No. 11 To the Empress, at Malmaison
Sunday, 8 P.M., 1810.
I was very glad to see you yesterday; I feel what charms your society has for me.
To-day I walked with Estève.37 I have allowed £4000 for 1810, for the extraordinary expenses at Malmaison. You can therefore do as much planting as you like; you will distribute that sum as you may require. I have instructed Estève to send £8000 the moment the contract for the Maison Julien shall be made. I have ordered them to pay for your parure of rubies, which will be valued by the Department, for I do not wish to be robbed by jewellers. So, there goes the £16,000 that this may cost me.
I have ordered them to hold the million which the Civil List owes you for 1810 at the disposal of your man of business, in order to pay your debts.
You should find in the coffers of Malmaison twenty to twenty-five thousand pounds; you can take them to buy your plate and linen.
I have instructed them to make you a very fine porcelain service; they will take your commands in order that it may be a very fine one.
Napoleon.