Napoleon Part II

Napoleon mixed in the new post royal society, trying to get another military commnad. He needed victories to bring him to the notice of politicans and he beleived that if he got power he could reform France and solve the problems that had led to the Revolution. He was an awkward clumsy man in society, finding it difficult to talk to women particuarly. He met ROse De Beauharnais, the widow of an officer who had been killed in the Terror. She was pretty, and sociable, and she managed to keep herself by acting as mistress and hostess to Paul Barras, one of the most prominent politicans. Napoleon fell in love with her and married her, and got command of the Army in Italy... He was in some ways very naive and did not realise that his wife was still involved with her friends and lovers in Paris. However, he was mostly happy to have achieved his ambition to command in Italy, and he was a brilliant success. His own family did not like Josephine as she was now called, but her 2 children grew fond of Napoleon and he of them. He next led an expedition to Egypt but it was not such a success. Napoleon learned that his wife was unfaithful, but when he returned to France, he planned a coup to take over the organs of government and Josephine was a popular figure in society, so she was a help to him. Moreover in spite of his faults and hers, he loved her and found it hard to break with her. He became First Consul, ruler of France with the right to name his own successor.