way.
I had been misled about location of the dining room which was on the ground floor and I went upstairs.
I open a door and see the Emperor in a dressing gown. I quickly close the door and run away confused from my carelessness.
In the midst of the hesitation and all the embarrassment of such a position with a fairly large following, it was marvelous that one recognized oneself there; but everything still worked according to the habits of subordination and precision of the imperial palace, a model of organization in all kinds of ways and especially in the economy of the entire ensemble.
Ten times a day, orders and counter-orders resulted from the circumstances and were carried out without murmuring so that everything was ready to the minute. But also, what self-sacrifice it was to do one’s duty well! My husband only had the time to hastily say to me, “Get ready for this hour. Finally, it was decided to send the Duke of Rovigo and the Count of Las-Cases on board the Bellerophon” -
To be continued.
Cela fait partie d'une série traduisant les mémoires de la dernière maîtresse présumée de Napoléon, la comtesse Albine de Montholon. La dernière fois que nous nous sommes arrêtés, Napoléon et sa suite essayent de comprendre comment se rendre réellement en Amérique.
Nous avons un cas solide d'un toxicologue sur les raisons pour lesquelles il croyait que le mari d'Albine se rapprochait de Napoléon afin de l'empoisonner lentement d'une manière qui pourrait nier de manière plausible le meurtrier - un acte qui créerait l'illusion d'une mort naturelle.
