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THE REGENT. 29
occasion
of the official marriage of Napoleon with Marie Louise. The Emperor who
was very fond of splendid pageants was attired in the most magnificent
apparel contained in the imperial wardrobes. But he seldom had the
stoical patience demanded of those who pose as kings. He never could
acquire the deliberate stateliness of Louis xiv. who was born and
brought up within the narrow limits of regal etiquette. Indeed the
Emperor was frequently known to divest himself of his costly robes in
'a very expeditious manner going so far as actually to kick — unholy
sacrilege !—the imperial mantle out of his way. On the day of his
marriage with the Archduchess the Regent was used to decorate the cap
of the bridegroom. Madame Durand, one of the ladies-in-waiting to the
new Empress, has left an account of the ceremony in which occurs the
following passage : —
"
He (Napoleon) found his black velvet cap, adorned with eight rows of
diamonds and three white plumes fastened by a knot with the Regent
blazing in the centre
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