t upon you; that my strength, my arms, my mind,
are all yours; that my soul is in your form, and that the day you
change, or the day you cease to live, will be that of my death; that
nature, the earth, is lovely in my eyes, only because you dwell within
it. If you do not believe all this, if your soul is not persuaded,
saturated, you distress me, you do not love me. Between those who love
is a magnetic bond. You know that I could never see you with a lover,
much less endure your having one: to see him and to tear out his heart
would for me be one and the same thing; and then, could I, I would lay
violent hands on your sacred person.... No, I would never dare, but I
would leave a world where that which is most virtuous had deceived me.
I am confident and proud of your love. Misfortunes are trials which
mutually develop the strength of our passion. A child lovely as its
mother is to see the light in your arms. Wretched man that I am, a
single day would satisfy me! A thousand kisses on your eyes, on your
lips. Adorable woman! what a power you have! I am sick with your
disease: besides, I have a burning fever. Keep the courier but six
hours, and let him return at once, bringing to me the darling letter
of my queen."

At length, in June, when the first great victories had been won, when
the symptoms of motherhood proved to be spurious and disappeared, when
honors like those of a sovereign were awaiting her in Italy, Mme.
Bonaparte decided to tear herself away from the circle of her friends
in Paris, and to yield to the ever more urgent pleadings of her
husband. Traveling under Junot's care, she reached Milan early in
July, to find the general no longer an adventurer, but the successful
dictator of a people, courted by princes and kings, adored by the
masses, and the arbiter of nations. Rising, apparently without an
effort, to the height of the occasion, she began and continued
throughout the year to rival in her social conquests the victories of
her husband in the field. Where he was Caius, she was Caia. High-born
dames sought her favor, and nobles bowed low to win her support. At
times she actually braved the dangers of insurrection and the
battle-field. Her presence in their capital was used to soothe the
exasperated Venetians. To gratify her spouse's ardor, she journeyed to
many cities, and by a show of mild sympathy moderated somewhat the
wild ambitions which the scenes and character of his successes
awakened in his min