111.—NAPOLEON OUTWITTED BY A SONGSTRESS.
The iron will of Napoleon I did not confine itself to the control of kingdoms and things political, but he desired to bring under its sway all matters with which he was brought into contact. The disrespect of this military genius for the rights of other nations brought him to the defeat of Waterloo. Though he could control the majority of men who came under his notice and within his grasp, he occasionally met a miniature Waterloo when dealing with the fair sex.
It is generally conceded that the prima donna without a will of her own and the willingness to make it known is a rarity. And no exception to this rule was Madame Catalani, one of the first singers in the time of the First Empire.
Historians have not given Napoleon credit for being musical; but at any rate he determined, after hearing Catalani, that she should remain in Paris, that he might enjoy her vocal abilities whenever he wished. So he ordered her to come to the Tuileries. Not daring to disobey, the cantatrice awaited the pleasure of him who was making the thrones of Europe to tremble.
The Emperor knew that she was intending to leave Paris, and without wasting time inquired—
"Where are you going, Madame?"
"To London, sir," said the astonished and somewhat affrighted songstress.
"But you must remain here," declared Napoleon, testily; "you shall have a hundred thousand francs a year, and two months' vacation. Consider the matter settled. Bon jour, Madame."
Too much frightened to declare to the tyrant that she had engagements abroad that she must keep, Catalani retired at his curt dismissal, and hastened to her apartments. A few days afterward, a document stating the arrangement was left at her house.
Determined not to be subjected to this arrangement, which was entirely opposed to her plans and wishes, she resolved to escape this bondage, even though the fetters were golden. Hence she disguised herself in the habiliments of a nun, and hastened to the sea-coast.
There she found a vessel exchanging prisoners. Seeking out the captain she secured his silence and assistance by adding a generous sum to his purse. When the vessel left France the nun was on board.
Napoleon might not have relished this stratagem and perhaps would have made the wilful lady feel that his power was not confined to Paris. But military affairs just then took a serious turn, and for this reason the Emperor had more weighty things to occupy his mind than sending after runaway opera singers.