"Underclothes, colonel," I said. "Underclothes and a cake. And my name is Desiree Clare. My Papa was Francois Clary, the silk merchant."
"I cant," I replied. "I cant! Ive got to cry."
It was the Bonapartes kitchen and sitting room. It had no windows. The only light came from one little candle. The heat and the smell were so bad that I felt quite sick.
He looked at me closely, "I used to play cards with your Papa, mademoiselle. Your Papa was an honest man. Why do you bring me a parcel of underclothes?"
"Listen, mademoiselle," said the colonel slowly. "Your brother is right. But Napoleon Bonaparte isnt here. Hes in an army prison near Nice(A port city at SE of France). And I cant free him."
After dinner I went out secretly, through the back door. I had never been to the Bonapartes home before. Its in the poorest part of the town, behind the fish market. They all live together in three or four rooms.
At that moment we heard heavy footsteps outside. Napoleon stood up and folded his arms across his chest. Then Marie and a soldier came into the room. I could see two othersoldiers outside the door.
Madame Letitia cried out: "Mother of God! I knew that this would happen. I knew it." Then she hit Jerome on the head and shouted at Caroline in Italian.
I sat down and told my story. They listened quietly. Then Joseph asked: "Who arrested Napoleon? Were they really soldiers? Not police?"
Here are six other children. Lucien is nineteen. Elisa is seventeen. Louis is almost sixteen. Paulette is a year younger than me. Caroline is twelve, and Jerome is only nine. Paulete is quite pretty. None of the others is really good-looking. Letitia, but she didnt invite us to visit them in return.
"They wore the uniforms of ordinary soldiers, " I replied. "But does that make any difference?"
"Stop that, please!" he said.
He and Lucien stood up. "Whats the matter?" Joseph asked.
"Joseph!" I said. "Its me, Desirre."
"Joseph worked for Robespierres office," he said. "Who will give him work now? And Robespierre helped me to become a general. So I shall have to leave the army."
I cried all night. But everyone else in Marseille is wildly happy. They are dancing in front of the Town Hall, and the bands are playing. They are dancing because Robespierre is dead.
My Napoleon had been arrested!
"The parcel is for General Napoleon Bonaparte. He has been arrested. We dont know where he is. But you, colonel, must know."
I smiled at him. "Thank you very much," I said quietly. And I went to the door.
"Stop it!" he shouted again. Then his voice changed. "All right," he said more kindly. "Ill send the parcel to his prison. Now will you stop?"
We had invited Napoleon to dinner. When he came, he was very worried.
"I cant," I answered through my tears.
"we must try to help him," I said. "I wonder where he is."
"wait a moment," he said, "and Ill tell you two secrets. They wont cut your generals head off. And a Bonaparte isnt good enough for a daughter of Francis Clary. Goodbye, mademoiselle."
The colonel still didnt understand, so I had to add: "My sister wants to marry his brother Joseph. But Joseph was afraid to come here. And now my big brother doesnt want them to marry, because you have arrestedNapoleon. And Julie is crying. So will you free him, please?"
Then he followed the soldiers out of the house, and we heard them march away.
"It makes a great difference," he explained. "When the police arrest someone, they may have him guillotined the next day. But thearmy dont act like that. Theyll hold him in an army prison and theyll question him fairly."
Napoleon read the document. Then he folded his arms across his chest again. What was the thinking? His face gave no sign.
"Thank you very much," said Madame Letitia. "Of course we must help him. But his troubles are his own fault. He wants to conquer the world; and he wont listen to my advice."
"Theres no army prison here," said Lucien. "But the colonel in charge of Marseilles will know."
After breakfast, Paulette came to our back door. She had brought the parcel. She guided me to the colonels office. I put the parcel on his desk. Then I stood and looked at him. And I folded my arms across my chest, as Napoleon does.
"Ill see this colonel tomorrow," I said. "Madame Letitia, please put some clean underclothes in a parcel. And something to eat. Napoleon may be hungry in prison. Send the parcel to me in the morning."
The soldier had a document in his hand. He said: "I have to arrest General Bonaparte."
"Whats in that parcel?" he asked. "And who are you?"
At first nobody dared to believe the news. The whole country was afraid of Robespierre and his secret police. But then the newspapers arrived from Paris ---- and the news was true. His fellow leaders arrested him a few days ago. And now the cruelest man in France has been guillotined himself. Those who worked for him are in danger too. Ninety of them have already been killed in Paris. The newspaper gave some of their names.
Joseph was reading a newspaper beside the candle. Lucien was writing something. Madame Lettia was washing clothes in a corner. Jerome and Caroline were fighting like cats, on the floor.
At last he turned to Mama and said: "Im sorry to bring this trouble to your house, Madame, Please forgive me."
It was dark in the streets, and I was afraid. So I ran as fast as I could. At last I reached the fish market. Someone showed me the house, and I went down some steps to an open door.
Tears began to roll down my face. The colonel saw them and looked uncomfortable.
He took two steps towards me. "I told you to stop it!" he shouted.
"Terrible news," I told him. "They arrested Napoleon."
