On my arrival at Malmaison I was ushered into the tentroom leading to the library.  How I was astonished at the good-natured familiarity with which he received me!  This extraordinary man displayed, if I may employ the term, a coquetry towards me which surprised me, notwithstanding my past knowledge of his character.  He came up to me with a smile on his lips, took my hand (which he had never done since he was Consul), pressed it affectionately, and it was impossible that I could look upon him as the Emperor of France and the future King of Italy.  Yet I was too well aware of his fits of pride to allow his familiarity to lead me beyond the bounds of affectionate respect.  “My dear Bourrienne,” said he, “can you suppose that the elevated rank I have attained has altered my feelings towards you?  No.  I do not attach importance to the glitter of Imperial pomp; all that is meant for the people; but I must still be valued according to my deserts.  I have been very well satisfied with your services, and I have appointed you to a situation where I shall have occasion for them.  I know that I can rely upon you.”  He then asked with great warmth of friendship what I was about, and inquired after my family, etc.  In short, I never saw him display less reserve or more familiarity and unaffected simplicity; which he did the more readily, perhaps, because his greatness was now incontestable.

“You know,” added Napoleon, “that I set out in a week for Italy.  I shall make myself King; but that is only a stepping-stone.  I have greater designs respecting Italy.

“It must be a kingdom comprising all the Transalpine States, from Venice to the Maritime Alps.  The union of Italy with France can only be temporary; but it is necessary, in order to accustom the nations of Italy to live under common laws.  The Genoese, the Piedmontese, the Venetians, the Milanese, the inhabitants of Tuscany, the Romans, and the Neapolitans, hate each other.  None of them will acknowledge the superiority of the other, and yet Rome is, from the recollections connected with it, the natural capital of Italy.  To make it so, however, it is necessary that the power of the Pope should be confined within limits purely spiritual.  I cannot now think of this; but I will reflect upon it hereafter.  At present I have only vague ideas on the subject, but they will be matured in time, and then all depends on circumstances.  What was it told me, when we were walking like two idle fellows, as we were, in the streets of Paris, that I should one day be master of France—­my wish—­merely a vague wish.  Circumstances have done the rest.  It is therefore wise to look into the future, and that I do.  With respect to Italy, as it will be impossible with one effort to unite her so as to form a single power, subject to uniform laws, I will begin by making her French.  All these little States will insensibly become accustomed to the same laws, and when manners shall be assimilated and enmities extinguished, then there will be an Italy, and I will give her independence.  But for that I must have twenty years, and who can count on the future?  Bourrienne, I feel pleasure in telling you all this.  It was locked up in my mind.  With you I think aloud.”