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me the news. I hope that you are better today. I am sure that you have recovered. I earnestly desire that you should ride on horseback: it cannot fail to benefit you .
Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Joséphine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart. When, free from all solicitude, all harassing care, shall I be able to pass all my time with you, having only to love you, and to think only of the happiness of so saying, and of proving it to you? I will send you your horse, but I hope you will soon join me. I thought that I loved you months ago, but since my separation from you I feel that I love you a thousandfold more. Each day since I knew you, have I adored you yet more and more. This proved the maxim of Bruyère, that “love comes all of a sudden,” to be false. Everything in nature has its own course, and different degrees of growth .
Ah! I entreat you to permit me to see some of your faults. Be less beautiful, less gracious, less affectionate, less good, especially be not overanxious, and never weep. Your tears rob me of reason and inflame my blood. Believe me, it is not in my power to have a single thought that is not of thee, or a wish I could not reveal to thee .
Seek repose. Quickly reestablish your health. Come and join me, that at least, before death, we may be able to say, “We were many days happy.” A thousand kisses, and one even to Fortuna, notwithstanding his spitefulness .
    — Bonaparte
    For a moment, I don’t know what to say. The letter is incredibly intimate, and not something he should be showing his sister’s chamberlain. “Who—who is Fortuna?” I finally ask.
    “Her dog. She was insanely fond of him. The children used to bring him to visit her in prison during the Revolution,” he remembers. “So much history …” He shakes his head. “I’ve instructed the entire court to visit her at Malmaison. She’ll never be lonely,” he swears. For a moment, I am moved by this compassion. Then he slips his hand beneath his jacket and adds, “She adores me, Paul. I could marry seven more times, to any woman I wanted, and she will still need me. That’s what’s important.”

To the empress at Malmaison .
December 1809; 8 o’clock in the evening .
My love—I found you more feeble today than you ought to be. You have exhibited much fortitude, and it is necessary that you should still continue to sustain yourself. You must not yield to funereal melancholy. Strive to be tranquil and above all to preserve your health, which is so precious to me. If you are attached to me, if you love me, you must maintain your energy, and strive to be cheerful. You cannot doubt my constancy, and my tender affection. You know too well all the sentiments with which I regard you, to suppose that I can be happy if you are unhappy, that I can be serene if you are agitated. Adieu, my love. May you have peaceful sleep. Believe that I wish it .
    Napoleon

To the empress at Malmaison .
Tuesday, six o’clock .
The queen of Naples, whom I have just seen at the chase in the woods of Boulogne, where I ran down a stag, informed me that she saw you yesterday at one o’clock in the afternoon, and that you were very well. I pray you to tell me what you are doing today. As for me, I am very well. Yesterday, when I saw you, I was sick. I think that you have been out to walk. Adieu, my love .
    Napoleon

To the empress at Malmaison .
Tuesday, seven o’clock in the evening .
I have received your letter, my love. Savary tells me that you weep continually. That is not right. I hope that you will be able to go out to walk today. I sent you a line from the chase. I shall go to see you, as soon as you inform me that you are reasonable and that your fortitude resumes its ascendancy. Tomorrow, all the day, I shall be occupied with the