Desiree's Diary(Book One) 精彩片段：
Chapter 19 Two weeks Later: A Dance At The Opera H
Tonight the marshals held a dance. We, their wives, have been busy all the week. The food, the wine, the music, the guests --- we had to take care of everything. We hired the opera House, and we chose our guests with special care.
I was busy in the Opera House this morning. When I got home, a visitor was waiting foe me. It was Princess Paulette. Two good-looking young officers were with her. Paulettte has a husband, of course, but she always has boy friends too.
She wanted to talk to me alone, so we went up to my bedroom.
"Which of those two young men is my faourite?" she asked. "Can you tell me?"
I said that I couldnt.
"Both!" she said happily. Then she noticed the gold box on a table. "Who gave you that?"
"Its your turn now," I said. "Can you tell me?"
She thought of a moment. "Was it--- could it be---"
"Yes," I told her. "It was. His Majesty the Emperor of France gave me that box."
Paulette whistled, like a boy in the street. "I dont understand it," she said. "I thought that Georgina the dancer was His Majestys favourite now."
My face went red. "Long ago, in Marseilles, Napoleon needed money. I gave him some. On the day of his coronation he paid it back. That is all."
"Of course," said Paulette with a smile. "Of course that is all, my dear child." Then she remembered the reason for her visit. "I want to talk to you about Mama. She arrived here secretly yesterday. Even Fouche doesnt know. Shes staying with me at present. But you must help them, Desiree."
"Who are they?" I asked.
"Mama and Napoleon, the boy with the crown," she replied "He said to me last week: When Mama arrives in Paris, I shall welcome her properly. I shall sit on my throne. Joseph will lead her forward. She will curtsey. And my palace officers will give her a seat beside me."