ager to express the praises
that come from the heart than those that proceed from the mind."[26]

"Thank goodness, I am at last happy and contented!! What a pleasure it
is to see the Emperor again, and how much that pleasure will be felt
here! This splendid campaign, this glorious peace, this prompt return,
all is really marvellous."[27]

"Like woman, the French are rather impatient and exacting; it is true
that the Emperor has spoilt us in the campaign; indeed, no lover was
ever more anxious to gratify the wishes of his mistress than His
Majesty to meet our desires. You demand a prompt march? Very well, the
army that was at Boulogne will find itself, three weeks later, in
Germany. You ask for the capture of a town? Here is the surrender of
Ulm. You are not satisfied!! You are craving for more victories? Here
they are: Here is Vienna which you wanted, and also a pitched battle,
in order that no kind of success may be wanting. Add to these a whole
series of noble and generous deeds, of words full of grandeur and
kindness, and always to the purpose, so much so that our hearts share
also that glory, and can join it to all the national pride it arouses
in us."[28]

"I used to cry bitterly at that time, for I felt so affected that, had
I met the Emperor at the moment, I should, I believe, have thrown my
arms round his neck, although I should, afterwards, have been
compelled to fall on my knees and ask pardon for my conduct."[29]

So overcome with boundless admiration is she that her soul yearns for
the gift of being able to do him full justice by writing a history, a
panegyric, a book, in fact, that would show him to be immeasurably
above all men living or dead. She fears that people cannot see his
nobility and greatness as she does. She is bewildered and acclaims him
a god. Here is another outburst of passionate devotion:--

"That undaunted courage, carried even to rashness, and which was
always crowned with success, that calm assurance in the midst of
danger, with that wise foresight and that prompt resolution, arouse
always new feelings of admiration which it seems can never be
surpassed."[30]

It will be seen her letters shape well for the fulfilment of the great
ambition of her life, _i.e._, to picture him as he was. The writing is
good, the description picturesque, and I believe the impartial mind
will also regard it as accurate. She believes "that even persons who
are hardest to please must be compelled to admi