noon
and how her eyes brightened when she had succeeded in making Bonaparte joyous and contented ! If the weather was favorable , the whole company in Malmaison , the young generals , with their beautiful , young , and lively wives , who surrounded Bonaparte and Josephine , and of whom a great number belonged to their family , made promenades through the park , then they seated themselves on a fine spot to repeat stories or to indulge in harmless sociable games , in which Bonaparte with the most cheerful alacrity took part . Even down to the game of `` catch '' and to that of `` room-renting '' did Bonaparte condescend to play ; and as Marie Antoinette with her husband and her court played at blindman 's - buff in the gardens of Trianon , so Bonaparte was pleased on the lawns of Malmaison to play at `` room-renting . '' How often after a dark , cloudy morning , when suddenly at noon the skies would become clear and the sunshine break through the clouds , would Bonaparte 's countenance gladden with all the spirit of a school-boy , in the midst of holidays , and , throwing off his coat , laughingly exclaim , `` Now come , one and all , and let us rent the room ! '' And then on the large , open lawn , surrounded on all sides by tall trees , the first consul with his wife , his generals and their young wives , would begin the exhilarating , harmless child 's - play , forgetful of all care , void of all fear , except that he should lose his tree , and that as a penniless individual having to rent a room he would have to stand in the centre before all eyes , just as first consul he stood before all eyes in the centre of France , and struggled for a place the importance and title of which were known only to his silent soul . But in Malmaison , at the game of `` room to let , '' Bonaparte had no remembrance whatever of the ambitious wishes of the first consul ; the whole world seemed to have set , the memories of his youth passed before his eyes in such beauty , saluting him with the gracious looks of childhood , as nearly to make him an enthusiast . How often , when on Josephine 's arm , surrounded by a laughing , noisy group of friends , and walking through shady paths , on hearing the bells of the neighboring village chime their vespers , would Bonaparte suddenly interrupt the conversation and stand still to hear them !