3rd–6th. The 3rd was a terrible day; the rain fell incessantly, and we
found it impossible to stir out. The weather has continued wet for
several days in succession. I never imagined that we could have
contrived to stay for such a length of time within doors. The damp is
penetrating on every side of our dwelling, and the rain is making its
way through the roof. The bad weather without doors had an unpleasant
effect upon us within.—I became very dull; the Emperor was by no means
well, and I was not better. “What is the matter with you?” said he to
me, one morning; “you seem quite altered for these few days past. Is
your mind ailing? Are you conjuring up _dragons_, like Madame de
Sevigné?”—“Sire,” I replied, “my illness is altogether bodily. The
state of my eyes afflicts me exceedingly. As for my mind, I know how
to keep that under the bridle. I can even use the curb, if needful;
and your Majesty has given me a pair of spurs which will be my last
and victorious resource.”
The Emperor devoted three, four, and even five hours at a time to the
study of English. His progress was really very remarkable; he felt
this, and was delighted at it. He frequently says that he is indebted
to me for this conquest, and that he considers it a very important
one. For my part, however, I can claim no other merit than the method
which I adopted with regard to the other occupations of the Emperor. I
first suggested the idea, and then continually reverted to it: and
when it was once fairly set on foot, I followed up its execution with
a promptitude and daily regularity which stimulated the Emperor to
proceed. If any of us happened not to be ready at the moment he wanted
us, if it was found necessary to postpone any business till the
following day, he was immediately seized with disgust, and his labours
were suspended until some circumstance occurred to induce him to renew
them. “I stand in need of excitement,” said he, in one of these
transient interruptions, “nothing but the pleasure of advancement can
bear me through: for, between you and me, it must needs be confessed
that there is nothing very amusing in all this. Indeed there is very
little diversion in the whole routine of our present existence.”
The Emperor still continued to play two or three games at chess before
dinner; in the afternoons we resumed _reversis_, long abandoned.
Formerly we had not been regular in paying our debts of honour; and we
henceforth agreed to pay the sums that we owed to each other into a
general bank. We began to consider how the money thus accumulated
should be disposed of. The Emperor asked our opinions, and one
proposed that the money should be applied to the liberation of the
prettiest female slave in the island. This idea was universally
approved; we sat down to play with great spirit, and the first evening
produced two Napoleons and a half.