He said he also reproached himself for his conduct to M. de G—— at the Tuileries, during one of the grand Sunday audiences, and in presence of all the Court.—"But in this instance," said he, “I was provoked to the utmost extreme. My anger burst forth against my inclination. I had given G—— the command of a legion of the capital, which I was about to defend. I afterwards learned that he rejoiced in our disasters, and invoked them, though I did not know this at the period to which I am now alluding. The enemy was advancing upon us, and G—— coolly wrote to inform me that his health would not permit him to take the command; though, as a courtier, he presented himself to me in perfect activity and good spirits. I was very indignant at his conduct; but I repressed my anger, and resolved to take no notice of him. He, however, on three or four occasions sought an opportunity of throwing himself in my way. I could no longer stifle my rage, and the bomb exploded.
“But,” concluded the Emperor, "what distressed me most of all, was the situation of G....’s son, who was my chamberlain, and of whom I had no reason to complain."
The Emperor then spoke of the Faubourg St. Germain, and questioned me respecting many families and individuals belonging to it. He happened to mention the name of Madame de S....; I observed that she had constantly evinced great attachment to the Emperor, for which she was now doubtless severely punished. The Emperor was not aware of the extent and sincerity of her zeal and devotedness; though he had been very much moved by her generous resolution of remaining with the Empress Josephine. He had, he said, to reproach himself for not having done any thing for Madame de S..... She must have been unfortunate in the choice of the moment at which she solicited her husband’s nomination to the Senate.
I had, from my childhood, been intimately acquainted with Madame de S....; and she made me her confidential friend. I related to the Emperor the anecdote of her nomination to the post of _dame du palais_. Her husband one morning introduced her to the Empress Josephine, who returned her thanks for having made an application to enter her service. This was a thunderbolt to Madame de S...., who had never dreamed of making such a solicitation; and who, in the natural timidity of her disposition, preserved silence. At that time I was certainly far from approving or advising her acceptance of the post: I nevertheless rendered her a real act of service by withholding a letter of refusal which she had confided to me, without the knowledge of her friends, and which might have proved fatal to the intrigues of those by whom the affair had been brought about.