Montholon could leave Napoleon on St. Helena whenever he wanted. In this letter, Montholon shows more interest in Napoleon’s health than anything else. He professes to adore the wife that he seems to have permitted into a liaison with Napoleon. These incongruent actions lend credence to the toxicologist who suggested that Montholon was with Napoleon to slowly poison him in a manner known to be associated with Madame de Brinvilliers.
It’s telling that Montholon expects to join his wife soon - just not yet. What is he waiting for to happen?
FROM THE COUNT TO THE COUNTESS DE MONTHOLON
Longwood, this July 25, 1819.
The Phaeton leaves tomorrow; I take this opportunity, my dear Albine, to give you my news. I cannot get used to your absence; I need you and my poor children.
Longwood is, for my torn soul, an immense desert where everything adds to my pain; nothing is there and cannot be there for me. At all times, I ask about you to God; I live only by the hope that He will grant my wishes.
No one has arrived yet. Each ship arrival is reported, The Abundance ship is believed [to carry Napoleon’s new doctor]; a thousand conjectures follow one another, and always in vain.
Mme. Bertrand had a miscarriage the day before yesterday. He was a boy of four and a half months; she is fine, very well. Lady Lowe has not yet been delivered; she is in the state in which you left Mme. Bertrand. Will she be happier? I want it more than I hope. It is said to be less advanced. I give you all the news from Saint Helena.
As for our cursed Longwood, always the same kind of life, the same monotony, the same complaint of suffering and the same condition. However, I do not find that the Emperor is worse, and to take the air a little every day seems to me to suit him. For my part, I am in the hands of the doctor, and I’m not better off for it. I went for a course at Rosemary house with Mr. Warden, it hurt me; I even promised myself not to start again.
Do not worry, my good Albine, you shouldn’t. I hope that when this letter arrives you will be in the waters of Cheltenham ... I expect great good for you. I would like that, when the season ended, you establish yourself right away, so that I won't be forced to pay new establishment fees when I join you.
I wrote to you in my first letters that I wanted you to wait for me in England. I still want it, if you can without spending too much, especially if you have the assurance that I am allowed to live there with you. Otherwise, I think it would be more reasonable to spend on no establishment there, to live there as a traveler, and to take advantage of your stay in the waters to seek asylum on the continent, where, with our income, we can live happily ...
This letter proves to you, my Albine, all the sadness of my soul, all the need I have for you, I admit, all my weakness; but can a man blush to adore his wife, his children ...
Farewell, my beloved Albine, kiss my children for their father. I recommend to Tristan to make you happy, to take good care of his sisters. You must teach him that he is intended to replace me, and that your happiness is my first thought. Try not to let my Lili forget me. We talk about you everyday. To you, all to you for life!
P.S.
Mme. Bertrand begs you to give news to Lady Jerningham [Mme. Bertrand’s aunt].
2. Not to forget to send her shoes and the little caps, in accordance with the style of the black shoe that she gave you as a model.
3. Hortense (Mme. Bertrand’s daughter] asks you not to forget her wax doll.
…
Montholon pouvait laisser Napoléon sur Sainte-Hélène quand il le voulait. Dans cette lettre, Montholon s'intéresse plus à la santé de Napoléon qu'autre chose. Il professe d'adorer la femme qu'il semble avoir autorisée à entrer en liaison avec Napoléon.
Ces actions incongrues prêtent foi au toxicologue qui a suggéré que Montholon était avec Napoléon pour l'empoisonner lentement d'une manière connue pour être associée à Mme de Brinvilliers.
Il est révélateur que Montholon espère rejoindre sa femme bientôt - mais pas encore. Qu'attend-il pour arriver?
