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Ch. IX.]
the Emperor Napoleon.
91

of control he evinced over his temper. In one moment, from the most awful state of fury, he subdued his irritability, and his manner became calm, gentle, and composed. Las Cases set off at daylight the next morning, and returned before twelve o'clock. He informed the emperor that the smell of paint was so slight as to be scarcely perceptible, and that a few hours would remove it altogether. The grand marshal was sharply reprimanded, as I afterwards learned, for making an exaggerated report. It was arranged that he should leave the Briars two days afterwards for Longwood, which was now quite ready for him.

On the appointed morning, which to me was a most melancholy one, Sir George Cockburn, accompanied by the emperor's suite, came to the Briars, to escort him to his new abode. I was crying bitterly, and he came up and said, "You must not cry, Mademoiselle Betsee; you must come

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