Napoleon to Josephine
I have your letter, my adorable love.
It has filled my heart with joy...
Since I left you I have been sad all the time.
My only happiness is near you.
I go over endlessly in my thought of your kisses,
your tears, your delicious jealousy.
The charm of my wonderful Josephine kindles a living,
blazing fire in my heart and senses.
When shall I be able to pass every minute near you,
with nothing to do but to love you
and nothing to think of but the pleasure of telling you of it
and giving you proof of it?
I loved you some time ago;
since then I feel that I love you a thousand times better.
Ever since I have known you I adore you more every day.
That proves how wrong is that saying of La Bruyere
"Love comes all of a sudden."
Ah, let me see some of your faults;
be less beautiful, less graceful, less tender, less good.
But never be jealous and never shed tears.
Your tears send me out of my mind...
they set my very blood on fire.
Believe me that it is utterly impossible for me
to have a single thought that is not yours,
a single fancy that is not submissive to your will.
Rest well. Restore your health.
Come back to me and then at any rate before we die
we ought to be able to say:
"We were happy for so very many days!"
Millions of kisses even to your dog.