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presence the evil effects which this communication might produce。 On the
28th； at half past eleven in the evening； his Majesty alighted at the
palace of the Tuileries。 This was the first time since his accession to
the consulate that Paris had witnessed his return from a campaign without
announcing a new peace conquered by the glory of our arms。 Under these
circumstances； the numerous persons who from attachment to the Empress
Josephine had always seen or imagined they saw in her a kind of
protecting talisman of the success of the Emperor； did not fail to remark
that the campaign of Russia was the first which had been undertaken since
the Emperor's marriage to Marie Louise。 Without any superstition； it
could not be denied that； although the Emperor was always great even when
fortune was contrary to him； there was a very marked difference between
the reign of the two Empresses。 The one witnessed only victories
followed by peace。 And the other； only wars； not devoid of glory； but
devoid of results； until the grand and fatal conclusion in the abdication
at Fontainebleau。
But it is anticipating too much to describe here events which few men
dared to predict directly after the disasters of Moscow。 All the world
knows that the cold and a freezing temperature contributed more to our
reverses than the enemy； whom we had pursued even into the heart of his
burning capital。 France still offered immense resources； and the Emperor
was now there in person to direct their employment and increase their
value。 Besides； no defection was as yet apparent； and； with the
exception of Spain； Sweden； and Russia； the Emperor considered all the
European powers as allies。 It is true the moment was approaching when
General Yorck would give the signal；for as well as I can recall； the
first news came to the Emperor on the 10th of the following January；and
it was easy to see that his Majesty was profoundly affected by it； as he
saw that Prussia would have many imitators in the other corps of the
allied armies。
At Smorghoni； where the Emperor had left me setting out； as I have before
related； with the Duke of Vicenza in the coach which had been destined
for me； scarcely anything was thought of but how to extricate ourselves
from the frightful situation in which we found ourselves placed。 I well
remember that after a few regrets that the Emperor was not in the midst
of his lieutenants； the idea of being assured that he had escaped from
all danger became the dominant sentiment； so much confidence did all
place in his genius。 Moreover； in departing； he had given the command to
the King of Naples； whose valor the whole army admired； although it is
said that a few marshals were secretly jealous of his royal crown。 I
have learned since； that the Emperor reached Warsaw on the 10th； having
avoided passing through Wilna by making a circuit through the suburbs；
and at last； after passing through Silesia； he had arrived at Dresden；
where the good and faithful King of Saxony； although very ill； had
himself borne to the Emperor。 From this place his Majesty had followed
the road by Nassau and Mayence。
I followed also the same route； but not with the same rapidity； although
I lost no time。 Everywhere； and above all in Poland at the places where
I stopped； I was astonished to find the feeling of security I saw
manifested。 From all directions I heard the report that the Emperor was
to return at the head of an army of three hundred thousand men。 The
Emperor had been known to do such surprising things； that nothing seemed
impossible； and I learned that he himself had spread these reports on his
passage； in order to restore the courage of the population。 In several
places I could procure no horses； and consequently； in spite of all my
zeal； I did not reach Paris until six or eight days after the Emperor。
I had hardly alighted from my carriage； when the Emperor； who had been
informed of my arrival； had me summoned。 I observed to the messenger
that I was not in a condition which would allow me to present myself
before his Majesty。 〃That makes no difference；〃 replied he； 〃the Emperor
wishes you to come immediately； just as you are。〃 I obeyed instantly；
and went； or rather ran； to the Emperor's cabinet； where I found him with
the Empress； Queen Hortense； and another person whose name I do not
perfectly recall。 The Emperor deigned to give me a most cordial welcome；
and as the Empress seemed to pay no attention to me； said to her in a
manner whose kindness I shall never forget； 〃Louise； do you not recognize
Constant？〃
〃I perceived him。〃 ＇Elsewhere Constant has stated her reply was； 〃I had
not perceived him。〃＇ This was the only reply of her Majesty the
Empress； but such was not the case with Queen Hortense； who welcomed me
as kindly as her adorable mother had always done。
The Emperor was very gay； and seemed to have forgotten all his fatigue。
I was about to retire respectfully； but his Majesty said to me； 〃No；
Constant； remain a minute longer； and tell me what you saw on your road。〃
Even if I had any intention to conceal from the Emperor a part of the
truth； taken thus unawares I should have lacked the time to prepare an
agreeable falsehood； so I said to him that everywhere； even in Silesia；
my eyes had been struck by the same frightful spectacle； for everywhere I
had seen the dead and the dying； and poor unfortunates struggling
hopelessly against cold and hunger。 〃That is true； that is true；〃 he
said； 〃go and rest； my poor boy； you must be in need of it。 To…morrow
you will resume your service。〃
The next day； in fact； I resumed my duties near the Emperor； and I found
him exactly the same as he had been before entering on the campaign； the
same placidity was evident on his countenance。 It would have been said
that the past was no longer anything to him； and living ever in the
future； he already saw victory perched again on our banner； and his
enemies humiliated and vanquished。 It is true that the numerous
addresses he received； and discourses which were pronounced in his
presence by the presidents of the senate and the council of state； were
no less flattering than formerly； but it was very evident in his replies
that if he pretended to forget this disastrous experience in Russia； he
was more deeply concerned about the affair of General Malet than anything
else。
＇In the reply of the Emperor to the council of state occurred the
following remarkable passage； which it may not be amiss to repeat at
this period as very singular：
〃It is to idealism and that gloomy species of metaphysics which；
seeking subtilely for first causes； wishes to place on such
foundations the legislation of a people； instead of adapting the
laws to their knowledge of the human heart； and to the lessons of
history； that it is necessary to attribute all the misfortunes our
beautiful France has experienced。 These errors have necessarily led
to the rule of the men of blood。 In fact； who has proclaimed the
principle of insurrection as a duty？ Who has paid adulation to the
nation while claiming for it a sovereignty wh