BOOK II

The years 1802 and 1803--Country-houses--Madame de Custine--M. de Saint-Martin--Madame de Houdetot and Saint-Lambert--Journey to the south of France--M. de la Harpe--His death--Interview with Bonaparte--I am appointed First Secretary of Embassy in Rome--Journey from Paris to the Savoy Alps--From Mont Cenis to Rome--Milan to Rome--Cardinal Fesch's palace--My occupations--Madame de Beaumont's manuscripts--Letters from Madame de Caud--Madame de Beaumont's arrival in Rome--Letters from my sister--Letter from Madame de Krüdener--Death of Madame de Beaumont--Her funeral--Letters from M. de Chênedollé, M. de Fontanes, M. Necker, and Madame de Staël--The years 1803 and 1804--First idea of my Memoirs--I am appointed French Minister to the Valais--Departure from Rome--The year 1804--The Valais Republic--A visit to the Tuileries--The Hôtel de Montmorin--I hear the death cried of the Duc d'Enghien--I give in my resignation