He was, therefore, restored to full favor, and, as a proof of that favor, had received the command of the Consular guard.
He thought this the moment to declare his love, a love already well-known to Josephine, who favored it; for which she had two reasons.
In the first place, she was a woman in the most charming acceptation of the word; that is to say, all the gentler passions of women were attractive to her.

Joachim loved Caroline, Caroline loved Joachim; that was enough to make her wish to protect their love.

In the second place, Bonaparte's brothers detested Josephine; Joseph and Lucien were her bitterest enemies, and she was not sorry to make herself two ardent friends in Caroline and Murat.

She therefore encouraged the latter to approach Bonaparte on the subject.
Three days before the ceremony we have just described, Murat had entered Bonaparte's study, and, after endless hesitation and circumlocution, had proffered his request.
It is probable that the love of the young pair was no news to Bonaparte, who, however, received it with stern gravity, and contented himself with replying that he would think it over.

The matter, in fact, required thinking over.