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apartment situated behind these arcades on the ground floor； and his
Majesty informed me that I would find a window open； through which I must
enter cautiously； in the darkness； and give his note to a person who
would ask for it。 This darkness was necessary； because this window
opened on the garden； and though behind the arcades； would have been
noticed had there been a light。 Not knowing the interior of these
apartments； I entered through the window； thinking I could then walk on a
level； but had a terrible fall over a high step which was in the
embrasure of the window。 I heard some one scream as I fell； and a door
was suddenly closed。 I had received severe bruises on my knee； elbow；
and head； and rising with difficulty； at once began a search around the
apartment； groping in the dark； but hearing nothing more； and fearing to
make some fresh noise which might be heard by persons who should not know
of my presence there； I decided to return to the Emperor； and report to
him my adventures。
Finding that none of my injuries were serious； the Emperor laughed most
heartily； and then added； 〃Oh； oh； so there is a step； it is well to know
that。 Wait till Madame B is over her fright； I will go to her； and
you will accompany me。〃 At the end of an hour； the Emperor emerged with
me from the door of his cabinet which opened on the garden。 I conducted
him in silence towards the window which was still open and assisted him
to enter； and having obtained to my cost a correct idea of the spot；
directed him how to avoid a fall。
His Majesty； having entered the chamber without accident； told me to
retire。 I was not without some anxiety as I informed the Emperor； but he
replied that I was a child； and there could be no danger。 It appeared
that his Majesty succeeded better than I had done；as he did not return
until daybreak； and then jested about my awkwardness； admitting； however；
that if he had not been warned； a similar accident would have befallen
him。
Although Madame de B was worthy of a genuine attachment； her liaison
with the Emperor lasted only a short while； and was only a passing fancy。
I think that the difficulties surrounding his nocturnal visits cooled his
Majesty's ardor greatly； for the Emperor was not enough in love to be
willing to brave everything in order to see his beautiful mistress。 His
Majesty informed me of the fright which my fall had caused her； and how
anxious this amiable lady had been on my account； and how he had
reassured her； this did not； however； prevent her sending next day to
know how I was； by a confidential person； who told me again how
interested Madame de B had been in my accident。
Often at Fontainebleau there was a court representation； in which the
actors of the first theaters received orders to play before their
Majesties scenes selected from their various repertoires。 Mademoiselle
Mars was to play the evening of her arrival； but at Essonne； where she
was obliged to stop a moment on account of the road being filled with
cattle going or returning from Fontainebleau； her trunk had been stolen；
a fact of which she was not aware until she had gone some distance from
the spot。 Not only were her costumes missing； but she had no other
clothing except what she wore； and it would be at least twelve hours
before she could get from Paris what she needed。 It was then two o'clock
in the afternoon； and that very evening she must appear in the brilliant
role of Celimene。 Although much disturbed by this accident； Mademoiselle
Mars did not lose her presence of mind； but visited all the shops of the
town； and in a few hours had cut and made a complete costume in most
excellent taste； and her loss was entirely repaired。
CHAPTER V。
In the month of November of this year I followed their Majesties to
Italy。 We knew a few days in advance that the Emperor would make this
journey； but as happened on all other occasions； neither the day nor the
hour was fixed； until we were told on the evening of the 15th that we
would set out early on the morning of the 16th。 I passed the night like
all the household of his Majesty； for in order to carry out the
incredible perfection of comfort with which the Emperor surrounded
himself on his journeys； it was necessary that everybody should be on
foot as soon as the hour of departure was known； consequently I passed
the night arranging the service of his Majesty； while my wife packed my
own baggage； and had but just finished when the Emperor asked for me；
which meant that ten minutes after we would be on the road。 At four
o'clock in the morning his Majesty entered his carriage。
As we never knew at what hour or in what direction the Emperor would
begin his journey； the grand marshal； the grand equerry； and the grand
chamberlain sent forward a complete service on all the different roads
which they thought his Majesty might take。 The bedroom service comprised
a valet de chambre and a wardrobe boy。 As for me； I never left his
Majesty's person； and my carriage always followed immediately behind his。
The conveyance belonging to this service contained an iron bed with its
accessories； a dressing…case with linen； coats； etc。 I know little of
the service of the stables； but that of the kitchen was organized as
follows： There was a conveyance almost in the shape of the coucous on the
Place Louis XV。 at Paris； with a deep bottom and an enormous body。 The
bottom contained wines for the Emperor's table and that of the high
officers； the ordinary wine being bought at the places where we stopped。
In the body of the wagon were the kitchen utensils and a portable
furnace； followed by a carriage containing a steward； two cooks； and a
furnace…boy。 There was besides this； a baggage…wagon full of provisions
and wine to fill up the other as it was emptied； and all these
conveyances set out a few hours in advance of the Emperor。 It was the
duty of the grand marshal to designate the place at which breakfast
should be taken。 We alighted sometimes at the archbishop's； sometimes at
the hotel de ville； sometimes at the residence of the sub…prefect； or
even at that of the mayor； in the absence of any other dignitaries。
Having arrived at the designated house； the steward gave orders for the
provisions； the furnaces were lighted； and spits turned； and if the
Emperor alighted and partook of the repast prepared； the provisions which
had been consumed were immediately replaced as far as possible； and the
carriages filled again with poultry； pastry； etc。； before leaving all
expenses were paid by the controller； presents were made to the master of
the house； and everything which was not necessary for the service left
for the use of their servants。 It sometimes happened that the Emperor；
finding that it was too soon for breakfast； or wishing to make a longer
journey； gave orders to pass on； and everything was packed up again and
the service continued its route。 Sometimes also the Emperor； halting in
the open field； alighted； took his seat under a tree； and ordered his
breakfast； upon which Roustan and the footmen obtained provisions from
his Majesty's carriage； which was furnished with small cooking utensils
with silver covers； holding chickens； partridges； etc。； while the other
carriages furnished their proportion。 M。 Pfister served the Emperor； and
every one ate a hasty morsel。 Fires were lighted to heat the coffee； and
in less than half an hour everything had disappeared； and the carriages
rolled on in the same order as before。
The Emperor's steward and cooks had nearly all been trained in the
household of the king and the princes。 These were Messieurs Dunau；
Leonard； Rouff； and Gerard。 M。 Colin was chief in command； and became
steward…controller after the sad affliction of M。 Pfister； who became
insane during the campaign of 1809。 All were capable and zealous
servants； and； as is the case in the household of all sovereigns； each
department of the domestic affairs had its chief。 Messieurs Soupe and
Pierrugues were in charge of the wines； and the sons of these gentleman
continued to hold the same office with the Emperor。
We traveled with great speed as far as Mont…Cen