This letters forms a series of letters by Hortense and her mother Josephine. The series can be found here.
This letter shows a period of Hortense’s life where she becomes increasingly hopeless and depressed.
Dear Eugene,
Paris, February 4 1806.
How long it has been since I wrote to you, my dear Eugène, but how I have spoken of you! ... I told the Emperor (1) how grateful you were for all his kindness. I did not dare to show all the sorrow that I feel to see you fixed forever in Italy, but the truth is that it makes me very sad. Fortunately for you, you are going to have a pleasant home life, but there is no consolation for me.
The Emperor said that he wanted to build a beautiful palace, near the Louvre, for a king who would come to Paris. This proves that a king or a viceroy can move without inconvenience for us to visit. These trips will be rare, but it would be a time of happiness for me.
Since the arrival of the Emperor, we have been in ceremony almost every day. He has asked me to plan a ball for tomorrow. Write to me, please, but in detail, about what you think. I need to know. I was given your last letter the day before yesterday. I spoke a lot about it and thought of you a great deal. But write to me as if you were speaking to me. We need these illusions since we must be separated.
HORTENSE.
(1) Napoleon arrived in Paris on January 26, 1806.
Cette lettre montre une période de la vie de Hortense où elle devient de plus en plus désespérée et déprimée.
The memoirs so far are available here.