He had already demurred to _le vilain titre de roi_, and on January 27th announced his final rejection of the offer.

Napoleon then proposed to Louis that he should hold that crown in trust for his son; but the suggestion at once rekindled the flames of jealousy which ever haunted Louis; and, after a violent scene, the Emperor thrust his brother from the room.
Perhaps this anger was simulated.

He once admitted that his rage only mounted this high--pointing to his chin; and the refusals of his brothers were certainly to be expected.

However that may be, he now resolved to assume that crown himself, appointing as Viceroy his step-son, Eugene Beauharnais.

True, he announced to the French Senate that the realms of France and Italy would be kept separate: but neither the Italian deputies, who had been summoned to Paris to vote this dignity to their master, nor the servile Senate, nor the rulers of Europe, were deceived.