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| The Baroness de Staël radiated confidence and satisfaction. Her guests were arriving in droves. After she greeted them in the grand foyer under a glittering crystal chandelier they strolled into the splendid drawing rooms.
“Pierre!” Germaine exclaimed. “I’m so pleased you could come.” Pierre Roederer, the famed publicist, now a member of Bonaparte’s Council of State, often sent notes of apology since he was on twenty-four hour call by the First Consul.
“I decided to stop briefly,” he said, embracing his hostess affectionately. “I must leave early, not by choice.”
“You will come tomorrow night?” she asked. “I’m planning a celebration for Benjamin. He makes his maiden speech in the Tribunate in the morning. Everyone will be here.”
“My dear Baroness, the First Consul himself could not keep me away.” The party was the talk of French society.
“I’m delighted, Pierre.”
“Here is your man of the hour, our freshman legislator,” Roederer said as Constant approached them.
After a brief exchange, Constant took Germaine by her elbow and gently guided her away, up the circular staircase. Near the upper
landing, they stopped and stood observing her guests below.
“You are truly a remarkable woman, Minette,” Benjamin told her. “People throng to be near you. When they leave they take part of you with them. You give them courage and inspiration.”
Germaine turned and looked at her lover. “You did not take me from my guests to flatter me, Benjamin. What is it you want to tell me?”
“Have you heard what happened after Duverrier attacked Bonaparte in the Tribunate today?” he whispered solemnly. “I know Honoré was eloquent in his pronouncements, but I have been too busy this evening to hear the latest gossip.”
“Bonaparte is irate. He dictated a crushing rebuttal to Roederer, who has spent the day preparing drafts and delivering them to the papers. The First Consul’s statement will appear early tomorrow. I was surprised to see Pierre here.”
“Ah! We are making inroads,” the Baroness said with a throaty laugh.
Benjamin was somber. “Look . . . there,” he said, indicating the shimmering sea of people below.
“You savor each guest like your favorite paté. You relish the excitement of this insane pace you keep.”
“Of course. It is my life . . . any other would be unbearable.”
“Tonight,” Benjamin said, his voice barely audible, “your drawing rooms are filled with the most fascinating and influential people in the world. Tomorrow, after my speech in the Tribunate, your house may be deserted. Have you considered that possibility?”
Madame de Staël eyed Benjamin coldly. She knew his address attacked the First Consul’s proposal which gave Bonaparte the authority to set the date and limit the time on debate of all bills placed before the legislature. Germaine had helped prepare the final draft of Benjamin’s speech and approved it enthusiastically. Was he intimidated by the rebuke given Duverrier? Does he fear reprisal?
“One must have the courage of one’s convictions,” the Baroness said sharply, and left Benjamin to stand alone on the staircase as she walked back down to rejoin her guests.
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