If he accepted Josephine's generous gesture, and Lisala remained one of her ladies, that would inevitably happen. Better to cut the knot now, whatever people might think or say. In the circumstances, her retirement could be put down to reluctance to continue at Court, with everyone aware of her misfortune. Within a few weeks the whole matter would be forgotten. So he said:
'I have heard of other cases in which women's bodies rule their minds to the exclusion of all decency. But I am not the man to continue with a wife who will become known as the Court whore. When you are well enough, Madame, you will seek an audience with the Empress, tell her that your misfortune causes you such embarrassment that you cannot any longer bring yourself to remain in her service. I'll then send you back to Paris and later, if conditions permit, to Portugal.'
With a complacent shrug, Lisala replied, 'Oh no, my dear husband, you will not do that.' As she spoke, she picked up a letter from her bedside table, and went on, 'This morning I received this from the Empress. She assumes that I was raped, condoles with me upon my terrible experience, and assures me that she will show her extreme displeasure to anyone who assails my reputation on account of my having given birth to a black baby. I have never enjoyed myself more than while being a member of the Court, and I receive special prestige as the wife of le brave Breuc; so disabuse yourself of any idea of sending me away. Here I intend to remain.'
'In that you are mistaken, Madame,' Roger said firmly. 'You will render thanks to the Empress for her kindness, then go. Even the Emperor cannot intervene between husband and wife. A husband's decision is law, and I intend to send you away.'
Lisala's smile was seraphic as she replied, 'I do not think you will—Mr. Brook.'
Roger's heart missed a beat. He had temporarily forgotten that she was aware of his true identity. If she denounced him, it would be only her word against his. But some people might believe her, and that could seriously weaken his position. How big a hold she had on him he did not realise until she went on:
'When you were first in Lisbon, you lived there under your true colours—hobnobbing with Lord Strangford at the British Embassy, and going off to consult with Admiral Sir Smith in his ship. In Brazil, too, you were known to scores of the nobility there as an Englishman. Above all, there were those weeks we spent in England. I can give chapter and verse about your house at Richmond, your friends, your club and your meeting with Mr. Canning. It may take time for the French to check the information I give them; but they have their spies as well. And, once they know you definitely to have been working with their enemies, they will have you shot.'
Forcing a casual indifference, Roger said, 'You overrate your powers, Madame. The French have long believed me to be a Frenchman with English connections, which enables me to pass as one and spy for them. It would take more than a few trumped-up charges by a disgruntled wife to make them believe otherwise.'
Yet, even as he spoke, he knew that he could not afford to have such well-supported suspicion cast on him. To court that was too dangerous. He dared not risk it. So he resumed icily:
'Your excessive lust may be due to causes beyond your control. But to threaten with such perfidy one whom you have professed to love is inexcusable. Making such accusations as you suggest could, I admit, be used by my enemies and put me to considerable inconvenience to refute. Therefore, for the present, I agree to continue to regard you publicly as my wife. Apart from that, everything is over between us. Now, what of the child?'
Lisala shrugged. 'Do with it as you will. I was shown it shortly after it was born, and never wish to see it again. That is why I sent Josef a out with it to the ante-room. I'll not have it in here, far less suckle it.'
'It is in keeping with your character as recently revealed that you should lack all maternal feeling,* he said acidly. 'But, in the circumstances, I welcome your decision. The sooner I can get it away from here, the less talk there will be about it.' With a curt bow, he turned and strode from the room.
Going downstairs, he sought the help of Herr and Frau Gunther. They were a pleasant, elderly couple, and tactfully conveyed to him that, immediately after the birth of the infant, they had realised that it was not a matter to be bruited abroad. They had, therefore, enjoined silence on their servants, and told Roger that the discretion of their doctor, who had delivered Lisala, could also be relied on.
He thanked them warmly, then asked Frau Gunther if she could find a wet-nurse for the child—preferably some farm labourer's wife who lived outside the town. She said that some might object to suckling a coloured baby, but when he told her that money was no object, she agreed to do her best. Meanwhile Josefa would continue to feed the baby with spoonfuls of fresh cow's milk.
By the following day the conference had got into full swing. On the surface all was amity. The two Emperors rode out together, exchanging smiles and compliments. French and Russian Marshals and Generals entertained one another with great cordiality. Bands played daily in the park. Minor Kings, Grand Dukes and Princes, with their retinues, patiently waited their rum to pay scrupulously equal homage to the Emperor and the Czar. The ladies from Paris and St. Petersburg competed in the splendour of their toilettes and displays of fabulous jewels. Beside them the poor German women looked frumpish and their principal royalty, Frederick William of Prussia, although a third party to the alliance, was barely acknowledged by the Caesars of the North and West. The days were given to meetings; private conversations between the two Emperors in the mornings and discussion round a great table by Ministers and Marshals in the afternoons.
In the evenings all was gaiety. From Paris Napoleon had brought the actors of the Comedie Francaise to perform Voltaire's plays. On other nights they enjoyed favourite operas, or attended brilliant receptions, followed by balls. In addition to statesmen and soldiers, many distinguished scientists and literary men were present, Goethe among them, who smilingly received the Legion d'Honneur from Napoleon's hands.
But, beneath it all, those in the know were aware that the enthusiasm for the alliance achieved at Tilsit was lacking. Then it had been agreed that Alexander should withdraw his troops from the Danubian provinces and Napoleon evacuate Silesia; but neither had done so. The Czar, too, was chagrined that Napoleon demanded from Prussia an indemnity which it was impossible for her to pay, and as a surtax, still retained garrisons in the fortresses of Stettin, Glogau and Kustrin, which menaced Russia's frontier.
The revolt in Spain had great weakened Napoleon's hand. Portugal was now occupied by a British army and, although Junot's troops were being repatriated, a considerable force had been lost to France. Earlier, when King Carlos had cringed before Napoleon, in addition to paying a huge subsidy, he had agreed to send fifteen thousand of Spain's finest troops to assist in garrisoning Hanover. Inflamed by the news of the rebellion in their own country, they had become anxious to return to it. Their Commanders had succeeded in getting secretly in touch with Canning, who had sent a squadron to the Baltic, taken the Spanish Corps aboard and repatriated them, thus greatly strengthening the insurgents.
The escape of this contingent was a severe blow to Napoleon's hold on North Germany, and the success of the rebellion by the Spanish people had enormously encouraged those Germans who were secretly planning to throw off the yoke of the French.