We continue to translate letters from the suspicious Montholons - a couple who followed Napoleon to St. Helena for no obvious reason.
Since these letters all pass under the eyes of the English government, we never know what’s intended for that readership. These letters are incongruent. For the first time, Albine expresses some affection for her husband and she almost expresses interest in Napoleon.
As always, the Montholons seem so sure that Napoleon will be dead soon even though he had just turned 50. It’s also worth noting, Albine writes from Paris. Most of our memoirs shows that the real faithful of Napoleon were exiled with great vigor from France. The list includes, Las Cases, Hortense, Lavallette and Savary.
XXVII. - FROM THE COUNTESS TO THE COUNT DE MONTHOLON
Paris, July 4, 1820.
According to letters I have received, Madame does not want to take the slightest step to send someone to Sainte-Hélène to replace you, or for anything, unless a letter or an order comes from the Emperor. It's really unbelievable.(1)
If Princess Borghese says the same, we must give up the hope of sending someone other than if we get an official request from Longwood.
XXVIII. - FROM THE COUNTESS TO THE COUNT OF MONTHOLON
Paris, July 30, left on August 2, 1820.
You are among us, I assure you. Lili sets aside something for her dad every day, who she says always will arrive next Sunday.
She wants to have new dresses, like Hortense [Bertrand] does.
I put Tristan in boarding school. Charles loves you as if he knew you. He is the idol of Yolande. She admires everything he says too much, which often gives her a phoniness. She’s me physically and you morally.
I often hear from Emilie; she is the best girl in the world. Farewell, my Charles, love me. Be happy if you can be, far from what you love!
Take comfort in your lot by thinking of the one that your cares benefit.
All positions have their advantages and their disadvantages. There are always a few bad years in life; when these stormy and somber years leave behind them the feeling of having done one’s duty, those years cannot be called worthless.
Remind the Emperor of me; I see only too well that he no longer thinks of
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1. We will see later (letter of August 31, 1820, note) the cause of this inertia.
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me. It does not matter, I would say: do what you must, whatever happens.
Farewell, my Charles, I kiss you.
XXIX. - FROM THE COUNT TO THE COUNTESS OF MONTHOLON
August 13, 1820,
We were reading yesterday about the Venetians of Arnault. The conversation fell on him, and we gave ourselves up to the hope that perhaps you could have decided to come and take my place.
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Nous continuons de traduire des lettres des Montholons suspects. Étant donné que ces lettres passent toutes sous les yeux du gouvernement anglais, nous ne savons jamais ce qui est destiné à ce lectorat.
Ces lettres sont incongrues. Pour la première fois, Albine exprime une certaine affection pour son mari et elle manifeste presque un intérêt pour Napoléon.
Comme toujours, les Montholons semblent si sûrs que Napoléon sera bientôt mort même s'il vient d'avoir 50 ans. Il faut aussi le noter, écrit Albine de Paris.
La plupart de nos mémoires montrent que les vrais fidèles de Napoléon ont été exilés avec une grande vigueur de France. La liste comprend, Las Cases, Hortense, Lavallette et Savary.
