No. 9 To the Empress Josephine, at Geneva
Fontainebleau, October 1, 1810.
I have received your letter. Hortense, whom I have seen, will have told you what I think. Go to see your son this winter; come back to the waters of Aix next year, or, still better, wait for the spring at Navarre. I would advise you to go to Navarre at once, if I did not fear you would get tired of it. In my view, the only suitable places for you this winter are either Milan or Navarre; after that, I approve of whatever you may do, for I do not wish to vex you in anything.
Adieu, dear. The Empress is as I told you in my last letter. I am naming Madame de Montesquiou governess of the Children of France. Be contented, and do not get excited; never doubt my affection for you.
Napoleon.
October 6th.—Wellington reaches the lines of Torres Vedras.
November 9th.—Opening of St. Quentin Canal at Paris.