CHAPTER THIRTY

1810

THE CHATEAU OF NAVARRE

Napoleon’s Preference for a Russian Alliance--The Matter Discussed in Conference--The Archduchess Marie-Louise Favored--The Marriage Arranged--The New Empress Arrives at Paris--Joséphine Goes to Malmaison--The Emperor Gives Her Navarre--She Takes Possession of the Château--Its Dilapidated Condition--Joséphine’s Letter to Hortense--The Empress Worried Over the Paris Gossip--Her Letter to Napoleon and His Reply--The Emperor Agrees to All Her Plans--Joséphine Returns to Malmaison 319