the whole world, and I fear I should but weaken
the future verdict of history. It is equally well known that fate
united her with a Prince whose high soul worthily appreciated her.

Such was the family brought back to us by the Restoration. It is for
politicians to explain how so many virtues and excellencies were
insufficient to preserve the throne to them--my grateful heart cannot
but regret them.

Under Bonaparte, the large portrait I had made of the Queen and her
children had been relegated to a corner of the palace of Versailles. I
left Paris one morning to take a glance at it. Arrived at the royal
gate, a guard escorted me to the room which contained the picture, and
which was forbidden the public. The custodian who admitted us
recognised me from having seen me in Rome, and exclaimed, "Oh, how
glad I am to welcome Mme. Lebrun here!" He hastened to turn my picture
round, which was facing the wall, since Bonaparte, after learning that
many came to look at it, had ordered its removal. The order, as is
plain, was very badly obeyed, since the exhibition of the picture
continued, and this to such a degree that the custodian, when I wanted
to give him a trifle, persisted in declining it, saying that I had
earned him enough money. When the Restoration came, this picture was
reexhibited at the Salon. I was keeping for myself another picture
representing the Queen, done during the reign of Bonaparte. I had
painted Marie Antoinette ascending to heaven; to her left, on some
clouds, are Louis XVI. and two angels, symbolising the two children he
had lost.

[Illustration: LOUISE MARIE ADELAIDE DE BOURBON.]

As soon as the peace of my country seemed assured, I abandoned all
thoughts of leaving it again, and divided my time between Paris and
the country. My liking for my pretty house at Louveciennes was
undiminished. I spent eight months of the year there, and in those
surroundings my life flowed as smoothly as possible. I painted, I
busied myself about my garden, I took long, solitary walks, and on
Sundays I received my friends. So fond was I of Louveciennes that,
wishing to bequeath the place something to remember me by, I painted a
picture of Saint Genoveva for the church. Mme. de Genlis was good
enough to dedicate a poem to me in acknowledgment. If I gave away
pictures, some were given me, and that in the heartiest manner. I had
frequently expressed a desire that my friends should commemorate
themselves on the panels of m