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his honor。 His Majesty sent in return an embassy to the Shah； at the
head of which he placed General Gardanne； who it was then said had an
especial reason for wishing to visit Persia。 It was rumored that one of
his relations； after a long residence at Teheran； had been compelled；
having taken part in an insurrection against the Franks； to quit this
capital； and before his flight had buried a considerable treasure in a
certain spot； the description of which he had carried to France。 I will
add； as a finale to this story； some facts which I have since learned。
General Gardanne found the capital in a state of confusion； and being
able neither to locate the spot nor discover the treasure； returned from
his embassy with empty hands。
Our stay at Finkenstein became very tiresome； and in order to while away
the time； his Majesty sometimes played with his generals and aides…de…
camp。 The game was usually vingt…et…un； and the Great Captain took much
pleasure in cheating； holding through several deals the cards necessary
to complete the required number； and was much amused when he won the game
by this finesse。 I furnished the sum necessary for his game； and as soon
as he returned to his quarters received orders to make out his account。
He always gave me half of his gains； and I divided the remainder between
the ordinary valets de chambre。
I have no intention； in this journal； of conforming to a very exact order
of dates； and whenever there recurs to my memory a fact or an anecdote
which seems to me deserving of mention； I shall jot it down； at whatever
point of my narrative I may have then reached； fearing lest； should I
defer it to its proper epoch； it might be forgotten。 In pursuance of
this plan I shall here relate； in passing； some souvenirs of Saint…Cloud
or the Tuileries； although we are now in camp at Finkenstein。 The
pastimes in which his Majesty and his general officers indulged recalled
these anecdotes to my recollection。 These gentlemen often made wagers or
bets among themselves； and I heard the Duke of Vicenza one day bet that
Monsieur Jardin； junior； equerry of his Majesty； mounted backwards on his
horse； could reach the end of the avenue in front of the chateau in the
space of a few moments； which bet the equerry won。
Messieurs Fain； Meneval； and Ivan once played a singular joke on Monsieur
B。 d'A ； who； they knew； was subject to frequent attacks of
gallantry。 They dressed a young man in woman's clothes； and sent him to
promenade； thus disguised； in an avenue near the chateau。 Monsieur
B。 d'A was very near…sighted； and generally used an eyeglass。 These
gentlemen invited him to take a walk； and as soon as he was outside the
door； he perceived the beautiful promenader； and could not restrain an
exclamation of surprise and joy at the sight。
His friends feigned to share his delight； and urged him； as the most
enterprising； to make the first advances； whereupon； in great excitement；
he hastened after the pretended young lady； whom they had taught his role
perfectly。 Monsieur d'A outdid himself in politeness； in attentions；
in offers of service； insisting eagerly on doing the honors of the
chateau to his new conquest。 The other acted his part perfectly； and
after many coquettish airs on his side； and many protestations on the
part of Monsieur d'A ； a rendezvous was made for that very evening； and
the lover； radiant with hope； returned to his friends； maintaining much
discretion and reserve as to his good fortune； while he really would have
liked to devour the time which must pass before the day was over。 At
last the evening arrived which was to put an end to his impatience； and
bring the time of his interview； and his disappointment and rage may be
imagined when he discovered the deception which had been practiced on
him。 Monsieur d'A wished at first to challenge the authors and
actors in this hoax； and could with great difficulty be appeased。
It was； I think； on the return from this campaign； that Prince Jerome saw
at Breslau； at the theater of that town； a young and very pretty actress；
who played her part badly； but sang very well。 He made advances； which
she received coolly： but kings do not sigh long in vain； they place too
heavy a weight in the balance against discretion。 His Majesty； the King
of Westphalia； carried off his conquest to Cassel； and at the end of a
short time she was married to his first valet de chambre； Albertoni；
whose Italian morals were not shocked by this marriage。 Some
disagreement； the cause； of which I do not know； having caused Albertoni
to quit the king； he returned to Paris with his wife； and engaged in
speculations； in which he lost all that he had gained； and I have been
told that he returned to Italy。 One thing that always appeared to me
extraordinary was the jealousy of Albertoni towards his wifean exacting
jealousy which kept his eyes open towards all men except the king； for I
am well convinced that the liaison continued after their marriage。
The brothers of the Emperor； although kings； were sometimes kept waiting
in the Emperor's antechamber。 King Jerome came one morning by order of
the Emperor； who； having not yet risen； told me to beg the King of
Westphalia to wait。 As the Emperor wished to sleep a little longer； I
remained with the other servants in the saloon which was used as an
antechamber； and the king waited with us； I do not say in patience； for
he constantly moved from chair to chair； promenaded back and forth
between the window and the fireplace； manifesting much annoyance； and
speaking now and then to me； whom he always treated with great kindness。
Thus more than half an hour passed； and at last I entered the Emperor's
room； and when he had put on his dressing…gown； informed him that his
Majesty was waiting； and after introducing him； I withdrew。 The Emperor
gave him a cool reception； and lectured him severely； and as he spoke
very loud； I heard him against my will； but the king made his excuses in
so low a tone that I could not hear a word of his justification。 Such
scenes were often repeated； for the prince was dissipated and prodigal；
which displeased the Emperor above all things else； and for which he
reproved him severely； although he loved him； or rather because he loved
him so much； for it is remarkable； that notwithstanding the frequent
causes of displeasure which his family gave him； the Emperor still felt
for all his relations the warmest affection。
A short time after the taking of Dantzig （May 24； 1807）； the Emperor；
wishing to reward Marshal Lefebvre for the recent services which he had
rendered； had him summoned at six o'clock in the morning。 His Majesty
was in consultation with the chief…of…staff of the army when the arrival
of the marshal was announced。 〃Ah！〃 said he to Berthier； 〃the duke does
not delay。〃 Then； turning to the officer on duty； 〃 Say to the Duke of
Dantzig that I have summoned him so early in order that he may breakfast
with me。〃 The officer； thinking that the Emperor had misunderstood the
name； remarked to him； that the person who awaited his orders was not the
Duke of Dantzig； but Marshal Lefebvre。 〃It seems； monsieur； that you
think me more capable of making a count ＇faire un conte＇ than a duke。〃
The officer was somewhat disconcerted by this reply； but the Emperor
reassured him with a smile； and said； 〃Go； give the duke my invitation；
and say to him that in a quarter of an hour breakfast will be served。〃
The officer returned to the marshal； who was； of course； very anxious to
know why the Emperor had summoned him。 〃Monsieur le Due； the Emperor
invites you to breakfast with him； and begs you to wait a quarter of an
hour。〃 The marshal； not having noticed the new title which the officer
gave him； replied by a nod； and seated himself on a folding chair on the
back of which hung the Emperor's sword； which the marshal inspected and
touched with admiration and respect。 The quarter of an hour passed； when
another ordnance officer came to summon the marshal to the Emperor； who
was already at table with the chief…of…staff； and as he entered； the
Emperor saluted him with； 〃Good…day； Monsieur le Due； b