On the 28th of March was convoked an extraordinary Council of Regency, at which Maria Louisa presided.  The question discussed was, whether the Empress should remain in Paris or proceed to Blois.  Joseph Bonaparte strongly urged her departure, because a letter from the Emperor had directed that in case of Paris being threatened the Empress-Regent and all the Council of Regency should retire to Blois.  The Arch-Chancellor and the majority of the Council were of the same opinion, but one of the most influential members of the Council observed to Joseph that the letter referred to had been written under circumstances very different from those then existing, and that it was important the Empress should remain in Paris, where she would, of course, obtain from the Emperor her father and the Allied sovereigns, more advantageous conditions than if she were fifty leagues from Paris.  The adoption of this opinion would only have retarded for a few days a change which had become inevitable; nevertheless it might have given rise to great difficulties.  It must be admitted that for the interests of Napoleon it was the wisest counsel that could be suggested.  However, it was overruled by Joseph’s advice.

M. de Talleyrand, as a member of the Council of Regency, also received the order to quit Paris on the 30th of March.  At this period I was at his house every day.  When I went to him that day I was told he had started.  However I went up, and remained some time in his hotel with several of his friends who had met there.  We soon saw him return, and for my part I heard with satisfaction that they had not allowed him to pass the barriers.  It was said then, and it has been repeated since, that M. de Talleyrand was not a stranger to the gentle violence used towards him.  The same day of this visit to M. de Talleyrand I also went to see the Duc de Rovigo (Savary), with the friendly object of getting him to remain, and to profit by his position to prevent disturbances.  He refused without hesitating, as he only thought of the Emperor.  I found him by his fireside, where there was a large file, in which he was burning all the papers which might have compromised every one who had served his ministry (Police).  I congratulated him sincerely on this loyal occupation:  fire alone could purify the mass of filth and denunciations which encumbered the police archives.

On the departure of the Empress many persons expected a popular movement in favour of a change of Government, but the capital remained tranquil.  Many of the inhabitants, indeed, thought of defence, not for the sake of preserving Napoleon’s government, but merely from that ardour of feeling which helongs to our national character.  Strong indignation was excited by the thought of seeing foreigners masters of Paris—­a circumstance of which there had been no example since the reign of Charles vii.  Meanwhile the critical moment approached.  On the 29th of March Marshals Marmont and Mortier fell back to defend the approaches to Paris.  During the night the barriers were consigned to the care of the National Guard, and not a foreigner, not even one of their agents, was allowed to enter the capital.