Tf O Q %IiU VtV T T afcjLrfi ^MTf 1 MADAME SANS-GENE Frontispiece. MADAME SANS-GENE RESCUING ALICE. vsp^ ,w3P rHONNEUR 11 AADAAC . PATRIE . HISTORICAL RoAANCE op THE REVo- LUTIONTHE CONSULATE THE EMPIRE BY VICToRIEN 5ARDQU IN COLLA60RATION WITH EAILE MOREAU AND EDAOMD LEPELLET1ER TRANSLATED BY A CURTI5 BOND PATRlE HEW YORK DRALLOPPUSLISHIHG CO. Io95 Copyright, 1894, by DRALLOP PUBLISHING CO. Photo-engravings and Electrotypes by THE CAXTON PRESS F. A. RINGLER Co., New York New York SRLF URL CONTENTS PAGE I. The Fricassee 15 II. The Prediction ...... 22 III. The Last Night of Royalty ... 31 IV. A Chevalier of the Poignard 37 V. The Bed-Chamber of Mam'zelle Sans- Gene ...... 49 VI. Little Henriot 53 VII. The Lodger at the Hotel de Metz . 63 VIII. The Pretty Sergeant ..... 72 IX. The Indebtedness to Madame Sans-Gene 78 X. The Intercepted Letter .... 85 XI. In the Home of the Fruit-dealer . . 91 XII. The Young Lady of Saint-Cyr ... 99 XIII. The First Defeat for Napoleon . . 107 XIV. The Siege of Verdun in XV. Madame Sans-Gene on Secret Service . 115 XVI. The Deserted One 125 XVII. The Arrival of the Volunteers . . 132 XVIII. The Envoy from Brunswick . . . 136 XIX. The Oath of Beaurepaire . . . 141 XX. Leonard's Mission ..... 149 VIII PAGE XXI. The Camp of the Invaders . . 153 XXII. Catharine's Second Charge . . . 161 XXIII. The Death of a Hero ... 165 XXIV. On the Borders of Oblivion . .173 XXV. Jemmapes . . . . 179 XXVI. The Nuptial Mass 188 XXVII. The Debt of the Wounded . . 200 XXVIII. Before the Battle . '-. . . .211 XXIX. The Victory of Song . . . 217 XXX. Yeyette ... . . . .222 XXXI. Madame Bonaparte . . . . 229 XXXII. The Sword of the Pyramids . . 238 XXXIII. The Dancing-Master . . . . 243 XXXIV. The Clap of Thunder .... 250 XXXV. The Committee of the Rue Bourg 1'Abbe . . . . . 259 XXXVI. The Plan of Leonidas . . . .264 XXXVII. The Glory of that Time ... 268 XXXVIII. Lefebvre Seeks Information . . 276 XXXIX. The Entry into Berlin ... 285 XL. The Word of a Prussian . . . 296 XLI. Before Danzig ..... 306 XLII. Josephine's Secret . . . . . 311 XLIII. Catharine's Dessert . 318 XLIV. A Love History . . 325 XLV. Old Memories . . . 332 XLVI. "Long Live the Emperor ' . . . 342 IX PAGE XLVII. Napoleon's Secret . . . 351 XLVIII. The Loves of Napoleon . . . 357 XLIX. The Duke 367 L. With the Empress .... 372 LI. Catharine's Revenge . . . . 380 LII. The Russian Alliance .... 384 LIII. The Austrian Alliance . . . 395 LIV. The Divorce 398 LV. Lefebvre Rebukes Napoleon . . 412 LVI. The Heart Aflame . . . .418 LVII. The Dream of the Archduchess . 423 LVIII. The Imperial Message .... 433 LIX. Napoleon's Jealousy .... 438 LX. Fouche's Disgrace 449 LXI. The Return 455 LXII. The Faith of the Washerwoman . 464 LXIII. "You Lie, Monsieur" . . . 476 LXIV. The Debt of the Duchess 481 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Madame Sans-Gene rescuing Alice . . Frontispiece The Fricassee at the Vauxhall . . . . 17 " I beg your pardon, Mam'zelle !" . . . -19 Catharine leapt upon the table .... 23 "And I, Citizen Sorcerer ! " hazarded Catharine . 29 Catharine looked from the window ... 34 Lefebvre on his way to the Tuileries . . -36 Standing upon every step were two imposing Swiss 39 And unlocking the door she threw it back . . 42 Lefebvre rushed in followed by two or three guards, etc. -49 " Your life belongs to me, you must live" . . 59 " I have some washing I must take home " .64 Was led up to the windows at regular intervals . 70 The young sergeant made a military salute . . 74 Catharine cleverly slid from the embrace of Napoleon 81 He was overwhelmed with the profoundest surprise 88 Laying his hand affectionately upon her shoulder 92 The Duel ......... 97 Walking beside him was a young girl . . . 101 He seized her hand and kissing it .... 109 XII PAGE The three touched their glasses .... 120 The Cantiniere 123 When Baron Lowendaal stepped through the door 126 Beaurepaire looked savagely at the officials . . 146 She served a cannon . .... . . 148 "Who goes there?" . . . . . . -154 Catharine uttered a cry of terror . . . . 167 Napoleon turned with an irritated expression . 175 " That fellow's drum. I borrowed it ". . . 186 He was engaged with the Marquis .... 189 " The first to put his hand on me is a dead man " 203 Violette with the captured drum .... 206 Catharine found little Henriot beneath the ruins 221 Madame Sans-Gene and the Dancing-Master . . 249 The Emperor stopped before the drum-major . 257 He lifted a trap in the floor . . . . . 267 Napoleon appeared before Jena . . . .271 Napoleon stopped at the furthermost point . . 273 Napoleon, conscious again of his waiting secretaries 284 With his ear against the keyhole . ... . 302 To leap into the abandoned trenches . . . 323 " Climb up on my back " . . '.,., . . 334 " Long live the Emperor !" ..... 348 Napoleon would carry the child on his back . 354 She concealed her eyes with her hand . . . 365 "I make you this day Duke of Danzig" . . 370 "You do not remember me, Duchess?" . . . 378 XIII " Don't you dare insult the soldiers " . . . 382 "Ah, sire, with Magdeburg" . . . 394 Napoleon with a light in his hand . . . 400 "The king, my uncle ; my aunt, the queen" . . 408 " I will show you the Empress's trousseau " . . 410 The husband and wife embraced with ardor . . 421 She was seized by strong arms .... 431 " Sire, I have come to demand justice " . . 444 " What are you doing here, monsieur? " . . 448 Took a pinch of snuff .... . 454 She approached the mirror ..... 456 He seized the coal tongs from the chimney . . 465 And Napoleon, taking Catharine's hand . . 469 Napoleon took the letter from her hand . . . 472 "Sire, some one is in the gallery". . '. . 474 The capture of Neipperg in the palace . . . 479 MADAME SANS-GENE. THE FRICASSEE. THE Rue de Bondy was brilliant with the glitter of a thousand lamps. The Vauxhall, most popular of resorts, was dazzling with its own illumination that the crowds might the readier find entrance to the ball going on within. These were the grand days of '92. Louis XVI. was a royal dummy, but the liberty cap had already dropped upon his head and would soon settle down on his shoulders. Paris was wild with revolt and mutterings of revolu- tion hung upon the air. Robespierre, Marat and Barbaroux had already con- ferred and while they could not agree upon a chief, they were as one upon the infamies of royalty, upon their great duty to sack the Tuileries, the fortress of the crown. They only awaited the battalions from Marseilles, their arrival would be the signal to uprise. The King of Prussia and the Emperor of Austria were preparing to throw their armies into revolutionized France, counting on the treason and dissensions of the people to make rosy their path to the capital. Paris realized the danger, and responded to the defi- ance of the Powers by organization. But Paris is ever a volcano with two craters, pleasure bursts forth with fury. They were arming in the suburbs, they laid wagers in the clubs and at the Commune, they distributed car- tridges to the National Guard, they made all the prepara- tions for strife without losing their taste for pleasure or their love for dance. On the ruined walls of the Bastille some cynic had written, " Here we dance ! " Nor was it all irony. Revolution was accomplished to the air of the "Mar- seillaise " and to the step of the "Carmagnole." To name the public balls open in Paris would exhaust a page; they danced at the Hotel d'Aligre, on the Rue d'Orleans-Saint-Honore; at the Hotel Biron, in the Pavilion de Hanover; at the Pavilion de 1'Echi- quier, near the Hotel de Longueville; in the Rue des Filles-Saint-Thomas at the Modestie; at the Calypso ball; in the Faubourg Montmartre at the Porcherons; at the Courtille, at the Vauxhall, Rue de Bondy, where we are going with the reader and the rest of Paris. In the grand salon of the Vauxhall, that evening towards the end of July, 1792, a great crowd surged and pressed around the youthful dancers, whose agile movements and reckless intensity earned frequent applause. Showy costumes mingled with those plain to poverty, the exposed legs of the sans-culotte struggled in the wild fricassee with the military trousers of a guardsman, uniforms were plentiful, the dark coats being often showered with the sparkling powder from some fair head that had there reclined, silk and satin gowns were flung around snowy shoulders, only to dis- play tempting linen, draped high and low with delicate lace, other gowns less rich in their material rose too often above the wearer's head with picturesque abandon. It was an inviting scene and in its most inviting midst, conspicuous by his giant height and amiable counte- nance, a young man strolled leisurely to and fro, the target for amorous shafts from the eyes of pretty girls and those of envy from less-favored rivals. He wore the coquettish costume of the French Guard, with the cocarde in blue and red of the Parisian municipality, and upon his arm there rested the silver symbol of his rank sergeant. i8 His steps retraced their path with tiresome persis- tency; he moved but slowly and always near to the charming object in muslin that attracted him to the spot. "Why don't you speak to her, Lefebvre?" one of his companions finally exclaimed. " She is not impreg- nable ! " "And perhaps she knows you already," continued another. " If you don't try it, I shall," the third said in a tone of mock threatening. " You know very well she is waiting for you. There now, they are dancing the fricassee. Ask her to join them," said the first who had spoken. "Can you believe it, Bernadotte," Lefebvre replied, "a French soldier who has never quailed in the face of the enemy, now in the face of a beauty . But I'll try it." Leaving his companions Sergeant Lefebvre, with that nervousness of movement indicative of conquered tim- idity or sudden resolve in the permanence of which no confidence is felt, turned directly towards the waiting beauty and, with arms extended, said in his most ami- able tone: " Mam'zelle, will you favor me with the fricassee ?" But the maiden threw at him a scornful glance and answered: " Well, what impudence ! You can dance the fricassee by yourself ? " The sergeant recoiled a step under this crushing dis- charge, and bringing his hand to his jaunty cap, he replied in a very humble manner: " I beg your pardon, Mam'zelle ! " " Oh, there is no offense, my boy," responded the peppery maid, "there is no offense; it will just serve to teach you a lesson, another time you will know enough to mind your own business." I 9 And at this she rippled forth a musical laugh, while she turned her back to the face of the discomfited guards- man and whispered to her companions standing near by: " He isn't half bad after all, is he ? " Bernadotte, with jealous eye, had followed the ser- geant's attempt at a conquest and the repulse that met Lefebvre's advances were rather pleasing than other- wise to his comrade. His face was wreathed in smiles, half banter and half satisfaction, as he approached the undecided sergeant, whom he took by the arm and said: " Come on, old man, come with us. You see she doesn't want to dance with you. Or, perhaps, Made- moiselle doesn't dance the fricassee " "What is that to you whether I dance it or not?" sputtered the lively stranger who overheard the sneer- ing reflection upon her social acquirements and turned full of fire to resent it. " I can dance the fricassee, and I dance it with whom I please. I don't dance it with you, for example! But if your comrade there invites me politely why well I don't know but that I might join in with the volunteers. Of course, if there is no hard feeling. Is there any, sergeant ? " A coy glance from her large eyes, and her hands extended towards Lefebvre were more than he could resist, even though he felt disposed, and so he seized the offered reparation exclaiming: " Hard feelings! Not a bit of it, Mademoiselle! Again I beseech your forgiveness for my intrusion. It is not all my fault I assure you; it is partly the fault of my comrade here; now " The girl did not wait to hear any further explana- tion of the young man's shortcomings, but suddenly interrupted him with the exclamation: " Say, ain't you an Alsatian ?" " No, I am a native of the Upper Rhine. I was born at Ruffach." "Why, what luck! I am from Saint Amarin." " Then you are a countrywoman of mine ? " "Yes, and you a countryman of mine! " " What is your name ?" " Catharine Upscher, washerwoman, Rue Royal, cor- ner of the Rue des Orties Saint Honore." And I I am Lefebvre, ex-sergeant of the Guards, at present one of the militia." "Then come, my countryman, we must be friends, we will dance that fricassee to which we owe our acquaintance." She seized his hand without another word and in a moment they were one of the whirling crowd of reck- less dancers. As they turned in wild disregard of everyone else they came in violent contact with a young man who stood indifferently watching the merriment he appeared to have no part in. His face was very pale, almost sallow, his hair was long and drooped over his ears like a veil, his expression was shrewd and keen and he was clothed in a long Hebraic cassock. As he recoiled slightly with the shock of the collision, he said in a shrill voice: " Ah, ha, Catharine, so you have captured the Guards, eh ? " "Do you know this Catharine?" inquired Berna- dotte, who at the moment came near the sallow youth. " Oh, yes, I have that honor," replied he of the eccle- siastical habit, " she is my washerwoman, a good washer, a good girl, brave, womanly, and virtuous, her heart in her hand and her tongue perpetually in motion. Through all our quarter, on account of her frank speech and her guileless manners, she is known as Mam'zelle Sans-Gene" 1 The blare of the orchestra drowned every other sound and the rest of the conversation was lost in the joyous tumult of the fricassee. 1 Sans-Gene without restraint, free, familiar. (At this writing, November, 1894, the famous Vauxhall is being de- molished to make room for modern buildings.) 22 II. THE PREDICTION. THE dance was concluded and Sergeant Lefebvre conducted his fair companion to her seat. His ready wit and her facile tongue smoothed away the frowns of anger that erstwhile sat upon their brows, and now, as they threaded their difficult path through the turbulent throng, they appeared as two lovers rather than as acquaintances whose friendship began but a few moments before with an interchange of cutting per- sonalities. The night was warm, and as his charming partner cooled her flushed face with a convenient fan, Lefebvre suggested that they sit at a table near by and enjoy the ices and refreshing drinks with which the busy waiters were laden down. " Accepted ! " Catharine cried aloud, jumping to her feet, and then as if in second thought, she hesitated and added, " Oh, dear, I have no manners at all; I should have said that much slower, but you seem to be a nice fellow and somehow I don't want to refuse you and then, besides, that fricassee has given me an awful thirst. Come on ! " They reached the coveted seats only a step in advance of several other couples making for the same goal, and Catharine spread herself over the superfluous chair that might, she thought, offer an invitation to some one else to join them. " What will you have ? " she demanded, at the same time hissing through her teeth to attract the attention of a passing waiter. " I thought, perhaps, my friends would join us," Lefebvre explained, to account for the minute's hesita- tion after they had reached the chairs; "you see in the militia, as in the Guards, we like to invite our friends " "Why certainly, certainly ! I understand, your com- rades ? Eh ! Well, invite them, of course. Where are they? I will call them." And without a moment's hesitation Catharine leapt upon the table, and raising her arms in the direction of 24 the three guardsmen who were standing a little distance away, regarding the couple with raillery in their eyes and on their tongue, she shouted at the top of her voice: " Hello, hello ! Come here, you boys, don't you want to eat and drink like other people ? Come here where we are ! " The three guardsmen, attracted by this informal method of invitation, lost no time in its acceptance and moved over towards the hospitable board. " Come along, Bernadotte ! " one of them said, seeing that he held back. "No, I want to say a few words to the Citizen," Bernadotte answered in a surly tone, although, as a fact, his reason was but an excuse to avoid meeting the favored Lefebvre, whose wooing had been successful where Bernadotte wished to make an impression him- self. And so he separated himself from his associates, while they were forced to point him out to Catharine and the sergeant, as he stood in the distance near the sallow-faced young man and a new-comer, who had joined him. " He wants to talk to the Citizen, does he ?" Catharine sneered. " I know that Citizen and he knows me, well enough. Heh, Citizen Fouche, wont you come here ?" Fouche disengaged himself from his friends and joined the merry party at the table, where Lefebvre was already shouting loudly for hot wine and more chairs. " My dear Mam'zelle Catharine," Fouche gallantly murmured. "I am delighted, charmed to find you in the company of these valiant defenders of our good city " But before he could say more, Catharine pushed a glass of wine into his hand and bade him drink, drink to the four fighters and the civilian. Catharine and Lefebvre, with the meaningless senti- ment born of a new love, were sipping their ordinaire from the one glass and twining their arms about each. 25 other's neck, a touch of human nature so general in the Vauxhall as to excite no remark until Lefebvre, embold- ened by the wine or induced by the tempting lips of the voluptuous damsel, attempted to steal a kiss only to meet the palm of a pretty hand and feel Catharine draw away from him, as she said: " No, my countryman, not that. I will laugh and joke, but it goes no further." Fouche burst into boisterous laughter. "Ah, ha! my dear militiaman, you didn't expect to find such virtue in a washerwoman! eh, did you, now?" he said. "Now listen," Catharine commanded, " you Citizen Fouche, you have trusted me with your washing for three months, ever since you came from Nantes; have you ever heard one word against me?" " Never! Nothing! Absolutely nothing! " "Very well, then, I consented to come here and have a little pleasure, to dance the fricassee, to pass the time with these good fellows as you find us, but that is all, no one has ever seen the inside of my room. My shop is open to the world, but my room only one person shall ever have the key to that! " "And who may the lucky individual be?" asked Lefebvre, twisting his mustache and tipping back in his chair. "My husband!" responded Catharine with fiery vehemence, and seizing a glass she held it aloft, while witli a merry laugh she looked at Lefebvre and asked, " You hear, my countryman, what do you say to that? " " I say that is, perhaps, not an altogether disagreeable condition," the sergeant answered while he twisted his mustache more furiously than before, " and here is to you, Mam'zelle Sans-Gene! " They all drank heartily to this toast, and as they returned their glasses to the table their attention was attracted by a singular-looking man slowly approach- 26 ing the spot where they sat. He wore a tall hat that ran into a point, his figure was concealed by a long black robe spangled with silver stars, with blue crosses and with vari-colored comets trailing long tails of fiery red. " Here comes Fortunatus ! " said Bernadotte, who joined the party. " He is a fortune-teller. What do you all say to a mild adventure ?" "Yes, surely," exclaimed Catharine. "I want to know my destiny. Call him over here ! " But before they could do so Fortunatus stopped at a neighboring table where three young men were seated. " Now who are those fellows he has spoken to," asked Catharine, indicating with a nod of her head the occu- pants of the adjoining chairs. " Oh, I know one of them, he is Andoche Junot, he holds some office I think," Bernadotte replied. " And the second is an aristocrat," said Lefebvre, " his name, I believe, is Pierre de Marmont, he lives at Chatillon." " And the third ? " Fouche inquired; " the thin young man with the olive complexion and the deep eyes. I have seen him somewhere, but where, I can't re- member." " You have seen him in my shop, I presume," said Catharine blushing slightly. " He is an officer of artillery, and he lives near me, at the Hotel de Patriotes, Rue Royal-Saint-Roch." " Oh, yes, he is the Corsican living in that hotel," said Fouche with a satisfied air at the solution of the resemblance that puzzled him, "and he has such a droll name, this client of yours. Let me see, it is Berna Buna Bina no, that isn't it. I declare his name has escaped me." " Bonaparte! " said Catharine. "Yes, yes, that's it, Bonaparte, Timoleon, I believe?" "Napoleon!" Catharine replied, "and he is a bright fellow, I tell you. Whoever tries to impose on him will have a hard task." " He has a sorry name, this Timeo this Napoleon, and a sorry countenance. A name like that can never accomplish anything. But stop, the fortune-teller is about to speak to them. Shall we listen to what he says ? " Intent upon the affairs of their neighbors, the young people leaned far over towards the next table, and Catharine impressed by the presence of the sorcerer, whispered "mysteriously in Lefebvre's ear: "I hope he will predict good fortune for Bonaparte, he deserves it, that young man there; why, he has four brothers and I don't know how many sisters and he is very far from being rich so far that I have never had the heart to present my bill for his washing." Meanwhile Fortunatus, balancing his hat by its point top, studied with great gravity the outstretched hand of the youth who Bernadotte called Junot. "Thou," Fortunatus groaned forth in a cavernous voice supposed to be an echo from the grave, " shalt have a finished and successful career, thou shalt be the friend of a great man, thou shalt be with him in his vic- tories and his glory, on thy head shall rest a ducal crown, thy triumphs in the Midi "- "Bravo," interrupted the happy recipient of all these favors, "bravo, I can actually see myself on half pay already, my friend. But tell me after all this glorious good luck, how shall I die?" " Fool ! " exclaimed the sorcerer. " The devil," Marmont cried, interrupting further dis- closures touching Junot's future, "the beginning of your prophecy is much better than the ending. But what about me, am I destined to some folly, as well ? " " No," the sorcerer replied in the same lugubrious tone, "thy life shall be devoted to the unhappiness of thy country and thyself after a career of glory and of honor, thou shalt desert thy leader, prove traitor to thy country, and thy name shall be uttered in the same breath as that of Judas." " Well, you favor me with a pleasant future. I am certainly honored, but, my dear old man, I will forgive you if you will tell us the fortunes of our comrade here," and Marmont waved his hand towards Bonaparte, but the latter, rising from his chair, brushed the sorcerer away with a movement of his arm, saying: "I do not care to hear of my future from him, I al- ready know it." Followed by his friends Bonaparte made his way to the Vauxhall garden, some distance from the noise and tumult of the hall, and there, stopping on the marble walk, he looked into the heavens and after an instant of silent contemplation, he asked in a voice trembling with excitement: "Do you see that star? No? It is not there, you say ! Ah, well, I see it and it is my destiny ! " The fortune-teller looked after the retreating friends and then turned towards the table, where Lefebvre entertained his party. Catharine motioned to him to approach, and with his eyes fixed intensely on the two guardsmen, he warned them to profit by their youth for their days were numbered. " And how shall we die ? " one of the youths demanded, one who on the tenth of the next month fell among the heroes in the cause of liberty, shot down by the rifles of the Swiss. " Before the palace ! " the sorcerer answered. " True grandeur ! " Bernadotte exclaimed, " and for me, have I a tragic end also or do I die within a palace ?" "No, thy death shall be calm, tnou shalt sit upon a throne, and, after having denied thy flag and fought against thy companions in arms, thou shalt lie in a majestic tomb near to a sea of ice." " If you give all these good things to my comrades, what is there left for me?" Lefebvre inquired with an affectation of anxiety. "Thou," answered Fortunatus, " shalt wed the one thou lovest, thou shalt command a formidable army, and thy name shall ever be coupled with bravery and loyalty." "And I, Citizen Sorcerer!" hazarded Catharine in a shrinking way that showed she was frightened, perhaps for the first time in her life. 3 " You, Mademoiselle," said the sorcerer, " you shall be the wife of the man you love and you shall become a duchess." " Ah, then that means I shall become a due. General is not sufficient, is it?" Lefebvre exclaimed gaily, "eh, Sorcerer, come, complete thy prediction, say that I shall marry Catharine and together we shall become due and duchess." But Fortunatus answered not; he had turned away, and, amid the laughter of the young men and the reve- rent glances of the women, he slowly walked towards a distant corner. " Truly," said Fouche, " this magician is not very in- ventive, he gives us all the highest posts, and leaves us there. But, now I think of it, he has given me nothing. Heh, there, Sorcerer, am I never to be exalted ?" "Hold your tongue," Catharine interrupted, "you have already been cure, what more do you want?" "Excuse me, my dear," Fouche responded, with mock courtesy, " I was only a reader. At present I am a patriot, an enemy to tyrants. What do I want to be? It is simple. I must be Minister of Police." "You will be, you are so bright, you know everything that happens now, everything that is said, Citizen Fouche ! " Catharine laughed. "Yes, I shall be Minister of Police when you are a duchess," and a strange smile passed over the sad coun- tenance of Fouche as he arose from the table and mingled with the crowd. The ball was ended. The four young men lingered to discuss the revelations of Fortunatus; Catharine leaned upon the arm of Lefebvre and granted permission for that love-stricken youth to accompany her as far as the entrance to her shop. As they passed through the door, their three neigh- bors were directly before them, Bonaparte slightly in advance of Junot and Marmont. For an instant Bona- 3 1 parte raised his eyes to the heavens seeking that brilliant star, visible to himself alone. III. THE LAST NIGHT OF ROYALTY. THE tenth of August in that year fell upon Friday, and the night of the ninth was placid, starlit, and serene. Until midnight the moon shed its calm light over a city that slept in a quietude that seemed to one strange to the events that were transpiring, to be peace- ful and free from trouble. But for fifteen days Paris had only slept with feverish uncertainty as to whether it should awaken amid the brilliant sunshine of an untarnished day, or open its eyes upon the streets of its city running with the blood of its citizens; it had slept upon its sabre ready to re- spond to the first call whenever that call might come. The reinforcements from Marseilles were in the city. They marched the streets, and they were welcomed at the clubs, they quickened the blood of the Parisian with their ardor, they sang at all hours the stirring refrain of their martial hymn, that hymn born on the borders of the Rhine in the transcendent soul of Rouget de Lisle. They taught it to their compatriots of the North, and those in return sang it as the national anthem of France and gave it the name of the " Marseillaise." The Court and the people were preparing for the blow, for the grand day. The Court had barricaded itself in the Tuileries, and there it was garrisoned under the protection of the Swiss Guards from Courbevoie and from Rueil, a band of fanatical nobles who had earned the title of Cheval- iers of the Poignard after the banquet of October, where the national cocarde was trampled under their feet. 32 The tenth of August marked the beginning of the in- surrection, the first battle of a great army without a commander, a battle where the crowd was the general and the heroes were the people. It began at midnight, that radiant midnight of the ninth. The emissaries of forty-seven sections of revolu- tionists sped silently through the streets, carrying from door to door the ominous order: " To arms ! To arms, when you hear the tocsin sound and the drums beat ! " The clock on Saint Germain 1'Auxerrois sounded the knell of monarchy, as it had sounded the massacre of Saint Bartholemy. The moon had sunk beneath the horizon, and a deep shadow rested upon the city. Suddenly in the win- dows of the houses lights appeared, quickly one fol- lowing the other. It seemed as though there was to be a fete, but a fete with a sinister aspect. It was the last light glimmer before the day that was to bring with it the smoke of combat, the dense clouds from the torch of the incendiary that were to obscure the sun. The doors looking on the streets were opened quietly, and men bearing guns stood half concealed within the passages. They anxiously scanned the heavens and bent their listening ear close to the earth, they awaited the coming of the gathering forces that they might join in the ranks. The houses nearest the Tuileries had given evi- dence of life during the entire night, and long before the sun showed its burning face many of the shops were opened to the gathering crowds. Mademoiselle Sans-Gene was among the earliest of those upon the street. Clothed in a short skirt, a thin shawl thrown about her plump shoulders and a coquet- tish evening bonnet perched upon her head, she looked forth from her windows alarmed by the rumors of the night and aroused from her troubled sleep by the rol- ling of the drums and the distant sound of the tocsin. Satisfying herself that she might venture forth without 33 danger, she passed down through her shop and gained the door. The Rue Royal Saint Roch was deserted as Catharine looked about her in every direction. It was not alone curiosity that called her from her rest thus early; she was a good patriot, this Sans-Gene, but another sentiment than her hatred of tyrants aroused her from her couch this day. Since the evening at the Vauxhall she had often seen Lefebvre, and so ardent had his protests become and so persistent her restraint, that only two days before we find her standing by her shop, the sergeant had ended his doubts by proposing marriage, and Catharine, not unwilling, said : " But we haven't very much to support our home on. I have only my washing, and nobody ever thinks of pay- ing me." " Yes," added Lefebvre, " and I only have what I can get out of the army, and that is often late in coming." "Well, but all that is nothing; we are young, we love each other, and we have everything before us! Didn't the Sorcerer the other day promise me that I should be a duchess ? " " And didn't he tell me that I should be general ? " "Yes, and he told you that you would marry the one you loved." "Good! Then let us realize the prediction by begin- ning right there !" " But we can't get married in a moment, we have got to fight ! " " Then, fix on a date, Catharine ! " " Well, then on the day of the downfall of the tyrants; how does that suit you ? " " Agreed ! The tyrants I execrate ! See here, Cath- arine, look at this?" And Lefebvre, rolling up his sleeve, bared his right arm, upon which was an elaborate design in tattooing,, showing two sabres crossed, surmounted by a flaming 34 shell, and having beneath it the inscription: "Death to tyrants ! ! " "Am I not patriotic?" Lefebvre exclaimed, as he - looked trium- phantly upon his naked arm. "It is beautiful!" said Catharine, with a tone of sin- cere admiration, and stepping to- wards him she ex- tended her finger to touch the marks. "Don't touch it ! " said Lefebvre quickly. " I have just had it put on." And this was the evening of their be- trothal, and they lingered long at the door of the little shop beneath the too-brilliant stars, until the tender- ness became so en- ticing that Cathar- ine ran back into the room, pushing the door into the very face of the impulsive Lefebvre and laughing from behind its protection. " Good night, Lefebvre, you can come in when you are my husband." Since then his military duties had given Lefebvre little opportunity fora pleasant hour with his countrywoman. 35 And so Catharine looked from the window of her chamber this night the tocsin sounded its notes, sounded the De profundis for the Tuileries and for royalty, sounded the Alleluia for her nuptials. Two of her neighbors, lightly clothed, came forth from their adjoining shops, and, looking about upon the empty street, they said to Catharine: " Is there anything, Mam'zelle Sans-Gene ?" " I am waiting, neighbors, have patience, just a little, and you will know everything. You will see the grand- est stroke for liberty that was ever dealt," Catharine made answer. At this moment Lefebvre fully armed and carrying a musket over his shoulder, hastily came around the corner of the Rue St. Honore, and, throwing his weapon against the building, he rapturously embraced the smiling girl. " Ah, my Catharine, how happy it makes me to see you. It has commenced ! We are warming them already. To-day is Liberty Day! Vive la nation! " the sergeant shouted at the top of his voice. The two neighbors timidly approached, their eyes sparkling with excitement, and they asked what had happened. "There!" was all Lefebvre could answer as he pointed his trembling finger towards the Tuileries. " Why havn't you taken the tyrants from their palace?" Catharine demanded. " We have attacked it on every side. But don't you see the building is a veritable fortress, there are guns in every window, the doors are barricaded, the Swiss are armed to the teeth, and with them are those scoundrels, the Chevaliers of the Poignard, the traitors, brought in here to assassinate patriots ! " Lefebvre cried with savage energy. " And have you fought your battle already ?" " No, not yet, but one man has been killed, Mandat, the commander of the National Guards." "Your chief ?" " Yes, and he was a traitor ! We found signed by his hand a paper telling when the patriots would arrive at the head of Pont Neuf to make their junction with their comrades from Saint Marceau and from Saint Victor, but the treason was discovered, the traitor called at the Hotel de Ville to explain, and was there killed by a pistol bullet from the crowd. But to-night nothing can stop the march of the patriots, and eight days from this, Catharine, we shall be married. See, I have already prepared the wedding present. You know, I promised it ! " And right there before the neighbors, the sergeant rolling up the ,. ,.. - sleeve from his left arm, showed an- other tattoo repre- senting two burn- ing hearts. " See, there," he said, " see what is written, ' To Cath- arine for life.' >: And then they all gathered around to admire the design. " It is beautiful, much more beauti- ful than the other," said Catharine, blushing with pleasure. "Oh, my, Lefebvre, my dear Lefebvre, how thoughtful you are, and how much I love you." - 37 At this moment the rattling sound of muskets was heard sharp upon the air, and then with the intermission of a single moment came the roar of a cannon. The neighbors ran frightened into their houses, and Lefebvre, with the light of a joyful realization beaming over his face, pushed Catharine within her door, crying out with enthusiasm: " Go, go, Catharine, and don't come out again until I come for you. Be not alarmed, we shall return victors ! " He seized his musket and with one more embrace he ran in the direction of the Tuileries. IV. A CHEVALIER OF THE POIGNARD. IT was noon when the cannon ceased to roar against the walls of the Tuileries, and then the sounds of human voices, drowned before, were heard through the streets near and far crying, "Victory ! Victory ! " Great clouds of smoke floated in the air above the threatened dwellings and bits of blackened paper and torn strips of burned tapestries were blown along the pavements. The events of this day made a varied history that has never had its equal. Each section of the revolutionists appointed three commissioners who together formed the Paris Com- mune. Petion, the Mayor, went to the Hotel de Ville, which had been assigned to him as an official residence. Mandat, found guilty of treason, had been killed, and Santerre, being appointed in his place, was commander of the National Guards. The arsenal had been broken open and the arms distributed among the patriots. The King, the luxurious Louis, had reviewed the bat- 38 talions of the National Guard that he hoped to use in the defense of the palace, but the reception he received was chilling, and he had retired to his own apartments seeing in his mind the shadow of the guillotine length- ening over the Place de la Concorde. The companies of the Guard from the Butte des Moulins alone had given the old-time cheer as they marched past the royal stand- ard, the others had cried in no uncertain voices: "Long live the nation ! Down with the Veto ! " The Swiss Guards were the only reliance of Louis XVI. They numbered 950, they were thoroughly equipped and under perfect discipline, for the most part they spoke only German, but to a man they were faithful in their allegiance to the King because they looked upon loyalty as their share in the contract by which they had been hired to protect His Majesty. Ignorant of the true situation and the intensity of the feeling in the hearts of the French people, the Swiss regarded the uprising as a temporary riot, and themselves as heroes defending a hounded ruler against a band of brigands. The reinforcements from Marseilles and from Brittany were under the command of a friend of Danton, a former lieutenant, Westermann by name, an energetic Alsatian, a true militiaman with all the instincts of a soldier. At the head of his men, he forced his way into the court of the palace. At that time there were three of these ex- tensive open squares and the Carousel, much smaller than it is to-day, was shut in on every side by build- ings. Reaching this place, Westermann drew up his troop in the order of battle, while the Swiss crowded every window overhead, musket in hand, ready for the word to fire. Recognizing the slaughter that would follow the threatened engagement the Alsatian stepped forward, and, addressing the Swiss in German, he urged them to throw down their arms and join in the cause of liberty. .':. The words had some effect, and the moments of silence that- followed the simple appeal saw handfuls of car- tridges thrown from the windows to the ground, a mute sign of friendliness and sympathy, and the patriots reas- sured by these peaceful demonstrations forced their way into the vestibule and up to the grand stair- case leading to the royal apartments. Here stretched the barrier that forbade further prog- ress, while be- yond, standing upon every step were two imposingSwiss, one with his back pressed against the wall, the other show- ing full front in the centre of the stair, and both with theirmuskets at their shoulder and their fingers upon the trigger. For an instant the shrieking mob of invaders hesitated, and then a shot rang out above all other noises, and one of the Swiss sank to the floor, his blood trickling down upon the marble pavement. In the fury of the conflict the origin of the first shot was not determined, 4 o and responsibility of this signal for the terrible mas- sacre was never placed. With murderous precision the defenders of the palace threw their terrible fire into the struggling hordes be- low, volley succeeded volley with no intermission, it was an uninterrupted flood of fire that swept over the gilded balustrades of the grand escalier into the panic-stricken crowd almost hidden by the clouds of smoke, but whose struggles and shrieks reached the furthermost corners of the besieged building. The first discharge of musketry from the guard upon the stairs was a signal to those who occupied the win- dows upon the yard and from each embrasure, the Swiss and the gentlemen of the Court kept up a fusillade as deadly and as irresistible as that with which the in- surgents were deluged in the vestibule. It was more than mortal could withstand, and as the patriots tumbled forth into the Carousel seeking by flight to escape the flying bullets from within, they encountered the deadly shower that came from every side of the inclosure and from every floor of the surrounding walls, centering on the only passage these flying men could take. As they fled through the arch into the open street the Swiss swarmed out upon their heels and pursued them to the Rue St. Honore. But the Marseillais, the Bretons, and the National Guard rallied a few streets distant, and reinforced by thousands of citizens and many cannon, they returned to the assault. It was a human wave, overwhelming, resistless, nothing could stand before the terrific impetus of this triumphant crowd. Regardless of the rattling shot, of the men falling in every rank, they pressed for- ward and again filled the vestibule already slippery with blood and piled up with the dead bodies of those that had gone before, they plunged up the stairs and slaugh- tered the Swiss in the very salon of the King. Those that fled were cut down in the gardens or on the streets. - A r ______ 4 l and those few who were saved owed their lives to the generosity of an occasional conqueror, who interposed his influence between the affrighted Swiss and the popu- lar fury. Catharine was in the midst of the excitement that fol- lowed the assault. Aroused beyond control by the open- ing of the sanguinary affair, she had hurried after the sounds of the firing and reached the Carousel at the moment when her triumphant compatriots had taken possession of the palace. Inspired by her hatred of the tyrants, hoping that she would see among the com- batants her faithful Lefebvre black with the powder that he used against the enemy, wishing that she her- self might handle a gun to charge and fire upon the de- fenders of the King. Her soul was filled with the thoughts of strife, and the odor of gunpowder filled her mind with desperate thoughts. Not once did the fear come to her that Lefebvre would fall beneath the bullets of the Swiss, she was confident because she had faith in the prediction of Fortunatus, and he had said that Lefebvre would command armies, and that she should become his wife ! And so she braved every peril, advancing nearer and nearer to the cannons and to the Marseillais, searching everywhere for Le- febvre and fearless of death. How she reached her little shop Catharine knew not, but when the sounds of strife died away at noontime and all that shocked the repose of the deserted streets in her neighborhood were the occasional indistinct dis- charge of an isolated weapon faraway towards the other side of the city, she found herself trembling in her room, the door leading to the street closed and barred against intrusion. But suddenly she was startled by the loud report of a gun, fired three times and sounding as though it were beneath her very windows. Then there was a noise of footsteps in the little passageway that ran beside her house and the next moment an uncertain knocking at her shop door. Alarmed and trembling, Catharine sat irresolute asking herself what it could be, and then gathering cour- age she ran into the shop and un- locking the door she threw it back. Before her stood a man trembling, pale, feeble, and covered with blood, his hand was against his shoulder, his face showed the most intense pain. He wore a suit of white with short trousers and stockings of silk, he was not a pa- triot, if he had fought it was as- suredly in the ranks of the ene- mies of the people. " Who are you ? What do you want ? " she said with anger in her tones. " I am wound- ed, they are pur- suing me, let me hide here, save me in the name of Heaven, madam ! I am the Comte de Neipperg; I am an Austrian officer," the man faintly replied. ^ A groan came from his lips, his face became a shade paler, he waited for her reply in anguish. Catharine hesitated as she regarded him, she noted his elegance of dress and she saw the great splashes of blood that disfigured him, then she said in a voice filled with pity: " Poor boy! You are an aristocrat, you have shot at the people! But it is not the same as though you were a Frenchman; you say you are an Austrian. Ah, well, you are a man ! " And with the instinct of charity and tenderness that fills the heart of all women, be they the most energetic in the fray or gentle in their deeds of charity, Catharine assisted the fainting man to a chair, stripped his wounded shoulder, gently removed the threads of linen, stiffened by the flowing blood and satisfied herself that there was no immediate danger of his death. She filled a little vessel with fresh water, and, having taken the precaution to close the door leading on to the street, she bathed the savage wounds of the unhappy patient. She made bandages, and in her haste she tore in strips the first bit of linen that came beneath her hands, nor was it until she had entirely destroyed a shirt that was unfortunately near, that she discovered it belonged to one of her customers. Looking at it with impatience, as though revolving in her mind what excuse she could make for such wanton destruction, she flung it down and exclaimed: "Pshaw! It belongs to that poor, little artillery cap- tain, Napoleon Bonaparte. I don't believe the poor fel- low has another one. Still, he owes me enough to buy several. I know what I'll do, I'll get him a new one. I'll buy another and I will take it to him myself, and I'll put his name on it, and I'll tell him I spoiled his old one with a hot iron. But will he take it ? He is such a hot- headed fellow ! But, then, he doesn't give much atten- tion to his clothes ! " All this bubbled from her ruddy lips as with the 44 greatest care, she bound the desecrated garment around the wounded officer who had found such pleasant refuge in the home of a rabid patriot. The sight of this young man, wounded to death per- haps, livid, without strength, his nerves shattered and his life almost gone, had entirely changed the senti- ments that Catharine so loudly declared. She had been an Amazon, she had taken part with the combatants, she had hailed with joy every volley that blazed against the battlements of the Tuileries, she had craved for a gun herself that she might participate in this fete of death, but now she had become an angel bringing relief to a suffering human being. The sight of the agony that she was making every effort to alleviate, brought to her lips an involuntary malediction against war and she murmured that men were savages to end their dis- putes by such means. But the next moment her hatred brought with it another anathema, this time against the King and against the Queen who had made necessary these awful butcheries. " He is an Austrian," she said. " Why does he come here among us dressed in this white uniform ? He comes to defend that other Austrian, the Queen, Madame Veto ! " Then she looked at the fainting man more attentively, she had washed the blood from his face, she had smoothed back his disordered hair, he sat there uncon- scious of it all. " He is young, he can't be over twenty ! " Then her professional instinct came uppermost: " His linen is fine, his batiste, he is truly an aris- tocrat." Under the happy influence of the cold water and the bandages that had stopped the loss of blood, the wounded man gradually became reanimated. He opened his eyes, and they wandered about the room. And with a revival of consciousness, the thoughts of danger came back to him. He made a movement as if to rise. 45 " No, do not kill me ! " he murmured in a supreme and instinctive effort, extending his arms before him as though he would ward off the blows of his invisible enemies. Then, looking full into the face of his bene- factor, he said, with a great effort: " You are Catharine Upscher, of St. Amarin ? It was Mademoiselle de Laveline who sent me to your house; she said to me that you were good, that you would help me." " Mademoiselle Blanche de Laveline ? " said Catharine in surprise, " the daughter of the Seigneur of St. Amarin, my protector ! You know her, then ? For her I will brave any peril, and you have done well to come here. Here you are safe, and who would take you must pass over my body to do it." The wounded man made an effort to speak, but Catharine by a motion enjoined silence upon him. " Be reasonable," she said, in a solicitous voice, " no one can harm you here. Mademoiselle Blanche knew that she could trust me, you are here in the house of a patriot. Do you not hear what I say? The Austrians are patriots! You are in the home of a friend." An expression of the most sincere satisfaction and relief passed over the face of the suffering Austrian. He was with a friend, the name of Blanche de Laveline was powerful, he had nothing to fear. With a supreme effort, his eyes half closed, he extended his arms and with his hand, clammy and cold, he felt about for the hand of Catharine. " Keep quiet ! be calm, you are resting where you will be safe, citizen Austrian," said Catharine with emotion. And then with tears in her voice, she continued: " Had you not better lie on the bed, I am not strong enough to lift you there, but can you walk? Oh, how I wish Lefebvre were here, where can he be ? " The exclamation aroused a thought in her, the idea came to her mind that if Lefebvre should come there and find an unconscious stranger, covered with blood, what would he think? " This war is terrible! " she whispered. And then, with the energy of a sudden conviction, she said half aloud: " Bah! Lafebvre is too brave, too manly to injure a wounded opponent; Lefebvre only fights with bullets." Then, shrugging her shoulders, she once more turned her attention to her patient. " It is impossible that he should stay here, any chance passer-by might see him. But what shall I do with him? He is a friend of Mademoiselle Blanche, I cannot let him die like this." For a moment she stood while conflicting emotions paralyzed her mind and interrupted her thoughts. " Perhaps he is the fianc of Mademoiselle Blanche. Oh, how can I save him! Why does not Lefebvre come? " The Austrian, meanwhile, had again sunken into unconsciousness, and Catharine puzzled her confused brain how to carry him to the bed where she felt he would be more comfortable. Her self-possession had almost deserted her in the critical emergency of the moment, and she clasped her hands in her vain efforts to solve in some way the question of what she should do. " Surely Lefebvre must come soon. He could not reproach me for saving the life of an aristocrat when he knows that he is the friend of my benefactress; he cannot say anything to me; certainly after the battle is over, a French soldier knows no enemies; Lefebvre has told me so often. But then he is as jealous as a tiger! He will see this man, this aristocrat lying in my chair and perhaps he will demand to know how I met him, and how he took refuge in my house ! " She made a renewed effort to lift the wounded man to the couch. 47 As she did so, a loud knock came at the door. Star- tled, trembling in every limb at the imperious inter- ruption, Catharine released her hold upon the Austrian and stood staring in stupefaction towards the street. " Who can it be ? " she said to herself. " The shop is closed and certainly no one would come to look for their linen on such a day as this." The sound of muskets clashing against the pavement interrupted her thoughts, and again the resounding blows upon the door. Then she heard confused voices without: " He is in there ! " " We have him here ! " "They are looking for him !" Catharine said in a trembling voice as her eyes regarded with compassion that almost was allied to love, the unconscious man whose salvation rested with herself alone. " Open the door ! " shouted a coarse voice accompanied by another impatient blow. "How shall I save him?" Catharine cried, now thor- oughly frightened, 'and shaking the unconscious man she continued, " Wake up! citizen, monsieur, wake up, have courage, try to get up and walk." The wounded man opened his eyes and in a feeble voice replied: " I cannot, let me die here ! " "No, no, you must not die!" Catharine whispered. " See, have strength, live for the sake of Mademoiselle Laveline. You cannot stay here, get up, there, that is right, you see it is not very difficult, now come! " The Austrian tottered like a man intoxicated. Catha- rine supported him by his arm, the cries, the threats, the noise doubled outside. The repeated blows threat- ened to break down the door, when suddenly a voice rose above the tumult, saying: " Stop, stop! What are you doing, I will see this woman ! " and then the same voice cried out aloud: " Catharine, it is I! Don't you know me? Come! " "Lefebvre!" said Catharine in a joyful voice, and then turning towards the door she cried, " Wait a moment, and I'll be there." ''Don't you see, citizens, she is a working woman; have a little patience, she is frightened by your noise and the blows of your muskets!" said Lefebvre, in a voice that Catharine distinctly heard within. " You hear that," Catharine said to the wounded man; "they won't come in. I am a working woman, they know that." "Where are we going?" he feebly muttered. " We must climb this stair, I will find a place for you." " Climb this stair! It is impossible, I have not the strength." " Well, then quick, into my room!" And Catharine without another moment's delay, led the tottering footsteps of the Austrian into her apart- ment, and laying him upon the bed, turning the key in the door, she hastened to the front entrance, which she threw open to Lefebvre and the clamoring crowd say- ing beneath her breath: " Thank God, he is saved." V. THE BED-CHAMBER OF MAM'ZELLE SANS-GENE. THE bars removed, the bolts drawn, the door opened and Lefebvre rushed in followed by two or three guards and a crowd of neighbors and of sightseers, the bulk of these lat- ter being women and children. " You were ra- ther slow in open- ing the door,Cath- arine," said Le- febvre, kissing the girl on both cheeks. " I was startled, the noise, the cries " Yes, yes," Le- febvre interrupt- ed, "I understand, but it was friends, patriots, who call- ed. We are vic- torious everywhere, Catharine! The tyrant is now only a prisoner of the people, the stronghold of despotism has fallen, the people are masters! " " Vive la nation! " shouted a voice on the outskirts of the crowd. "And death to traitors! Down with the Swiss and the chevaliers! " cried another, and the crowd pressed fur- ther into the little shop. f\ 5 " Yes, death to those who have fired on the people! " exclaimed Lefebvre in a loud voice, " Catharine, do you know why these good people throng thus into your shop ? " " No, I do not, I have been trembling here with alarm, I heard gunshots that sounded as though they were under my very window " " We have shot an aristocrat who escaped from the Tuileries, one of the Chevaliers of the Poignard who tried to assassinate the patriots; I have seen our people drop beneath the fire from the gun in his hands, and now I will make him pay the score in his blood. Just now, I and my comrades," and Lefebvre waved his hand in the direction of his followers, " were in close pursuit of him, we fired at him and struck him, and just as we thought he would have fallen, he disappeared in a turn of the street. He was wounded and the drops of blood that marked his trail come right to your door, Catharine. We believe he has taken refuge here ! " Lefebvre looked quickly around him, and then in a questioning tone he continued: " But he is not here, we can see that. Didn't you say he was not here ? " Catharine made no response, apparent surprise chained her tongue, and Lefebvre detecting some confusion in her manner and not knowing what it meant, said to his comrades: " Well, we have nothing more to do here, you at least. You see the white suit is nowhere about and I presume you will allow one of the conquerors of the Tuileries to tranquilly and uninterruptedly embrace his wife." " Your wife ! Oh, not yet, Lefebvre," Catharine re- joined. ' "And why not yet? Is not the tyrant beaten?" and then addressing the Guards, Lefebvre went on, " Au revoir, citizens, good luck, let us go to headquarters and choose a captain and lieutenant, and a, cure to pray 5 1 for us, a patriot cure, all to take the place of those who were killed by the Swiss." The Guards required no second hint and they went shouting forth into the street, while the crowd of idlers lingered around the door. "Well, well, my friends, why do you wait?" Lefebvre said to them in an amiable but imperative voice, " why do you wait ? In hopes of seeing that white uniform again ? If you do, you must seek it elsewhere, you see it is not in the house of Mam'zelle Catharine; that is clear ! But he must have fallen near here. No man could go far with such wounds, he had at least three bullets in his body, look for him then, we have crippled him, make it your business to find him." And with the words Lefebvre pushed the people gently away. " All right, we will go, sergeant," said one. " No one has looked in the girl's bedroom ! " suddenly came from a busybody in the front rank; but further discussion was cut short by Lefebvre, who slammed the door with no gentle hand and threw his arms around Catharine, pressing her again and again to his breast. "The fool to shout for your bedroom," said Lefebvre. "What an idea! But, Catharine, why are you tremb- ling? Calm yourself, it is all over ! Come, let us think only of ourselves " His further speech was cut short by the startled look in Catharine's eyes, and instinctively his gaze followed hers which was fixed upon the door of her room. It was an unconscious disclosure but that corner of the shop appeared to have an attraction Catharine could not resist. Mechanically the sergeant arose and taking one step towards the secret apartment, he placed his hand upon the latch. It was locked ! Lefebvre stopped, astounded, surprised. A frown came across his face. " Catharine, why is this closed ?" 5 2 " I because perhaps " " Give me the key ! " " No, you shall not have it ! " "Catharine," Lefebvre cried angrily, "give me the key, there is some one in your room, a lover doubt- less ! " " I said you should not have the key ! " " Then I shall take it ! " And plunging his hand into the drawer of her little table Lefebvre drew forth the key which Catharine by force of habit had placed there. " Lefebvre," cried Catharine in agony, " my husband, my only love, do not open that door. I pray you, Lefebvre, do not enter that room against my wish, if you do never will I enter it with you, never " A tumult on the sidewalk checked her impassioned utterance, sounds of many voices arose, and with them the clatter of muskets as they clashed against the stones. Then came violent blows on the outer door and Catha- rine, thinking to divert the attention of her lover, hur- ried to open it. Before her stood a file of the Guards. " Where is Lefebvre," they exclaimed in one voice. " Where is Lefebvre. We want him. He must come to headquarters, they have made him lieutenant." Lefebvre pale, grave, resolute, came from Catharine's bedroom. He carefully closed the door behind him and dropped the key on the table. "You did not tell me you had^a dead man in your bed ! " he whispered. " Is he dead ! poor fellow ! " Catharine said sadly. " No, he is living ! But is it true ? Is he a lover ? " " A lover ! stupid ! Do you suppose if he were I should allow him to be caught so easily. You have seen him, he is an Austrian, he is wounded, he is a friend of Mademoiselle Blanche's, my benefactress, and he came to me for protection and refuge." " The wounded are sacred," Lefebvre replied. " Your "" 53 * % room shall be a hospital, care for him, Catharine, save him. I am quite content to help you in paying your debt to Mademoiselle Blanche, as you see fit. Have courage, and I will return atonce." " Ah, my brave Lefebvre, brave heart, you have my word, Lefebvre, when you wish it you may claim me as your wife ! " " Then it shall be right quickly," Lefebvre joyously responded. " But my friends are impatient. I will return." " Sergeant, we are waiting ! " the men called aloud from the street. " I am with you, comrades, march on ! " Lefebvre at the head of his squad quickly reached the barracks, where the soldiers were dropping their ballots for new officers in the great urn that stood there to re- ceive their votes. Catharine re-entered her room where the Austrian officer lay in a troubled sleep, but safe beneath the pro- tection of a roof that was consecrated to his salvation through the magic influence of Blanche de Laveline. VI. LITTLE HENRIOT. CATHARINE had carried to the wounded man a strengthening bowl of steaming soup, and then a goblet of the best wine she could get in the neighborhood; he was too weak to take anything more substantial. " Drink these," she said, " they will do you good; you require all the strength you can get, for it will be impos- sible that you should remain in this room long! Oh, it is not on my account that I object, but you see it is not here like it is at the home of Mademoiselle Blanche, where everything is quiet and you have the entire house 54 to yourself, but all the world comes into my shop, your dress will excite suspicion, the women I have working for me will see you, and they will rush out in the street shouting: " Here is the man who fired upon the people ! " Neippert moved uneasily and said: "We only defended the King." " The dirty Veto !" Catharine almost shrieked, and shrugged her shoulders in the intensity of her contempt. " He has taken refuge in the Assembly; he thinks they won't find him there, and he will be safe, he will let you cut your throat, selfish brute that he is, without giving you any more thought than he gave to the red cap that was pulled down over his head on the zoth of June. He is good for nothing, he is a coward, this dirty Veto of yours, who was led around by the nose by his wife you know where he was led, don't you ? He was led right up to the guns of the patriots. Oh, they were ready for him, too ! But what were you doing here in this tumult, and you a stranger ? Because you are an Austrian, did you say ? " " I am a lieutenant in the Noble Guard of Her Majes- ty, and I was entrusted with a message to the Queen." "The Austrian ! " Catharine sneered; " and was it for her that you fought, you who had nothing to win in the fight ? " " I would have died for her ! " the young officer replied, with suppressed enthusiasm. "Died, at your age ! for the King? for the Queen ! " Catharine was evidently recovering her good humor, for she laughed at these words, and they were uttered in a tone of raillery. " Excuse me, if I am too blunt, but when one has only twenty years to his life and when he is willing to go and kill others 'for people whom he does not know, and fight others when he has no motive to fight ah, well ! Then it must be a question of love. Mon Dieu ! Perhaps, I have struck it ? " 55 " You have, my charming hostess." " Good gracious ! Then it is not difficult, and will you tell me who you are in love with ? I wager it is Mademoiselle Blanche ! Oh, I don't urge you for any confidence," Catharine vivaciously exclaimed, as she saw an expression of irritation come over the face of the wounded man; " but don't look at me in such a way, certainly Mademoiselle de Laveline deserves all the love you can give her." Count de Neipperg half raised himself on one elbow, and in a voice, filled with exultation, he cried: " Yes, she is beautiful, and she is good, my beloved Blanche ! Oh, Madame, if I should die, my last breath would go out in murmuring her name ! Tell her that my thoughts up to the moment that life was refused to me, were all for her and for " The young man stopped as though interrupted by a sudden realization that he was saying too much; a word had formed itself upon his lips, but he discreetly closed them and was silent. " You will not die ! " Catharine said, desiring to comfort him; " is it possible any one should die at your age, and when one is in love ? You must live, monsieur, for Mademoiselle Blanche, whom you love, who loves you, I am sure, and for that other person whom you did not name. Her father, doubtless, Monsieur de Lave- line ? A fine-looking man; I have seen him two or three times, the Marquis de Laveline, in Alsace. He wore a magnificent suit of blue velvet with gold braid, and he carried snuff in a box that was all covered with diamonds and other precious stones." When Catharine had pronounced the name of the Marquis de Laveline, Neipperg made a motion with his hand that indicated disgust and enmity. . " It doesn't look as though you were very good friends," Catharine observed. " Very well, then I won't say anything more about him; I suppose he is . rfi -- 5 opposed to the marriage. Poor mademoiselle! Is that the reason that you have come here to be killed ? " And with a suspicion of compassion in her voice, she began to arrange the pillows under his head, and said: " I am an awful gossip, I won't bother you any more with my talk. Can you sleep a little, monsieur? I think, perhaps, it might reduce your fever." The sick man put his hand tremblingly to his head: " Talk to me of Blanche," he said. " Talk to me of her again, it will cure me, I know." And then Catharine told in her own simple way how she had been born near the Grand Chateau of Leveline, and how Blanche had taken her into the service of the chateau, and finally established her in her present wash- ing shop, where the unfortunate officer found shelter. In the midst of her recital, breaking in upon the words of admiration and gratitude with which she described the good deeds of her benefactress, there again came the sound of a stranger at the door, and the blows demanding admission resounded through the quiet room. " I wonder if that is Lefebvre come back with his comrades from headquarters?" Catharine thought to herself, and then turning to Neipperg, who was evi- dently listening intently to the sound, she said, " Don't be frightened, if that is Lefebvre alone., you are in no danger, but if his comrades are with him, then I must go out and talk to them. Do just as I tell you, and everything will be safe." Quickly Catharine closed the door to her room and reached the entrance to the shop, opening the door a few inches she looked cautiously out and was surprised to see before her a young woman, muffled in a light cloak and her face concealed by a heavy veil. " He is here, isn't he ? " the visitor exclaimed. " Yes, yes, he is here, Mademoiselle Blanche," Catha- rine replied, recognizing at once the voice of the woman 57 who stood before her; " he is in here, in my own room, he is living, and he wants to talk to you; come in and see him." "Oh, my dear Catharine, what a happy inspiration it was that I told him to come to your house as a refuge after that awful fight at the Tuileries," and Mademoi- selle de Laveline seized Catharine by the hands and embraced her warmly, stopping but a moment before she went to the bedside of her wounded lover. "You wicked man!" Blanche said in a sweet voice, " so you would go and be killed, would you ? " " But life without you is not worth having, so when I found a noble opportunity to quit it, in the midst of combat, with a sword in my hand and a glorious death awaiting me, I went to meet it." "Ungrateful boy, you should have lived for me." " For you ? Were not you as far from me as though my eyes had been closed in death? Had you not left me for ever ? " " That odious marriage I have avoided thus far. We must find some means of breaking it off. " But you said to me yourself," said Neipperg, who seemed to have resigned all hope, " that to-day, the loth of August, you would become the wife of another ; you would become Madame Lowendaal; your father had ordered it, and you were powerless to resist." " You know very well that my tears and my prayers were useless, threatened with ruin by this Baron de Lowendaal, this Belgian millionaire, who had given us enormous sums and exacted enormous returns, who called upon us at a moment's notice for reimbursement; you know my father was forced to accede to his demand for my hand in order to save himself." " Which means that your father, the marquis, uses his daughter to pay his debts." " My dear friend, my father was ignorant that our love was so intense; he knew nothing of our feelings for each other; he knows nothing yet," Blanche said with an intense energy. " Yes, he is ignorant of everything, because I said nothing, I despaired; my death, you see, will render the silence still more complete, his ignorance more profound, but perhaps the bullets of these rioters will not end me, perhaps I shall recover. There is a grand opportunity to die; war has been declared, and I shall look in the ranks of the Imperial army, on the borders of the Rhine, for that death which has been denied me at the Tuil- eries ! " " You will do nothing of the sort ! " " Pardon me, Blanche, but to-day is the loth of August, the date fixed for your marriage; how does it happen that I see you here ? Your place should be by the side of your husband; you are due just now at the church ! Why do you delay bringing happiness to the Baron de Lowendaal and paying the debts of the marquis? Per- haps the combat interrupted the ceremony, but now the guns have stopped firing, the tocsin is silent, it is the turn of the nuptial bells to speak. Leave me to die, here, anywhere, to-day or to-morrow; what does it matter?" " No, no ! Your life belongs to me, you must live for me, for our child," Blanche cried passionately, and throwing her arms around Neipperg, she embraced him with uncontrolled ardor. " Our child ! " the wounded man murmured. " Yes, our dear little Henriot, you have no right to die, your life belongs to another ! " " Our child ! " Neipperg repeated sadly, " but you're married." " I am not married yet, there is still hope." " Really ? and you are not yet Madame de Lowen- daal?" " Not yet, never perhaps ! " " Explain it to me." 59 ~~ m And while a feverish anxiety sat upon the face of the tortured man, Blanche went on: "When you had left, when you said adieu and told me that you were going to join the defenders of the , palace, that you courted death, I had but little hope left in my heart; it was then that I urged you to come here to Catharine and wait until I could devise some means for joining you." " Then you did hope ? Notwithstanding that you had 60 promised to obey your father, that you had consented to become the wife of this Lowendaal ! " " Yes, for something said to me this marriage might be put off" " And it has been ? " " The insurrection beginning, my father declared it was impossible to have the marriage take place at the date that had been fixed, and then the Baron de Lowen- daal agreed it should be performed later, in three months." " In three months ? " " Yes, the 6th of November is the date that is now fixed." " Ah ! he doesn't seem to be in any hurry, this baron." " Frightened by the course of events, startled by the progress of the revolution, M. Lowendaal left Paris last night before the gates of the city were closed. He has gone to his own estate, to his chateau near Jemmapes on the Belgian frontier, where he intended to celebrate his marriage." " And are you going to Jemmapes ? " " My father, who is a little frightened also, has decided he will join the baron at his chateau, and we intend to leave shortly, as soon as the roads are open." "And shall you accompany him?" " I must, but rest assured I am resolved what I shall do, never shall I become the wife of the baron." " Do you swear it ? " " I swear it ! " " But how will you have the strength to resist them at Jemmapes when you acceded to everything they wanted here ? " " Before his departure the baron received a letter I wrote him, and, oh, how frightened I was to do it ! His servant whom I had bribed, took this letter to him at the same time that he told him the gates of the city were open." 61 " What did you tell him ? " "The truth; he knows now that I love you and our little Henriot can never have any other father than you." " My adorable Blanche, my darling wife, how I adore you; you bring me back to life; you give me strength to begin anew my battle against these desperadoes." And Neipperg, in his excitement, made a quick move- ment to stand upon his feet, but the exertion burst the band that bound his wounds and a stream of blood started down upon his dress. He fell back with a cry of pain. Catharine, who had discreetly withdrawn into her shop, hastened to the bedside, and the two women rearranged the bandages and again bathed the bleed- ing face of the Austrian, who was now unconscious. His senses had left him for the moment, but his first words upon opening his eyes disclosed his secret: " Blanche I am dying watch over our child ! " Catharine, stupefied by the words she had just heard, thoughtlessly exclaimed: " Mademoiselle Blanche has a child ! " And Blanche answered: " He is three years old." " And his name ? " " Henri; we call him. Henriot." " It's a pretty name; can I see him, mademoiselle ?" Blanche de Laveline reflected for a moment, then she said, " My dear Catharine, you can do me a great favor," and then she stopped and seemed to be thinking of nothing other than the wounded man she so tenderly cared for. " Speak, what is it that I can do ? " " My boy is now with a brave woman just outside of Paris, with Mother Hoche, in a Faubourg of Versailles ? " " Mother Hoche, I know her. Her son is a friend of Lefebvre, and Lefebvre is my lover; pretty soon he is gping to be my husband." 62 . "You make me happy, indeed! and you will go and see Mother Hoche, will you ?" ' I have an errand for her, a message from her son, Lazare; he was in the French Guards with Lefebvre, and it was Lefebvre who induced him to take up arms; they were together at the capture of the Bastille. Now what is it you want me to say to Citizen Hoche ? " " Give her this money and this letter," said Blanche, at the same time handing Catharine a purse and a paper, " and then take the child with you. It isn't too much to ask of you, Catharine, is it ? " 4< You know very well that anything you ask of me I shall be only too glad to do." " Would you take a long journey for me ? " " Cheerfully; and where is it you want me to go ? " " To the Chateau of Lowendaal, near the village of Jemmapes, that is in Belgium, close to the frontier; it is very easy to get there." " For you I would do anything ! When do you want me to bring the child to Jemmapes ? " " Not later than the 6th of November." " Good! I shall be there. Lefebvre will arrange for me to getaway; we will be married by that time, and perhaps he will go with me." " Embrace me, Catharine ! " " Depend on me." " At Jemmapes, then ! " " At Jemmapes, the 6th of November ! " Then Blanche looked towards the bed where Neipperg lay. " He is sleeping, I will go to him," she said. " Attend to your affairs, Catharine, and don't let me interfere with what you have to do." " You are here as though in your own house, I have already told you that; do as you please and try to save your lover." " Are you going out ? Don't leave me here alone ! " 63 " Oh, I shall only be gone a few moments, I have some washing I must take home, but it isn't far from here, and I shall return quickly. And while I am gone don't open the door for any one." VII. THE LOGGER AT THE HOTEL DE MET2. LEAVING the awakening Count and Blanche to their delightful tete-a-tete, exchanging their projects for the future and talking of their child, Catharine with her bas- ket of clean linen on her arm went forth from her shop. She felt she could profit by the opportunity, the lov- ers would not even notice her absence, and she had already lost a day by going over to the Tuileries to see the fight. " Lefebvre is at headquarters, and they are voting " she said to herself. " He will not leave there cer- tainly until the new officers are selected. That will all take, say, two hours. They are slow voters over there at the barracks of the Fille Saint Thomas, and they are all good talkers, too, except Lefebvre. I have plenty of time to run around to Captain Bonaparte's house There is that shirt I tore up, now I have none to take its place, but I have the note he gave me for the amount of his washing, and if he asks me for his shirt, I'll give him the note, poor boy! He is such a wonder, too, and so wise, he is always reading and writing, always looks sad! " Thus her thoughts ran until she reached the humble hotel where Bonaparte lodged in a modest little room, on the third floor and numbered 14. The young man at this time gave no promise of the glorious future that awaited him; his name had no aureole of blood; he was without any noticeable peculiarity, without anyextraor- dinary relations. His first years were those of a poor student, timid, laborious, sombre. He suffered cruelly from loneliness; his poverty isolated him; he was ever animated with the thought that he had a family largely dependent upon him, and making his situation pre- carious. His father, Charles Bonaparte, or properly Buonaparte, who was of an old Tuscan family resident of Ajaccio for upwards of two centuries, was an advocate by profession as had been all his ancestors. Charles was one of the most ardent partisans of the Pa- oli, the Corsican patriot, but sub- mitted to the French authority when Paoli was forced out of the island. Being a member of the Administrative Council of Corsica, Charles was a prominent man,although all his possessions consisted of an estate that brought him in about twelve hundred francs rental. He had married Leti- tia Ramolino, born on the 24th of August, 1749, a beautiful and pure young girl, with a profile that resembled an an- tique cameo, with a spirit that was singularly animated and brillrant. When she carried the title of Madame Mere, and sat on a throne beside her sons, then rulers of Europe, she replied to Napoleon when he reproached her for doing away with her civil list, " I am making these economies for you, my children, 6 5 that may perhaps be helpful in your days of necessity." The record of his birth now among the valued archives of the military school, and which was produced for the admission of young Napoleon into that institution, bears the date of August 15, 1769, and yet some confusion exists as to the real date due to the coquetry of Jose- phine who, when she married Napoleon later, desired that he appear two years older than he really was, and, to gratify this whim, he had substituted for his real birth record at the school, another, giving a date that was false. There were two circumstances that influenced his thoughts and molded his character: the political dis- turbances of his native country and the financial dis- tress of his family. Civil war hurtled around his cradle; the misery of his paternal household embittered his soul and grieved his young years. He was serious when he entered the Brienne school; he was sad when he left it. His schoolmates, mocking the strong Italian accent that he never could correct, called him Paille-au-Nez; he was insulted because of his poverty; he was angered by ferocities of their raillery and the cruel jeers of which he was the victim. A studious scholar, noticeably strong in mathematics he took but little recreation except in winter, when, with precocious strategy, he led the infantile assaults against the ice-fort erected in the court of the Brienne school, which was assailed and defended with showers of snow- balls. His solitary companion here was Bourrienne, who later became his intimate secretary, and always his devoted friend. From Brienne he went to the military school, and there he suffered a continuance of those harmless but painful wounds that are caused by the slights of others the evils poverty is called upon to bear. He had no money; he 66 was unable to enter into the enjoyments of his com- panions, he was neglected, ignored, alone. This isola- tion at an age when the heart yearns for companionship, certainly contributed in no small degree to harden the character and destroy the instinct of pity in the soul of this man of bronze. Charles Bonaparte died when 39 years of age from the effects of a cancer of the stomach, and on the same day, September i, 1785, his son Napoleon was made second lieutenant in a company of bombardiers stationed at Valence. Here at Valence, in the leisure of his garrison life, Napoleon wrote a history of Corsica, and, desiring to mingle more with the world of fashion and society, he took dancing lessons from Professor Dantel and then made love to the young ladies of the city, being given an opportunity to meet them through the friendliness of a certain Mme. Colombier, whose receptions he made it his duty to regularly attend. The regiment was detailed successively to Lyons and Douai and while it was at this latter place Napoleon obtained leave of absence that permitted him to visit his mother at Ajaccio, from which place he returned direct to Paris where he put up at the Hotel de Cher- bourg, Rue des Four Saint Honore, and remained there until summoned to rejoin his regiment at Auxonne, May i, 1788. The work and the privations, as often he had no other nourishment than milk because he was without money to purchase suitable food, finally brought on a serious illness. Alone and unattended Napoleon recovered his health gradually, and then, in order to lighten his mother's burden, she having eight children to care for, he sent for his young brother Louis to come to him at Paris. The child joined him and together they lived on 92.15 francs ($18.43) P er month. They occupied two 67 rooms that were without fire and without furniture. In one of these rooms was a second-hand cot bed, a paper- covered trunk, a straw-seated chair and a kitchen table with a plain, unpainted and uncovered top. Here worked and slept and ate the future master of the Tuileries and of Saint Cloud. In the second room there was nothing but a mattress thrown upon the floor, and there slept Louis, the future King of Holland. Here also Napoleon cleaned his own and his brother's clothes and boots, and with his own hands prepared their daily meals, which on six days of the week consisted of soup alone. Speaking of these ter- rible years of want and deprivation, upon one occasion, when as Emperor he was surrounded by the most brill- iant court in Europe, he said: " I would have you know that I, monsieur, when I had the honor of being a second lieutenant, made my breakfast on dry bread, but I bolted my door on my poverty, in public I never caused my comrades to blush for me." Poverty had made him chaste, and inclined his thoughts to wage war against love. He anathematized woman and gave utterance to his famous remark. " I believe love is a menace to society, a menace to individuality; I believe love brings more misery than happiness." And the virtuous Catharine who, humble washer of his linen though she were, had formed a strong .attachment for Napoleon before she met Lefebvre, was not slow in perceiving that Napoleon in practice lived up strictly to the severe philosophy he expressed. Promoted to be first lieutenant in the Fourth Artillery, Bonaparte went back to Valence, taking his brother Louis with him. There he lived his usual life of study and sedentary enjoyment. The country was then on the eve of revolution and he became a warm advo- cate of liberty and the emancipation of the people. When he saw the signs of uprising becoming stronger 68 and nearer he talked, he wrote, he agitated, his name was inscribed on the membership roll of the club of the Friends of the Constitution, and later he became its secretary. In October, 1791, he asked a leave of absence for three months for the benefit of his health and to visit his family. It was granted, and he went to Corsica There, in the midst of his own people, he made him- self popular, and was nominated as chief of a battalion in the National Guards of Ajaccio. This command would give him public prominence and influence, and his pretensions to the position were warmly contested. His principal opponent was Marius Peraldi, member of an influential family, and recognizing the strength of this opposition Napoleon put forth every effort to gain supporters. So energetically did both candidates work that Ajaccio was soon divided into two factions, and so high did feeling run that the central government of the island sent three commissioners to the scene, for the purpose of quieting the tumult and seeing to it that the election went off properly. The principal commissioner was a man named Muratori,who at once upon reach- ing Ajaccio took up his residence with Marius Peraldi, and with the self-evident design of thus influencing votes for Peraldi and against Bonaparte, as the weight of official preferences was a powerful factor in the political events of Corsica. The friends of Napoleon were discouraged by this move on the part of the commissioner, and felt that the success of Peraldi was assured. Napoleon himself, however, did not give way to this feeling, but in the realization that desperate measures had then become necessary in order to counteract the influence his oppo- nent had suddenly acquired, he devised a plan which was original and audacious. He disclosed the plot to a number of his sturdy adherents, and they, armed to the teeth, went to the 69 residence of Peraldi one evening at the hour when that gentleman was entertaining his guests at a sumptuous banquet. Rushing into the house the armed band invaded the dining-hall, and seizing the astounded and frightened Muratori, they marched him away, sur- rounded by a strong guard. The commissioner, more dead than alive, was taken to the home of Bonaparte who was waiting to receive him, and who, as soon as he saw the prisoner enter the door sprang forward to greet him, and grasping both his hands, he pressed them warmly saying at the same time and in the most amiable voice: "You are indeed welcome at my house; I heard you were stopping for a time with my friend Peraldi. Let me offer you a chair, my dear commissioner." Muratori glanced mutely towards the door but see- ing there a line of stolid countrymen, each with a loaded musket ready for use, he reluctantly but firmly accepted the proffered hospitality. Napoleon entertained his unwilling visitor with the most engaging conversa- tion, assumed absolute ignorance of any physical force being present, and the commissioner remained all night where he was. The next day was that of election. Napoleon's allies noised it about early that Muratori had deserted Peraldi the previous evening and come over to their side; voters were walked past Napoleon's house so they might catch a glimpse of the commissioner, who was led up to the windows at regular intervals for the purpose of being seen. When the polls were closed, Napoleon had been elected. The coup at Ajaccio presaged the greater coup at St. Cloud. The act of Bonaparte, in accepting a command of a territorial force while he was yet a member of the active army, was decidedly irregular, but this was a revolu- tionary period and it is quite certain had the times 70 been different the indiscretion would have cost him dear ; as it was, the only result that followed was an extension of his leave of absence. The motive that prompted him to seek a post at the head of a militia corps, where he enjoyed the grade of lieutenant-colonel, was neither military ambition nor political ardor; it was money, the one question that prompted his every action at this period. His pay in this new post in the National Guard was 162 francs _ m _ tj * _ J|r , ($32.40) per month, was just double that received by him as a lieutenant of artillery. With this sum he could aid in the support of his nu- merous family, and give some attention to the education of Louis. That was the motive that decided him to remain for a time in Corsica. Napoleon, during his life, was, to some degree, a victim of his family. In thus taking command of the battalion at Ajaccio, he did not desert from the regular army, as some have charged. The National Guard in Corsica was in active service, it was assimilated with the army, and Napoleon always claimed that a decree of the Assembly authorized officers in the active army to serve in battalions of the National Guard. Finally summoned by his colonel, Maillard, Bonaparte went to Paris for the purpose of having his action inquired into and to plead his cause before the Minister of War. He hoped that he would be permitted to return to Corsica, but instead of that he was forced to again take up his residence in Paris and resume his lonely existence. He secured apartments in a cheap hotel and as often as possible dined with M. and Madame Permon, ac- quaintances he had made at Valence, and whose daughter afterwards married Junot and became Duchess d'Abrantes. Later Napoleon seriously considered the idea of offering himself to Madame Permon, who was then a widow and was possessed of some fortune. Notwithstanding his economy he was at this time deeply in debt, he owed fifteen francs to the keeper of the cheapest eating-house in Paris, and Catharine Sans- Gene held his note for forty-five francs for washing. His associates were few, he spending his time with Junot, Marmont, and Bourrienne, all of them being equally poor. The morning of August loth, Bonaparte was awak- ened by the sound of the tocsin and became a simple spectator of the incidents that followed. He went to the bric-a-brac shop of Fauvelet de Bourrienne, brother of his comrade, whose windows looked out upon the Place de Carousel. He was without money in his pockets and not caring to be entirely penniless on this day of the revolution, he pawned his watch with Fau- velet, receiving on it fifteen francs. Napoleon remained in the shop until noon, and then, the strife having ended, he regained his own room, saddened by the sight of the dead bodies lying about the streets and sickened by the smell of blood. In after years, when he became the great butcher of Europe, he forgot the blood that he caused to flow from his people, and the mountains of bodies that followed his progress, and he often recalled the horror of this spectacle. When at Saint Helene he expressed the indignation and horror that possessed him when he viewed the innumerable victims of the Swiss and of the Chevaliers, on his way from the shop to the hotel on that bloody morning of August loth. VIII. THE PRETTY SERGEANT. IT was a man unknown, obscure, mysterious that Catharine found in his forbidding room at the hotel, a man impatiently awaiting what fortune might have in store for him, irritated by its capriciousness and delay, a man who had resolved to admit anything that knocked at his door. On his return from the Carousel, on this bloody morning of the loth of August, he had endeavored to find in persistent work a repose of spirit, distraction for his thoughts that he might forget the tragic spectacle that had offended his eyes as he looked at it from the 73 windows of the shop where he had sought refuge. He had taken down a map and given his time to the atten- tive study of the region of the Midi, the littoral of the Mediterranean, Marseilles, and the vicinity of Toulon, where the agitation of the royalists was extreme and was menaced by the English fleet lying off the shore. From time to time he looked up from the map before him and resting his head between his hands he appeared to be thinking intently. He saw then in his mind's eye captured cities, and himself riding in, mounted upon a white horse, the vic- tor of these conquered peoples, great crowds shouting about him, amid the acclamations of his soldiers. Then he saw a bridge over which he fought his way, the flag of his country in his hand, his loyal battalions following him, the enemy fleeing before him. Then he saw strange troops, attired in rich vestments embroidered in gold, who came to him, and gathered around him, and threw their weapons upon the ground and bowed their turbans before his tent. He saw triumphal marches amid vanquished opponents in far-off countries, in strange and ancient countries, the broiling sun of the Midi shone upon his head, the snows of the North froze his blood, and with it all there were fetes, receptions, conquered kings and queens offering him alliances, there was glory, there was an apotheosis. It was a fantastic dream based on nothing, and it dis- appeared when he brushed his hands through his hair and dashed water over his haggard face. He opened his eyes, and the reality of his desperate condition was impressed upon him. He was without money, without employment, the Ministry had ignored his prayers, the officials were hos- tile, he had no friend, no protection. His misery was black and overpowering, the phantasms of his ambition were dissipated by the brutal reality of his life; his proj ects were no more than a house built of cards. 74 He resolved while he sat there to quit France and seek a commission in the service of Turkey. Then he returned to his maps and his eye sought the borders of the Mediterranean, where he was cradled as a child, where the thunder of the cannon was the first sound that he remembered. Oh, if he could be there, where he could do battle for his country in the face of the English guns ! There came two knocks at the door. Napoleon hesi- tated, he could brave danger without a qualm, he went into battle without a tremor, but he was startled by the helpless condition in which he was placed and the thought that this new-comer was there to demand money from him which he did not have. Again came the knock, this time much louder. " It is probably Maugard, who has come up for me to pay that note! " Napoleon said uneasily. " But I must see him. Come in! " But the door did not open. " Come in! " he repeated impatiently and in an angry tone, and then he said to himself, " No, it can't be the housekeeper, and Ju- not or Bourrienne would not wait for an answer. Who can it be that has come here to-day?" He was uneasy because he was not in the habit of receiving visitors. He looked toward the door waiting for the intruder to appear. The key rested in its lock, the door was free and slowly it opened dis- closing a young man 75 wearing a uniform. A genteel young man, a fresh-looking young man with pink cheeks and delicate complexion, without a beard and with expressive dark eyes. On his arm was the mark of a sergeant, and the mark was new as though he had been but that day appointed. " Well, what do you want of me ? " Napoleon roughly demanded. The young sergeant made a military salute. " Is it the captain of artillery, Bonaparte, that I have the honor to address?" the young man said in a sweet, low voice. " Yes, what business have you with him ? " " My name is Rene," the young man said with hesitancy. " Rene, well, who are you?" and Bonaparte glared rather savagely upon the visitor. " Yes, my name is Rene," the sergeant replied with a little more assurance in his voice, " and I belong to the battalion of volunteers from Mayenne-et-Loire, and I am called the pretty sergeant." " Well, you certainly deserve your name," said Bona- parte sarcastically, "you certainly have a very pretty air, but a trifle too coquettish for a soldier." "You should see me under fire, captain," the young man responded, drawing himself up to his full height. Bonaparte made a grimace and looked in a melan- choly sort of way at the youth and then growled: " Under fire ! They certainly wouldn't send you there ! But what is it you want, what can I do for you ? " " Well, captain, you see my battalion is commanded by M. de Beaurepaire " " Brave man, an energetic soldier, I know him well and I admire him," Bonaparte interrupted. " And where is your battalion now ? " "In Paris. Only for a few days. We arrived from Angers, and we have requested the honor of being sent to the front; we are now going to the relief of Verdun." ' 76 " Good ! You must be very happy to be able to go into active service," Napoleon replied with a tinge of regret in his voice. " Now, what is it that you want from me ? " "Well, captain, I have a brother in Marcel " "Your brother's name is Marcel ?" Napoleon asked. " Marcel Rene ! " answered the pretty sergeant, look- ing a little troubled and dropping his eyes beneath the steady glance of the artillery captain. " My brother is a doctor, he has been attached as aide to the Fourth Regiment of artillery at Valence." "That's my regiment, or rather my ex-regiment !" "Yes, captain; I have been told that you could be found here in Paris; a member of the National Guard told me so this morning, Lefebvre, the sergeant, perhaps you know him ? " " Oh, yes, Lefebvre is a brave fellow, I know him. What did he say to you ? " " Well, I thought perhaps possibl)' you would say a word to the commander maybe with your influence, my brother might be permitted " Napoleon was thinking very hard, but without taking his eyes from the pretty sergeant who seemed to grow more and more embarrassed, but the embarrassment was finally pushed aside by an effort, and, as if resolving to say all that he had to say as quickly as possible, the visitor tumbled his words out so rapidly that Napoleon could hardly understand him. " Well, what I want is to have my brother sent from the regiment at Valence to the army of the North, he wants to be with me and I don't want to lose sight of him, we want to be near to each other and if he should be wounded I would know where to find him, perhaps I might be able to save him. Oh, captain, won't you do all you can to make us happy in this way; if you can only bring us together again, you shall have our eternal gratitude." 77 Napoleon arose from his chair and going over to the sergeant he put his hand on that officer's arm and said: "My child, I can do nothing for you, nor for him whom you call your brother. Lefebvre should have told you that I am without an assignment, without any stand- ing; they have taken away my sword and my influence in the Fourth Artillery amounts to nothing; it would be useless to you, I have not a single friend in Paris; I am alone and I require influence myself. I can only say that I am acquainted with the brother of an influential man, a former deputy named Maximilian Robespierre; he lives quite near here in the Rue Saint Honore, and perhaps he will do for you what he would probably refuse me. Go and see young Robespierre." " Thanks, captain; how can I ever express my grati- tude?" Bonaparte raised his finger and shaking it at the young sergeant, while a broad smile spread over his face, said: " I tell you what you can do, my brave sergeant, put on the clothes that belong to your sex for you are tak- ing big chances in that costume just now." The pretty sergeant forthwith began to tremble, and said: " Oh, pardon me, captain, there is no treason in it; be generous and don't divulge my disguise. I am a woman ! " "Yes, I had a suspicion of that when you came in," said, Napoleon all his good humor restored; "but how about your comrades and your officers ? have they dis- covered it ? " " Well, we have in our battalion a good many very young people, and really, captain, I take the service very seriously." " I don't doubt it; so you are a volunteer, and you want to join the army of the North, and you want this doctor, this aide, Marcel, for whom your affection as a 7 8 brother is certainly very touching, you want him to be enrolled with you. Oh ! don't think for a moment that I ask you to tell me your history; keep that as your own secret. You have interested me and if I can do any- thing at all for you, you can count on me. Now go and see Robespierre; tell him his friend, Bonaparte, sug- gested that you see him." And he pressed the hand of the pretty sergeant, who went away with every evidence of joy. Napoleon looked after Rene until she had disappeared from sight, his face lighted up for an instant and he muttered to him- self as if in envy: " They are in love, and they want to fight together for their country ! They must be happy ! " He reseated himself at his table, and with his finger he traced upon the map the roads to Toulon, the great maritime centre of the Midi, and exclaimed in exulta- tion: " Oh, if I could fight the English ! and that is the place to fight them, there ! " His finger was fixed upon a point on the map, an un- known place visible only to himself, but where in his thoughts he could see a vanquished English fleet. IX. THE INDEBTEDNESS TO MADAME SANS GENE. AFTER the departure of the pretty sergeant Bonaparte sank back into the somnolence of his thoughts and the unconsciousness of his work. Engrossed, before the map, in the vast projects he had conceived for the defense of the Mediterranean littoral, he drew his rest- less eye over the lines that marked the mountains sepa- rating France from Piedmont, the key to Italy. In the midst of the strategic calculations he was pro- jecting in his mind, a second knock came at the door. 79 "What ! again !" Bonaparte exclaimed, impatiently; " that is strange. This appears to me to be my day for visitors. Who is it ? " he shouted. " It is I, Catharine, the washerwoman," a female voice replied. "Come in," Napoleon answered. Catharine entered, slightly embarrassed and holding her basket on her arm. " I don't mean to disturb you, captain," she timidly explained, " but I have brought home your linen. I thought, perhaps, you might need it." Without raising his eyes, Bonaparte responded: " The wash ! All right, put it on the bed." Catharine looked -at the bed indicated by the indif- ferent wave of Bonaparte's hand. She changed her basket from one arm to the other, and then she drew from her pocket the note which she had brought with her and hesitated as though undecided as to some action she wished to take. She looked at the neat little shoes she wore and glanced from the corner of her eyes towards Bonaparte, who was leaning over the map spread upon the table and apparently oblivious to everything else around him. Catharine moved noisily to attract Bona- parte's attention. " He is not very gallant," she thought, and as he gave no heed to her movement, she became piqued and coughed violently. " Oh, are you there yet ? " Bonaparte said, with a slight trace of impatience in his voice and the suspicion of a frown on his face. " What are you waiting for ? " "Pardon me, captain; but I want to tell you that I am going to get married," Catharine said with a lively, flirtatious air, blushing violently at the same moment until her cheeks looked like ripe apples and the flush on her plump neck was visible through her fichu. " So, you are going to get married ! " said Napoleon, rather stiffly; " well, I suppose it will be the best thing So for you, I certainly hope you will be happy. Who shall you marry, some washerboy ? " " No, captain," Catharine replied, energetically; "he is a soldier, a sergeant." " Ah, that is good, you do well to marry into the mili- tary, mademoiselle," Napoleon continued in an amiable tone; "to be a soldier is to be twice a patriot. lam glad you have had such a good chance." Bonaparte returned to his work, for his interest in love and its affairs was no more than mediocre, and especially in the love affair of his washerwoman. But as his eye sought the threadlike roads wandering over the map it also fell upon the well-filled corsage of Catharine, and thence it rested on the fresh cheeks that bespoke such radiant health and such opulence of blood, the glorious tint with which they were overspread contrasting so charmingly with the meek and modest mien he had noticed when she first entered. Napoleon's preferences in the world of women always took the direction of voluptuousness, the perceptible contours, the swelling limb, the dress bursting with the beauty it confined while failing to conceal were the characteristics of those fortunate ladies to whom Napo- leon paid his addresses, whether as the poor officer, the nervous First Consul, or the easier and redundant Emperor. And thus the robust charms of Catharine drove from him all thoughts of his strategic manoeuvres or the conquests he pictured for his future. Napoleon seldom hesitated, and while his gallantry may have been slightly allied to brutality, it was as im- pulsive as his more serious actions; maps played no part in the game where a pretty arm and neck were to be considered, and, with one movement, the chair upon which he had been seated was pushed away that he might throw his ready arm around the inviting neck of the pretty girl and press his roving hands upon her agi- tated bosom. 8i Catharine gave a little cry and cleverly slid from the embraces of her companion. But the future conqueror , of Europe was not to be so readily rebuffed, and he re- doubled his ardent efforts until Catharine, laughingly contesting every step of her retreat, came against the side 82 of the bed and with such sudden surprise, as to fall full length upon it to the utter destruction of the beautifully starched linen she had placed there but a few moments before, and where she now found the battlefield that, without the trammels of a false modesty, she was forced to contest with every resource at her command. From Napoleon's mind all interest in Toulon and the littoral had disappeared; such work had no place in his catalogue of pleasures at that moment, and the siege that was occupying him just then was far more impor- tant and real than the others that only existed in his hopes and imagination, and, despite the skillful employ- ment of her clothes basket that Catharine used as a defense, Napoleon was fast realizing in this, his first active engagement, the triumph that in later years attended his greater campaigns, when Catharine in a surprised and startled voice exclaimed: "No! no! captain, it is too late! You cannot take me! I am engaged! What will my husband say?" Napoleon looked earnestly into her face and asked: " Tell me truly, is this marriage a serious matter ? " " It is most serious," Catharine replied, looking up at her tormentor, " and when I came here to tell you about it, it was to say that I could not continue to do your washing." " Are you going to close your shop, my dear girl ?" " Yes, I shall give up washing. I intend being with my husband." "What, with the regiment?" " Certainly, why not ? " " Only at present the army has no conveniences for housekeeping, but, perhaps," Bonaparte rejoined in a tone of raillery, " you intend learning to drill, or to manoeuvre cannon?" " I can already handle a gun, captain, and as for the cannon, I shall have to take lessons from you, because my man is in the infantry." Catharine was now all smiles. " No, I don't want to fire off any guns, at least not unless I am compelled to, but if they do happen to stand in need of a cantiniere, why I think I could give them entire satisfaction and I hope, captain, that you will let me have your custom, that is of course if you serve on our side." " I shall inscribe myself as a member of your canteen but not at present, my dear, the ministry will not now permit me to fight; they won't permit me to " he had begun to say " won't permit me to eat," but checked himself in time to conclude his comments by saying: " Won't permit me to spend their money in any can- teen, but later, my dear girl, later it will be different." Napoleon returned to the table and Catharine with unrestrained sympathy, gave utterance to her feelings at the unmistakable sadness these few words had aroused in Napoleon's heart, at the neglect he suffered from the indifferent Ministry. She rearranged the despoiled linen as well as she might, and, making a graceful courtesy, she opened the door as though to go, but recalling something she had forgotten, she turned again to Bonaparte and said: " Captain, I destroyed one of your shirts, but I have given you another for it, you will find it there on the bed. Au revoir, captain." " Au revoir, until we meet at your canteen, my dear." As she went down the stairs she murmured to herself: "I brought that note with me, but I didn't have the courage to give it to him. Pshaw! he will pay me some day ; I'm willing to trust him ; I am not like Citizen Fouche, I am sure he will make a name for himself." Thinking thus and enjoying the pleasant memory of her amusing escapade, Catharine was in a particularly good humor, and all sorts of extravagant ideas ran through her foolish mind. " If he had only spoken earlier, not to-day, of course 84 not, but some other time, before I had become engaged to Lefebvre " She interrupted the train of tardy regrets and tried to drive the picture of the poor artillery officer from her thoughts. " I must cure myself by not thinking of him; he never thinks of me. I will go to the shop, perhaps Lefebvre is there. He loves me I am sure, and I am just as certain he will make a much better husband than this Captain Bonaparte would." She hurried along, and, as she approached her shop, she heard shouts and great cries in the streets, and, won- dering what it might be, she turned the corner nearest to her home with apprehension and uncertainty within her. But it was a peaceful scene and all the neighbors took part in it. There was Lefebvre, without his mus- ket, his shoulder belt thrown off, but in his hand a naked sabre ornamented with golden dragons; his comrades were around him and they made a triumphal proces- sion. " Catharine, I am a lieutenant," he cried as soon as she came in sight, and as he joyously ran to the side of his fiance. " Long live Lieutenant Lefebvre," clamored the guards- men, throwing their caps and muskets into the air. " Thank you, comrades," said the new officer, present- ing Catharine to them, " and long live Citoyenne Lefebvre, because she is my wife; we are to be married next week ! " " Long live Citoyenne Lefebvre ! " the guards enthu- siastically echoed. " Long live Madame Sans-Gene," the neighbors took up the cry. "Don't shout so loud," Catharine whispered to Le- febvre, thinking of Neipperg who was asleep in the little bedroom off the shop. ~ f '? f .*-* 85 In the bare room at the Hotel de Metz, meanwhile, the officer of artillery, without money and without em- ployment, having finished his study of the map, had put it carefully aside and arranged his linen with due con- sideration for its cleanliness, on the wooden table. " Happily she did not present the note ! " said the future Emperor with satisfaction that she had forgotten it and thus had not exposed him to the mortification of admitting his inability to pay. He mentally went over his debts. " I must owe her at least thirty francs, perhaps more than that. The devil ! the very first money I get I must pay her, she is a good girl, Catharine, and I won't forget her." Then he dressed in his only other suit and went to dine with his friends, the Permons. This modest debt Napoleon owed remained unpaid for many years. And Napoleon went to his acceptable dinner thinking no more of the washerwoman's note, and unconscious of the part it was destined to play in the history of Neipperg, Blanche, the pretty sergeant, Marcel, little Henriot, the adventures and glory of Catharine who was in succession the washerwoman, the cantiniere, the Marchioness Lefebvre and the Duchess of Dantzic, and of a multitude of other characters sympathetic and pop- ular, old and young, heroic and charitable. X. THE INTERCEPTED LETTER. " THERE they go; they won't stop. See what a racket that driver makes when he passes here; it appears to me as though he did it for very defiance." " There are not many travellers to-day, anyhow." " I have seen more. Those must be going to the Lion d'Or." 86 "Or the Cheval Blanc." The words were emphasized by a sigh, and at every period there was a melancholy choking as though salva- tion were rolling out of reach in the post-chaise. The lean proprietor of the Hotel de L'Ecu and his cadaver- ous wife stood in the doorway of their house on the prin- cipal street of Damartin and watched the cumbrous stage- coach as it clattered along. Travellers were, indeed, rare, and they had been getting alarmingly less daily with the events that had followed the 2oth of June. The carriage that had just passed out of sight of the disappointed couple had left Paris early in the evening. It was the last vehicle to go through the barriers, for orders had been given later in the evening, so soon as it was decided to attack the Tuileries, that no one should be permitted to leave the city. Advised by his friends in the agitated districts of the movement that was on foot, Baron de Lowendaal had postponed his marriage with the Marquis de Laveline's daughter, and made hasty preparations to get away. On the evening of the gth of August, the baron, accom- panied by his factotum, Leonard, carrying all the money they could secure, stepped into the post-chaise, and told the driver they would go as far as the first relay. At Crepy they made a stop, the horses were unable to travel any further. Morning had chased away the night, and at the early hour they were set down at Crepy bright day was breaking over the great plain that stretched away in the distance, the last stars were glimmering in the darkened blue of the heavens, and the first shafts of a new sun were faintly lined over the horizon. The Baron de Lowendaal was going to his chateau, located near the village of Jemmapes, on the Belgian frontier. Originally from France, the baron dwelt on Belgian soil in easy security, the revolution would not seek him there. He had fixed upon November 6th as the date of his marriage, because immediately thereafter he had busi- ness of vast importance to transact at Verdun in con- nection with some extensive tobacco interests there, and he desired to make the visit as one of the pleasant stops upon his wedding journey. He had left Paris now, con- fident in his ability to escape even though any chance should send a troop after him in pursuit. He had good horses and their speed had already placed many miles between himself and the rioters who were causing the streets of Paris to run with blood. When the baron and Leonard stepped out of the chaise at the post-house in Crepy, the proprietor of that some- what pretentious establishment greeted the new-comer with warmth, offered him a comfortable room and the selection of numerous savory dishes from a varied and enticing menu, and urged his acceptance of a multitude of unctuous attractions all with the too apparent de- sign of gathering the latest news from the capital in return. When the seizure of the King, at Varennes, occurred, not only the municipalities but the individual citizens had been inspired with an ambition to emulate in some manner the glory of Citizen Drouet, who had enjoyed the honor of arresting Louis XVI., and, in pursuance of this desire, every stranger was, in their eyes, an escaped royalist, every carriage carried a suspicious refugee. Happily for the baron the local patriotism had not yet been aroused when the post-chaise, on which he was a passenger, made its entry into the pretty village of Crepy-en-Valois, and so he was speedily and safely domiciled and within a few moments thereafter was seated before an appetizing bowl of rich chocolate, while Leonard was looking after things in the stable, and beneath the light of a lantern was reading a letter that had been handed to him by Mademoiselle de Laveline at the moment when he was leaving Paris. Blanche had earnestly requested him, her prayer being strengthened by the gift of two double louis, to deliver this most important communication to Baron de Lowendaal when they had gone a few miles outside the city. Leonard had given his word of honor that the mission should be faithfully fulfilled, but now the thought occurred to him that before doing so, it would be just as well for him to look at the contents of this letter and satisfy himself whether it were really such an important document as the young lady seemed to think. He was impressed with the consciousness that the secrets of the master are the fortune of the servants. His keen appreciation of the possible value of the missive was largely due to the powers of observation with which he was gifted, and which had satisfied him that the mar- riage, evidently so full of promise to the baron, was looked upon with dread and dismay by Mademoiselle Blanche. Perhaps in the let- ter thus given into his care he might find some grave revela- tions that would redound to his profit later on. Filled with this belief, Leonard heated the blade of his knife in the lamp of his lantern and cautiously re- moved the seal from the letter, taking great care he might do so without marring its crest or destroying its outlines that he might restore it without the pilfering being discovered. With much patient toil his task was accomplished, and, as he read the secrets Mademoiselle 89 Laveline had intended for the eyes of the baron alone, he was overwhelmed with the profoundest surprise nad with the most supreme delight. These were the words Blanche had entrusted to paper: " MONSIEUR LE BARON, " I owe you a painful avowal, one that for some time I have wished to make, that your illusion concerning me might be re- moved, and thus avoid the cruel awakening that might come later and at a less convenient period. "You have given evidence of your affection tor me, and you have obtained the consent of my father to a marriage, wherein you think you will find happiness and, perhaps, love. " Happiness for you is impossible in such a marriage ; love I can assure you, you will never have ; my love belongs to another. Pardon my declining to give that other's name, but he possesses my soul, and I am his wife in the sight of Heaven. "After this, there remains but one more confession I can make : I am a mother, Monsieur le Baron, and only death can separate me from my husband, the father of my little Henriot. " I shall follow with M. de Laveline to Jemmapes, since that is his wish, but I dare to hope that being informed of this insur- mountable obstacle to the realization of your plans, you will have pity for me and spare me the shame of being forced to reveal to my father the true cause that makes this union impossible. " I place myself, monsieur, at your discretion as a man of honor. Burn this letter and believe in my esteem and in my friendship. " BLANCHE." " Great God ! This will make my fortune," Leonard cried aloud in an exultant voice, and then he looked again at the letter and read it once more, and turned it over and over in his hands as though he would calculate in this manner the exact amount of gold he would realize from its possession. " There is one thing that is very plain," he said to himself, "Monsieur le Baron wants mademoiselle, and mademoiselle does not want M. le Baron. But I never would have thought that Mademoiselle Blanche has a baby, still less would I have supposed she would have 90 told of the escapade to M. le Baron. These women are devils! and I suppose this little Blanche is just as bad as they make 'em. But, pshaw, what does a baby more or less amount to? Nothing! The foolish part of it was to put it on paper, but happily it fell to me! " He ceased his muttering prattle and once more looked the letter through. " She has written it herself, she can't deny the writ- ing! Oh, she is too confiding, this dear child! She prob- ably regrets it by this time, that which she did in a moment of recklessness and nervous excitement. How lucky that she confided to me her honor and her fortune." He made a movement as though he were prompted to some action which his better judgment checked before he could put it into practice, then he put the letter carefully in his pocket. " Mademoiselle Blanche will perhaps pay well for this some time in the future, when she becomes Madame la Baronne de Lowendaal; for that is inevitable, and she may want it back, then I will set a price on it that may represent a value it then has. Perhaps at that time a little gold will not be so much of an object; I may ask something better some other price. I am not wholly insensible to the stylish Mademoiselle Blanche myself. But yet for the present there is nothing for me to do but take precious good care of this proof, this weapon and discreetly encourage the plans of my master who, more than ever, must marry Mademoiselle Blanche." Then Leonard, his mind filled with contemplation of blackmail and bluster, buttoned his coat securely over the letter with a satisfaction that was ferocious in its intensity and with a lurking desperation in his face that showed he would guard with his life the possession of this paper, that owed its existence to the indiscretion of an imprudent victim who attached her signature to its incriminating words. Slightly uneasy, he rejoined the baron, who had fin- ished his breakfast and was walking up and down before the hotel, an object of intense interest on the part of a curious crowd that always gathered around the door when the post-chaise was ready to make its start. Leonard gave some plausible explanation of his absence, averring that it came from his loyal anxiety to see for himself that all things about the carriage were in proper condition and that no delay might be expected in their getting away. The baron, who had been put in an exceedingly good humor by the palatable breakfast he had just consumed, was satisfied with this explanation, and, mounting into his seat on the carriage, they immediately drove off, rum- bling over the pavement in the vicinity and soon leaving the little town far behind. XL IN THE HOME OF THE FRUIT-DEALER. IN a fruit store on the Rue de Montreuil, in Ver- sailles, Mother Hoche served her customers and at the same time she kept a motherly watchfulness over a little boy who was playing around the barrels and boxes that were filled to overflowing with the appetizing stock. " Henriot ! Henriot ! don't put those things in your mouth, they'll make you sick," Mother Hoche cried from time to time, when the little boy tried to swallow a carrot or take a bite off of a turnip. And the good woman continued to serve her patient customers all the while. " The little mischief-maker; what a busy youngster that is ! but he is a good boy all the same." It was with an expression of pride that every few 9 2 moments her eyes sought the child, and it was with more than usual solicitude that she guarded him against acci- dent. In the midst of the delicate transaction in con- cluding the sale of a quantity of salad to a most par- ticular countrywoman, she was aroused from the rou- tine of her labors and surprised in an exclamation of delight, by the appearance at the door of a full uniformed captain followed by a lieutenant whose arm was tightly grasped by a pretty young woman tastefully dressed in an organdi robe and wearing upon her head a bon- 93 net, that rose high in the air and was embellished with all sorts of flowers. The captain was a handsome fellow with a jaunty manner and a martial countenance. He wore the uniform of the Grenadiers and his sword rattled against the floor as he came over to the counter with his hands extended in friendly greeting. "Why, Mother Hoche, you don't know me ! " he said, at the same time laying his hand affectionately on the old woman's shoulder. " Why, my good old mother, don't you see I'm a captain ! It is a surprise I know. I was only promoted yesterday, and I promised myself the first thing I did would be to come and embrace you, and I've invited my two friends to come with me." The captain was Lazare Hoche, the adopted son of the excellent woman who kept the shop, and to whom he hastened to present his companions: " This is Franfois Lefebvre, lieutenant, one of my com- rades in the French Guards. It was all on his account that I went into the army anyhow, you know," said Hoche, slapping his hand down on the epaulet of his friend. " And he is now my superior ! " Lefebvre laughingly added. "Oh, that's nothing. You'll go up ahead of me prob- ably; war is a lottery where every one gets a prize. But here I have not finished my introductions. Mother, this is Catharine, the wife of my friend Lefebvre," continued Hoche, as the fruit-dealer and the ex-washerwoman of the Rue Royal Saint Roch exchanged their greetings. " Now," said Hoche, "as you all know each other, we have an errand to do that will take us a few moments." "What, you're not going already?" said the good woman in a disappointed voice; " why, you haven't been here long enough to pay you for coming." " Don't be disturbed, we're only going around the corner, we have some business there with several officers who are waiting for us; and we will return quickly; 94 we'll be gone just long enough for you to get us up one of those delightful ragouts that you can make better than any one else." "You mean made of goose giblets and turnips, don't you ? " " That's it, they are simply delicious, those giblets, and then Catharine wants to talk to you about that youngster over there," and Hoche nodded towards the little boy who was rolling around on his back, with his great eyes staring at the new-comers. " About my little Henriot ? " said Mother Hoche with surprise. "Yes," said Catharine, breaking in at this point. "Yes, I want to talk about little Henriot; in fact, it is because of him that I came here, otherwise I think I should have allowed Lefebvre to have come with the captain without me." "Well, you go on, we'll fix up a lunch for you," said the woman; "and we'll have the turnips and some chicken and a lard omelette; how will that suit you ?" " Great! a lard omelette ! " Hoche turned to Lefebvre, saying, " mother can make the greatest lard omelette you ever tasted; so come on, Francois, and leave these two for awhile." The two friends, locking arms, strolled off to their mysterious rendezvous, and the two women, left to themselves, began to prepare the luncheon. While she was preparing the vegetables and aiding to truss the chicken, Catharine told Mother Hoche why she came looking for the child, and that she intended taking the boy to his mother. The good woman was saddened by these words, for she was strongly attached to Henriot; he reminded her of her own little Lazare. " Where are you going to take him ?" Mother Hoche inquired. "We are going way off to the frontier; Lefebvre has been made captain and is detailed there." 95 "Oh, the same as Lazare ! " " Yes; only we are in the Thirteenth Infantry, and he has received an order to report at Verdun." " Well, now your husband is going away to the army, why can't little Henriot remain here; you can see him just as often as you wish." " Well, there is a little difficulty," said Catharine, in a low voice, " and I have got to go with Lefebvre." " What, to his regiment ? You, my pretty child ?" " I am going to the Thirteenth Regiment, and I have here in my pocket a commission as cantiniere. You see, my commission is all right and I am ordered to join my corps in eight days without delay. That is the reason I must go to Verdun; there we shall put down the royalists who are conspiring with Brunswick." The new cantiniere made an exultant exclamation at this promise to do away with her enemies. Mother Hoche looked at the fresh young maiden before her and then, with blood mou-nting into her own cheeks and with an intensity of gaze that bespoke the picture she saw in her mind's eye, she said: " What! You're going to be a cantiniere? Ah! it is a great opportunity, how I should love to be in your place, to march to the sound of the drum, to see my great country, to get all the happiness every day that you will get, my dear girl; the soldier is at his best at the canteen; there he forgets all his miseries, and dreams that he will become a general or a corporal! And then on the mornings of the combat they can't speak of the uselessness of woman; you will see the army march out to battle, rank by rank, following regiment after regi- ment, the defenders of our nation, and you will supply them with heroism and courage at two sous a glass. The brandy that the cantiniere carries is her powder and the little barrel over her shoulder has more than once contributed to victory. I admire you, citoyenne, and I want to know you better. How I wish I were young 96 and I should insist upon accompanying my dear Lazare as you are going to follow Lefebvre. But what about the child? You can't have little Henriot in the midst of the camp, and exposed to dangers of war?" "As cantiniere of the Thirteenth, I have the right to a horse and wagon, which we have already arranged for," said Catharine, " I have sold my wash shop and Lefebvre has received J a little sum, an inheritance from his father, who was a cabinetmaker of Ruffach. You know Ruf- fach; it is right near to where I used to live in Alsace. Oh! we shall want for nothing, and the little boy would not be better taken care of if he were the son of the commander. I hope you don't think that you will ever regret that the boy went with us ? " Saying which, Catha- rine picked up the child from the floor and raised him so that she might kiss his pretty mouth. At this moment there was a disturbance at the entrance door, which called their attention from the petting of the infant, and they looked up to see Hoche coming in, leaning heavily on the arm of Lefebvre. He began to speak as soon as he stepped foot in the shop, and as the women threw their first glance upon him, they saw that his head was bound around with a handkerchief stained with blood, and the terrible evidences of a wound trickled down over his cheek. "It isn't anything, mother!" he cried out; "it is nothing at all, simply a little cut on my head, where I struck it against the table while I was skylarking." " Oh, my God ! he is wounded. What have you done to him? "cried Mother Hoche. "You have had some part in this assassination, Lieutenant Lefebvre." Hoche laughed heartily at this, and said: " Don't accuse Lefebvre, my dear mother. It was he who stood by me in a little affair I have just had; it was simply a duel with a colleague of mine. I tell you, really, it doesn't amount to anything ! " 97 " Oh, I knew you were up to something that you shouldn't be," said Catharine. But Hoche made no reply; he was entirely occupied in reassuring his good mother, who in turn was rushing around with water and cloths to wash the blood from his face and dress the ugly wound that extended from his hair down to the top of his nose. " Hoche has always been a brave fellow," said Lefebvre; " but when this rascal Serre insulted him he was really powerless to do anything at all. Serre was the terror of the quarters, and he killed or wounded no end of people in duels " "Well, why didn't he fight him right away; was it because he was a terror that he hesi- tated?" Mother Hoche responded, forgetting all about the danger to her son in this imputation upon his courage. " Why," replied Lefebvre, " it was impossible for him to do so; Lazare was then nothing more than lieutenant, and Serre was a captain." " Is that any reason why he shouldn't fight him ? " " Certainly it is; no one will fight with an adversary . of lower rank." " But if that is the case, how did he receive this ter- rible cut ? " "Well, now mother, this is all very simple and I will tell you all about it, <: said Hoche. " Of course, it isn't right that these duels should be fought, because when a soldier risks his life in that way, it is just the same as. 98 though he were to desert; but it was not possible for me to tolerate the insults of this scoundrel without resenting them. Why, what do you think he did ! He insulted the wife of a friend of mine, while that friend was away." Lefebvre seized the hand of Hoche and pressed it warmly, while a look of the tenderest gratitude filled his eyes. "It was for me, it was for us that he fought ! " Le- febvre said, turning to Catharine. " This Serre said in his presence that you had had a lover in your room all day on the loth of August " "The monster !" Catharine shouted furiously, "where is he ? It is with me that he will have to settle that affair. Tell me where is the miserable liar?" " He is in the hospital, with a big sword hole in his stomach. Oh, he is there for six months ! " answered Lefebvre, "and if he ever get's cured I'll find him per- haps when he comes out; then I'll settle my little account with him." " We have other uses for our swords, friend Lefebvre," Hoche said energetically. " The country is in danger ! our country ! We have no right to take these individual risks. My adversary slandered and insulted my friend, and, notwithstanding my repugnance to this sort of thing, I drew my sword and I have given him a lesson that he will remember. But, come now, come, let us talk of something else, and if the ragout is ready, let us get around the table." " But your wound ! " said Mother Hoche, still visibly affected by the suffering she felt her adopted son was subjected to; but they all took their seats at the table, where the appetizing odor of the soup was rising in the volumes of steam that came from the inviting dish. "Bah !" Hoche exclaimed gaily, "what do I want of this rag, the Austrians and the Prussians will give me something much worse than this, a blow more or less is 99 of no consequence, and this is already healed," and with a flourish he threw away the handkerchief that was bound about his head, and laid bare the ragged scar that was ever afterward a characteristic on the martial countenance of the future General of the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse XII. THE YOUNG LADY OF SAINT-CYR. THE simple but savory repast being finished, Mother Hoche and Catharine prepared little Henriot for his departure, gathering together his modest possessions, which consisted of a limited wardrobe and a quantity of dilapidated toys; they packed them away in a trunk with as much care as though they were really precious, and then they incurred the risk of a general ruin by yielding to the kindly heart of Mother Hoche and utili- zing every unoccupied space between the little shirts and skirts, by crowding in jars of sweetmeats, pack- ages of carefully prepared cakes, or bits of candy and sugar. The child, meanwhile, expressed in his own way entire satisfaction with the change and aided in the prepara- tions by throwing into the trunk handfuls of whatever chanced to meet his eye. He seemed to love the change, this boy. He was delighted with the golden dragon on the hilt of Hoche's sword, and he played with it enjoyably until his foster- mother and her visitor began to prepare him for going away; then he dropped the glittering toy and plunged into the happiness of the journey; he heard them talk- ing about soldiers and that he would live amongst them; that he would see the soldiers, no end of soldiers; that he could watch them drill, and it doubtless occurred to his infantile mind that he would have endless golden dragons and endless sabres to amuse himself with. He forgot all the tenderness and all the care of good Mother Hoche; there was no sadness in the idea that he was going far away, very far; and it did not give his young heart one single pang, nor one disagreeable reminder. Infancy is ungrateful and its innocence creates a grand egoism, an egoism that concentrates all its attention and its thought upon self, that in- tensifies the instinct of self-appreciation and a selfish life. Hoche and Lefebvre talked to the women as they worked; they talked of the revolution, which was giving evidence that it would sweep over the entire land; they talked of the war which already illumined the extreme points of the frontier; and after the trunk was packed and the little boy was dressed, and the good-bys were said, they all went out of the store and sat themselves down around a little table on the sidewalk, looking down the road to Montreuil. Full of happiness and life, inspired by their youth, with hope in their soul, and the joy that the thought of a bright future alone could inspire, these two valiant heroes of the army of the republic, refreshed by the excellent dinner of Mother Hoche, gaily joked, smoked, laughed, and exchanged greetings with the passers-by. This road from Montreuil, which is to-day called the Avenue de Saint Cloud, was the broad highway that led into Paris and was constantly traversed by the dealers of the city, the soldiers, and the countrymen who brought their products into the market. For econ- omy's sake many of the travelers took the little boat at the Samaritaine to the Pont Neuf, and from the Sevres Bridge they then walked to Versailles and back. In the midst of this humble crowd that passed before IOI them, Lefebvre caught sight of a slender young man whose long hair hung down over his collar and who was dressed in the uniform of an artillery regiment. He passed seemingly in haste, and walking beside him was a young girl, dressed in black delaine and carrying in her hand a little box. They did not speak as they went along, but each seemed engross- ed in thought, with eyes cast upon the road and an expres- sion on their faces that left Lefebvre in doubt whether it was m elan- cholyordispleas- ure that inspired them; but as the lieutenant, at- tracted by some inexplicable rea- son, followed them with his eyes, he felt sure he recognized their faces, and, turning to Hoche, he said: "If I am not mistaken I believe that is Captain Bonaparte.' " Who is Captain Bonaparte ? " asks Hoche. " He is a good republican and excellent artillery officer, and a red-hot Jacobin," responded Lefebvre. " He is a Corsican and the Ministry has just retired him from the service because of his opinions, but I will call my wife, she knows him very much better than I do." He called for Catharine who came out hastily asking: " What is it you want ? " and she stood before him with her hands upon her hips, the favorite attitude of those young ladies who enjoy the peculiar dances that are popular at the Parisian balls, and a habit Catharine never entirely lost even when she became a duchess. " Isn't that Captain Bonaparte, who is going along the road with the young girl," Lefebvre inquired. "I declare, it is. I'd know him among ten thousand perhaps because he owes me something, but why doesn't he look this way and see me? Now what in the world do you suppose he is doing at Versailles with a girl ? Say, Lefebvre, I've got an idea." "What is it?" " Why that we invite him to come here with the young lady and join us. It is very warm and a little drink perhaps " Lefebvre, without waiting to hear the end of the sen- tence and being encouraged by a nod from Hoche, jumped up, and walking hurriedly down the road he overtook the captain and his companion and invited them to return. At first Napoleon declined; he said he was neither warm nor thirsty, and then explained that they really had no time to lose, because they were going to take the boat down to Paris and one left within an hour. "Bah! There is another one in five hours," said Lefebvre, and then turning to the young lady he con- tinued, " I am quite sure mademoiselle would not object to some refreshments and a chance to rest." Thus appealed to the young girl with a sly glance at the captain, remarked that she might be urged to take a glass of water, and, as this was quite enough to express her preference, Napoleon turned about and the three retraced their steps to the fruit-store. Hoche brought out another table and some chairs, placing them within the shade of a beautiful tree that spread its branches before the door. Then Mother Hoche brought two 103 glasses and two bottles of good wine and another bottle of gooseberry syrup, and Napoleon presented his sister Marie Anne, better known under the name of Elisa, and who, later, married Felix Bacciochi, and became successively Princess of Piombino and Grand Duchess of Tuscany. Elisa made her courtesy to the company and entered heartily into their enjoyment, somewhat to the annoy- ance of Napoleon who was always exceedingly jealous of his si ters. Elisa was a beautiful girl, a slender brunette with a clear complexion, hair that was exceed- ingly black and very heavy, full lips that denoted sen- suality, her hips were a trifle prominent, her head was a perfect oval, and her face was full of intelligence and denoted a strong character; her whole appearance was noticeable, and, although she was genial and lively, her eyes every now and then took an expression of disdain when they glanced over the company that was assembled before the little shop of the fruit-dealer. Elisa was then sixteen years of age, and she had been one of the young ladies of Saint-Cyr, where she was receiving her education under the direction of Madame de Maintenon. But a decree of August i6th had re- duced the educational institute of Saint-Cyr from its position as a royal establishment, whereupon the parents of the scholars had withdrawn their daughters and the place was promptly emptied. Bonaparte, for the want of money, had delayed as long as possible removing his sister from the abandoned convent, but he could put it off no longer, for on the ist of September the building was to be closed absolutely. Acting under the advice of her brother, Elisa addressed an appeal to the Gov- ernment at Versailles requesting a sum sufficient to enable her to return to her family in Corsica. In consequence of this application, M. Aubreun, at that time the Mayor of Versailles, handed in a state- ment to the officials to the effect that Demoiselle Mari- 104 enne Bonaparte, born January 3, 1777, had entered on June 22, 1784, as a student in the Maison de Saint Louis, where she then was, and she now asked the sum of 352 francs to enable her to get back to Ajaccio, the home of her family, which was distant 352 leagues. In virtue of this authorization, Bonaparte had come this morning to get his sister, and she was then returning with him to Paris where she would start on her journey to Corsica. Lefebvre and Hoche cogratulated the captain on hav- ing successfully arranged this little family affair and having secured sufficient to enable his sister to join her mother. Bonaparte explained it was particularly satisfactory to him just at that time, because otherwise his sister would have to remain alone in Paris as he intended to join the army again at once. "That is good," Hoche said with interest; "then you are going back to your regiment, are you?" " Servan, the Minister of War, has put me back in the Fourth Artillery and given me the rank of captain," Napoleon answered. " But I have obtained permission to accompany my sister to Corsica, and there I am authorized to resume the command of my regiment of volunteers." "Why, that is a first-rate opportunity," remarked Hoche, " and may be you will have a chance to do some fighting there." "I shall, if there is any fighting." " It wouldn't be any loss if each one of us had an op- portunity of killing half a dozen enemies ! " Catharine exclaimed, filled with enthusiasm at the very thought. "Ah, if circumstances favor me, my friends," Bona- parte said, with conviction in his voice, and leaning over the table and earnestly looking into the face of his com- panion, " I will create opportunities where you can work your way with honor to rank, titles, glory, dignities, and riches ! but, excuse us, my sister and myself, or we shall be late, and have to walk all the way to Sevres." io 5 " And we, before we take the road to deliver Verdun from the Prussians, we must go back to Paris also ! " said Catharine gaily, at the same time taking up little Henriot as if she were making ready to depart. The child during all this friendly interchange of conversa- tion, had looked with considerable impatience on the time that was wasted in drinking and gossip without there being apparently any disposition to leave. " We will meet again, perhaps, Captain Bonaparte," said Hoche, holding out his hand to his colleague. " On the road to glory ! " added Lefebvre. " To arrive there," said Napoleon, " we must com- mence by taking the boat to Sevres. Come along, Mademoiselle Saint Louis ! " As they walked down the road and gradually drew out of sight from the little shop, Napoleon said: " How do you like that captain ?" " Captain Lefebvre ? " " No, not him, he is married, Lefebvre. His wife is that jolly woman, Catharine. But the other Lazare Hoche ? " " Oh, he isn't so bad." " How would you like to marry him ? " The future grand duchess reddened up a little, and made a motion as though she took no particular interest in it. "Well, of course, if you don't care for him," Napo- leon said, laughingly, as though he had interpreted her movement as being a refusal, " why there is no damage done. Hoche is a good soldier, and I think he is a man with a future." " I did not say that M. Hoche displeased me," Elisa murmured. " But, brother, I am too young to talk about marrying, and besides " " And besides what ? " "I do not want a man who is not devoted to the king, no ! never will I marry a republican ! " io6 " So you are a royalist ? " " Everybody was at Saint-Cyr." "Well, then, that justifies the closing of it up," Napo- leon said with a smile. "Just look at these Demoiselles de Saint Louis, what a set of aristocrats ! It may be necessary to re-establish the nobility in order to find husbands for them ! " " And why not ? " replied Elisa, proudly. Bonaparte made no answer to the ambitious sugges- tion of his sister, for it had set him thinking, and had aroused a certain uneasiness when he realized the height of his sister's ideas; he thought, that with most of the scholars in Saint Louis it was easy enough to secure an exalted husband, but with his sister, having no money, a brother without any standing, it would, indeed, be a hard task to put her in the position to which she was en- titled. Ever haunted by the spectre of' his family, he constantly saw before him the vision of his unhappy mother, surrounded by many children, confronted with appetites that were always keen and a sideboard that was always empty, and it caused him to regret and shrink under the responsibility he had taken upon him- self when he was declared to be the head of his house. The future of his three sisters disturbed him above everything else, he was desirous of seeing them estab- lished in their own homes, and he frequently considered how he could secure for them suitable husbands. Hoche, as he saw him that day, seemed appropriate for the young girl; it is true he was but a captain, and yet Na- poleon felt he was destined to something higher, and so he mumbled, with a slight tone of irritation: "There are some who don't want to marry captains, but girls without a sou, what have they got to risk?" Then remaining silent for an instant, as though going over some secret calculation in his mind, he continued: " But captains are ready to marry, that is, if they find an agreeable woman who is rich and influential and can to; give them a position and rank in the world, but then it is not to young girls that they are looking ! " Considering marriage as a means of rising above the distresses that ceaselessly attended him, Napoleon was not averse in seeking for an alliance himself, an alliance that would serve as a refuge for him against his misery and loneliness, as an instrument of fortune, as a stepping- stone to elevate him above the miserable grade of cap- tain, but yet the grade that he just now had had con- siderable difficulty in recovering. XIII. THE FIRST DEFEAT FOR NAPOLEON. THE next day after having received the amount that had been appropriated to the Demoiselle de Saint-Cyr to pay her return fare to her home, Bonaparte took Elisa and called at the house of Madame Permon. He wished to present his sister to that lady before she went to Corsica. But, commendable as was this disposition to show a polite attention to the friends who had so generously en- tertained him, there was still another reason in his mind that prompted him to visit the widow of his earlier acquaintance. Madame Permon, mother of the future Duchess d'Abrantes was still a noticeably beautiful woman, pos- sessing the classic profile of the Greek which she was by origin. At an early age she had left Greece and gone to live in Corsica where she had first known of Napoleon's family. By coquetry she succeeded admirably in concealing her age, and flippant, frivolous, indifferent, she lived in an epoch when luxury was difficult and dangerous, surrounded by the pretty bibelots of the time of Louis XV., and by the furnishings and decorations of that delicate and sensual era, and appeared in their midst and to the eyes of her friends as the queen of all that was elegant and all that was graceful. She was mistress of all sorts of attractions and the appearance of this grand dame had inspired the young Napoleon with a love that was irresistible, despite the slight evidences of growing years that were beginning to appear upon her face, and the peculiarities of figure that are inseparable from maturity. The Permons had enjoyed a snug fortune atone time, and Bonaparte who, with Junot, Marmont, and Bour- rienne had frequently enjoyed the hospitality of the fam- ily at dinner in the exigency of his poverty, supposed that the widow had a reasonable estate remaining to her. These considerations had decided him to make a double match in the Permon household, and it was thus that when he saw Elisa engrossed in conversation with Laura, the dear daughter of Mrs. Permon, he escorted the widow to the small salon off the draw- ing-room and there, without any preliminaries, he informed her that he had a proposition to make looking to the marriage of her son. Madame Permon, rather surprised by the nature of this communication, and having her curiosity aroused by the suggestion of the youth, asked, with an amused smile and twinkle in her eye: " And who do you propose that my son shall marry ? " " My sister Elisa ! " " But she is very young," responded Madame Per- mon, " and I know that my son has not now any desire to be married." Napoleon compressed his lips as though the answer was not entirely to his liking, and then he said: " Perhaps my sister, Paulette, who is much prettier than Elisa, might suit M. Permon better! And why not at the same time marry your daughter Laura to one of my brothers, Louis or Jerome ? " 109 "Jerome is younger than Laura," said Madame Per- mon between the spasms of violent laughter these offers had aroused. " Why, in truth, my dear Napoleon, you would make a grand priest to-day; you are in a mood to marry the entire world including its babies." Napoleon laughed to conceal his true feeling, and said, in an embarrassed way, that the marrying of his family was one of the most serious matters with him; and then, after a moment's hesitation, he seized her 110 hand, and kissing it twice with the greatest fervor, said in a most impassioned way that his wish to unite the families was a dear and precious desire on his part, he wanted to begin by a marriage between her and himself, which he now prayed she would consent to. Stupefied to find that she was the object of such a violent ambition Madame Permon hardly knew what to say for a moment, and for the want of something more promising she burst into a fit of ungovernable laughter, which Napoleon heard with the coldest and most dis- tant air; so austere and disagreeable was his manner that Madame Permon hurried to explain. " My dear Napoleon," she said almost maternally, "you should talk seriously. Do you know my age? I have never spoken to you on this point because it is a weakness with me to conceal it; but I need now only to tell you that lam old enough to be your mother, and I am old enough to. be your elder brother Joseph's mother; I am almost old enough to be your grandmother; so be done with this pleasantry and we will " " I am not indulging in pleasantry," Bonaparte con- tinued, in a piqued tone; "and I do not see why it should arouse your laughter. The age of the woman I marry is to me a matter of indifference, and speaking, without any wish to flatter, I assure you you do not appear to be over thirty." " I have an advantage then." " I ignore any difference in age, to me you are young and beautiful," cried Napoleon, with unbridled ardor; " and you are the woman I have dreamed of as a com- panion." " And if I do not consent to this folly, what shall you do?" " I shall seek elsewhere for the happiness you refuse me," replied Bonaparte, with energy; and then, after an instant's reflection, he went on, " I wish to marry, and I wish a woman as charming as you, of your age, or about your age, of good name and of honorable birth. I wish to marry, I repeat; now, will you consider it ?" Madame Permon had not much disposition to reflect; her heart was not free, for she loved, secretly, one of her cousins, a very handsome man named Stephanopolis. She had introduced him to Napoleon, and she had urged him to join the Convention Guards that were just then being organized. Had it not been for this cousin, who became a brave soldier and died an unhappy death, she would probably have been urged into an acceptance of Napoleon. To what small incidents do we owe our destinies ! Married to Madame Permon, Napoleon would probably never have been general-in-chief of the army in Italy, and would, without doubt, have served obscurely in the artillery and have passed through the war without glory. Napoleon, in this exceedingly embarrassing conversa- tion, manifested his desire to realize an advantageous marriage, to espouse a rich woman who possessed facilities to aid him in an active life, who would open to him the ranks of a higher society that was now proscribed. The double refusal of Madame Permon affected the career of the youthful pensioner of Saint-Cyr, the Prin- cess of Piombino, and the future General Bonaparte, the husband of Josephine. XIV. THE SIEGE OF VERDUN. M. DE LOWENDAAL had accomplished the journey from Crepi-en-Valois to Verdun. He had, in fact, reached the latter place and was at that moment enter- ing the city hall of the threatened city. Two great interests had influenced him to visit the seat of war and had served to bring him to a city that at any moment might be called upon to suffer the priva- tions of a siege. He had failed in some way to realize the fortune he anticipated from the tobacco farm, and it was necessary for him to be in Verdun to look after that interest. - And the other, the grave trouble that called him to the city, was his projected marriage with Mile. Blanche. He wished before uniting himself with Blanche de Laveline to dispose of a claim that had now become insupportable, but had existed with every evidence of affection for many years. The history of the affair was in no way different to the hundreds of other affairs that enter into the lives of so many men. He had met while at Verdun, a young girl of an honorable family, but wholly without fortune, and who had gone to that city for the purpose of adopt- ing a religious life. Mademoiselle Hermione de Beaurepaire had not yet taken her vows, but she was reconciled to wear the veil that she might permit her brother to maintain his rank in the world. Called to Paris by the cares and exactions of a great fortune, the baron had very soon completely forgotten poor Hermione. Blinded by his love for Blanche de Laveline, he thought with indifference of the young woman who awaited him with alternations, of anguish and hope, while living in the old-fashioned and gloomy home of an aged aunt who was very rich and slightly indisposed. And so this matter had to be adjusted, and, as the chaise rolled into the city the baron was still undecided as to the explanation and compensation to be offered one who considered herself his only wife. His task was made additionally difficult because he had failed to terminate the manner of living, and had not signified IR any way to Hermione they could no longer be the same to each other. So soon as the baron stepped from the carriage, he was assailed by rumors, the most remarkable and con- tradictory, and they reached his hearing with almost every step on the road he took to the office of the pro- cureur-general where he wished to lay before that offi- cial the details of the claim he intended to present and which represented certain losses he had sustained in his tobacco business, due to the neglect of the city. The procureur told him when those claims were placed upon his desk that the finances of the city were at the lowest ebb, and it was a question with him whether any one would ever receive any compensation. " However," said the official with a mysterious air, " I think Monsieur le Baron, there is one chance for you to receive reimbursement." " Speak, then, what is it ? " Lowendaal exclaimed quickly. " If we have no money, the Emperor of Austria has plenty," the procureur replied. " Peace should be main- tained and the horrors of a siege should be avoided by this unhappy city, and if this can be done, your reim- bursement will be sure." The baron hesitated before making response. Cos- mopolite, as all financiers were, it was of little moment to him whether his money came from the King of France or the Emperor of Austria, and he certainly was not hampered by any patriotic scruples. Taking all these considerations together, he did not repulse the procureur-syndic with indignation when he proposed to deliver the city over to its enemies. The only comment the baron made was to ask the procureur-syndic whether he were confident of his infor- mation, if it were certain that the troops of the King of Prussia and the Emperor of Austria, when once masters of Verdun, would guard the city properly and would make an offensive move against the volunteers that were reported to be on their way from Paris. After having considered the proposition in all its various phases, he spoke of the reinforcements that were even then en route from Paris, " They will arrive too late," said the procureur. " Then I am your man! " the baron said. " Have you come here from Paris direct, and without speaking to any one or letting any one know you are in the city?" " I have rushed, almost! " " Have you a man in your suite who is discreet, and at the same time is a gossip ? " " Discreet? Do you mean one who can keep a secret?" " And gossip that is to say, a man who is capable of knowing when to drop a few inconsiderate words where they will do the most good?" " I have the very man, Leonard, my valet de chambre. What secrets do you want him to keep ?" " First, our plans! " " He does not know them! " " He must have his fidelity guaranteed first, secrets that are not known are the best guarded." " And of what must he gossip ? " "About the news from Paris that the city is in the hands of brigands, that the existence of royal authority depends entirely upon the speedy approach of the armies of the Emperor of Austria and the troops of the King of Prussia." " Is that all ? Well, Leonard despises the sans culottes, so he will acquit himself of his mission with a hearty interest in it." " Your Leonard might also say that he knows from a perfectly authentic and reliable source, that there are 80,000 English troops about to disembark at Brest and march on Paris." " And what is to be the end of all these alarms?" "5 " The justification of the decision we shall arrive at to-night." " Where ? " " Here! There will be an assembly of the principal men of the city, and they will decide upon the terms of the response to be made to the Duke of Brunswick." " I have your promise, have I not, for the reimburse- ment of my losses ? " " Between honest men, Monsieur Baron, nothing is necessary but their word," said the procureur-syndic as he extended his hand towards the baron. The two accomplices parted. The one went to in- struct Leonard as to his part in circulating the alarming rumors among the people, the other hurried to see new adherents to the black treason he was striving to accomplish. , XV. MADAME SANS-GENE ON SECRET SERVICE. ON the route to Verdun the volunteers from Mayenne- et-Loire, accompanied by a detachment of the Thirteenth Regiment, wherein Franfois Lefebvre served in the rank of lieutenant, but performing the functions of captain, gaily marched and sang. Enthusiasm filled their eyes, and the desire for conquest animated their hearts. As they had passed through the villages on their way, the women had gathered on the streets to cheer them, had held forth their babes to salute the heroes or to receive their kisses. To the marching men their pro- gress meant victory or death; they went forward confi- dent, vigorous, superb, to the sound of the fife and to the martial roll of the drum, their tricolor fluttered in the wind and the soul of the entire country animated them. Every man when he left his native place had given to his parents all that he possessed declaring they must look upon him as already dead. n6 And these heroes pushed forward, the song upon their lips, ready to meet that death for their country, which, to them, was a fate most beautiful, the greatest to be desired. All along the road they had been followed by the echo of the Carmagnole, and its refrain had rung put above the clash of their arms and the rumble of their train. As they approached Verdun, where a heavy wood stretched out from the city walls, their commander, Beaurepaire, ordered a halt; he felt that it was prudent to send forward a reconnoitering party before he ap- proached the place. The Prussians could not be far away and it had now reached the point where precau- tions against an ambuscade would suggest themselves to a cautious leader. On a small hill, in the midst of a thick forest and well concealed from the occupants of the city walls the little army pitched its camp. Beneath them stretched a ver- dant valley, watered by a pretty stream and having at its foot a little settlement of summer houses. A shep- herd, who had followed the soldiers since their last camp at Dombasle, was brought before the commander and questioned as to his knowledge of any movement likely to be made by the enemy, and Beaurepaire asked: " Do you know the name-of this little village in front of us?" " Yes, sir, it is Jouy-en-Argonne." Beaurepaire was peculiarly affected by this reply, and he stood speechless and wrapped in thought looking down upon the modest village and showing by the sad- ness of his expression that some unhappy memory was recalled to him in thus coming unexpectedly upon the approach to the city he was expected to relieve. It seemed impossible to turn his attention from the pictur- esque group of dwellings, and he searched through them as though seeking some hidden treasure he felt was there concealed. II? No trace of the encampment, no suspicion of a bivouac, nothing that would indicate to those dwellers in the valley the presence of a force of soldiers so close at hand, was apparent to them, for Beaurepaire had enjoined silence and moderation upon his men and he now passed among them as they prepared their tents and began to get ready for their meal. Some cut wood to make the fires, while others clam- bered carefully down to the limpid stream and returned with water, the cooks prepared the vegetables and the meat and soon little fires were started here and there and a great kettle was suspended above wherein a savory soup was boiling. At some distance from the camp proper a covered wagon stood and near it a gray horse, tethered to a con- venient post, nibbled the succulent grass, while several busy workers bustled around evidently preparing from the contents of the wagon some popular refreshment for the men, which was partly suggested by the allur- ing sign hanging conspicuously over the canvas top, and reading: I3TH INFANTRY. MME. CATHARINE LEFEBVRE, CANTINIERE. At a little distance from the wagon a pretty boy rolled about on the grass, coming over occasionally as if for protection or encouragement to the cantiniere, who patted him on his cheeks as though to reassure him, while at the same time she made no interruption in her busy efforts to put her canteen into proper order and open it to trade. With the aid of one of the soldiers she carried a long plank from the wagon and laid it across two stumps, forming thus the table where she could display and dispose of her wares. Then she brought forth a little tub filled with glasses and plates, and arranged them in neat order upon her rough table. The canteen was ready. Those who loved drink were invited. The dusty roads and the patriotic songs had produced a keen thirst in the members of the regiment, and they welcomed this relief with much good humor. Almost as soon as the glasses were placed upon the board they were filled and emptied to the success of the battalion from Mayenne-et-Loire, to the deliverance of Verdun, to the triumph of liberty! But all these heroes were not financially easy, and to those who suffered from the inconvenience of the moment, Catharine extended the credit of the establishment she to be reimbursed after the first victory. Beaurepaire approached this animated picture and regarded it with a troubled look; he had no thought for anything aside from the little village of Jouy-en- Argonne, and, try as best he might, his eyes were con- stantly turned in the direction of the picturesque valley. As he stood there watching his men enjoy themselves, he said to himself: " It is impossible for me to go, but who is it then that I can send ? It must be some one in whom I can place confidence, a woman would be preferable. But where am I to find such a messenger ? " And he continued to watch that constantly moving throng before him, but his eyes only saw them vaguely, for his thoughts were far away in the valley. Presently two young men joined the group, young men who car- ried on their sleeve the distinctive mark of the ambu- lance corps, and who, talking with great animation, had their arms about each other and their heads closely in- clined together. They were Marcel and Rene, the pretty sergeant. Marcel had rejoined Rene, thanks to the efforts of that young girl who had secured the influence of Robes- pierre upon the introduction of Napoleon, and had been detached from the Fourth Artillery. When she left the battery she joined the little corps commanded by Beau- repaire, where Marcel had already secured his detail. The exigencies of the service and the differences in rank had separated these two young people by placing one at the head and the other at the end of the column, and thus their confidences had been interrupted and their present joy was that of an unwilling separation that had just been temporarily ended. Beaurepaire was attracted by the couple ap- proaching him and was taken somewhat by surprise at the intimacy that seemed to exist between the ser- geant and the major-aide, and he was about to sum- mon them to him to explain the meaning of it when Lefebvre passed before him and stopped to speak to Marcel. "You have come from the Fourth Artillery, haven't you ? " Lefebvre asked. " Yes, lieutenant, I was in the right line." " Was there a Captain Bonaparte, who I believe has just been restored to his rank in the regimeut, when you left it ? " "Captain Bonaparte is now in Corsica; he obtained a short leave of absence to go there, but he has written to his friends at Valence and we have had considerable news about him. They are talking a good deal about him in the regiment." Beaurepaire, who had overheard this conversation, came forward and said: " How is Bonaparte? I hope that nothing will happen to interfere with his advance- ment. I am a friend of his." " My commander," said Marcel, " Captain Bonaparte is now at Marseilles, with all his family. But he has been in great danger." " The devil ! Tell me what it is and when he is going to get away from there. " I2O "Pardon, commander," said Lefebvre; "don't you think it will help the story that the major-aide has to tell, if we take a little refreshment ? That is my wife who is serving at the canteen." "Volunteers!" said the commander, stepping over to the table arid raising his glass, " here is to the good health of Madame Le- febvre, the beautiful cantiniere of the Thir- teenth ! " The three touched A their glasses, and as they drank, Lefebvre, looking towards his wife, said: "The major-aide is going to tell us something, he has news from Corsica about your friend, Captain Bonaparte." " Oh, yes ! and you are still jealous of poor Bona- parte ! " Catharine answered. " Is it something pleasant you've got to report, Monsieur le Major?" " It is how he escaped by a miracle from being killed." " Oh, tell me quickly what it is, Monsieur le Major of course, with the permission of the commander ! " Catharine exclaimed, with every evidence of deep inter- est to learn all she could about her former client. Marcel explained, that the Corsicans who were opposed to the revolution had made some advances towards securing the aid of England, and Paoli, the hero of the first years of independence, had negotiated with the English authorities and had also tried to enlist Bonaparte in his plans, feeling that the co-operation of the commander of the National Guard of Ajaccio was indispensable. But Bonaparte had indignantly refused to participate in his treason. Paoli, irritated by this, had conspired against Napo- leon and against those of the population who sided with him and had eventually succeeded in forcing Napoleon and his brothers, Joseph and Lucien, to escape from the island in disguise. Finding the ob- ject of his wrath had eluded him, Paoli, in his fury, turned against Bonaparte's mother, and the house where Letitia Bonaparte and her children lived was assailed, pillaged and burned to the ground, while the courage- ous woman saved her own and her children's lives by fleeing into the woods during the night. There she might have met with a sad fate had not some devoted friends, led by an energetic neighbor named Bastelica, protected her and her family, and surrounded by a number of men armed with carbines they were con- ducted to a place of safety. Letitia led little Pauline by the hand; Pauline, who afterwards became the wife of General Leclerc; Elisa, the Demoiselle of Saint-Cyr, who had just left the quiet and calm of an educational institute, to fall in with such an adventure as this, went with her uncle, the Abbe Fesch and had already suc- ceeded in getting out of reach of their enemies; the 122 young Louis ran along at the head of the column, some- times being carried by the men and sometimes insisting upon struggling beneath the weight of one of the guns; little Jerome was carried " in the arms of Savaria, the devoted servant. Thus they followed their road, looking carefully about that they might not be surprised and hoping to gain a safe refuge before the Paolists could overtake them. The undergrowth, the thorns they encountered in their journey, tore their clothes and scratched their hands and faces until all the children were in tears. After a sleepless and fatiguing night, the refugees reached a rapid torrent where it was impossible for them to wade across. Happily they succeeded in borrowing a horse near by, and the women and children were car- ried over on his back and with repeated trips. At the moment they had reached the opposite shore a troop of Paolists, who had been sent in pursuit of the Bonapartes, galloped down the road they had just left. Concealing themselves in the brush, Madame Letitia, suppressing in some way the cries of anguish that had been bursting forth from Pauline, the horse seeming to appreciate the danger, remained immovable, the pur- suers, although listening intently for some time, failed to detect the presence of those they sought. Finally, after many hardships, they rejoined Napo- leon who had secured a small vessel belonging to the French Navy, and in it they crossed the gulf and landed on the shores of France. But before they succeeded in reaching the other side, the Paolists, who had been informed by a coun- tryman of the escape of the family, set after the fleeing people and when they got sufficiently near began a sharp firing of muskets which frightened Letitia very greatly and would doubtless have wounded some of the children had they not been quickly placed under the shelter of the decks. 123 Being unwilling to occupy the attention of the enemy in this manner without making some response, Napo- leon brought to light a dismantled cannon that had been on board the vessel for many years, and finding powder in the storeroom, he caused the cannon to be placed in position and loading il to the muzzle with all sorts of deadly things he blazed away at the pursuers, and so severely wounded ten of them that they dropped the chase. The family and its chief were saved. " Bravo, Bonaparte ! " shouted Catharine, clap- ping her hands together when the major-aide had ceased speaking. " Those Corsican cowards ! If I had been there with our men, eh, Lefebvre?" " Bonaparte was suffi- cient," answered Lefeb- vre; "he's a very good artilleryman." " And a good French- man," added Beaure- paire. " He would not let an enemy of his coun- try live ! No one will ever see Bonaparte die on an island, prisoner of the English. His destiny is higher than that. But thanks for your story, and when we have delivered Verdun from its besiegers, I shall write to Bonaparte and congratulate him." The commander rose to leave; he considered that the rest his men had enjoyed was sufficient, and there being no suspicion in Verdun of his approach he decided to proceed at once and gave the order to prepare to break camp. He wished to be moving within the next two hours and this would bring him to Verdun a little be- fore night. The men, having eaten their soup and cleaned their arms, fell into their ranks arid the column was quickly formed. The commander, while this was going on, turned his steps towards the wagon which was the headquarters of Catharine, and there making a sign to her that he wished to speak, they stepped aside in the shadow of a tree and talked earnestly for some moments. The voice of the commander was low, so that it might not be heard by any but his companion, and he gave her his instructions which she received with the most marked evidences of surprise. When he had finished the cantiniere replied simply: "I understand, commander, and when shall I leave Jouy-en- Argonne, and when I have reached Verdun what shall I do ? " " If the city is quiet, wait for us until we come to you, but if the enemy has made any movement " "Very well, commander ! I will put on my ordinary dress and I hope you will be satisfied with what I do." She went to Lefebvre and told him she was going to leave the regiment on a mission, which the commander had entrusted to her. Lefebvre felt some uneasiness at the errand and asked his wife to tell him what the pur- pose of her going was. " Fran9ois," his wife made answer, " I shall find you again at Verdun. It is the order of the commander. Take good care of Henriot. That Violette, it is the name of the young man whom I have left in charge of the canteen, must take care when he goes down the hill, 125 the horse, you know, is not very sure-footed, so you must see he holds on to the reins." " They are going now ! But Catharine, do be prudent. Suppose some of those Prussian soldiers that are travel- ing around the country should take you prisoner." " You're a goose ! Don't you suppose that I have got under ,my skirts two good pistols to protect myself with ! " Catharine replied gaily. And lifting up her dress, she showed to her husband the handles of two pistols that were stuck through the belt containing her money. The volunteers, on a sign from Beaurepaire, took up their position and continued on their route. Catha- rine bravely darted into the woods, and clambering down the gorge, she entered the little valley at the foot of which was the pretty village of Jouy-en-Argonne. She had just reached the first buildings when she heard above her through the woods and over the fields the stirring strains of the song that the volunteers had kept up on their long march. XVI. THE DESERTED ONE. HERMIONE DE BEAUREPAIRE was ever to be found in the great oratory of the pretentious house of Blecourt, at Verdun. The oratory had been created from the grand banquet hall of the chateau under the inspiration of Hermione's aunt, a rather narrow-minded female known throughout the district for her conservative views. Two prie-Dieu and a small improvised altar on which was a Virgin Mary holding an infant Jesus in her arms and dressed in a blue robe and wearing a crown of gilded wood, constituted the ornamentation of the salon together with a pair of candelabra and two vases of flowers. The pious aunt, Madame de Blecourt, in- 126 stalled Hermione in this apartment where she might continue her preparations for the religious life for which she had been intended, and purposed adopt- ing as soon as her mind had been brought to a proper appreciation of its humility. When Baron Lowendaal stepped through the door of the oratory, Mademoiselle de Beaurepaire, suppressing her surprise though tempted to cry aloud, stood trem- bling with indecision, looking intently towards her visitor, hesitating, timid, awaiting a word, a gesture, a move of his lips, a call from his heart. 127 The baron stood silent, evidently embarrassed, his mouth tightly closed not daring to speak. "Ah, it is you, monsieur," said the young girl in a trembling voice, " I did not expect to see you here in this place." " How is the child ? Well, I suppose ? " "Your child is well, she is almost three years old now, and I would to God she had never been born," and her eyes filled with tears. " Now don't cry, don't make me feel any worse than I do," the baron said, without losing his air of calm indifference. "You see, Hermione, it is necessary for us to talk seriously, and your tears and sobs will attract attention, the whole house is already alert with my com- ing, so you will kindly tell the people here that I called on a matter of great importance to you." Hermione threw back her head, and with an imperious gesture she replied: " When I gave myself to you, monsieur, it was my heart alone that spoke, but to-day my reason has re- turned to me and it dictates my conduct, the hours of folly during which I reclined in your arms are past, I am no longer inspired by love, the flame of another time is extinct in me; in my existence now I find that senti- ment to be nothing but cinders. But I have a child, your daughter Alice, for her I want to live, for her I must respect appearances and the opinion of the world." " You are right, the world is unreasonable, my dear Hermione, towards such little adventures as those of ours. But, what do you want ? As you say, we have been foolish, but it is in the natural order of things ! We cannot rest all our lives under the shadow of a mistake." And the baron made a gesture suggestive of cynical disregard. " Monsieur le Baron, I have no further affection for you," she said. 128 " Truly ! a most unhappy avowal for me to hear "- "Cease your sarcasm; I know full well that you do not care for me either. Have you ever cared for me ? For you I felt the distraction of the moment, my heart was touched, my sentiments were appealed to, I found satisfaction in your society and I am forced to retire to the solitude of such hours as these in a retreat far from all that is pleasant. You came here solely for your busi- ness; you have lived the life of a gentleman, of a soldier, with all their pleasures and their dissipations; you have mingled with a brilliant court, lived at the Trianon, been a friend of Prince de Rohan and of the Comte de Nar- bonne, you have forgotten me here in this spot, lonely, sad, pensive." " Hermione, you are simply charming ! you were al- ways beautiful and always attractive, but at this moment you are doubly so, you have a piquancy, an audacity that is simply irresistible." " I have lost all that now." " I protest, it is not so," the baron exclaimed, gal- lantly. ''Don't lie to me, I am nothing more in your eyes. You have heard me; I said that I have loved you, but to-day I am indifferent to you." The baron muttered beneath his breath, " It hasn't been so difficult as I expected. The break is accom- plished without trouble, without many tears, without any reproaches. It is perfect." Turning to Hermione, the baron tenderly attempted to take her hand in his, and said: " You will stay here with your good friends, won't you ? " The young woman, totally ignoring the hand that Lowendaal extended to her, looked him steadily in the eyes while an involuntary trembling of her lips indicated the scorn she felt towards her betrayer. " Excuse me," she said, in her severest tone, " I have 129 told you to end this subject of affection; I propose entering a convent, and I shall find there the content- ment that a cloister, that noble and dignified asylum, offers to women like myself, who have a good name but no fortune. I await only the hour when I can take my vows. You see, I have no regrets for this world, I feel no pain at leaving it; I have envied those among my associates who have been enabled, by their wealth, to marry honest men and to live the lives that bring joy to their heart, devoted to their husbands and their children; but this happiness is not offered to me, and I am resigned. Pardon me, monsieur, in disturbing you with these unpleasant thoughts, but it is when my lone- liness seems complete and when I see the extent of the sacrifice in my youth, in my desires, in my dreams, it is then that you appear before me. Have I a conscience ? I do not know; I am not indulging in any recrimina- tions; I am seeking no excuse for my fault, but now, at this moment, between us two, permit me to ask you one question." " Speak. Ask me ten, twenty questions. What do you fear, of what are you in doubt ? " " I fear nothing ! " said Hermione, with a trace of sadness; "and I have unhappily lost the right to doubt. Monsieur le Baron, you promised to make me your wife. Have you come here to-day to fulfill that promise ? " "The devil, this is unpleasant !" thought the baron to himself, and with a sigh that failed to conceal a grimace, he murmured: " Your suggestion charms me I have made the avowal to you and I am a little embarrassed. Most certainly I have remembered all that has gone in the past. In our moments of folly, as you yourself call them, I engaged myself to you and I pray you to believe that my senti- ments for you are and shall always be respectful, ardent, sincere " 130 " But yet you refuse ? " " I did not say that ! " " Then, you consent ? I have said to you that I have no more doubt, no more fear. I have told you that I hope we will walk side by side from this place and from this time. I want your reply, I await it ! " " My God, my dear Hermione, you have taken me by surprise. I did not come to Verdun entirely to be mar- ried; there are grave affairs, interests of the very highest importance that necessitate my presence here, and the moment would be badly chosen to occupy it with matrimonial joys." " Don't speak of joys between us. Then, I under- stand, you refuse ? " " No, I only ask you for a little delay. Wait for a time in peace, it will not be long "- " You believe it, you believe you can deliver me a prisoner to the enemy, for you hope that the schemes of the traitors will prevail and that Verdun cannot be defended ?" " I believe defense is impossible. It cannot be that our workingmen, our little countrymen, our laborers and our clerks will be capable of resisting the armies of the Emperor and the King ! " " Don't insult the brave men who are fighting like heroes ! " Hermione exclaimed, energetically. " I am insulting no one, I only want you to consider that this city is not a garrison." " It will be very soon ! " Hermione muttered. " What is that you say ? " the baron shouted with consternation. " I said stop ! listen ! " And Hermione made a sign to the baron to put his ear against the closed window that he might hear the confused sound, the cries, the shouts, the noise of tramping feet, the roll of the drums, the applause of the people. The baron's face became ghastly. " What does this uproar mean ? " he asked. " Probably some riot, the people have thrown open the gates and have come to their senses not to withstand a siege." " No, monsieur, this uproar has another meaning ! Once more you have the opportunity, will you carry out your promise and give to our child, to your little Alice, the name, the rank, the fortune that belongs to her? " " I have told you, madam, that for the moment it is impossible. I can come to no other decision. Wait ! I have some very serious matters to conclude here, have a little patience; give me time. When the rioters are conquered and when His Majesty is restored to the Tuileries, when the revolution is put down, then I will come to you, then I will decide." "Take care, monsieur! lam a woman, but I have taken my oath for vengance! " " What, menaces? I will go then," said the baron with a sarcastic smile, "I don't like this sort of thing, yet it is less dangerous than your tears ! " " Once more, monsieur, I warn you to be careful, you believe me to be feeble, defenseless, without means of resentment. You will find it is otherwise! " "And I tell you again, madame, that I refuse to be intimidated." " Do you hear that noise, that tumult? Do you know it is the sound of drums that is approaching?" " It is singular! Is it possible the Prussians are already in the city?" said the baron, adding under his breath, " they have come in good time, these good friends, our enemies; they will cut short this scene and give me a good excuse to get away from this threatening female." " They are not the Prussians," Hermione exclaimed with triumph, "they are the patriots who have come to the relief of Verdun." "The reinforcements that were expected! It is im- possible! Lafayette is engaged with the Austrians; I 3 2 Dumouriez is at the camp of Maulde; Dillon has been purchased by the Allies. It is impossible that these should be reinforcements ! " " Perhaps you would like to see ! " saying which Her- mione threw open the door of her oratory at the moment a woman was coming into the building, lead- ing two little children by the hand. " Enter, madame, let me make you acquainted with Monsieur Baron de Lowendaal, who wishes to know what this noise of drums in the city means," said Her- mione. XVII. THE ARRIVAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS. THE woman was young and her face was pleasing. She made a military salute and she looked with stolid indifference at the baron. " I am Catharine Lefebvre, cantiniere of the Thir- teenth Regiment, at your service! You wish to know the meaning of this noise ? Very well, it is the battalion from Mayenne-et-Loire that is just now entering the city, accompanied by a detachment of the Thirteenth, commanded by my husband, Fran9ois Lefebvre. Well, mademoiselle, this is a great surprise for them all, isn't it ?" The baron growled out in a surly and disappointed way: "The battalion from Mayenne-et-Loire! What is it doing here ? " " Why did we come here ? " said Catharine, " why, we came to fight the Prussians, to reassure the patriots, to slap the aristocrats." "Well said, madame!" replied Hermione, " but tell me what is the name of the commander of these volun- teers of Mayenne-et-Loire, Monsieur le Baron would be pleased to hear it." " We are under the command of the brave Beaure- paire." " Beaurepaire! " the baron echoed with terror. " Yes; my brother, who one hour before he entered the city sent this brave woman to me, to tell me of his approach and to reassure me," Hermione replied, while her pale face became radiant with joy " They say they will put you out, my little father !" said Catharine, slapping the discomforted baron famil- iarly on his shoulder. " You are not a patriot, I see, but you will be given a pension; the aristocrats who like to talk of capitulation, I don't suppose will be very glad to see us." "How many volunteers are there?" demanded the baron. " Four hundred, and, besides, there is the company of my husband, that makes in all five hundred who have come to the relief of the city." The face of the baron recovered its calm expression. " Five hundred! that isn't as bad as I feared. Five hun- dred cannot hold the city, especially if the population is working and crying for surrender. The worst of it is that this fellow Beaurepaire should be here, how can I avoid him." Hermione meanwhile and as the baron, undecided what to do, looked about him seeking relief from those who were making his position more severe, had stepped aside to look for the two children whose voices guided her to the next room. Returning with a sweet little blonde girl in her arms, she set the child down at the feet of the baron, saying: " Here is your child, monsieur, will you not embrace her?" Lowendaal, concealing his annoyance all that was possible, leaned over an:l hurriedly kissed the little girl upon her forehead The child, with that instinct which often seems to protect them, began to cry. \Yith 134 the first sob of the unhappy child> a responsive note was heard from the adjoining room, and a little boy wearing a liberty cap into which was fastened the cocarde, came running forth, and taking the hand of the weeping youngster in his own, he said to her: "Don't cry! come with me and see all the nice things I have and then we can fire off the cannon, too. Boom! Boom! Its awfully funny to fire off the cannon! " Catharine playfully tweaked the boy's ear and said with a feeling of pride: " This is my little Henriot, a future sergeant, and I am educating him until my husband can get him into the army to defend our republic! He will make a great soldier, my little Henriot." Hermione pressed the hand of the cantiniere softly as she turned to the baron: " This excellent woman went with the battalion to the village of Jouy-en-Argonne; the commander, de Beau- repaire, sent her to the house in the village where she found the infant, as the commander had explained she would. Then she brought the child to me before the volunteers appeared, and left her here that her unhappy and abandoned mother might have the protection the presence of helpless innocence always affords. That is how your little girl came here, monsieur! " "Then," whined Lowendaal, "the commander, Beau- repaire, knows " "He knows all," Hermione interrupted, "you can readily believe it was a sad confession for me to make " "And your brother is amiable about it?" with which words the baron tried to appear indifferent and calm. " My brother has pardoned me; he has hastened here to my help, to deliver me. The volunteers from Mayenne are led by him, and they will march victoriously through the ranks of our enemies ! " " Ah, what stops we made, my children," and Catha- rine's eyes glistened at the remembrance. " We were all J 35 nervous for fear we would be too late to save this beautiful city of Verdun but Commander Beaurepaire has wings to his talons ! " Again the sound of drums came through the open door, and it grew in volume with every moment and it came nearer and nearer to the house where Catharine had preceded it. Then there were sounds of joy as though the entire city were en fete, and already the triumphal procession had crossed the Meuse and was approaching with the steady swing of trained troops. " I think I must go," said the baron, " I can see them from my hotel." " And I want to see my husband," continued Catha- rine. " Here, you young conscript, go ! march ! " and with the words she pushed Henriot into the street, but the boy resisted, and having the little girl's dress tightly grasped in his hand he positively refused to go forth without her. " See there, the little flirt is already attached to half a dozen girls. Ah ! he is promising, the young rascal." " Madame," Hermione exclaimed with emotion. "Never can I forget that which you have done for me; say to my brother that I have blessed you and will await him here." Raising little Henriot in her arms, Catharine started away to join her companions and the Thirteenth. Her- mione made a formal salute to the baron and withdrew to her own room with the little girl, whom she covered with caresses. Lowendaal was pensive as he walked back to the dis- tant hotel. " If the capitulation can be brought around, then I will not have to meet Beaurepaire. But, if not, he will certainly compel me to marry his sister." And but little satisfied with the way events were hap- pening, the baron entered the City Hall, where the not- ables of the city were already assembled under the di- i 3 6 rection of the president of the Directory, Ternaux, and of the procureur-syndic, Gossin, both traitors, whose names are pilloried in history. XVIII. THE ENVOY FROM BRUNSWICK. IN the grand salon at the Hotel de Ville of Verdun, under the light of the flaming flambeaux, the members for the district and the other notables were assembled, the commander of the engineers, Bellemond, governor of the place, being conspicuous in the company. Presi- dentTernaux opened the proceedings and the procureur- syndic, Gossin, explained the situation. The Duke of Brunswick was encamped at the very gates of. the city. Should they throw them open and receive the Imperial General as a friend and a liberator, and should they lower their bridges and throw back kisses for cannon balls ? The disgrace had been already incurred in putting the question. "Gentlemen," said the procureur in a dolorous voice, " our hearts bleed at the unhappiness that will fall over Verdun if it is besieged. Gentlemen, resistance is folly against an enemy ten times our number. Is it your will now to receive an envoy on a conciliatory mission from the duke ? " " Yes, we will receive him," shouted several. " Now, gentlemen," the president resumed, " I will introduce the envoy at once." There was a movement as of curiosity and expecta- tion, all eyes were turned towards the door of the presi- dent's apartment, and those who spoke did so in whis- pers, seeming to feel as though the shame of such a deed should only be murmured and not uttered loud enough to be heard through the halls of the building. Presently 137 the door opened, giving entrance to a young man, clothed in a civil costume, his face as pale a sthough from a recent illness and his arm carried in a sling. " M. le Comte de Neipperg, aide-de-camp to General Clerfayt, commander-in-chief of the Austrian Army," the president announced in his introduction. It was none other than the young Austrian who had been saved by Catharine Sans-Gene on the morning of the loth of August. His wound had healed beneath the womanly care of the gentle Catharine, and then he had been enabled to escape from Paris and reach the quarters of the Austrian commander. Suffering still from the musket shots that had struck him, he volunteered to perform this duty on the night of the conference. The thought of Blanche de Lave- line was a deeper and more painful wound than that of the bullet, and in seeing his child, his little Henriot, exposed to all the perils of an unacknowledged birth, to the mercies of Lowendaal and to the possibility of losing Blanche through a marriage that would separate them for ever, made him sad indeed. The torture was cruel and killing, and, in his wish to forget the past, he hailed with joy an opportunity to enter the army and find in war the forgetfulness that would give him relief. General Clerfayt, who appreciated the brave and diplomatic qualities of Neipperg, had attached him to his staff, and as he was a perfect master of the French language the general had selected him for this impor- tant mission of carrying to the notables and authorities of Verdun the proposition for capitulation. After saluting the assembly with the grace and ele- gance that distinguished him, the comte made known the terms upon which the Duke of Brunswick was dis- posed to treat; they consisted of a demand that the citadel and the city should be evacuated and surrendered within twenty-four hours, and the penalty of refusal to accept this stipulation was the bombardment of Verdun i 3 8 and the sacrifice of the inhabitants to the fury of the victorious invaders. In the presence of the profound stupor the utterance of these threats produced, the savagery of the condi- tions was for a moment disregarded. It would seem that such a menace, haughty and insulting as it was, would have aroused feelings of resentment and revolt in the treacherous hearts of the rich bourgeois and royal- ists who crowded the meeting, and who had connived at the traitorous proposition to betray the city. But not a voice was raised, none dared to make one weak objection that would call down the resentment of the Germans upon the defenseless Verdun. Neipperg stood unmoved, silent, upon the platform, his eyes cast to the ground, his ears alert to the first word that would terminate his mission. Within him- self he felt nothing but contempt for these cowardly citizens, who preferred the disgrace and surrender of their country to accepting the risk of resistance, and in- curring the danger of having their buildings destroyed. As he stood there, his mind went back to those grand Frenchmen of the loth of August against whom he had fought, and who had rushed with such recklessness of life against the chateau of the Tuileries, bristling with bayonets and throwing out sheets of lead at every assault. He had admiration for those patriots, an admiration heightened by his wound ; he was a true soldier, and the heart of a soldier is great enough to take in the valor of an enemy with whom he has battled. But the skin of these bourgeois was thick, and their silence was shameless. He felt as though he must escape, as though he must gain the open air where he could breathe, where he could shake off the oppressive atmosphere of treachery, where his eyes should not look upon a spectacle so revolting to his honor and to his noble soul. Comte de Neipperg with difficulty controlled his voice as he said coldly and with an unconcealed sneer: " Gentlemen, you have heard the communication from the commander-in-chief, what reph r do you wish me to convey to the Duke of Brunswick?" A voice broke the deep silence: "Don't you think, gentlemen, that while you may recognize the truth of the unhappy sentiment expressed by the Duke of Brunswick, that you might reasonably delay your response, and perhaps permit the artillery of M. le Due to do your city the honor of presenting it with a few bombs ? " At the first word Neipperg started from his attitude of indifferent contempt, the blood rushed to his face, his eyes lighted with a fierce glare and looked full into the repellant countenance of his rival, Lowendaal. He made a movement as though he would spring at the throat of the baron; he restrained himself with the thought that he was an ambassador, that he had a mis- sion to perform, that he was no longer a private indi- vidual in a private capacity. This thought ran through his mind and held his hand. And it was followed by another, by a more distressing thought: If the baron were in Verdun, was not Blanche de Laveline also here ? But how could he discover her? How could he see her? How could he talk with her. He could only hope that the baron might in some manner disclose the refuge of Blanche. If this failed, then he would search for her, and have others search for her, and find her. A murmur went up from the crowd at the words of Lowendaal. "Why does he mix up in it, this farmer?" said the bourgeois among themselves. " Has he houses, and a home, and merchandise in the city ? Does he support the government here ? We know that it is impossible to resist; the commander of the engineers has told us so; then why should we massacre all our people and what 140 reason is there that we should expose ourselves to this artillery fire ? " " Our population is a sensible one, and dreads the horrors of a siege," said the president, in answering the proposition just made by the baron; " the advice we have just heard from M. le Marquis de Lowendaal would do very well for the canaille, but all those who have no possessions have already deserted the city; they have taken refuge at Thionville, they have found there the safety which they sought; they have escaped the fire and we hope they will never return to Verdun. Gentle- men, shall we take advantage of their example, or shall we invite the cannonade ?" " No ! No ! No bombardment ! Agree to the con- ditions! " came from twenty directions. And, as if to make the pressure stronger, the delegates crowded about the president, grasping pens or pencils in their hands, pressing forward to affix their signature to the agreement for capitulation. Neipperg looked on in silence at this panic that stam- peded the representatives of a great people and urged them to such disgraceful resources. The president of the assembly held the hesitating pen between his trembling fingers, his signature would seal the nefarious bargain, he hesitated not from loyalty, but from shame, he had overcome one as he long since had overcome the other and had made the first stroke upon the paper when a fierce discharge of fire- arms shook the windows of the chamber and startled the entire assembly to its feet. The roll of drums sent its inspiring sound through the open doors, and there burst forth over and above the clamoring shouts in the turbulent streets, the inspiring strains of the Carmag- nole. XIX. THE OATH OF BEAUREPAIRE. THE city was awake with an indescribable enthusiasm; the windows of the houses were thrown open and thronged with the excited populace; the city was illumi- nated as if for a fete. On the public squares great torches shot their flames towards heaven and the towns- women, alone, or with their husbands or lovers, or lead- ing their children by the hands, crowded the streets and gathered in groups around the crackling bonfires, whose flickering light gave them a fantastic weirdness. It was the volunteers from Mayenne-et-Loire who had shouted out the patriotic words of the " Ca ira," who had by that means given the joyous signal to the citizens that they had come to their relief. There were comparatively few men in the mass of people that greeted the new-comers; they held away at a distance and looked upon this martial tumult, while they did not aid it by their participation. The procureur-syndic called the attention of the presi- dent to this peculiarity. " Here comes these damned volunteers with their up- roar ! " he remarked. To which M. Gossin answered with a surly shrug of his shoulders: " Wait awhile, the Duke of Brunswick will rid us of them shortly." After which he added: " If these devils are let loose, we will certainly be bom- barded ! " The words had no sooner left his lips than a loud hissing was heard in the air, then a dull roar as of a rlistant cannon and there came, as if from the sky, a lightning trail all blood red, cutting through space with 142 the fury of a fiend; the windows of the City Hall rattled; a sudden blast like a fearful wind blew across the faces of the two traitors and before their eyes could follow the red shaft a thud that shook the ground was heard, and a building standing on the corner opposite the City Hall crumbled and slid down into the street. " God ! I told you so ! The Prussians are firing upon us ! " screamed the procureur-syndic, appalled by the terrible effect of the shot. "This is the bombardment you wanted; are you well satisfied, baron?" The procureur turned, thinking Lowendaal was behind him, but that cautious and diplomatic farmer had dis- appeared. Impatient with anxiety, wishing to know the whereabouts of Blanche and supposing that Lowen- daal would seek her directly he left the assembly, Neipperg was also disappearing upon the trail of the farmer. " I have nothing more to do here, gentlemen," the comte said hastily, as he turned away, "the cannon has spoken; my mission is at an end; I shall return to my commander." " Monsieur le Comte," the president supplicated, " do not leave us; remain here, it is important; all can be ex- plained, all can be arranged" " I do not see how ! " rejoined Neipperg, " the cannon on your ramparts gives answer to our overtures; the drum beats in your streets and even now in your city hall they find men to protect your walls and serve at your guns" He was interrupted by a long roll of drums on the staircase of the City Hall, and following it a confused sound of hurrying footsteps, then came the clash of gun stocks against the pavement, as the troops rested on their arms. " They dare to come here ! " shrieked the procureur- syndic in his exasperation, " monsieur, commander, go quickly; give an order at once to seize those drummers 143 and that the men shall return to the barracks we have provided for them," and the magistrate addressed M. Bellemond, chief of the engineers and the artillery. "At once, Monsieur le Procureur," responded the cowardly officer. " the order shall be given. In a quarter of an hour Verdun shall be quiet." " In a quarter of an hour Verdun will be in flames, and \ve shall be singing the ' Marseillaise ' to the music of these shells," shouted a powerful voice behind them. The door was forced open by a blow and Beaurepaire, accompanied by Lefebvre and having in his train the soldiers of the Thirteenth and the volunteers from Mayenne-et-Loire, appeared before the affrighted offi- cials looking as threatening as the god of war. The president, disconcerted by the timely interruption, en^- deavored to exert what he believed to be his authority: " Who has authorized you, commander, to come here and disturb the deliberations of this municipality and of the citizens who have come together in council ? " " I am informed," replied Beurepaire, " that you are here mixed up in an infamous treason, and that you talk of surrendering the city. Is it so, citizens ? Answer ! " "We have not yet made known the resolution of the authorities, commander, therefore will you and your men retire and cease this firing that you have begun without having received any notice from the council for defense! " the president said severely. Beaurepaire reflected a moment, and then, with a re- spectful manner and in a quiet voice, he said: "Gentlemen, it is true, I have not awaited instructions from your council before firing on the Prussians, who have already approached the gates and are prepared to enter at the first signal, a signal, gentlemen, I am satis- fied will be given by some one inside the city. I have barricaded the gates; my brave friend, Lefebvre, who is there, has placed his men on both sides of each gate 144 and the enemy is stopped and in good time too. for they had come near enough to see what we are doing on the walls, but I sent them a few bullets that warned them we had no wish for their visits. I have arrived in season with my volunteers, and I admit that I did not give a thought to waiting for the advice of the coun- cil for defense ! " " And you have done wrong, commander," said the chief of engineers. Beaurepaire, removing his hat and looking into the eyes of Bellemond, rejoined: " Comrade, I will reply for my conduct before the representatives of the people and for my delay in coming here; I respect the commune of Verdun and its munici- pal officers; I hope they are patriots, and I am ready to show deference to them; I will take their orders for all that concerns the interior service of the city and the police regulations, but as for that which concerns my action as a soldier and the manner in which I shall fire shells at the Prussians, you will permit me, com- rade, to do as I consider proper. Harken to what I say ! I am here, your equal in rank, and we should stand together and in accord repulse the enemy and save the people." The energetic and patriotic words, spoken in no hesi- tating manner, stirred the blood of the chief of engi- neers, who was in reality a man of spirit and bravery but who had been influenced and his sentiments domi- nated by the president and the procureur-syndic, and the flush of an awakening patriotism mantled his cheeks. " But, you should take the opinion of the council be- fore giving battle ! " he ventured. " When the enemy is at the gates and the natural de- fenders of the city hesitate, the council for defense, if it were then consulted would order the commander to barricade the roads, to place sharpshooters on the walls, to bring their cannon to bear upon the approach- ing enemy and to fire into their midst. It is that which I have done, comrade, just as though I had been given the time to consult the council where you preside. And in reality would I have received any other orders? Could I as commander have done anything else? All you can reproach me with is that, possibly, I did not begin firing soon enough, but all my munitions had not yet ar- rived; they are here now ! Stop, there they go ! " His words were drowned by the terrific thunder of cannon in the direction of Porte Saint Victor. The president and the procureur-syndic shuddered as the sound broke upon their ears; they shuddered not from fear but with the knowledge that a rain of shells would follow and their property might be destroyed. " He is a brave man ! " Comte de Neipperg said to himself, as he looked into the radiant face of Beaurepaire, for his intention to follow Lowendaal had been changed by the sudden appearance of the volunteers, and he had remained a silent witness to the interview. Then, step- ping forward and saluting the commander, he said in his courtly way: "Commander, I do not think you should remain igno- rant of who lam; I am Comte de Neipperg, aide-de-camp to General Clerfayt " " You are in civilian's dress! " Beaurepaire interrupted defiantly. " I did not come here in my official capacity, com- mander, but simply to lay before the municipality of Verdun and the counsel for defense a note from my chief." " A summons to surrender the city, no doubt ? " " You have said it ! " " And what have these men here replied ? " Beaurepaire looked savagely at the officials, while they, abashed by the glance of his honest eyes and the ring of his noble words, turned their heads from him. 146 Gossin, the procureur-syndic, whispered in the ear of the president: " If this envoy from the Duke of Brunswick tells all, this blackguard Beaurepaire is quke capable of having us all shot by these brigands of his, my poor M. Ternaux." " I fear it, my poor M. Gossin," the president an- swered, sadly. But Neipperg, recognizing the situation, and having 147 no desire to expose the cowardice for which he could with difficulty suppress his contempt, contented himself with saying simply: " I had not yet time to receive tlit decision of the gentlemen. You yourself have now given me a response for my chief." " Then, monsieur, your mission is concluded. Will you permit me the honor of conducting you myself to the outposts?" Beaurepaire said, with extreme polite- ness. " I am at your orders, commander." They left the salon, and, as Beaurepaire reached the door, he turned for the last time towards the president and procureur, saying: "Gentlemen of the commune, I have promised my men to bury myself with them beneath the falling walls of Verdun rather than surrender the city. I hope you will indorse my promise." " But, commander, if the city wishes to surrender, if the inhabitants refuse to permit this bombardment, what shall you do ? Shall you, despite the protests of the people, continue this murderous fire ? What shall you do ? We await your response ! " said the president, the tears of rage and terror starting from his eyes. Beaurepaire reflected a moment and then said: " If you force me to surrender the city, gentlemen, I will rather than submit to the dishonor and disgrace and treason of breaking my oath I will cut my throat. I have come here to defend Verdun to the death ! " Carried away by the sincerity of his loyalty and filled with resentment and disgust at the ignorant weakness of the officials, he strode back into the salon, and, bringing his fist down upon the table with a resounding blow, he repeated with all the earnestness of his manly courage: " Do you hear, gentlemen, to the death ! " And then turning abruptly from them, he disappeared 148 through the door! The officials, paralyzed by the energy of the commander, terrified by his unquestionable integ- rity and incorruptible character, remained silent. " If he were killed," said a deep voice behind them, " that would, indeed, be an advantage to you, and be an advantage to us all," was in the voice of Lowendaal, and the few whom he addressed welcomed him gladly. "The bombardment was terrible," said another voice; "the volunteers were upon the walls fighting like furies And then the fantastic evolutions of the Thirteenth. They have with them a sort of female devil, the wife of Captain Lefebvre, who is a cantiniere, and she acts as though she were crazy; she carries the ammunition her- 149 self and served a cannon, throwing deadly shells into the ranks of the Prussians. Happily, not many of the soldiers are like the woman, otherwise the Austrians would not be able to get in here." " And you have any hope of that, baron ? " said the president to the new-comer. " More than ever; the bombardment was necessary; I said so; the inhabitants had not been sufficiently impressed; my man, my faithful Leonard, is working among the laborers, they do not accept the thought of surrender favorably, but by to-morrow morning they will clamor for it." "You are most excellent in restoring our confidence and hopes." " I tell you, Monsieur le President, they will come to you and make you sign the treaty of surrender by main force." " Heaven grant that it be so," sighed the president. " But the envoy of the Duke of Brunswick has returned to his chief." " It will be necessary, then, for some one to go to the Austrian camp, and carry to him the assurance that to-morrow the general will find the gates open to him." " But who can we entrust with that mission ?" "Me!" "Ah! then we are saved ! " cried the president, who in his joy embraced the baron. XX. LEONARD S MISSION. SOME minutes later Lowendaal, provided with the terms of the surrender in duplicate with those that had been prepared for Comte de Neipperg, went out of the Hotel de Ville. He hastened with all speed to the ren- dezvous that he had arranged with Leonard. ISO The meeting-place was near by, and it was within a few minutes that the baron was passionately whispering some secret instructions in the ear of his attendant. As Leonard comprehended the words that were said to him, he gave every evidence of the most profound sur- prise and glanced nervously about as though he feared the presence of another witness to the tale he was forced to hear. Twice the baron repeated his instructions, and even then his hearer appeared unable to appreciate their full meaning; and the baron, irritated by the apparent reluctance of the man to comprehend what was said, finally exclaimed in an angry voice: " Why do you hesitate? You know we can easily find some one else in the city to do it, and you also know that there are prisons and gendarmes here, and if I choose to speak a certain person of my acquaintance might " " I know that, Monsieur le Baron," Leonard replied in a sniffling tone. " If you know it, then don't forget it again! It pains me, Leonard, to be obliged to speak in this way to such a devoted servant as you have been ever since I saved you from the galleys." " And now you wish to send me there ! Oh, mon- sieur " Then you will obey ? " " Yes, Monsieur le Baron, but this is a very serious task; this is terrible what you command of me." " You exaggerate the importance of the affair, of the confidence it has pleased me to put in you. Great Heavens, Master Leonard, you have been accustomed to the greatest docility, to the greatest devotion. You are showing yourself to be ungrateful. It is a terrible fault, this tendency to forget the favors that have been done us." " Monsieur le Baron, I shall be eternally grateful to you," replied the miserable man, whom Lowendaal had surprised robbing his employers by means of a false key, " I am ready to follow you and to go wherever it pleases you to lead me. But this, that you order me to do now, is " " Abominable, did you say ? You have some new- born scruples, Master Leonard ?" " I am not permitted to find anything abominable that Monsieur le Baron commands. I was just going to say " " And what were you going to say ? I am rather curi- ous to know your opinion." " Monsieur le Baron, the thing is dangerous Oh ! not only for myself, but if I should be seen and should be compelled to say that Monsieur le Baron had or- dered me " " In the first place, no one would believe it," the baron interrupted curtly, " and then again you will have no proof of any such orders which you might pretend you had received from me, and finally, I want to assure you, beyond question, that my arrangements are already made to take care of you and obtain your release in the very improbable case of their discovering you." "Truly, Monsieur le Baron?" " My carriage will be in readiness near the Porte Neuve, on the road to Commercy. They have no guards on that side." " But how can I get out ? " " On a mission from the council for defense. You will be provided with a safe conduct, and you will go to-morrow to the camp of the Duke of Brunswick." With these words, Lowendaal handed to Leonard a blank pass made out by the municipal officers, and permitting the baron to go through the lines. Leonard looked at it carefully, and then in a reassured voice, he said: "I will obey!" " Bear well in mind the one object of your mission, 152 and do not allow the volunteers to take you. If you are arrested, it will be impossible for them to learn anything about your antecedents; they will not send you to the galleys; I suppose you would prefer a. quick death to that ! " Leonard shivered. " I will do my best, Monsieur le Baron ! " "Very well, I guess you understand. Go now and send me what information you can from the camp." " I will try, Monsieur le Baron. It is an equal thing, escape after which you ask me to do and being caught; I fear that the carriage will await me at the Porte Neuve needlessly." " Imbecile! in a city where every part of it is excited by the bombardment, where the flames are raging in every street, surveillance is impossible. I count on you, Master Leonard. If you prove treacherous, or if you come to me with some queer story of failure, you can rely on one thing, that my first visit shall be to the president and my second to the official who has charge of those criminals who will be the next that are sent to the galleys of Toulon. Adieu, Master Leonard, until to-morrow at daybreak." Lowendaal, with a nonchalant air, strolled tranquilly towards the Porte Neuve, leaving Leonard perplexed and meditating on the accomplishment of the mission he had undertaken. "How can I, without attracting attention, get into the house of Madame Blecourt ? How can I reach Commander Beaurepaire in the middle of the night, when he is without escort, disarmed, sleeping ? " Leon- ard muttered to himself. XXI. THE CAMP OF THE INVADERS. ON leaving Leonard, Lovvendaal, as we have said, strolled across the street, murmuring beneath his breath and in a satisfied manner: " He trembles at the task; but, pshaw, the fear of the galleys will be sufficient to take away all dread of this bully, Beaurepaire. Place a man between two alterna- tives, going to the galleys or simply risking his precious person to be seized, provided the man is intelligent and Leonard is certainly not a fool, and he will naturally select the latter. Then he will do his best and won't be caught. It will go a little against his heart, and his legs may tremble, but he will go just the same. What are these soldiers, anyhow ? When they are sent to face the cannon, it is not always the love of glory that inspires them, it is also the fear of the bullets; this proves itself, because they would run away if it were not for the pressure of the masses. Leonard will be alone, he cannot go back; he comes from the camp of the invaders just as did Talthybios, the valiant hero, at the Palace of Atrides, and I hope he will have the same good success ! " The baron, as may be gathered from the few insights we have had into his character, was not over-scrupulous in his little details whether it be in his capacity as an individual or as a farmer, and notwithstanding his polite acquaintance with literary affairs and his rather more than superficial knowledge of the best authors. He walked late into the night; he went through the silent quarters of the city while every now and then dis- tant detonations of guns fell upon his ears, and often he could follow with indifferent regard the luminous track '54 of a hissing shell that with the rapidity of a meteor raced across the black heavens. The enemy was not bombarding the side of the city where the baron walked. The only sound of human voices interrupting the sombre stillness of this quarter, was the occasional cries from some anxious wanderer who hailed the sentinel on the upper walls with an injunction to be alert. The baron had reach- ed the Porte Neuve which was controlled by a detachment of the National Guard, whose officer had been instructed by the pro- cureur-syndic to per- mit the passage of Baron de Lowendaal at any time he choose to present himself, and so it was without difficulty the baron penetrated the line and soon found him- self on the outer side of the walls free to go where he would. Taking the road leading to the east through the dark country that surrounded the city, the baron soon reached a little wood, where he turned and a few yards further on came within sight of a crackling fire made doubly brilliant by the dense shadow of the surround- ings, and which marked the bivouac of the advance guard of the Austrian army. Making towards it with greater haste than he had yet displayed, Lowendaal was sud- '55 denly checked by the demand, in pure French, of a sleepless sentry: " Who goes there ? " " I must have made a mistake, these are Frenchmen here ! " Then he stopped, after calling back: " A friend ! An envoy from the municipality of Verdun." All was silent for a moment, and presently a black mass seemed to detach itself from the somberness and came toward him, accompanied by the clashing of swords. Four men, carrying a lantern, came to reconnoiter. After having explained his errand to the chief of this little group, and having demanded to be conducted to the commander, the baron was politely requested to take his place at the bivouac and there await a summons from headquarters. He accepted the invitation with a readiness that arose from the chilly atmosphere he had been exposed to for several hours, and he took his place close up to the burning fagots to restore his comfort- able warmth. His arrival was quickly rumored around the encampment, and those who had gone to sleep were shaken into wakefulness by their comrades that they might speak to the new arrival and learn what was going on in Verdun. The camp of the invaders was strange and pic- turesque. The army of Conde was composed of volunteers gathered together from all points of France, though principally from the west, and brought into service to battle against the army of the people, the defenders of the white flag to re-establish the king, and put down the revolution. Many of these volunteers were under but little restraint, some of them had gone into the army because their homes had been ruined by the revolution- ists, some entered through fanaticism, some in the hopes of coming out of the struggle with personal profits. 156 This army of rebels and traitors was divided by prov- inces, the gentlemen retained their privileges and re- fused to mingle with the others who were below them in social status. Brittany furnished seven regiments composed of nobles and an eighth had been left behind for home defenses. Even the costumes were distinctive of caste, those who were not nobles wore a uniform of iron gray; gentlemen wore the king's blue. Some deserters, carrying with them the uniform of their corps, some officers of marines formed the only real military element to be found among them. The marine corps, brave but superstitious and ar- dently attached to royalty, were recruited among the families of the Breton littoral, all of them hostile to the revolution. The desertion of the marines, who for a long time had preserved the prestige of France upon the sea, had, notwithstanding the courage of the sailors, assured to the English their victory over the French fleet and their conquest of the ocean empire. The royal volunteers were poorly equipped; their arms were poor; their provisions were poor. The muskets, made in Germany, were weak affairs and many of the gentlemen carried their ordinary hunting-guns. The composition of this army greatly resembled a company of revolting Bohemians, their ages were various, there were old men who found it difficult to travel, there were entire families from the grandfather down to the grand- son standing side by side in the ranks. The picture was touching and grotesque. The army of the princes had but little artillery, and, notwithstanding the indi- vidual courage of its members, it could never become a soldierly body and it never was any aid to the royal refugee. The Prussians and the Austrians found noth- ing in these gentlemen but indolence, made nothing of them but encumbrances. The baron did not invite either confidence or discus- sion with those in whose midst he was forced to await 157 a summons from the general. As he had but recently come from Paris, he was questioned about the condi- tion of the capital and the prospects for a return of the King to power. To these questions Lowendaal replied evasively, say- ing he had left before anything had been determined, that in the presence of the noisy crowds the excitement and the ardor of the revolutionists, he could gather nothing, and it had only been since his leaving the country had been declared to be in danger. The young gentlemen irritated by the haughty re- plies, showed their feelings towards the baron, who on his side requested to be informed at what hour it would be likely the commander would receive him at his tent, as he was impatient to complete his mission. Ignored by the gentlemen around the fire, who had become provoked by his unwillingness to speak freely concerning events in Paris, the baron sat alone by the flame of the bivouac, but looking vacantly over and be- yond it towards the gloomy corner of the walls of Ver- dun, where they abutted at the Porte Saint Victor. He looked each moment at the distant spot as if seeking a signal that did not appear. He consulted his watch anxiously and made no efforts to conceal the annoyance and nervousness he experienced at the tedious conver- sation of his companions. " What can be delaying Leonard ? " he thought. " Can he have proven a traitor? Did his courage fail him at the last moment ? If so, I will take a terrible revenge; I will send him to the galleys, as I have threatened ! " And the baron, tiring of the ceaseless clatter of the volunteers, feigned sleep, closed his eyes, rolled himself in his mantle and stretched himself along the ground at the side of the blaze. He had but just settled himself for rest when an aide from the commander came with a message that General Clerfayt awaited him in his tent. The baron rose from his comfortable position, and i 5 8 throwing one final glance at the walls of Verdun, he followed his guide in silence. The soldiers he left be- hind sank again into repose indifferent to the bombard- ment that was yet heard on the opposite side of the city, but which was less furious than before owing to the thoughtfulness of the Prussians, who, fearing a long siege, resolved to spare their ammunition. In the tent of the general, the baron came face to face with the aide-de-camp who had acted as envoy to the council for defense in the City Hall of Verdun. Comte de Neipperg was in uniform, and responded with chill- ing courtesy to the effusive salute of the new-comer. The interview was brief. The Austrian general asked concerning the disposi- tion of affairs in Verdun, and as the baron assured him they were excellent, favorable to an entry the next day, the general stepped to the front of the tent, and, throw- ing back the canvass, he swept his hand in the direction of the city and at the same moment a bursting shell described a great arc in the heavens and fell among the houses within the walls. The baron's gaze mechani- cally followed the commander's hand, and as his eyes traversed the track of the deadly shell until it sank from sight, he saw an intense red tongue of flame leap from the wall, flare up for a moment, and then die out. As he saw it he started, and his face paled, he trembled, whether from joy or fear he showed such terrible emo- tion that the commander said to him: "What is it?" " Nothing, general, nothing! Nothing at all, fatigue, that is it, the anticipation of the joy I shall feel to- morrow, when the horrors of this unhappy siege are over! " he answered, trying to appear calm. "Do you believe the city will open its gates to us?" asked the general. " This very day I was shown the signed agreement to surrender," answered Lowendaal. 159 "Why did you not bring it here yourself? Why was it not sent by my aide, Comte de Neipperg, who went there charged by me and by Monsieur le Due de Bruns- wick to receive your acceptance? " " I was not sure, general, that the city would be in a condition to capitulate in the morning ! " "And why not; what obstacle was there?" " A relief, a chief of brigands, Commander de Beaure- paire entered there yesterday evening, entirely unex- pected, and went contrary to our plans, ruined our hopes " " A brave soldier, a worthy adversary, that Beaure- paire," Neipperg interrupted. "Did you see him?" said the general with interest. " I saw him and talked with him," answered the comte. " You should have seen him because it was he who put Verdun so quickly in a state of defense; he said to me: ' Verdun will never surrender ! ' ' As Neipperg uttered these words he looked intently at the baron. " What have you to say ? " demanded Clerfayt, address- ing Lowendaal. " My aide has seen the place, and bears testimony to the energy with which it is defended, says the commander will not surrender, and yet you say the gates will be opened in the morning. Explain yourself." "Pardon, monsieur," said the baron, in a slippery, unctuous voice, " I shall not contradict your aide, but I have just had a signal that the obstacle Beaurepaire I beg you to pardon my hesitation, my awkwardness I assure you, as I have already, that Verdun will sur- render." " And now you believe this surrender is possible ? " " Certain, monsieur ! " " But Beaurepaire ? " " Beaurepaire is dead ! " "Dead ! How do you know? How did you learn it?" The baron hung his head, and with an hypocritical 160 sigh he continued: "Monsieur, permit me to await the official confirmation of the news, which will be brought here by a messenger, the man who brings the signed capitulation will likewise inform you, I am certain, of the Commander Beurepaire " " Well, well, monsieur, we will wait ! " said the general coldly, and made a sign to the baron that the interview was ended. When Lowendaal had retired, Neipperg said to the Austrian general: " This man is bad; he has a face that excites sus- picion; under a mask of satisfaction and smiles he tells us that Beaurepaire is dead. He was alive two hours ago, when I left Verdun; if he is dead they have assassi- nated him ! " Clerfayt regarded his aide with surprise, and an- swered: " We make loyal, honest war, we soldiers, my dear Neipperg, but these merchants who hold out their hands and open the gates of their cities, are capable of any infamy, they furnish the debris and the dirt in the kitchen of victory. The diners at a feast are not dis- turbed by the personality or the methods of those who prepare their dishes. One person satisfies his appetite, another his glory ! But await our courier, my dear fel- low, because morning will soon be here, and if the baron has spoken truly, we shall have many things to do dur- ing the day, the city to occupy, the posts to guard, the authorities to change, and all without considering the review that their majesties will give in the midst of the felicitations and homage of the inhabitants. To work, and, assuming that what Lowendaal has said is not ,true, we will continue to send our shrieking messages to this Beaurepaire, who seems, indeed, a sturdy ad- versary." And then, as Neipperg took his seat at the small table prepared t9 write, Clerfayt opened the flap of the tent and called to an artillery officer who stood aside: "Commander, continue firing from time to time at the ramparts so long as you see their flag flying." XXII. CATHARINE'S SECOND CHARGE. WHEN Leonard left his master, perplexed, uncertain, frightened, he turned towards the Porte de France. On that side the cannon kept up an uninterrupted roar, and as Leonard was a novice in this fearful sound, his limbs trembled and his face was ashen. He had his orders, however, and he dared not disobey. There, where the firing was heaviest, he resolved to first seek the man he had been told to find, Commander Beaurepaire. As he approached the fortifications, he met a party of officers who were gathered in a busy and noisy group around a large wagon before which was a roughly im- provised table, covered with bottles, glasses, pieces of bread, bologna, and Frankfort sausages. It was the canteen of the Thirteenth. Behind the table two torches blazed furiously. Catha- rine Lefebvre, alert,- joyous, and smiling, distributed the drinks and repast, encouraging the cannoniers and the marksmen, and joining in the frequent toast for the de- liverance of Verdun. From time to time Catharine ceased her pouring of wine and her cutting of bread and sausages, to look in the. wagon and assure herself of little Henriot's safety. "There is the cradle, there the cannon," she said. Then she would return to her work, but not without growling forth some very ugly remarks about the Prus- sians and their methods of firing shells. In the commencement of the engagement, when the 162 enemy had come well up under the walls and had al- most reached the gate, Beaurepaire had employed every battery, had called out every sharpshooter, manned every weak point for the protection of the gate, and Catharine had left her canteen and hastened to the walls. There, like a war-fury, she had rushed from one spot to another, encouraging the men, giving aid to the wounded, and at one moment seized a gun and dis- charged it full into the face of the Austrian cavaliers; she had contributed in no small degree by her energy to arrest the panic and repel the charge of the enemy. Beaurepaire had noticed it and was pleased. When the enemy had retired, despairing of surprising a city that was so ably defended, Catharine returned to her canteen and her customers thronged about her. During the combat she saw Lefebvre, who with his detachment, protected the parapets and plunged a mur- derous fire into the Austrian columns. Reassured and made happy by this baptism of fire, Catharine had re- sumed her functions as a cantiniere, which she was just then fulfilling with excellent good humor and in a manner that gave general satisfaction. As she was filling the glasses of two artillerymen, she noticed among the crowd a man wearing a civilian's dress and who was looking intently at the drinkers. " Ah, my friend," she called to him, "why don't you come up here and have a schnick, as we say at home ? You are a civilian, but that is nothing; to-morrow you will be one of us, under arms, see ! You will be defen- ding your country; come along, join us, we are all brothers! " And as the man made no reply to this engaging appeal, she continued: " Don't go away like that, friend, come, that's what I said. Perhaps you have no money! That's nothing. I'll stand the drinks to-day, you put up the money to- morrow, What will you have, citizen ?" 163 The man replied shortly: " Thanks, I don't drink! " "You are not thirsty, or you don't drink? What are you doing here then?" The man hesitated an instant and then he replied: ' I want to talk with Commander Beaurepaire! " Catharine looked at him with surprise. "You ? Talk to the commander? What do you want to say to him ? " " I have something important to say." Catharine shrugged her shoulders, as she always did when anything displeased her. " You have chosen a good time," she observed. " We choose the moments we can ! " "That is true; but at this moment the commander cannot be seen." The man shook his head and continued: " It is absolutely necessary I should see him." Catharine looked at the fellow with sudden defiance; his persistency aroused her suspicion and she deter- mined to tell her suspicions to her husband. Signaling one of the soldiers without attracting the notice of the man himself, she asked him to hasten and find Lefebvre who was with the artillery then she thought. Excited by the noise of conflict and his tongue loosened by the numerous libations pressed upon him by a member of the municipality, who had interrogated him as to the whereabouts of the commander, the sol- dier notwithstanding the signal and warning grimaces of Catharine insisted that Beaurepaire was taking a little rest in a house at the upper end of the city, where he was going at four o'clock in the morning to awaken him and take his horse. Catharine losing all patience with the garrulous ras- cal, cried out: "You talk like a drunken magpie, you had better go and take a little rest yourself, it may do you good; you 164 .are in no condition to awaken the commander at four o'clock, even if he did tell you to do so. Go and find Lefebvre, as I told you, I have no other use for gabblers and drunkards." " I am going," the man replied, cowed by the anger of the woman. Catharine resumed her duty of serving the soldiers, and after a few moments she mechanically looked for the man who had insisted on speaking with Beaurepaire. He had disappeared. Like a flash the thought ran through her mind that this man intended some serious harm to Beaurepaire; she was prompted to follow him and warn the com- mander, but she could not leave her canteen at such a busy hour upon a vague suspicion, and so she waited hoping every moment for the coming of Lefebvre. The defenders of Verdun worked all the night in strengthening the walls, improving the position of the cannon and every now and then visiting the canteen where Catharine impatiently awaited her husband, and tried to persuade herself there was no need for her alarm, and that Beaurepaire was in no peril from the suspected man. Then the memory of Lowendaal would come before her, and her thoughts would become dark and threaten- ing. His face was forbidding, he had the countenance of a traitor. What could he devise against the brave defender of Verdun ? As the hours fled Catharine wearied with her work, and finally, as the drinkers became less numerous, she announced to those who lingered that refreshment for the night was at an end, she retired to the seclusion of her wagon, the distant sound of soldiers toiling on the ramparts borne to her ears by the gentle wind in- creasing the lurid fears of evil to the commander that disturbed her mind. XXIII. THE DEATH OF A HERO. AFTER having arranged her wagon and given a last kiss to little Henriot, who was sleeping soundly, Catha- rine, forgetting about rest for herself, stepped out into the street and turned towards the upper portion of the city. Her suspicions had made 'it impossible she should remain quiet, and it was now in the direction of the home of Mme. Blecourt that she took her way, to this house, where the commander had told her to take the little girl she had found in Jouy-en-Argonne and where now peril menaced Beaurepaire, and where Catharine believed treason was to be let loose and murder was to be done. Hastily she went trough the deserted streets, dark, lonesome and silent excepting for an occasional passage of a shell high in the air, and within half an hour from the moment she left her wagon she turned the corner of the street within a few yards of Madame de Blecourt's residence. At that moment she was startled by the report of a firearm, not the loud echoing discharge suf- ficient to arouse the city, and give warning of an ene- my's approach, but the muffled sound, which coming in this isolated quarter, far from the ramparts and where all seemed to be deep in slumber, excited anew the terrors that Catharine pictured in her mind and caused a fresh fear to come over her. She felt as though she were in the presence of a crime. Hurrying her steps she caught sight of a man running in an oppsite direction and just dimly shadowed in the darkness. Perhaps it was her imagination, for it seemed too obscure to learn anything with positiveness, but she felt that this escaping shadow was the man who had been 1 66 at her canteen earlier in the night. So impressed was she with this thought that, without an instant's hesita- tion, she cried at the top of her voice: " Heh ! you man ! hold up, what are you shooting here ? " But the unknown only redoubled his speed not even interrupting his flight by looking around, he turned the first corner and disappeared. Catharine checked her steps asking herself whether she should pursue this mysterious intruder. But then she reflected that although the man was apparently hastening from the neighborhood it was no reason why she should believe him guilty of the only crime she then had any thought of, and she convinced her- self it was more than folly to associate the existence of this unknown with the safety or danger of Beaure- paire. Madame de Blecourt's home was certainly suffi- cient in itself to assure the safety of the chief. Thus reassured, Catharine continued her way to the house where Hermione de Beaurepaire was sleeping with the little Alice in her arms and where the commander, overcome by fatigue, had no doubt thrown himself on the bed and in unconscious slumber awaited recall to the conflict. Thinking thus Catharine reached the door and had her hand upon the knocker about to awaken the in- mates by her call, when cries and the noise of shuffling steps were heard within, the windows were violently thrown open, heads appeared on different stories calling aloud for help. In night-dress and cap the aged mis- tress of the house appeared upon the balcony wildly throwing her arms in the air and appealing to the de- serted street for aid. At the same time the reflection of a red cloud appeared on the fa9ade of the opposite houses, volumes of black smoke rolled from the open windows and presently long tongues of flame played around the doors. i6 7 " Fire ! fire ! " shouted Catharine, " open the door ! " The servants, losing their heads in the excitement, rushed down the stairs with shrieks of terror, demand- ing of each other the whereabouts of the key that would enable them to reach the outer air; they finally burst their way through the obstructions and tumbled into the 168 street. Several neighbors, awakened by the uproar threw open their windows and joined in the cries for help, others prepared as speedily as possible to go forth and do what they could towards saving the unhappy fam- ily. But, courageously, Catharine had already plunged into the flaming building regardless of her own safety and thinking only of those who were in the midst of danger. She mounted the stairs without knowing where they led; she groped through the dense smoke, she extended her arms before her as some little guide in penetrating the darkness that was so obscure. The nearest room had its door wide open and through it she stumbled, half suffocated by the blinding smoke. She could see nothing before her, but she called: " Is there any one here ? Save yourself, quick ! " No voice responded to her cry, but at the moment a gust of air brought through the chamber a long flash of flame, and at the same time drove through the door the volumes of smoke that obscured the sight. As the air half cleared for the second, Catharine uttered a cry of terror, for there, extended on the bed lay Beaurepaire in the semblance of sleep, inert, deaf to the tumult around him. Catharine rushed towards the silent man and seizing him by the shoulders, she called: " Commander, quick, wake up! The house is afire ! " The commander gave no response; again the clouds of smoke filled the room, suffocating, blinding, Catharine kneeled at the side of the bed, rubbing her burning eyes with her hands; then she felt for the commander's face, saying to herself: " Perhaps he has fainted." But the commander made no move; she placed her ear against his pillow, but heard no breathing. " It is strange how deeply he sleeps ! " She put her ear on his breast. " His heart does not beat ! " An awful silence filled 169 the room. 'Catharine, unwilling to believe the terrible truth, placed her hand on the commander's forehead and quickly drew it away, covered with moisture, with some thick moisture that clung to her fingers and added to her terror. Instinctively she recoiled, dizziness seized her; she was so feeble she almost fell, she tottered to the window and leaned far out to restore her senses in the open air. It was none too soon, another moment she would have sunken stupefied by the fumes of fire. The flames circling around the bed suddenly brought, to her sight the livid face of Beaurepaire and his head bathed in blood; from a great wound in his temple a red stream trickled to the floor. "The scoundrels, they have killed him," said Cath- arine, and she shouted one more desperate appeal to those gathering on the pavement below to help the living inmates from the confusion of the fire, and then she again plunged through the smoke, seeking others that might require her help. Another staircase reached, she, with an effort, climbed upward, surrounded all the time by falling cinders blazing with the heat, by half-burned wood, bits of plaster, a rain of bits of fire that made every step more dangerous. Of a sudden there came to her, through the increasing sounds of crackling wood, the murmur of a sweet voice, singing in a plaintive tone a baby song. Astounded and stupefied Catharine put forth more energy yet to find the source of this incongruous inter- ruption. Certainly, some blind and deaf nurse could be the only living creature to utter such a chant in the midst of such a night. The voice came from an upper floor and Catharine, braving herself to assail the flames and smoke of this last stair, pushed forward. She quickly reached the closed door of a room from whence the voice came, a voice singing in a monotonous tone the solitary refrain of a lullaby. Bursting into the apartment Catharine saw before her, with vacant eye and head down upon her breast, Hermione de Beaurepaire, sitting on the edge of the bed, holding little Alice upon her knee and deaf to the cries of the child, who was frightened by the smoke creeping in through the crevices of the door. "Come quick! Come quick, madame! " cried Catha- rine, " the house is on fire! " But Hermione continued her song and continued to rock little Alice on her lap. " There is no time to be lost! Quick! we must get out! " Catharine continued imperatively, at the same time seizing the hand of the little girl who was trem- bling and sobbing in her fright. Hermione arose with peculiar deliberation and dig- nity, and bowing with gravity and reverence, she said: " Good day, madame! Do you not know? I am going to be married, you will come to my marriage, won't you? You will see how beautiful I can look! '.' "She is mad!" said Catharine, "but this is no time to hesitate. Come, follow me! " and she spoke with such imperiousness that Hermione could make no re- sistance. With fixed eyes, and arms hanging listlessly at her side, she meekly followed the lead of Catharine who carried Alice pressed closely to her to shield her as far as possible from the smoke, and every instant turning to see whether Hermione was coming after. In this way they descended the stair and hurried past the room where Beaurepaire lay. But as Hermione reached the door, she stopped and lifting up her arms she cried with an unearthly cry: " It is there there the man the pistol at his temple! He would have killed me, too," and she sank an inert mass upon the floor. Catharine realizing it was impossible for her to carry Hermione to the street, ran down ' shouting for help to those below. Reaching the foot of the stairs and cling- ing desperately to Alice, she fought her way out of the flames the half unconscious baby in her arms. A group of soldiers who had been attracted by the fire and believed it to be due to the Prussian shells, had formed a chain to pass water into the building or to rescue any one who might be overcome by the heat, and when Catharine came forth with the child she recog- nized among the soldiers many members of her hus- band's company and, appealing to them, she prayed they would make an effort to save the fainting Her- mione on the floor above and to drag from the devour- ing flames the sacred body of their commander. The men sprang forward and before the last words had been uttered the rescuers had disappeared through the smoke that obscured the entrance to the house. A few minutes later they reappeared, bearing the body of Beaurepaire and carrying the now revived Hermione, who was struggling in their grasp and protesting against her rescue. " Let me go! Don't take me from my house you don't know then! I am going to be married Oh, the church will look beautiful the day I am married! " The fire had done its work, the floors were crumbling, and the walls were weakened; nothing remained of the house but a great pile of blazing timbers. ********** Madame de Blecourt was so severely injured in falling from her balcony when they attempted to rescue her, that she died a few days later. Hermione, whose reason had not returned, was placed in the charge of a good friend who looked after her. The body of Beaurepaire was taken to the City Hall. There the president and procureur-syndic declared the commander had committed suicide when he realized the terrible evils that would result from his not signing the article of capitulation of the city. This intention, they claim, had been declared by Beaurepaire when they were deliberating on the surrender and when he had refused to agree to the terms. This story, accompanying the sad news concerning the commander, was widely circulated by the traitors who had brought about his death and was accepted by the patriots in the absence of any contradiction. Grand honors were shown to the memory of heroic Beaurepaire in the funeral that was given him, and the council de- clared that his suicide to be exemplary and glorious. The cowards who had profited by the assassination of Beaurepaire, so adroitly accomplished by Leonard, the next day opened the gates of their city to the Aus- trian and Prussian armies, in virtue of the treaty of capitulation that Lowendaal had handed to the com- manding general of the Duke of Brunswick. The King of Prussia made his triumphal entry into Verdun. He was received by the rich bourgeois with acclama- tions and with open arms; President Ternaux gave him a banquet at the City Hall, and the procureur-syndic, Gossin, in the course of his speech, with the coffee, com- pared the monarch to Alexander the Great taking pos- session of Babylon. The daughters of the royalists, afterwards guillotined and glorified by the poets as mar- tyrs, insulted the patriotism of the defenders of Verdun and carried the crown of the King of Prussia upon a cushion, they themselves being clothed in white with the banner of their noble families preceding them. Thus, they did honor to a victor without a combat, to the master of their city through treason. Verdun had earned the title of the city of cowards. Through surrender the frontier was destroyed, the road to Paris was open, and the armies of Austria and Prus- sia had nothing to do but take up their uninterrupted march to the capital and there inflict the chastisement that had been promised by Brunswick. No fortress, no army, no resistance was possible the '73 royalists thought in this revival of their hopes, to stop the onward march of the victorious allies. The garrison of Verdun had been accorded the honors of war, and they left the city with their weapons and their daggers. Lefebvre, promoted to a captaincy, was ordered with the Thirteenth Infantry to join the army of the North. Catharine took with her little Alice, made an orphan by the insanity of her mother. Alice sat in the corner of the wagon by the side of Hen- riot, delighted to be once more with her young com- panion and the two little blonde heads commingled their ringlets in innocent slumber. XXIV. ON THE BORDERS OF OBLIVION. DURING all these incidents that were rapidly follow- ing each other in the east, and when Dumouriez and Kellermann checked the invasion at Valury and saved France and the republic by forcing the Austrians and Prussians to retreat into Belgium, where was Bona- parte ? He was in the midst of his family, a refugee at Mar- seilles and without resources. After living in one lodging after another, all of them in the poorest quarters of the city, being driven from her rooms by pitiless landlords and persecuted by im- patient creditors, Madame Letitia Bonaparte, possessed of a noble soul and an energetic heart, found a humble resting plao in the Rue du Faubourg de Rome. The proprietor was a rich soap-dealer named Clary, who had learned of the family and its sufferings and ex- pressed his sympathy in the practical way of offering them a home. Their living had become laborious and difficult. 174 - Arising at daybreak Madame Bonaparte arranged her household affairs, cooked, washed, prepared the modest repast, directed her daughters to their respective work. One attended to procuring and caring for the provi- sions, another looked after the linen and clothes of the family, the youngest only were permitted to waste their time in play. The days were occupied by the mother and two daughters in doing needlework which they sold, and this humble income was for a long time their sole means of support. Joseph finally secured a situa- tion in the Administration of Military Subsistences, but his pay was so exceedingly small that it was very little help to the family. In this manner they struggled along until the situa- tion became so severe they were forced to take ad- vantage of their title of refugees and claim the rations of bread which the municipality offered to the poor of the city, and especially to those who had been reduced to this necessity by their patriotism, or who had been persecuted because of their adherence to the national cause. Napoleon, having been again reduced to a private in the ranks, was unable to contribute anything to the wants of his family and so great was his misery and so powerfully did it prey upon his mind, that upon one occasion he was prompted to suicide after the thought frequently had found its way into his mind. One day, being without a sou in his pocket, his cour- age left him entirely and turning his steps towards the sea he resolved then and there to kill himself. Climb- ing to the top of a great rock that jutted into the water, he seated himself upon it and fell into profound meditation. The beautiful green of the waves attracted him, and as he gazed into them he hastily reviewed the failure of his career. Useless to his country, disarmed, his talents reduced to the commonest labor, having no more confi- 1 75 dence in himself, no longer able to discern his guiding star in the heavens, made melancholy by the overwhelm- ing sense of his isolation, mortified by the realization that he had become a burden to his mother, he gazed \vith an unflinching eye into the inviting forgetfulness of the Mediterranean. He could not rid his mind of the considerations that made suicide desirable, freed from life he would relieve his family from a needless mouth to feed, and make the ration of bread allowed them by public charity so much more useful. He stood thus for an hour occupied with the most sinister resolutions, reproaching his courage in i 7 6 not permitting him to plunge into the water without further delay, persuading himself he had nothing to hope for, nothing before him. He had reached the melancholy resolve to carry out his desperate remedy, and was ready to leap into eternity, when his train of thought was interrupted by hearing his name pro- nounced, and he turned with an irritated expression towards the fisherman who had thus addressed him. " So it is you, Napoleon. What the devil are you doing there that you did not recognize me ? Desmazis, your old chum in the artillery regiment; have you for- gotten the good times we used to have at Valence ? " Napoleon recalled at once his former comrade and was unaffectedly pleased at the meeting. He descended from his place and entered into conversation with the former artilleryman. Desmazis explained that he had emigrated at the first indications of the revolution and had lived peacefully in Italy, near Savone on the coast. Having learned that his mother, at Marseilles, had been attacked by a severe illness, he had come quietly there in the garb of a fisherman and had thus far escaped attention. Reassured as to his mother's health, and satisfied that his return and the pleasure it gave the old lady to hold him once more in her arms were genuine elements in her recovery, he resolved to remain where he was and give his time to the little vessel he had acquired. " But what are you doing here ? " he asked Napoleon with interest and received in reply a vague explanation of an imaginary important duty. " You are not contented, Napoleon?" said Desmazis with emotion; "you do not appear glad to see me. What is it that worries you ? Is any trouble threaten- ing you ? Tell me. You really have the air of a foolish man who had resolved to kill himself ! " Bonaparte, touched by the sympathetic tone of his comrade, confessed to him his true situation and admit- ted the intention to put an end to his life without delay. 177 "That is it, is it?" exclaimed Desmazis. "Then I have found you at a good time. Here!" and taking from a belt he wore a quantity of money, he con- tinued, " here are ten thousand francs. I have no use for them at this moment, and they are at your disposal. Pay them back to me when you can. Take them and save yourself." Suiting the action to his words, he held the ten thou- sand francs towards Napoleon, a fortune to this officer standing within the grasp of actual poverty. The gene- rous friend forced the money into Napoleon's hand and said warmly: " Au revoir, old friend ! my little boat is there and my sailors await me. Good luck, good-by ! " And with no other word he turned rapidly away towards a small craft that lay at some distance down the shore, and which he quickly gained, stepped upon its deck and was soon standing out to sea. Napoleon, stupefied by the windfall which he could only believe had descended directly from heaven, remained motionless upon the sands until the vessel had become a speck on the sea and then he hastened to his humble home, wondering all the way whether the treasure he hugged with such jealous care was really his, or whether the events of the past few minutes had been a dream. Bursting into their sparsely furnished rooms where his mother and sisters were sitting, Napo- leon threw a handful of gold on the table, exclaiming: " Mother, we are rich ! Sisters, you shall eat all you want and you shall have new dresses, every one of you! Ah ! this is a grand stroke ! " Then he clinked the pieces together and dazzled them all by the volume and brightness of the ringing metal. Later, Napoleon was forced to employ detectives to find his benefactor that he might repay this noble loan. Desmazis was at last discovered in a little village of Provence, occupied in horticulture. He was cultivating i 7 8 violets and had entirely forgotten the aid he extended to his old comrade at such a timely moment, and it was only after the most pressing solicitation that he accepted the three hundred thousand francs Napoleon insisted upon giving him as the equivalent of his ten-thousand loan. At the same time, Napoleon made him Director of Gardens for the Crown, a post that insured him a handsome annual income. The ten thousand francs not only saved Bonaparte from a miserable end and his family from famine, but it permitted Joseph to conclude a rich marriage upon which his heart had been set, although his condition had discouraged his ambition in that direction. The young lady who was thus disposed to unite her fortunes with the desperate chances of Joseph Bonaparte, was Mademoiselle Julie Clary, eldest daughter of the other liberal friend who had given the Bonapartes shelter and a home. Napoleon, who always evidenced a singular pleasure in matchmaking, made no secret of his envy of Joseph's happy selection and enchanting wife. He cast his eyes towards Julie's sister, Desiree, and upon several occa- sions declared his affection to that young woman with every evidence of seriousness, and while she received his protests with polite amiability they made not the slightest impression upon her, and she, like Madame Permon, could see in him nothing but a penniless dreamer who was unable to inspire love by his person- ality or to demand it by his prospects. The future conqueror of the world could not extend his triumph to these two women. Yet, despite the refusal of Desiree, he continued his attentions for many months and the persistency with which he pursued the subject ended in arousing her resentment in no small degree, and so irritated Napoleon that he felt inspired to a conjugal revenge and the dis- dain of Desiree had much to do with his selection of 179 Josephine as a wife, the Josephine who thus became an Empress. Notwithstanding this, the destiny of Desire was brill- iant. She married Bernadotte and became Queen of Sweden. This, then, was the situation of Bonaparte at the moment when Lefebvre and his wife, in the battalion of the army of the north, marched towards the old village of Jemmapes. XXV. JEMMAPES. ROBESPIERRE said, " The war is absurd." The war was absurd because they had no soldiers, no generals, no arms, no munitions, no money, nothing that is necessary to enable a people to enter into a cam- paign for attack, or to occupy a territory to oppose the advance of an organized enemy. The generals were all royalists and traitors, Dumouriez, Dillon, Custine, Valence. The young Due de Chartres, who later was called Louis Philippe, was favored by the commander- in-chief, Dumouriez, who reserved for the prince a brill- iant undertaking. The young due occupied the Meuse, and checked the Austrians in their march on Velenci- ennes and Lille; he also displayed creditable bravery on the important day of Jemmapes. The army although it was not an army, but a mob of combatants, miserably equipped, many of them wear- ing a blouse and others a farmer's dress, many of them without guns, many armed with pickaxes they had no cohesion, no discipline, no instruction. It was an up- rising of the people who, in a moment of enthusiasm, seized such arms as they found near at hand and rushed pell-mell to the deliverance of their native land. As they marched they sang, these sublime volun- teers! The Marseillaise, the Carmagnole, the Ca ira i8o accompanied them everywhere on their tumultuous progress. They were inspired by faith, encouraged by hope, sustained by their innate patriotism. At Jemmapes the improvised volunteer infantry of the republic assembled and was commanded by the former sub-officers, such as Hoche and Lefebvre, who replaced the commanders of the nobility for they had gone over to the enemy. On the 5th of November, 1792, as the sun, blazing red, was sinking from view and trailing its long banner of blood along the horizon, the army of the republic came through the distant woods and over the surrounding hills and took up its position before the formidable de- fenses of Jemmapes. The heights that surrounded the city of Mons were peopled by three villages, which at that moment were the active centers of a vigorous cam- paign, Cuesmes, Berthaimont, Jemmapes. The Austri- ans had fortified themselves on these positions with re- doubts, fallen trees, palisades, all affording shelter to a numerous train of artillery, a large body of Tyrolean cavalry and a considerable force of trained infantry. The Duke of Saxe-Teschen, prince of the empire, lieutenant to the Emperor of Austria, governor of Hol- land, commander-in-chief, had under his orders the forces of General Clerfayt, whose counsel was generally directed towards restraining the impetuosity of his chief, and Clerfayt now advised that the Austrian forces should leave the city in three columns during the night and fall upon the French completing their destruction before they had an opportunity to decide upon an order of battle. The advantage, he argued, in such a surprise would naturally rest with the army that was under the most perfect discipline. The Duke of Saxe-Teschen, happily, considered that there was little glory to be gathered from a night attack and he therefore objected to this plan and declared that lie would await the ris- ing of the sun. Dumouriez profited by the inaction of the enemy to dispose his army in a semicircle, General d'Harville commanding the extreme right, Due de Chartres occu- pying the center, intending to attack Jemmapes en face, General Ferrand manoeuvring on the flank of the vil- lage to the left. The order was to advance in columns by battalions, the cavalry to sustain the flanks, the artil- lery being so placed as to sweep down between the separate columns. The hussars and the dragoons were massed between Cuesmes and Jemmapes, to bar that road to the Austrian cavalry. These dispositions being made they lighted their fires and passed the night quietly. A small stream and a little wood offered some protec- tion to the French, while the mountains that rose behind them afforded an opportunity to fire down upon the Austrians. The chateau of Lowendaal stood on what was accepted as neutral ground between the two camps, and it had been designated as the advance post by the two commanders. The chateau was not disturbed by either of the contending forces, and it was left un- molested to the sole occupancy of its owner and his family. The Baron de Lowendaal had returned to his home, and on the night before the French made their appearance, his friend, the Marquis de Laveline had arrived accompanied by Blanche, and the baron more than ever in love with Mademoiselle de Laveline and reassured by Leonard as to the termination of his adventure with Hermione, was making preparations for marriage. Beaurepaire dead, Hermione bereft of her reason and practically without existence, there certainly could be no obstacle now arise to his union. The reproaches, prayers, threats, Lowendaal realized had amounted to nothing and the living proof of his intrigue, little Alice, had disappeared. The baron was absolutely free. He had reached the end of his desires; in a few hours he would possess Blanche. Notwithstanding the protests of the Marquis de Lave- line that the moment for the celebration of the marriage was unhappily chosen, as the enemy might interfere with the ceremonies on the next day, the baron persisted in his determination and his only response was to remind the marquis of his promise. " Very well," said the marquis, " you will have to settle it with my daughter; I cannot prevail upon her to agree to the marriage now. "That is your lookout!" the baron muttered; "you must in some way get reason into the rebellious girl." And, as if this disposed of the affair so far as any op- position went, the baron summoned a notary to come to him at once, and directed that the chaplain of the chateau should make preparations for the ceremony at an hour to be decided upon later. Midnight, it was determined, should see the marriage celebrated and immediately thereafter the newly wedded pair were to leave for Brussels, accompanied by the mar- quis, there they would await in security and the protec- tion of the Imperial army, the result of the uprising. Blanche alone was ignorant of these arrangements, for ever since her arrival at the chateau she had kept herself secluded in her apartment, seeing no one but her father. The baron had twice insisted that he should see her or that she should join him in the salon, but she had refused to permit him to enter her apartments and had declined, with equal determination, to leave them. Anxiously she looked from the window and hardly re- moved her eyes from the long road that disappeared between the neighboring hills; she watched as though expecting some aid, some relief that was late in com- ing. Her eyes swept over the deserted country, but they swept in vain. It was Catharine Lefebvre whom Blanche sought. i8 3 Her bosom agitated, her heart beating madly, her eyes filled with tears, her hands trembling with such nervousness that she could with difficulty restrain them, Blanche de Laveline peered forth from her win- dow awaiting the fulfillment of Catharine's promise. She had every confidence, she knew Catharine would find the rendezvous and bring the child with her. But what it was that delayed her, why she allowed the last day to approach within twelve hours before mak- ing her appearance, the unhappy Blanche could not divine. She was ignorant of the fact that Catharine had joined the army of the north. She did not know that when the scouts from the Thirteenth Regiment had returned from their reconnaissance up to the very walls of the chateau they went to Catharine's canteen in the woods of Cuesmes, and there, while she held little Henriot and Alice by the hand, they told her the road to take to Lowendaal. Catharine knew that Blanche had already reached the chateau, because a countryman, a farmer devoted to the cause of liberty, had said, in answer to her questions, that on the night before a handsome man and a beautiful woman had arrived there. In her own mind Catharine had often rehearsed her action and arranged her plan of action; she would go to the chateau; she would see Blanche de Laveline and tell her that her little boy, Henriot, was near her under the protection of Lefebvre's bayonets. This seemed to her safer and easier than to reunite mother and child at once. This resolution taken, Cath- arine placed two pistols in her belt and left the camp, directing her steps towards Lowendaal. She had said nothing to Lefebvre, because he would probably have disapproved of the undertaking in view of the many dangers to which she Wfculd be exposed between the two armies and in the darkness of the night. But before she left she embraced little Henriot, who 184 already slept peacefully in the wagon by the side of Alice, and she murmured: "Sleep, little darling, while I go to your mother ! " Then she started upon her road, indifferent to the perils, fearless of the Austrians who roamed, fearful only of her return to the anger of Lefebvre that she should have risked her life. All went well with her and no startling sight came within the range of her alert glances until she had reached the little clump of trees that stood midway on her route to the chateau, and marked the last advance post of the French. As she was about to enter the wood, she saw before her the long shadow of a man, a tall, slender man, standing against one of the trees and apparently watching, or perhaps a sentry, whose post was properly here. Quickly Catharine's hand grasped one of the pistols in her belt and, drawing the weapon ready to fire, she said, in a low voice : " Who goes there ? " " It is a friend, Madame Lefebvre," replied a voice, filled with the joy of recognition. " What is that, a friend ? " "Yes, rnadame, Violette, at your service." " Ah, it is you, stupid! I came near killing you !" said Catharine, recognizing her assistant cantiniere, a devoted but simple-minded boy who had cast his for- tunes with the volunteers. He made no pretensions to bravery and he was daily persecuted by the rude jokes of his more robust comrades. Now Catharine quietly appropriated the pistol he held in his hand and laughed at him. " Go on," she said, " and at the same time tell me what the devil you are doing outside the lines ! " " I was going with you, Madame Lefebvre," the boy answered, timidly; "I saw you leave the camp and fol- lowed you." " To spy on me ? " 185 " Oh, no, madame; but I said to myself you would be in danger, and I would go "- " In danger! Yes, certainly; but what is it that you could do? Danger and you, that makes two dangers ! " and Catharine laughed heartily. " For a long time, Madame Lefebvre, I have wished to share your danger; I have come here because, per- haps, it is a good opportunity this evening "- " For what?" asked Catharine, surprised at the per- sistency of her aide. "Madame," Violette answered, visibly embarrassed and searching carefully for every word, " because this evening we are quiet, we are in no danger of being seen " " Why do you not wish to be seen ? " "If I have chosen the night, it is because in the day I feel timid; but there is something I have to say to you, Madame Lefebvre, I cannot delay." " You came here to see me ? " " Oh, do not refuse me, do not send me away. I love you, Madame Lefebvre. I have never dared to tell you at the canteen in day time before our comrades, but here where it is dark and lonesome I can tell you, I am brave." Catharine replied in a half-irritated tone to the amorous avowal of the youth, and, pushing him aside, she continued on her route; but the persistent Violette would not be so easily disposed of and he took up his position a few steps in advance of the cantiniere. "Stop !" exclaimed Catharine; " where are you going now ? Take care ! " she added alarmed, for behind him a dark shadow crept and sprang at his back, and before she could come to his aid, the boy and the shadow rol- led into the bushes, and then she heard two pistol shots as she fled along the path that she might more quickly reach the open country again. Fearing an ambuscade, she checked her speed and went forward more cau- tiously, looking carefully about her, when, suddenly from the bushes, she saw a man spring forth and run with all his strength across the open. "Poor boy," Catharine murmured, "too bad, he will be difficult to replace at the canteen," thinking of his dead body as it probably lay in the undergrowth by the side of the path behind her. And with this thought uppermost she pushed ahead, and a few moments after, as she turned past a tall hedge that ran along the approach to the chateau, she was startled into an ex- clamation of aston- ishment by again coming face to face with Violette, this time standing with a drawn sword in his hand, as though he were guarding some precious ob- ject from some possible attack. "You! " she cried in an incredulous voice, " how did you get here?" "I quieted the Dutchman who fired his gun off," Violette answered tranquilly, dropping his sabre into its scabbard at the same moment." " Where is he ? " " There in the bushes ! " "Dead?" " I believe so, and yet he had good luck in meeting only a coward like me. But I have taken something that is a burden to me," and he indicated a round object slung across his back. " What is it ?" she asked. " That fellow's drum. I borrowed it " "What for?" "It may be of service ! Perhaps of more use than his gun and then I feared he. might give the alarm with his drum, and it would go hard with us, if we were found here by the Austrians. Shall we proceed, Madame Lefebvre ?" " You are a brave boy, Violette ! " " You must not give me credit for it, Madame Lefebvre, I know very well what I am, that I am a coward, and I know, too, that I love you " "Violette, you must cease such talk as that. I for- bid it!" " Very well, madame, and now let us go on." Catharine looked at her aide in surprise; he stood before her in a new light entirely. Violette standing up valiantly under fire ! Violette vanquishing an Austrian in the bushes, and with no other weapon than a sword ! What was it that had changed this timid boy into this brave champion ? She thought for an instant that he should return to the camp, but he had proven himself so courageous, so strong, that she resolved two were better in the affair than one. " Violette," she said in a more amiable and friendly manner, "I should tell you that I am going into danger, great danger. Do you still persist in going with me ? " " I would follow you through fire, Madame Lefebvre," the youth replied earnestly. " Then begin by accompanying me through the water, because we must wade that brook in order to reach the chateau you see over there; it is to the chateau I am going." "We are going, madame, I am with you." " Good, take care, and keep your eyes open." The two slowly picked their way over the steep bank of the stream, and crossed it with the water high above their shoes, and, as they clambered up the opposite side, they found themselves before the doors of the baron's stables. With as little noise as possible they kept along by the side of the buildings, seeking some doorway by which they might gain entrance to the gardens. After stumbling for some minutes along the uncertain path with hesitating steps they reached a spot where the wall was much lower than at other places, and. Catharine motioned to Violette to stoop a little that she might step upon his back and be thus enabled to vault the wall and reach the gardens on the other side. Vio- lette willingly submitted to the burden of Catharine's sturdy limbs, and she lightly sprang from his bended shoulders to the wall where she awaited him before jumping down again. Some moments later they both found themselves in the garden, and cautiously proceeding towards the house, keeping well within the shadows of the trees, they pres- ently stood before the windows of the brilliantly lighted reception-room. XXVI. THE NUPTIAL MASS. THE Baron de Lowendaal and the Marquis de Lave- line had their final conference and made their final arrangements. The baron had imposed these condi- tions: Blanche should become his wife that night, and they should leave at once for Alsace, he would then re- lease the marquis from his obligations and restore his forfeited property, without speaking of some other and minor considerations of like character. It was not only the honor of the marriage that at- 189 tractecl M. de Laveline, for he greatly desired that Blanche should be reasonable and willingly consent to respond to the pleadings of Lowendaal, but it was the convenience of a restored and disembarrassed estate that likewise entered into his calculations. The baron, operat- ing through fear as he had done in the transaction with Leonard, had involved the marquis in a complicated transaction. He had engaged with the marquis, who was always short of money, in an operation that was scandalous and filled with dangers. Friend of the Prince of Rohan, Laveline had mixed himself up with the affairs of the diamond necklace. He avoided public detection, but the baron held certain indisputable proof of his partic- ipation in this gigantic fraud, wherein the role supposed to have been played by Marie Antoinette was to be most compromising. Could the marquis escape the pursuit of the baron by flight from France ? The Court of Austria would hold him as a prisoner, would deliver him up for vengeance as a conspirator against the honor of the queen, an archduchess of the empire. Could he remain in France ? Denounced to the revo- lutionary government, his participation in the affair would inevitably be followed by punishment. He found himself absolutely at the mercy of the baron, and as he rose from his interview he realized that he stood between two fires, one threatening, the other most perplexing. The one he clearly understood to be final as it was, the other he must test at once and to that end he sought his daughter, whom he found in tears, but with her resolve to resist the baron in no way shaken and her stubbornness perhaps more em- phatic than before. Arguments of the most sensible and impressive char- acter the marquis employed to shake his daughter's resolution; pictures of her sumptuous life he drew in skillful language, the indolent existence that would be hers, the gratification of every wish, all this he sketched before her mental sight, but all without avail, the heart of Blanche was closed to sentiment, her brain was not moved by reason and so the marquis was finally driven to his last appeal, the confession of his criminal intrigue and the power possessed by the baron in his knowledge of the affair. The baron was master of his liberty, of his honor, of his life, if Blanche failed him he should die; would she in a persistent refusal to this act be willing to accept the responsibility of parricide ? Blanche wept and trembled when she heard this con- fession and the words that followed it, nor could she understand the strange action of the baron who showed himself, in her sight, to be without pity, dignity, re- spect! To urge a marriage with one who detested him, with one who loved another, one who had a child born of that other love! Persuaded that the baron had re- ceived the letter sent by Leonard, Blanche tried to calm the alarm of her father, for she felt that M. de Lowen- daal must certainly have been touched by the confession she had made, evidently he had not revealed her secret and this indicated that he would not abuse his power over M. de Laveline. Relying confidently upon the continued objection of Blanche to the marriage, he would seem to still desire it so as to deceive the mar- quis, he would probably never refer to the fault she had confessed and would permit the full onus of separation to fall upon her refusal to marry him. Believing this, she felt easy in her resolve and without saying anything to M. de Laveline as to the motive of her action, she repeated her determination never to become the wife of the baron. " Very well, then," shouted M. de Laveline in a rage he made no effort to control, and angered beyond expression by the foolish resistance of his rebellious and perverse daughter. " I shall be obeyed and you shall be married this very night, understand, this night, if I have to carry you to the altar myself." After which he left the room, stamping his feet and raging and sought the baron with the assurance that he might continue the preparations for the ceremony; his daughter would be ready at the appointed hour. Blanche again left to herself was torn by the most alarming uncertainties. Why did the baron persist thus in the face of what she had written him ? Had he some other motive ? Did he really propose to marry her despite all ? She could find no answer to her own doubts, but she felt that her heart was strong and her will unshaken; she would always resist this union, the very thought of which filled her with horror. And then her mind went to Catharine and little Henriot, and her wild wonderings as to the cause of Catharine's delay. She felt, if the child were there, the living evidence of her other love, it would affect the marquis and force the baron to abandon his singular position. She asked her- I 9 2 self whether Catharine would keep her promise, for as hours flew by and she came not, the confidence that Blanche had felt gradually disappeared and she was forced to the conviction that Catharine had proven false. The night had come on rapidly, darkness had settled upon the earth and Blanche had strained her eyes peer- ing through the shadows, in vain efforts to discover a weary woman tramping along the heavy road, hugging a child to her breast. She had left the window when the darkness with6ut had become impenetrable and she sat wrapped in the profoundest melancholy, and yet the lingering traces of womanly trust still played with her doubts, she found excuses and explanations for Catharine's absence in the swarming hordes of warriors in the adjacent country that had driven her from the road, or prevented her leaving Paris at all. " She will not come," sobbed the unhappy girl, " and I shall never again see my child." Then, prostrated with the idea of being forced into this odious marriage or causing the ruin or perhaps the death of her father by her refusal, she sobbed and sobbed until her eyes were swollen. But of a sud- den her sobs stopped, her tears were dried, her hands clenched in her lap showed a new resolve and again she was at the window. Could she do it ? The roads she knew, the night was dark and friendly, the presence of the two armies was favorable; she could pass through these crowds of sol- diers without being noticed; the country was filled with poor people fleeing before the troops. A woman could pass unperceived, or at least undisturbed. She could reach some distant city, Brussels or Lille, and then go to Paris, and at Versailles she would find Catharine and her little Henriot. Her jewels and some money she still had; she would write a few lines to her father, and when she was far from this detested chateau and the '93 first anger had passed over, the marquis would send her resources upon which to live. Hurriedly she made such preparations as were neces- sary for her flight; in a small hand-bag she threw the gems and coins that were among her possessions; she wrapped herself in a great mantle, and for precaution against severity of climate she took another cloak over her arm that she might use if occasion required. Leaving the lights as though she were still in her room, she quietly opened the door, tip-toed down the stairs, fled along the corridor holding her breath in fear that even it might be heard, reached the outer entrance and in an instant found herself in the open air. The night was fresh and clear, not too dark so that progress was impeded; she hurriedly traversed the intervening space and reached a little clump of trees that stood beneath the walls of the park, and here she felt she was saved. She halted to recover her strength and to consider in what direction she should next move. As she stood trembling in the concealment of the trees she saw two shadows fall across the path, presaging two human beings who certainly were close behind her. Paralyzed with fear, Blanche shrank into the shadow still further and hoped that, whoever it might be approaching, would pass her by without discovery. But those who every instant were coming nearer seemed to be seeking concealment themselves, and as they, too, sought the protection of the friendly shadows Blanche was able to make out the tall figure of a man and the short, plump figure of a woman, who wore a cloak that extended only to her waist and who held her skirts high above her shoes, that she might pass the heavy underbrush without so much as disturbing it into a rustle. Another moment and, despite the effort of Blanche to shrink beyond the possibility of detection, the two intruders came full upon her. 194 " Who is it ? " said a female voice. " I know that voice! " Blanche said beneath her breath, and then exclaimed aloud, " Who are you ? I shall call for help! " "Don't call! We are friends; we have come hereto see Mademoiselle Blanche de Laveline." "That is me! My God! Catharine, is it you? I know your voice." Catharine surprised and delighted at the meeting, threw aside her hood and told Violette, who had meanwhile given the military salute to Blanche, to step back that she might say a few words with her new-found friend. "Where is he, where is my little Henriot?" Blanche exclaimed in a trembling voice, and not waiting for a response she asked, " But what is this costume you wear, you are dressed like a cantiniere ?" Catharine hurriedly told her she had become a member of the Thirteenth Infantry, and quieted her alarms by assuring her that little Henriot was at that moment sleeping peacefully on the comfortable bed provided for him in the wagon and surrounded by an armed guard nothing could vanquish; and Blanche, with all the maternal instincts within her aroused, urged that she should be at once conducted to her child. Catharine advised her to remain at the chateau for the night at least, it might be that the next day the French would occupy the building and then the restora- tion of her child would be a simple matter, but now to risk the dangers of the night in travelling between two hostile camps was needless and, indeed, a folly But Blanche ignored the protests of her adviser and hurriedly recited the situation in the chateau where, if she remained another hour, she would be eternally wedded to Baron de Lowendaal. "What shall we do?" Catharine said in a puzzled wav, " how unfortunate it is that Lefebvre is not with 195 us, he could tell us just what to do. If that fool there had an idea! " and she indicated Violette by a nod of her head, and then turning to him she asked, " Say, have you got an idea ? " " If you think well, Madame Lefebvre, I will go back to the camp and bring the little boy here," Violette timidly suggested. Catharine shrugged her shoulders in disdain. " I don't see how you could very well carry a baby in your arms," she said. "Suppose I go with you!" said Blanche, " oh, -yes, Catharine, let me go with him." " But think of the danger! the bullets! the sentinels! " " I fear nothing. Is it likely that a mother would stop at any danger to embrace her child?" Catharine felt that this probably was the best way of satisfying Blanche and at the same time placing her beyond the reach of the baron. Once within the French camp she would be safe and she could rest without fear of intrusion in the wagon of the cantiniere. They were turning to retrace their steps towards the wall, over which they could find exit from the park, when the sound of voices coming through the open door of the chateau caused them to hesitate. A number of servants preceding the baron and bearing blazing torches in their hands, stepped upon the veranda and as they looked out over the gloomy lawn the baron, turning to his valet, said: " Go to Madmoiselle de Laveline and tell her we are ready for the ceremony, and that her father and myself await her in the chapel." The valet disappeared; the baron and his train crossed the park and entered the little chapel that stood at the other side. " My God, I am lost, they will discover my flight ! " said Blanche. " We must gain time, but how shall we do it? There 196 is one chance and we must take it," Catharine an- swered. " What is it? Speak, Catharine, I. am ready to brave anything to escape from the power of that man, I will never go inside of that chapel. "But if some one should take your place, it would give you a quarter of an hour's start, anyway." "A quarter of an hour would be salvation. I could get out of the park and I could reach the open country; I could then, perhaps, reach the advance posts of the French. The idea is good, but who is there that can take my place ? " "I will do it?" said Catharine. "Go, there is not a second to lose; give me your cloak." Lowendaal had looked over the interior of the chapel and found it to his satisfaction; everything was arranged as he had directed, he stepped back upon the porch looking for M. de Laveline and intending to give orders that the carriage might be ready to take them away. So soon as the marriage was over, he intended to start with his young bride at once on the road for Brussels, the proximity of the Austrian army and the likelihood of an immediate conflict had influenced him in setting an early hour for the ceremony and for the departure. Quickly Catharine threw about her the cloak that Blanche had removed, and covering her head with its cape she passionately embraced the unhappy Blanche and pushed her towards Violette, who seized her hand and led the way towards the outer road. Catha- rine followed them anxiously with her eyes until they had disappeared in the darkness of the night; they had reached the limits of the park and in another moment were safely beyond the walls. " Poor little Henriot," said Catharine with emotion, "and Lefebvre what will he think if I do not come back to-night ? Bah ! he won't think anything of it." I 9 7 She turned towards the chateau and stood irresolute at the entrance of the salon. Glancing about at the servants, who were gathered in whispering groups, she said: "Tell the baron that Mademoiselle de Laveline awaits him in the chapel." Leaving the door, she walked slowly towards the lighted building at the other side of the park, and as she quietly entered the inviting portal and hesitated behind one of the majestic pillars that supported the decorated roof, she heard voices near her mingled in an earnest conversation. The baron was saying: "You have the order, Leonard ?" " Yes, Monsieur le Baron," replied the man, " I have here in our kitchen one of the messengers whom I induced to come under the promise of a supper, he has en- joyed a drink and I should judge that he was troubled with a tremendous thirst because he is sleeping soundly just now." "And his papers?" " I have them, nothing important excepting the order, which I have kept." "Good! take it quickly to the Austrian commander," saying which the baron left the chapel and went back to the chateau. "What have they said there?" Catharine exclaimed, " what order is it that they have seized ? I wonder if it can be ours ! " She hesitated as to what it were best to do; should she remain, or should she hasten back to the French camp and give the alarm ? But she had promised Blanche, her benefactress, to detain her persecutors and to take her part in the chapel. She would hold to that, and when it was all over there would be plenty of time to return to the camp and to tell Lefebvreof the treason that was being done. She walked up the aisle of the chapel, impatient the baron should appear and yet wishing to delay the discovery so long as possible that Blanche might have ample time to reach a safe retreat. "But, if they should be surprised while they are sleep- ing ! But no, the men of the Thirteenth never sleep, and even with the order of march stolen, they are lying on their guns at this moment and would be ready even for such a surprise." Somewhat reassured by this confident argument with herself, she sank upon one of the sofas that stood at the side of the chapel and awaited the coming of the groom. A priest, fully dressed in his sacred robes, prayed de- voutly at the chancel and gave no attention to the intruder. Curiously she looked about her, examining the pictures of the sacrifice of the cross, the ornaments of the tabernacle, the little lamp that burned and swung by its long golden chain suspended to the ceiling, and the four angels that stood at either corner of the altar. " Heavens ! It looks as though they were coming here to a funeral instead of to celebrate a marriage ! " Catharine murmured to herself, impressed by the sad- ness of the surroundings, and then she once more looked about her with a feeling of indifference, as though it were but for a moment at the most. She was inter- rupted in her idle thoughts by the door of the chapel being suddenly opened, and the sound of sabres clank- ing on the marble floor, as a detachment of Austrian soldiers filed up the aisle. The priest, startled by the unusual sound, turned and motioned to the troopers not to approach the altar, and then, in a rapid voice, he began the reading of his ritual. Baron de Lowendaal entered a moment later, and with his hat in hand, ap- proached Catharine sitting at the side of the chancel. " I hope, mademoiselle, that I shall have the honor and the very great pleasure of accompanying you to the altar with monsieur, your father. I need not say how 199 happy you have made me, and I well appreciate your timidity and ask your pardon for the haste I have been forced to urge upon you. Will you permit me to sit beside you ! " Catharine, wrapped securely in the cloak that Blanche had given her, made no response nor did she move to make place for the baron as he had asked. The marquis, approaching in his turn, said to her: " I am glad, my dear, that I can congratulate you upon having become more reasonable. But, Blanche, put aside your cloak, it is not becoming you should receive your husband thus, and don't you see that you have been done the honor of having as your guest the officers of General Clerfayt ? They wish to see you, they wish to congratulate you upon this great day; don't you understand ? " When Catharine heard the name of the Austrian offi- cers, she gave an involuntary start that loosened the mantle clinging about her and it slipped down over her shoulders sufficiently to expose the tricolor pinned to her breast. Startled and surprised the marquis seized the cloak, and throwing it off upon the floor, he cried: " This is not my daughter ! " "Who are you?" said the baron, half stupefied. The priest at this moment turned towards the as- sembly, and, extending his arms in the attitude of bene- diction, he murmured: " Benedicat vos, omnipotens Deus ! Dominus vobiscum ! " And his assistant responded: " Et cum spiritu tuo ! " The Austrian officers, attracted by the loud voices of the marquis and the baron, had approached the group, and as they caught sight of Catharine, one of them ex- claimed: " A Frenchwoman, a cantiniere." "Yes, a Frenchwoman!" she replied, "Catharine Lefebvre, cantiniere of the Thirteenth. How does that strike you ?" 200 And with the words she grasped the mantle from the floor, and laughing she flung it across the face of her disappointed fiance, and snapped her fingers in the face of the Austrian officers; "do you see this? This is the mark of the Thirteenth; do you like the number?" and, without waiting for reply, she threw them aside with her sturdy arms and ran to the altar where she claimed the protection of the priest and of his God. XXVII. THE DEBT OF THE WOUNDED. THE first moment of surprise past, one of the Austrian officers advanced to the chancel and placed his hand on Catharine's shoulder: " You are my prisoner, madame," he said. " Go on ! " Catharine said; " I am not a fighter, I am here on a visit, a diplomatic visit." " You need not joke! You came into the chateau, and I have taken possession of it in the name of his Majesty, the Emperor of Austria; you are French; you are on Austrian territory. I therefore arrest you." " You arrest women now, do you ? That is not gal- lant ! " " You are a cantiniere ! " " Cantinieres are not soldiers." " It was not as a soldier that you are a prisoner; it is as a spy," replied the officer, at the same time making a signal to his men with the command: " Take this woman to the chateau and examine her; see what she knows and how much she has learned here." The baron, who had disappeared when he discovered the identity of Catharine and had gone to Blanche's apartments only to find them deserted, rushed into the 201 chapel crying loudly and appealing to every one about him for vengeance. " Gentlemen, gentlemen ! " he cried in a voice strang- ling with emotion, "this woman is the accomplice in a foul crime; she has aided the flight of Mademoiselle de Laveline, my fiance. Tell me, tell me, woman, where is Mademoiselle de Laveline ?" and he came threateningly near to the intrepid cantiniere. Catharine laughed in his face. " If you wish to see Mademoiselle de Laveline," she answered, " you must desert the Austrians and go to the camp of the French she awaits you there." " At the French camp! What is she doing there ? " The baron was blinded between astonishment and rage, but the marquis, hoping to restore some of the evils that had thus far been done, whispered in the ear of the baron: " Let me reassure you; it will not be at the French camp that she will see de Neipperg, so don't be jealous." " It may be if she has fled to the French camp she is in love with Dumouriez," said the infuriated baron. " She has gone to her child," said Catharine. " Her child ! ! ! " exclaimed both the marquis and baron. "Certainly! Little Henriot, a pretty little cherub; a nicer little child than you could ever dream of, baron," replied Catharine, laughingly. But Lowendaal did not hear the jocular slur upon his capacity; he was stupefied with the words Catharine had uttered and he could hear nothing else. Leonard, who stood behind his master, had an inter- est in the disclosure that seemed to him as intense as it was to the baron. All his projects were defeated, Blanche gone; the child, the baron aware of its exist- ence, would cease to be a means of intimidation, a menace, a perpetual weapon that he could constantly level against the Baroness de Lowendaal. He could 202 have no further hopes of realizing the flattering advan- tages he had pictured to himself in the possession of this terrible secret of Mademoiselle de Laveline. He reflected quickly on the part he was to take in this new situation. He was a man of brains and of few scruples, this Leonard; he had no fear when a profit was in sight, and he speedily came to a resolve as to the course that was open to him in this difficult affair. " Why should not I, too, go to the French camp?" he said to himself. " I can pass in; I have the word from their messenger. All may not be lost yet ! " Then, without attracting attention, he slipped behind the Austrian soldiers and made his way towards the door and the open air. The officer who had arrested Catharine asked in a low voice: " Have you finished, baron ? Are there any questions you wish to ask the woman, any suggestions you have to make ? " " No, no, none; only look out for her, shoot her if she would escape," shouted the exasperated baron with furious despair that was ludicrous in its antics. u Ob- tain from her all she knows of Mademoiselle de Lave- line, and what is the true meaning of these mysterious words about a child." The officer with calm indifference responded: "We will question her in the salon of the chateau; to-morrow we will report to you." " To-morrow the soldiers of the republic will be here and not one of you will be able to report anything; you will all be dead or prisoners," Catharine defiantly ex- claimed. " Take her along," said the officer, "leave your guns here and carry her into the chateau; if she resists, tie her!" Four of his men placing their muskets against the rail that protected the chancel, advanced towards Catha- rine to execute the order, but the cantiniere threw her- 203 self into an attitude of resistance and pulling forth the two pistols from her belt, she held, them, pointed to- wards the advancing soldiers, and gave them warning in her shrillest tones: " Stop, the first to put his hand on me is a dead man! " "Advance! advance!" ordered the officer, "would you be repulsed by a woman? " The four men had hesitated for a moment, when the two weapons met their eyes, but now under the com- mand of their captain they took a step forward, when through the deathlike stillness of the night, and the uproar of the chapel, there swept the long roll of drums, the ominous threatening roll that meant the approach of an enemy. "The French! the French!" shouted the baron in terror. 204 Panic seized the soldiers, a panic that was sudden and irresistible with men and officers alike, the four who were advancing on Catharine, thought nothing of their guns, their sole concern was to seek some seclusion where they might be safe from the avenging sabres of the patriots; on their heels came the officers but little less alarmed and persuaded that they were surprised by the advance guard of Dumouriez. The marquis and the baron had fled to the chateau with the first sound; the chapel was deserted save for Catharine and the priest at the altar, who, indifferent to all that was going on, was concluding the duties of his sacred office. The drums continued their threatening sounds, com- ing nearer and nearer, and Catharine, standing joyous and surprised at the door, had her astonishment in- creased by the sudden appearance of Violette, who came around the corner of the building vigorously pounding the drum he had captured earlier in the night and had worn slung over his shoulders. " What, you here! where did you come from? Where is the regiment?" " The regiment is in the camp," said Violette, ceasing his noise, "But I have come in good time, it seems, Madame Lefebvre, and say, hadn't we better close this door, for I am afraid we must take shelter inside the chapel for awhile! " And with all speed the two amateur warriors barri- caded the door as best they could. Then Violette ex- plained to Catharine that he had conducted Blanche towards the camp and on the way had met a patrol force commanded by Lefebvre and he had placed Mademoiselle de Laveline under the protection of two of the men and she was at that time safely inside the lines of Dumouriez, and no doubt pressing little Henriot to her heart. After having done this, he had left the detachment of the Thirteenth, and hurried back to the 20 5 chateau to rescue her. Surprised by the noise in the chapel, he had crept quietly up alongside the building, and lifting himself so he could look in the window, he had witnessed all that took place and realized the dan- ger that threatened his captain's wife. It was then the idea came to him to frighten the Germans by the roll of the drum that they would mistake for the approach of the French. " You see, Madame Lefebvre, how useful we have found old Guillaumet's drum; what do you think? I will make a famous drum-major, won't I?" " Where is my husband ? Where did you leave him ? " " Not two hundred yards away, waiting down here in the bushes if he is required." " And what is the signal ? " "A pistol shot." " Listen, what's that, it sounds like the tramp of horses ! " They put their ears against the door and they heard a confused sound without, the clanking of sabres, the heavy tread of horses, and the rattling of spurs and accoutrements that indicated the arrival of cavalry, the coming of the Austrians. "Shall I fire, Mademoiselle Lefebvre?" asked Vio- lette, seizing one of the muskets from the altar rail. " Not yet; we have plenty of time, we have ammuni- tion there to give four signals. Don't fire ! " "Why not?" "Because the Austrians are reinforced; you would draw Lefebvre and our men into an ambuscade. We two can get out of this somehow; we must use our wits." " Command me, madame, I will obey ! " Their further plans were interrupted by a violent pounding on the panels of the door, and a loud voice exclaiming: 41 Open, or we will break in the door ! " 2O6 ftv Violette at the direction of Catharine, who realized there was no advantage in persisting in a resistance that could be so readily overcome, removed the barriers and threw back the heavy portals revealing a throng of cavalrymen and foot sol- diers, all brought into heavy shadow by the darkness, but among the mass the glitter of naked swords the scintil- lation of helmets, the glisten of sharp bayonets. Catharine and Violette stood defiantly at the altar awaiting with breathless an- xiety the next move of their overwhelming foe, and the two opposing forces, so ter- ribly unequal, were kept apart only by the towering figure of the black-robed priest, who had been aroused by the armed invasion of his sanctuary and now stood with arms extended towards the crucifix, with warning gesture against the despoil- ers of this inviolate spot. But such interruption was but momentary, and the first to break through the barriers of superstition was the officer who had arrested Catharine, and who had been humiliated by the retreat his cowardice had prompted at the sound of the drums, and now called for his revenge. He addressed an offi- cer, who stood alongside the door and was wrapped in a rich cloak embroidered in gold: 207 "Colonel, are we to shoot that man and woman?" he asked. "Why the woman ?" replied the officer. " They are both spies, colonel. We have received our orders." " Have you learned who they are, their names ? Get this information first and then we can better decide." " I demand that we be treated as prisoners of war," said Catharine heatedly, taking a few steps forward. " The battle has not begun," answered the officer. "Yes it has, by us. I am the advance guard and this boy is the first column," Catharine replied. " You have no authority to shoot us, because we surrender. I warn you, if you commit this murder, we shall be terribly avenged; the men of the Thirteenth will exact a pay- ment for our deaths that will leave no man of you alive. They are near here, only a few yards away ! Remember the Mill of Valmy ! My husband, who is captain in the Thirteenth, will follow.his vengeance through your whole army. And I am Catharine Lefebvre ! " The colonel gave an involuntary start, and then com- ing forward several paces, and apparently seeking to have a better glimpse of the courageous woman, he said with marked politeness: "Madame, do you know of a Le- febvre who served in the Paris Guards, and who married a washerwoman called Madame Sans-Gene?" "The washerwoman, Madame Sans-Gene, is me; Le- febvre, Captain Lefebvre, is my husband." The officer, filled with a lively emotion, came nearer to Catharine and, throwing back his mantle and looking her in the face, said: " Don't you recognize me ! " Catharine recoiled a step, saying: " Your voice, your face, colonel, seems familiar to me; I see you, but it is as in the midst of a cloud." " A cloud made by the smoke of cannons, Have you forgotten the loth of August ? " 20 8 "The loth of August! It is you, then, the wounded officer, the wounded Austrian officer ! " Catharine ex- claimed. "Yes, it is; it is the Comte de Neipperg, whom you have saved, and who you have placed under an eternal obligation. Let me embrace you, for it is to you I owe my life ! " And he advanced with open arms and an expression of manly gratitude lighting up his face, but Catharine again repelled his friendly overtures and stepped lightly beyond his reach. "I remember you well, my colonel," she said, "and what I did for you was inspired by humanity; you were unarmed, wounded, and pursued; I protected you with- out asking under what flag you had received your wound, without caring on which side you had fought. To-day I find you wearing the uniform of the enemies of my nation, commanding soldiers that are invading my country. I don't want to recall what happened in Paris; my friends, the soldiers of my regiment, my hus- band, this brave boy here a prisoner beside me, all these patriots would reproach me for having preserved the life of an aristocrat, of an Austrian, of a colonel who would shoot his prisoners. Monsieur le Comte, do not speak of the loth of August. I am not proud to think that I have saved an enemy of my people." Neipperg heard Catharine through without inter- ruption, and her energetic words affected him deeply. " Catharine, my benefactress," he replied, " do not reproach me for serving my country as you serve yours. As your brave husband defends his flag, so do I battle for mine; destiny separates us and we dwell beneath a different sky, but great perils throw us together. Do not sadden me with your reproaches and your hostility; if you forget the loth of August, I cannot; I treasure its memory, and I, the colonel of the etat-major in the vic- torious Imperial army " " Not yet victorious," Catharine interrupted. 2og "But to be to-morrow," Neipperg continued. "A colonel of the Empire who is in command here has not forgotten, and he owes it to himself to repay the debt he contracted in the fight before the Tuileries. Cath- arine Lefebvre, you are free ! " " Thanks ! " she simply said ; " but how about Vio- lette?" " That man is a soldier; he came here improperly; he must suffer the penalty of a spy," "Then you must shoot me with him. It will never be said in our camp that Catharine Lefebvre, cantiniere of the Thirteenth, deserted a brave boy whom she had led into the hands of the enemy. We are ready, colonel; give your order, and have it done speedily, I don't want to think too much of it, for it is not pleasant to feel a dozen bullets in one's skin when one is young, and when one loves her hus'band. Oh, well! It is war ! " "Pardon, excuse me, colonel," said Violette, ' you cannot do better than to shoot me alone. I deserve it, but she doesn't. Really, on my word, colonel, Madame Lefebvre was here, but I came on a little business." " For what ? What were you looking for in this house ? " the colonel demanded. " Well, I had to come here; I came to bring a baby I suppose, I may be said to have come as a nurse " " A baby ? " exclaimed Neipperg, looking at Catharine. " You brought a baby here ? What baby ? Whose baby ? " " Your baby, Monsieur le Comte," answered Catharine. " I promised Mademoiselle de Laveline to bring her son here, to Jemmapes" " And you have risked your life to doit ! Brave, noble woman! But tell me, where is the child ? My child ? " " In safety and in the French camp with his mother." "And then Mademoiselle de Laveline is not here! How do you know?" "She has fled, fled at the moment when her father would have forced her to marry the Baron de Lowen- daal." " Then I should have arrived too late to save her, and without you " "Without Violette, colonel; it was he who did it." " Go, you have your freedom also, Violette," said Neipperg joyously. " Catharine, you are free, I repeat it, go with your comrade. I will send two guards with you to take you in safety beyond the outposts." And giving his orders to this effect, he said to Catha- rine: " You will see Blanche ; tell her I love her and I am waiting for her; tell her that after the battle I will join her on the road to Paris." " Or the road to Brussels, Monsieur le Comte," Catha- rine interrupted, but Neipperg gave no attention to the sarcastic rejoinder, merely raising his hand to his hat and continuing: " Profit by the last hours of the night to reach your camp, and believe me, my dear Madame Lefebvre, I have not by any means repaid the great debt I owe you; I shall always be indebted to you. Perhaps the fortunes of war may furnish me with another occasion when I may prove to you that the Comte de Neipperg is not ungrateful." "Bah," said Catharine; "we are quits, Monsieur le Comte, for that affair of the tenth of August, but, per- haps, you can some time do a good turn for the boy there. Adieu, my colonel, adieu. Here, Violette, right file, quick step, en avant, march! " The two passed down the line of the Austrian sol- diers, Violette with all his boyish dignity, and Catha- rine, her fists on her hips, her coquettish cap with its tricolor cocard on the side of her head, a smile of defiance on her lips. When they 'reached the door of the chapel, Catharine wheeled about until she faced the crowded room and giving a military salute, she said: " Adieu, gentlemen, I shall return in the morning with Lefebvre and the volunteers." XXVIII. BEFORE THE BATTLE. NEIPPERG watched after Catharine until she had been lost in the little grove near the walls, but his thoughts were with Blanche and he asked himself how it could be possible that between two armies preparing for battle, a young woman with a baby could pass through the lines without serious risk. Happily, he was assured that the plan for marriage arranged by Lowendaal and- the marquis had not been carried out and as Blanche was still free she should now be his. He sought the baron and the marquis, but they had disappeared; a sentry he questioned told him they had entered their carriage with an attendant and had taken the road leading to Brussels. Then he dismissed these disagreeable subjects from his mind and his thoughts traveled back to Blanche. He pictured her happy with her little Henriot lying be- side her, he rejoiced at the glorious reunion, and he felt what a flood of contentment would be his if he could see her and know that she were safe. Then a shadow fell across the vision: how should he rejoin Blanche? How could he find her and the child? The battle would shortly begin, he would have no power to cross the lines, it would be impossible for him to enter the French camp even as an envoy, and at the hour when the sun would first light up the heavens Jemmapes and Mons would be surrounded by the flame of cannons. He could not fail to foretell the result of the day. Victory would unquestionably come to the old troops, the veterans, the disciplined ranks of the Imperial army. The shoemakers, the tailors, the haberdashers who com- posed the republican army could not hope to fight against the trained soldiers of the Duke of Saxe- Teschen. The duke had already dispatched a courier to Vienna announcing the defeat of the republican rabble. But in the inevitable defeat of the French what was to become of Blanche and the baby ? The thought occasioned the keenest anguish to Neipperg; the very suspicion of the dangers that would follow the rout and the disruption of this improvised army, incapable of managing a retreat, entirely without the rules of military art. He searched through his mind vainly for means to preserve the two beings who were so dear to him and he pictured them as victims of a panic-stricken rabble. He was thinking thus when a slight disturbance outside caused some of the officers to hastily leave the salon and prompted Neipperg to inquire the cause of the tumult. The return of the officers told him a woman had been seized by the sentries as she was trying to gain entrance to the house, and at that moment was in cus- tody, despite her assertions, which they did not believe, that she was a daughter of Marquis de Laveline and desired to be admitted to her father, who was just then a guest of the Baron de Lowendaal. The words produced a surprise as great to the offi- cers as to the Comte, for no sooner were they uttered than Neipperg leapt to his feet and started for the door, while through his mind ran the puzzling thought what it could mean, what was the significance of her return after Catharine had assured him Blanche was safely inside the French lines? What new unhappiness had driven her forth to brave the perils of the stragglers from both armies? But all these conjectures would be quickly answered, for it was indeed Blanche that Neip- perg saw before him, her dress soiled by the muddy roads and torn by the thorns and shrubs, her manner 213 excited and auxious, her face giving evidence of tears and suffering. Neipperg, forgetting dignity or restraint, clasped Blanche passionately to his breast and asked her the reason of her return. Despite the evils of the approach- ing battle and the terrors of this night, the presence of Blanche drove all other thoughts from Neipperg's mind; she came like a sunburst into his surroundings. Then she told him of her flight, which he had already learned from Catharine, and of her arrival in the camp of the republicans escorted by the soldiers of Captain Lefebvre. Following the directions Catharine had given her, she went directly to the canteen wagon of the Thir- teenth. There, in the wagon, she had found a child, rolled in its coverings and sleeping soundly on a mat- tress, and then beside this she found another mattress with the clothes thrown carelessly away from it as though some one had just arizen. She bent over the sleeping infant, and the maternal lips were pressed against the forehead of the child. The kiss awakened the sleeper, and, sitting up in the bed, Blanche saw a dear little girl, with long yellow ringlets and great staring eyes full of surprise, and asking mutely what it all meant. Blanche, seeing her mistake, asked anxiously: " Where is my child ? Where is little Henriot ? " The little girl rubbed her eyes and answered: "Isn't Henriot there? Has he gone to see them fire off the cannons ? The naughty boy, why didn't he wake me up ? " A soldier, who accompanied Blanche and held a lan- tern while she picked her way along, recalled the pres- ence of a strange man in the camp and explained that he had seen the fellow, dressed in civilian clothes, going towards Maubeuge carrying a sleeping infant in his arms. At this information Blanche cried in agony and fell unconscious to the ground, while the soldier, alarmed 214 by the incident he could not understand, summoned two comrades and they carried the fainting woman to the doctor's tent where she quickly opened her eyes and called for her child; she asked them to aid her in pursuing the man who had stolen the baby, and she attempted to rise that she might follow him at once. "I feel deeply for you, madame," said the major's aide who was present, " but it would be difficult for you to take the road the soldier says the man has gone over, it is encumbered with wagons, cannon, troops" " I want my child," repeated the unhappy mother. " Why has that man taken him ? Who could have done such a deed ?" The major's aide, Marcel, replied as best he could to the nervous questions of the distracted Blanche and endeavored in every way to quiet and comfort her. The sergeant joined them and whispered something to Marcel, who thereupon said: " Madame, I have some information that may enable me to trace this rascal, who came into camp and took your child, he got into the camp by treason, I believe." "Oh, tell me you will save him, sergeant," and Blanche clung to the arm of the sergeant with renewed hope. " Speak, Rene," said the major's aide, and in response the pretty sergeant told how, just outside the camp, she met the man she had known at Verdun, the man she had met on the night of the murder of Beaurepaire, and who she recognized as Lowendaal's servant, the man Leonard. "Leonard! Monsieur de Lowendaal's valet?" ex- claimed Blanche, and she at once saw in her mind the plan had been worked at the instigation of the baron; he had sent Leonard to steal the child so soon as her flight had been discovered, and Henriot would be held by the baron as a hostage. With the idea that the /> T ^ . "5 child would be taken to the chateau and she would find him with Lowendaal, Blanche had again incurred the risk of the night and returned. Her joy at finding Neipperg in the chateau was increased by the absence of her father and the baron, for she felt that some active methods were now necessary and she could not take them unaided. Without doubt Leonard had joined the baron at some place that could only be conjectured, particularly as none knew in what direction he had gone after leaving the road where Rene saw him. Neipperg knew that the baron and the marquis had taken the route to Brussels. " We will find them to-morrow," he said to reassure Blanche. "Why can't we start to-night?" said Blanche im- patiently. " To-morrow we shall be at Brussels." "To-morrow, my dear wife," Neipperg replied, "we fight. When we have the French in full retreat, I will then make it my business to pursue the wretch who has stolen our child, but my devotion as a soldier must be considered before my anguish as a father." " I will wait then," answered Blanche with a sob. "Oh, this night, this interminable day." "Blanche," said Neipperg with sudden gravity, "what shall you do here, the only woman in the midst of an army preparing for battle ? I cannot be with you con- stantly, and my protection must, from the existing con- ditions, be discreet, reserved. I have no rights that en- title me to demand protection for you any more than might be demanded for any defenseless woman by our general, our prince, or our common soldiers. Blanche, don't you understand me?" Mademoiselle de Laveline blushed and looked to the ground, but made no response. Neipperg continued: " If after the battle we rejoin your father and Mon- sieur de Lowendaal, you will be again under their au- thority." 2l6 "I shall resist them I shall protect myself." " They will dominate you through your child; they hold him. Despite the fact he is my boy, what right can I invoke to claim the baby, to compel them to give him up ? Blanche, there is but one way out of the diffi- culty ! " " What would you to have me do ? " " Give me the right that will permit me to speak in your name and in my own ! " " Do as you think best ! " " We must not separate, the chances of war may part us so we may never be reunited. You must be my wife. Do you consent ? All has been prepared for a marriage, the priest is at the altar, the notary is with his papers in the chateau, he can readily change the names for which he has drawn his documents. Come, Blanche, come, make me the happiest of men ! " Her only response was to open her arms to the comte, and an hour later in the chapel where Catharine Lefebvre had played the part of a bride, Blanche de Laveline be- came the Comtesse de Neipperg. As the last words that made two hearts one fell from the lips of the priest, the distant roll of musketry was heard and the echoes of the trumpet and the drum, and to this accompaniment Neipperg led Blanche from the building towards the group of officers in the park, saying: " Gentlemen, permit me to introduce my wife, Com- tesse de Neipperg." They bowed to the ground in their congratulations; they wished the newly wedded couple a thousand joys, and felt every prosperity must come to a union upon so delightful a morning, the morning of a great battle, of a great victory, in a chapel that was so soon to be a fortress where the formidable rumble of cannon was to drown the alleluia of the bells. 2I 7 XXIX. THE VICTORY OF SONG. IT was a brilliant and memorable scene, this morning of the 6th of November, 1792; on the heights of Jem- mapes a pale, gray light spread over the country and disclosed long ranks of armed men, stretching along the hills and plains. The great masses of Austrians, Hungarians, and Prussians, wearing their showy uni- forms, the furred cloaks of the hussars, the tall hats of the grenadiers, the half-conical shakos of the infantry, the lances, the curved sabres of the cavalry, all spark- ling and moving through the dim light; lower down on the hills the quickly constructed redoubts, the fences to impede cavalry, the hiding-places for the incomparable Tyrolean sharpshooters with their pointed hats and a long heron feather stuck through the ribbon. The artillery, ambushed at the right and left in the concealment of the wooded land, showed only when here and there the long bronze barrel extended beyond the sheltering shrubbery. The position of the Austrians was formidable, their right rested on the village of Jem- mapes and their left on Valenciennes. On three sides were forests, and the centre amphitheatre was protected by three rows of redoubts and twenty pieces of heavy artillery and three pieces of light artillery to each bat- talion, making a total of nearly one hundred cannon. The advantage of the position, the incontestable superiority of the army, the improved munitions, com- manded by such experienced generals as Clerfayt and Beaulieu, the power of the well-placed artillery standing above the enemy upon whose advancing forces it could pour a murderous fire, gave to the generals of the Em- pire a feeling of certain victory. The Austrian army, well fed, stood on high, dry ground with its entire front admirably protected, when 21 g with the first shafts of a rising sun the cannon boomed and began one of the most important battles of history. The French had lain all night in marshy ground that had been worked into a mushy consistency by the feet of the horses and the wheels of the caissons. They were hungry and they had no opportunity to eat until they reached Mons after the battle. Their stomachs were empty but their hearts were full of hope and their officers told them they must win their breakfast with their victory. When the first cannon roared it was a signal for ad- vance and. along the miles of men every band struck up the sublime strains of the Marseillaise, and fifty thou- sand voices to the rhythm of the guns and the horns sang the martial words of that noble hymn. And the echoes from Jemmapes, from Cuesmes, from Berthaimont car- ried to the waiting Austrians the grand defiance of those heroic words, " To arms, to arms, citizens. Form your battalions." It was more than an army in those ranks, it was a nation come to the defense of its soil, to the salvation of its liberties. Old methods were abandoned in this charge, as the sea swept over the dykes so France threw her sea of men to the assault of these heights, it was an inundation of bayonets and cannon-balls. From a dis- tance the French artillery destroyed the Austrian de- fenses and then the white army, the volunteers, the guards, the countrymen and the laborers of yesterday clambered over the opposing cannon, put the artillery- men to the sword, broke the squares of infantry, checked the cavalry. The tried ranks of the Imperial cohorts, the veterans of the wars of a dynasty, were cut down, dispersed, annihilated by these untried heroes, these sons of France who wore the costume of the artisan, whose hands for the first time grasped a musket. General D'Harville commanded the left and with old General Ferrand, 219 "' charged on Jemmapes and entered the place victoriously at noon. Beurnonville attacked at the right. Under his orders Dampierre commanded the Parisian volunteers, and to these children of the Paris boulevards and fau- bourgs belongs the honor of carrying the three re- doubts. They sang the Marseillaise and the Carmagnole as they swarmed over the last fortifications of the Aus- trians. The troops of the line, the Thirteenth Volunteers with Lefebvre, the cavalry and hussars from Berclung and Chamborand contributed equally to this decisive victory, which preserved France from invasion, delivered Belgium, routed the Germans and gave to the republic its baptism of glory. ******* After the battle the victors ate their supper in the house of the vanquished. The hour for breakfast and for dinner had passed; the refreshment for the entire day was taken in the evening. A major-aide with his coat soaked in blood from a wound in the arm, was drinking a quiet toast to further successes, when a sol- dier, lying near, said. "Do you know what we found in the chateau down below there where the Austrian headquarters were ? " " What ? " "A baby." " What do you say ? A baby ! " exclaimed Rene who approached at the moment. " What did you do with it?" " Left it." " You had the heart to leave a baby exposed to the shot of a battle ! Surely that is not the act of a French sol- dier ! " Rene said excitedly. "You know, sergeant," the man continued, " we were ordered to advance. We, my companion and myself, went into the chateau, which was deserted, we feared it might be an ambuscade, so we went in very quietly " 22O " That was wise," said the major-aide. " We crept around carefully; we found nothing, and then went down to the cellar, there we heard a cry, an indistinct cry. We forced open the door, and what do you think we found ? A man who, as soon as he saw us, said: 'Save me, gentlemen, I am Leonard.' And the child was there too, and we took them both upstairs." " Leonard ! You have found that traitor," said a voice, and Catharine Lefebvre stepped forward, having entered just at the moment when the soldier was ending his narrative. "What did you do ? Shot Leonard, I sup- pose, and brought away the child. Where is he, my little Henriot ? Because it is he, I am sure of it, and that rascal stole him for the baron." " Leonard got away, and the baby " " You abandoned it ? " "We had just come up to the court when this man Leonard set a match to a barrel of powder left there by the Austrians, there was an explosion and we were al- most killed by the debris that followed." " My friends," cried Catharine, " will you go with me and look in the chateau for this child ? Perhaps he is still alive ! " " I am too tired," replied one soldier. " Wait until I finish this soup," said another. " To-morrow will dp," added a third. " Then I shall go alone," said Catharine. " I have promised that child's mother that I would return him to her. I shall keep my promise. Stay here and drink, and eat, and sleep. Good night ! " " Madame Lefebvre, I will go with you, if you will let me," said the pretty sergeant. "Two have more courage than one." " Call it three," said a timid voice, as Violette ap- peared. His sabre had lost its scabbard, his clothing was cut and torn, he wore upon his head the helmet of a vanquished captain of the Imperial dragoons. "You will go with us, Violette? It is good ! We shall find our little Henriot because it is certainly him this cowardly Leonard has had in the chateau. As they started to leave the place a tall form barred the door, and Catharine with a movement of surprise said: " Is it you, Marcel ? " "He will go with us," Rene whispered. "You may need a doctor there; I will go ! " answered Marcel. And the four went forth amid the dead, the debris, the broken weapons, all that encumbered the glorious field of Jemmapes. Beneath the ruins of the Chateau de Lowendaal Catharine found little Henriot, frightened but happily only bruised. XXX. YEYETTE. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, meanwhile reinstated in the army, had been given command of the artillery at Toulon, where the English fleet lay, and through the wis- dom and judgment there displayed he was named, by Dubois-Crance, general of artillery in Vendee. Astounded by this stroke of good fortune Napoleon, accompanied by Junot and Marmont, left for Paris, where his appointment might be confirmed by Minister of War Aubry, who knew nothing of military affairs, who was jealous of every one about him and who had never been in active service. " You are too young to command artillery," he said, when Napoleon appeared before him. " We grow old rapidly on the battlefield," Napoleon replied. But Aubry was inflexible, and the post went to a favo- rite. Napoleon was discouraged and angered and threat- ened to go to Turkey, entering the army of the Sultan. But before he could put this plan in operation other events changed the course of his life. On the nth Vendemiaire (October 3, 1795) the elec- tors from the different sections assembled at the Odeon, and on the izth the electors of the Bourse section made an appeal to arms. General de Menon was ordered to disarm and disperse the electors. He charged out of the Convent of the Filles-Saint-Thomas to do so. He was driven back the insurgents were victorious. This happened at eight o'clock in the evening. Bonaparte, at that moment, was in the Theatre Fey- deau. Aroused by the noise he went to the Assembly, where they were discussing what measures to take. Barras had been named as conservator of the peace, and he gave Napoleon Bonaparte an appointment, for 223 he had known and appreciated his talent at Toulon. The next day, the i3th, Bonaparte swept away the elec- tors from before the Saint-Roch Church, and was pro- moted to be general. Thus his star began to rise from this beginning, and it shone clear and brilliant in the firmament for twenty years, the hope, the glory, the guide of France. And yet, notwithstanding his military talents which were already recognized, his name was obscure and his position precarious. Cambon, the great financier of the Convention, an upright and spirited man, favorite hero of Michelet, said, "We were in imminent danger when the good and brave General Bonaparte came at the head of fifty Grenadiers and opened a passage for us." The insurrection of the i3th Vendemiaire was upon the country. Every one had lost his head, excepting those who had been named to save the Convention and re-establish order. Barras, charged with full power to put down the uprising in the city, looked about him for suitable assistants, capable of commanding the troops in these days when every one was playing with his life. Carnot proposed putting the command in the hands of Brune, but Barras objected that Brune knew nothing about artillery. Freron, who had seen and fallen in love with Pauline Bonaparte, suggested the name of Napoleon. The latter was sent for and the offer made. " I give you three minutes to reflect," said Barras. Bonaparte feared to accept this responsibility, always unjust, always terrible. To put down the electors would perhaps doom his name to eternal disgrace and infamy. He had been unable to lead an army against the Vendeans, here he would march an army against the Parisians! It was civil war and yet, at heart, he sympathized with much of the sentiment of the electors. If he were defeated he would be lost, because he would be for ever followed by the vengeance of the electors, 224 masters of Paris. If lie were victorious, he would have dampened his sword in the blood of Frenchmen. Then he thought quickly of the consequence of refusal. If the Convention were dispersed by force what would become of the conquests of the Revolution ? The vic- tories of Valmy, of Jemmapes, Toulon, Col de Tende, the glorious successes of the army of Sombre-et-Meuse and of Italy would be useless. The defeat of the Con- vention meant the end of the Revolution and the oppres- sion of France, the Austrians at Strasbourg, the English at Brest, the principles and liberties of the republic gone. " I accept," he replied to Barras. It was one o'clock in the morning, the next day the victory of the Convention was definite and Barras said from the platform: " I wish to call the attention of this Convention to General Bonaparte. It is to him, to his wise and prompt disposition of the troops that we owe the successful de- fense we made. I ask the Convention to confirm the nomination of Bonaparte to the post of General of the Army of the Interior." Some days later Barras gave the commission to Napo- leon investing him with the sole command. It was time. Napoleon had but one pair of boots to his feet and they were broken and torn, his coat was mended and patched in a way that called forth involuntary derision from his companions. A few days after this he had the courage to present himself at the house of Mme. Tallien. This seductive and perverse creature, Therezia Cabarrus, who had carried the arms of the versatile Tal- lien, was thrown into prison on the pth Thermidor and there attracted the attention of Governor Barras, even then a personage of the very first rank. In order to obtain the influence of Barras and recognizing that he must make use of some third party Bonaparte, at the 225 end of his resources and without so much as a five-franc piece in his pocket, decided to spend an evening with the beautiful courtesan. It required courage and great force of character for him to dare to enter, in his pitiable attire, into the society of these elegant women, these fashionable young men and these generous spendthrifts. He wore his long hair straight down on either side of his face without powder, because he had no money to buy it, and a little queue trailing down behind. His boots hung together by a miracle, and the breaks he had endeavored to conceal by inking them over. His uniform was the same he had worn before the enemy, glorious, but stained, and a simple piece of braid economically replaced the embroidered insignia of his rank. He appeared so miserable to the triumphant mistress of the house, that she gave him a letter to M. Lefeuve, director of the army supplies, to the effect that in con- formity with a certain decree which provided for proper costume for officers in active service, she asked for suffi- cient cloth to make Napoleon a new coat. Bonaparte was not in active service and therefore had no right to this privilege, but with the protection of Mme. Tallien, the decree was stretched to include him. As rapidly as some of the characters in a fairy story, changes now came into Bonaparte's position. He was installed in the general's headquarters in the Rue Capu- cines. Junot and Lemarois were with him, his uncle he had asked to come to Paris to aid him as secretary, he sent the first money that came into his treasury to the aid of his family, and contented himself with buying a new pair of boots and some gold embroideries to em- bellish the coat which he had acquired through the intervention of Mme. Tallien. He used his influence to provide places for his brothers, he took Louis as an aide-de-camp with the 226 grade of captain, and he requested a consulate for Joseph he sent money to Jerome at college, and directed he should be taught drawing and music. Reassured in this way of the condition of his family and feeling confident that his post was now a permanent one because the Convention could refuse nothing to the one who had saved them, he gave some thought to the idea of matrimony. A rich marriage with a woman who would bring him a fortune, influence, social position, and efface all traces in him of a lower origin, and aid him to keep his new rank, this was the end of his ambition. Bonaparte the inflexible mathematician, powerful and infallible in his deductions, was dominated by a turbulent heart and a vivid imagination that often governs the action of men. He was in love. It was at the house of Mme. Tallien that the general of the Vendemiaire met the widow Beauharnais. This widow, Beauharnais, was a Creole from the An- tilles, one of those adventuresses who encircle the earth, sensual, audacious, charming, who rapidly grow into favor, and become an influence in the affairs of the country. She was named Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie. She was born on the 23th of June, 1763, in the parish of Notre Dame de la Purification at Martinique. The father of Josephe, always called Josephine, was named Joseph Gaspard, and cultivated a vegetable farm. A certain Madame Renaudin, aunt of the young girl, secured her a husband, the youngest son of the Marquis de Beauharnais, former governor of the lies du Vent. The aunt was mistress of the marquis. The marriage was decided on without consulting the young man who was in Paris, and Josephine embarked in September, 1779, to go to him. She left the steamer at Bordeaux, and some time after married the Vicomte Alexandre de Beauharnais, made captain in his regiment of the Sarre 227 the day of his marriage. He was eighteen, she sixteen years of age. Bonaparte at the same time when his future empress was making her first marriage, was a scholar in the Brienne school, aged ten years. The newly wed couple lodged in the Rue Thevenot, and there on September 2, 1780, was born Eugene, the future Viceroy of Italy. Young Beauharnais about the same time was forced to leave his wife and go to Amer- ica with his regiment. During his absence, April 10, 1781, the future Queen Hortense, mother of Na- poleon III., was born to Josephine. Up to this time, the conduct of Josephine had been irreproachable, but when she was left alone in the midst of Paris, young, pretty, vivacious, and desirous of seeing life, she became inti- mate with a gay crowd that made enjoyment so thor- oughly a part of their existence that shortly after the return of M. de Beauharnais he applied for a separation, which was granted, but allowed Josephine a yearly sum of ten thousand francs. So soon as the separation was given she decided to visit her native country, and so in 1791 she returned to Martinique in the society of a gallant officer of marines, M. Scipion de Roure. She returned to find her husband in an exalted post. Vicomte de Beauharnais, deputy of the nobility, was one of the most influenlial members of the Convention. He had the honor of proposing on the night of the famous fourth of August the eligibility of all citi- zens in the civil, military, and ecclesiastical life to office and an equality for all classes of citizens. He had been several times elected president of the National Assembly, and received in his home on the Rue de 1'University a great number of the deputies of which he was the chief. Josephine, ambitious to preside in a political salon, where all the distinguished men of the country sooner or later found their way, made overtures of reconcilia- tion to her husband which were pleasantly received and 228 they again lived together in the Rue de ['University, where she ruled like a queen. But the Reign of Terror was at hand. Beauharnais was made general commanding the army of the Rhine, and he laid siege to Mayence, but he was accused of treason in 1794, and was guillotined. Four days later the prisons were torn open by the crowds and he would have escaped. Josephine was, indeed, favored in Beau- harnais and Bonaparte what woman has ever had hus- bands worthier love and respect ? The revolution gave to Josephine the status of a grande dame, the name of her husband served to give her an entree to the court that survived the Terror. In the prison where she was cast for a time, she came in con- tact with several members of the old aristocracy, and there she also made the acquaintance of Cabarrus. At the house of Citizen Tallien, the husband, and Barras, the lover, Josephine one day met Napoleon. Bonaparte had then become a favorite. He was spoken of as the young general who at one bound nearly reached glory, the salons were open to him, the ladies were smiling, he was grave, sombre, indifferent. The Widow Beauharnais, with the nonchalance of a Creole, with deliberate manner, with ripened charms, attracted Napoleon from the first. She was not beautiful, her future brother-in-law, Lucien, uses these terms in ex- plaining the impression she made on him: "She has very little spirit, and no one could call her beautiful, but there is a certain suggestiveness of the Creole in the supple undulations of her figure; a face without much natural freshness, but which deficiency is supplied by her toilette accessories." Josephine was then thirty-two years of age; she was the mother of two children, and her excited existence, her several voyages, the peculiarities of her domestic life, and the love incidents of her career had certainly contributed to accentuate her years. 22<) She vanquished the conqueror at their first interview. Bonaparte left the Tallien household with a turbulent heart, sparkling eyes, confident he had for the first time accomplished the conquest that brought to him the greatest glory, that had been the great victory for which he had always yearned, a woman's love. He for- got his family, his ambition, in the thought of his charm- ing Yeyette, as he familiarly nicknamed the voluptuous Creole. XXXI. MADAME BONAPARTE. BONAPARTE whose early life was chaste and laborious, who had known nothing of dissipation was madly in love with Yeyette, and it is certain that Josephine in no way merited this excess of affection. But the young general found in this psychological situation a love that satisfied his ideal of woman, and approached very closely to the type he had pictured in his rnind as being per- fect. Josephine had neither an excess of spirits nor a superabundance of reserve, but possessed a piquancy that enabled her to indulge in repartee that was always epigrammatic and frequently was cutting. She took great interest in Napoleon's military accomplishments, and was delighted to talk with him of his strategy. She had in his eyes an incomparable prestige; was she not -from an ancient aristocratic family? For the little Corsican, brought up in a miserable home and who had never known a well-born woman, this vicom- tesse personified all that was desirable. Bonaparte, with an absolute ignorance of the world, was not able to dis- tinguish between a true grande dame and this irregular widow, who allured him with her languorous eyes and charmed him with her simple, sincere interest in his mili- tary affairs. Napoleon loved Josephine with an ideal love. His fruitless attempts to marry the daughter of the soap merchant of Marseilles indicated he was not beyond the consideration of a financial alliance. He wanted a wife who could preside at a salon, and who would bring to him a handsomely furnished home and an established position. Josephine presented to him all these advan- tages, like the Widow Permon, she was an aristocrat and like Desiree Clary she was rich. After his introduction at Tallien's he was invited to the little home of Jose- phine at No. 6 Rue Chantereine, and there he found what he supposed to be the luxury of a true vicomtesse. A pleasant and charming invention, but an absolutely inexact story, is that of Eugene Beauharnais, reclaiming his father's sword from the perquisites of Napoleon, to whom it was reported to have fallen after the execution. The sword of the general would have been sent to his wife and the Vicomtesse de Beauharnais being the friend of Tallien and living in the society of Barras, would certainly have demanded it had it not been sent her. The home on the Rue Chantereine was modestly but prettily furnished and displayed a large quantity of bric-a-brac. With Gauthier, her coachman, and Made- moiselle Campoint, her femme de chambre, Josephine lived here the life of a coquette and in every apparent luxury; she had many dresses and few chemises; her costumes were all of light material, designed to produce youthful effect. Bonaparte left the house nightly his mind filled with every possible conceit; he wished to present Josephine as his wife, as a being he possessed, to enfold her in the impetuosity of his caresses. He had looked into her personal qualities, her position in the world, her origin, her associations, her preferences, and he found that as a wife she would satisfy all his demands. Then he offered himself to her. Josephine hesitated, knowing her own position to be precarious; she wished to be certain that of Bonaparte was assured. He could not be entirely unworthy for he was favored with the friendship of Barras. Without the influence of Barras it would have been Brune or Verdiere who would have had the defense of the Con- vention on the 13111 Vendemiaire. Would Barras con- tinue his protection? The all-powerful Director might look upon the marriage unfavorably. Josephine resolved to consult the sensual and cynical potentate. She made her attire that night and she went to the Luxembourg, the home of Citizen Barras, mem- ber of the Directory. There was a fete at the Luxembourg when Josephine de Beauharnais was announced. She was dressed in the newest and most captivating fashion; a robe of some light material, vapory and almost transparent, made her figure still more enticing and exaggerated the beauty of its outlines. She wished not only to attract the sensitive eye of Barras, but also to eclipse that coterie of beauties he gathered about him and who, she knew, would be adorned with flowers, attired in white, blue, in Greek and Roman fashion, personating Diana, Terpsichore, every mythological character from the time of Olympus until the present. Whether she refused or whether she consented to give her hand to Bonaparte, Josephine was determined to maintain her reputation as a woman of the world and to show that she had in no sense renounced her sway over the empire of beauty and fashion. At the bottom of her heart, the interview that she risked, the counsel and the aid that she came to ask from the brilliant Director, was not merely to interest him in this partic- ular case, but she desired as well to attract the favor- able attention of one who had already reached the highest place in the Republic and seemed destined to retain it. 2 3 2 She might, if she decided to accept, exhibit to her rivals her lover, Bonaparte, as a unique individuality, as a jewel, as a little savage, but precious withal, and she wished to know from Barras whether he would promise his aid in her undertaking. Josephine was never publicly the mistress of Barras, and yet no woman could resist him; his life had been a series of amorous adventures; he was an aristocrat by birth, although wearing the cap of liberty, he was the Comte Paul de Barras. He had been a captain in the armies of the King, a member of the Convention, a regicide, President of the Assembly, invested with the supreme command on the 9th Thermidor and the i3th Vendemiaire, he had been elected a member of the Directory by a vote of 129 out of 218. The Directory was composed of five members, selected from a list of fifty members presented by the Assembly of the Five Hundred; his colleagues were Larevelliere-Lepeaux, who was elected by 216 votes, Rewbell, Letourneur, and Carnot. The last of all, Barras, was really invested with the actual government of the Directory. He was large, robust, and with the bearing of a king; in his robes of office he was impres- sive. By his presence, by the manner in which he carried his head high above all others, by the very gesture in raising his hat from which floated three white feathers, by the nonchalance with which he swept his lorgnette over the visitors' seats at the Luxembourg, by the manner in which his sabre dangled at his side, he was the ideal personage for the servile crowd, he was majesty itself re-established without a monarchy. This Louis XIV. of the Corps de Garde was the king of the Republic. Everyone served him and everyone served his vices; his mistresses formed the guard of his lighter life, and were rewarded by the fetes he gave them. The people were too busy with other things to reproach him for his pleasures or his excesses; they had just come out of 233 a terrible battle and all ranks of society were forgetful of everything else than the efforts to lead a life of peace and to make every day a mardi gras. Tallien was his favorite, not alone was she mistress in title, but the accomplice of Barras, she was his foremost agent in s >cial corruption, her role was that of a magnifi- cent profligate, she aided the sybarite Director to enter the revolution showered with flowers and to succeed in creating an orgie from his debauchery of blood. This evening they had brought together at the house of Barras all of that society which meant elegance, dis- tinction, vice, virtue, glory, indiscriminately com- mingled, young generals, old parliamentarians, fashion- able women, Madame Angots all petticoats and jewelry, savants, the writers Monge, La Place, Volney, all crowded into the spacious salons of the Luxem- bourg, happy that they survived, desirous to catch up with the lost hours, indifferent to the future, intoxi- cated with the surroundings and the beauties of the gathering. When Josephine was announced to Barras she was conducted to a little salon immediately adjoining the cabinet of the Director. Here she waited for some minutes when she became aware of a discussion going on in the next room, and as the voices became louder she heard the words that were uttered: " Why do you suspect Bonaparte ? " " I believe he is ambitious," replied a voice she did not recognize. "Are not you also, Carnot?" responded the first voice, which now she recognized as that of Barras. "You are jealous of Bonaparte, the plans which he arranged for the army of Italy were adopted by the Directory in place of yours, and you fear that he will reap the glory of the triumph of our armies." "I knew nothing of his plans," replied Carnot. "I was ignorant of them, what you say is false." " Don't raise your hand to me ! " said Barras brutally. " It is stained with blood." " Do you mean that I signed the death warrants ? " shouted Carnot. " Yes, everyone of them, you signed them with Robes- pierre." " I signed them without reading them, just as Robes- pierre signed my plans of attack without looking at them. We have served the revolution each in our own way. Posterity will judge us ! " "Judge you to be a drinker of blood!" Barras re- plied. " I will leave you to your gold and your voluptu- aries ! " said Carnot. " But I repeat, I fear the ambition of Bonaparte, but if he is named for general of Italy, I shall not oppose him. After all, he is a terrorist, a pro- tege of the Jacobins, a regicide like you and me; if you wish to recompense him that is your affair." And the member of the Committee of Public Safety left the room slamming the door behind him. Barras lifted the portiere and stood before Josephine. "To what happy circumstance, my beautiful Vicom- tesse, do I owe the pleasure of your call and the agree- able surprise of a private audience ? " At heart Barras was disturbed, he had not disdained the passing favors of the seductive Creole but they had never been anything other than occasional and capri- cious. Josephine was always short of money, without resources, without relations. He on his side had been flattered by a conquest of an old aristocrat, the widow of a president of the Constitutional Assembly, of a general-in-chief of the glorious army of the Rhine. Josephine with a little hesitation confessed the object of her visit : " I think I shall get married again, my dear Director, what do you think of it ? " " I certainly think you could make some one very happy. But who is the fortunate man you have selected ?" " You know him, Barras ! He is General Vende- miaire." " Bonaparte ? A smart fellow, an officer of the high- est ability. If you had seen him as I did on his horse in the cul-de-sac Dauphin right in the mouth of the cannon of the electors at Saint Roch, you would have been convinced that he is a brave enough man to make a good husband. He is fearless. I stood beside him when the electors fired on him like the devil," said Barras in an enthusiastic manner. " That is good," answered Josephine. " He will make a good father then for the orphans of Alexandre de Beauharnais. and a husband for his widow." " Do you love him ? " " Frankly, Barras, no, I do not love him, not with real love." " Well, have you any longing for him ?" " He has no objectionable feature to me, nothing to displease me. Love is a fad, Barras. It pleases the crowd, I want counsel more than fervor." " Well do you want me to order him to marry you ? " " No, I only want your advice. I admire the courage of Napoleon, and he saved us on the i3th Vendemiaire." " He has protected the Convention and defeated the faction that is against the Republic, he gained by him- self alone in Paris a battle in the streets that was more savage than any battle in the fields." " I realize he is a superior man and I appreciate his knowledge of all things, the vivacity of his spirit, his thoughts and his ambition." " He has an eye that is commanding ! " said Barras with gravity and earnestness. " The first time I saw him I was strangely struck by his appearance, I saw a man beneath the ordinary height, exceedingly slender, almost thin, his hair peculiarly cut hanging down over 236 his ears and touching his shoulders. Oh, he is by no means one of the fops cf the day. His dress is not of that style, you know the coat he wears, buttoned up to his chin, decorated with a little dirty gold braid, and the tricolor feather in his hat. At the first sight his face didn't strike me as being attractive, but the more I saw it, the more pronounced I found its characteristic, his eye was ever active, his expression animated and every change in his features indicated an ardent soul, his forehead high and broad showed me he was a profound thinker, he speaks quickly and briefly, and although he expresses himself incorrectly at some times I have found his ideas to be sublime. He is a man, Josephine. A true man, a valiant man who will, perhaps, be among our greatest heroes. Take him, Josephine, that is the counsel of a friend I give you, a good friend, believe me." "Then you advise me to become his wife?" "Yes, and in time you will love him." " Do you believe it ? I just care a little for him now." "You are not alone in that; all my colleagues care a little for him; Carnot, a terrorist and a drinker of blood and accomplice of Robespierre, he detests him, but it is because he is jealous of him." " I believe he loves me, but, Barras, between friends, and in a little burst of confidence, you know I have passed my first youth and I cannot hope to retain for a very long time this violent tenderness he feels for me now." " Don't give yourself any uneasiness on that account." "If after we should become united he should cease to love me and should neglect me and should repent of his delusion, and regret that he was not married to a woman more brilliant, younger, what could I say to him ? What could I do ? I should simply cry." "Now, why do you imagine such unhappiness ? Why suffer a misery before it comes ? Bonaparte is the best 237 man in sight. Are you superstitious? If so, believe in him, because he says he has a star." " I am superstitious, for I am from Martinique. A negress fortune-teller there, whose prophesies the entire neighborhood declares have always been realized, pre- dicted once that some day I should wear a crown, the crown of a queen. I cannot very well see Napoleon a king and I sitting on his throne." " No, but, perhaps, you can divide with him the glory that will surround the commander-in-chief of the gran- dest army of the republic." " What do you say, my dear Barras ? " Josephine de- manded in impulsive surprise. " I say that you may be the happiest of wives, you may be the most beautiful queen of the beauties of our Republic if you marry Napoleon, and as a wedding pres- ent from me, your old friend, believe me I will drop a jewel into your marriage basket that will bring about the fortune of the general who has defeated the insur- gents." " Truly ! What then ? A headdress of gold set with diamonds, such as you gave to the beautiful Madame Tallien ? " " Better than that, it shall be his commission as com- mander-in-chief of the army in Italy. But come, they will notice my absence from the fete," and Barras play- fully took Josephine's arm beneath his own and re- entered the salon. " Let me be the first to congratulate Bonaparte on his marriage and on his new command." 2 3 8 XXXII. THE SWORD OF THE PYRAMIDS. BONAPARTE was named general-in-chief of the army in Italy on February 23, 1796. Rewbell was the only Director to oppose the appointment. On the pth of March, that was some days later, the marriage of the general with the Widow Beauharnais was celebrated. Two days after the ceremony he started for his com- mand, and he carried with him into Italy the passionate love for Josephine that inspired him the first moment he met her. No day passed without his writing her amorous epistles, a little emphatic in expression but eloquent and sincere. Harassed by work, wearied by the labor of preparing a campaign he was to fight the next day, the young general, in the midst of his pre- occupations and the dangers that multiplied with the hours, never failed to put upon paper his loving phrases which marked the intensity of his affection, and de- spatched each day and each night by the couriers who carried to Paris the bulletin of a new victory and to bear the flags captured from the enemy, flags that were laid upon the altar of his country in a grand ceremony pre- sided over by the all-powerful Directors. And that fete of victory which he ordained should be held on the Plateau of Rivoli, that day of patriotic re- joicings he gave to Paris when his friend Junot presented the Austrian standards to the Convention, was an idea created for the glorification and grandeur of his Jose- phine. On that day this insignificant and sensuous Creole was the queen of France; before the troops, in the face of the enormous assembly of citizens, to the sound of cannon, and of bells clanging out the alleluia of victory, she leaned on. the arm of Junot and was 239 saluted as the friend, the companion, the representative of the hero whose name was shouted to the skies from an hundred thousand throats. Carnot, at the altar on the Champs de Mars, delivered an oration wherein the victorious young general was compared to Epaminondes and Miltiades. Lebrun, the national poet, led a choir singing the great hymn: Amid the goblets brimming to our glory, How Bacchus triumphs with celestial glance, Come drink, my lads, for vict'ry lies before ye The conquests that ne'er fail to our fair France. All Paris did homage to Napoleon and his bride, and yet she refused to hasten to Italy where he passionately called her. Her delay prompted the most foolish re- solves on his part; he threatened to abandon his com- mand and return to her in Paris and so seriously did he speak of this that finally she consented to join him, and with a heavy heart she set out on her journey. On the 5th of December, 1797, after the ratification of the Treaty of Campo Fornio and the military Conven- tion that met at Mayence and Manheim, they returned to their little home on the Rue Chantereine, which was renamed Rue Victoire in honor of the general, and there they soon realized the dangers of popularity and of the unique position he held in the republic. It was proposed to present him with the Chateau de Chambord, that marvelous work of Renaissance art, as a national gift. He refused it, as he likewise refused all distinctions that were offered him. He would accept only the title of general-in-chief of the army in England, and he prepared a plan of campaign which was publicly announced to have for its object the invasion of Great Britain. In reality he had decided to strike this enemy of France and the Republic where she was most vulner- able in her colonies and he selected the route to them through Egypt. 240 On the borders of the Nile he expected new laurels, and his imagination was fed by the legends of this fabulous country. His plans were gigantic and chi- merical and he had in his mind not only the conquest of Egypt, but of Syria, Palestine, Turkey his entrance as Leader of the Cross into Constantinople, the taking of Europe on his return with a vast army of fellahs, Bedouins, Turks and the peoples of Asia Minor. He would conquer all opposing armies, he would create a new map of the world, and by his victorious sword he would make new kings and new nations. Bonaparte, before he left for Egypt, had outlined in his mind the fantastic dream of a grand western em- pire, although at the same time his calmer thoughts prompted him to leave Paris and again take the field. He saw the jealousy of the Directory was being aroused and Rewbell, an honest but incompetent man, had been induced to suggest that Napoleon had mis- appropriated certain sums captured in Italy. The Directory at the same time overlooked the enormous values in money, statues, paintings, spoil of all kinds that each month the victorious Bonaparte had sent to Paris. His plans were finally arranged for departure and on May 9, 1798, he embarked at Toulon. Before setting forth he addressed his troops in words filled with hope and dwelling in promising language on the splendor of the country they went to conquer: " Soldiers, you know you have not yet done enough for your country, and you know your country has not done enough for you. I take you to a land where, by your future exploits, you will surpass those upon which your fame rests to-day and will render to your flag a service that will give you the right to the title of Invincibles. I promise to each soldier returning from this expedition that he shall have sufficient to buy six acres of ground," 241 The campaign in Egypt, with its legendary incidents, the soldiers jokingly demanding in the desert of Gizeh whether it were there the general had promised them their six acres, the almost fabulous victories, the naval disasters, the revenge of Aboukir, all make a tale more wonderful than any that was created for the Sultan's amusement in the " Thousand and One Nights." On the i5th of October, 1799, Bonaparte disembarked at Trejus and marched towards Paris, followed by the applause of the crowds. He was their hero, their savior, their god. Bonaparte had gathered about him a brilliant and valorous staff, Lannes, Murat, Berthier, Marmont, Cam- baceres, Fouche and Talleyrand. His two brothers, Lucien and Joseph, worked actively for him; Lucien had become a member of the Five Hundred. On the 9th of November, 1799, at six o'clock in the morning, all generals and superior officers, called to- gether by Napoleon, assembled at his home on the Rue Victoire. There were present six adjutants of the National Guard, Moreau, Macdonald, Murat, Serurier, Andreassy, Berthier and Bernadotte in civilians' dress. There was only one important general absent, and Bonaparte asked anxiously: " Where is Lefebvre ? Why is he not with you ?" At the same moment General Lefebvre was announced. The former French guardsman, the husband of Sans- Gene, the lieutenant of militia, the captain at Verdun and in the army of the North, had become general commander of the i7th Military Division and Governor of Paris. From captain of the Thirteenth Infantry at Jemmapes, he had been named chief of a battalion, chief of minor brigade and finally general of brigade in the army of the Moselle, under the orders of his friend Hoche. On the loth of January, 1794, he was promoted to be general of division and commander of the immortal army of Sambre- 242 et-Meuse at the death of Hoche. After having commanded the army of the Danube, he was a candidate for the Directory, but failed of election because of his ultra republican principles and his military preferences. Named to the command of the army of Paris, Lefebvre became the most useful and the indispensable instrument of Napoleon in carrying out his ambitious plans. But he was not aware of the plans of the future mas- ter of France at this moment. When summoned by Napoleon he had mounted his horse and galloped quickly towards Paris. It was midnight when he was notified of the meeting, and as he rode to the conference he was surprised to see the cavalry stationed through the streets and conscious he had given no orders for such a dispo- sition. Arriving then in ignorance of the momentous action to be soon taken he was greeted by Napoleon : " Welcome, my dear Lefebvre, how are you ? And how is Catharine ? Always with her heart in her hand and her reply ready, I warrant. Madame Bonaparte com- plains of not seeing her often." " My wife is not well, thank you, General," Lefebvre replied. Bonaparte continued: " See, Lefebvre, you are one of the brave men, one of the preservers of the republic. Here let me give you the sword I captured beneath the shadow of the Pyra- mids; I give it to you as an evidence of my esteem and my confidence," and he held towards Lefebvre a mag- nificent sword, its hilt set with precious stones, the for- mer cimetar of Mourad Bey. Tt was the sword of the Pyramids. Lefebvre buckled it proudly to his belt and the i8th Brumaire was accomplished. The evening of that day was decisive; it changed the destinies of France. 243 XXXIII. THE DANCING-MASTER. QUIETLY, cautiously opened the door of an elegantly furnished bedroom in the palace of Saint Cloud. A maid looked discreetly into the apartment before she entered, and then she stepped lightly over to the great bed, surmounted by a ducal crown and hung with two heavy curtains of plush. Parting the hangings slightly with her hand she whispered in a low voice : " Madame Marchioness, Madame Marchioness, it is ten o'clock ! " Then a strong voice sharpened slightly with temper answered : " In the name of God, can't you let me sleep peace- fully!' " Excuse me, Madame Marchioness, but the Madame desired that she should be awakened at ten o'clock ! " " What, already ten o'clock ! Ah, how lazy I have be- come. I had better habits once, when I was a washer- woman; I got up early then; so I did when I was in the regiment, at the canteen. I never waited to hear the clock twice before I was on my feet. But now that I am Madame Marchioness I don't like to get up. All right, Lise, give me my wrapper ! " While the maid was moving about the room Madame Marchioness, sitting up in bed, swore at her like a trooper because she could not find her stockings where she had thrown them the night before. Lise searched diligently, but without success, and irritated beyond control, the Marchioness in bare feet and short night dress jumped upon the floor and scurried round. The stockings were found, and the Marchioness threw her- self petulently upon the bed while Lise drew them on her legs. 244 The events of the past two years had changed not only the face of the world but the destiny of the people. The obscure artillery officer of Toulon, the poor client of the washerwoman, had become commander-in-chief, First Consul and Emperor. France in the midst of martial activity and the waving of its flag had made itself the centre of Europe, had made itself a vast camp that was lighted by the rays of the superb sun of Austerlitz. The prediction of the fortune-teller, Fortunatus, in the salon of the Vauxhall had been realized by Lefebvre and his wife. Rapidly passing to the highest ranks the former sergeant of the French Guards, more fortunate than his comrade Hoche, had survived the terrible period of the Revolution. We have seen him, on the i8th Brumaire, general of division and commander of Paris, blindly following the fortunes of Bonaparte. Since then the favor of the First Consul and of the Emperor had never for a moment failed him. In 1804 Napoleon restored the ancient dignity of the Marshals of France, and Lefebvre was the first to be invested with this great post. At the same time he was elected to a place in the Senate. But Lefebvre was a Senator only by the influence of Napoleon. He was considered the bravest general in the field, but he was also considered the most ignorant in the Senate, the most incapable when his pen was in his hand. Napoleon thought and Lefebvre executed, he was the shell in the cannon, the Emperor was the force. Lefebvre would drive directly ahead with an irresistible power under an impetus nothing could withstand. It was he in the grand army, who had the honor to command the Impe- rial Footguard, that legion of giants. Lefebvre was not only an extraordinary warrior but an exceptional husband. He was the same to Catharine as if his uniform had never changed, and the great eagle of the Legion of Honor that covered his breast had in no way interfered with the impetuosity and openness of 245 his heart. They jeered at the conjugal fidelity of these two excellent married people in the Imperial court, but Napoleon, who held to an apparent severity of manners in his entourage, congratulated Lefebvre and his wife on the example they gave to the household of the other officers of his empire, an example which was seldom fol- lowed, least of all by the Emperor himself. The Emperor, however, occasionally made some questionable observations to Lefebvre on the vivacity and freedom of the Marchioness. " Excuse me," he said, as he playfully pinched Le- febvre's ear, "but mention to your wife not to raise her skirts quite so high at the receptions as though she were about to give a dance at the Vauxhall. You see we are not all the time indulging in sport and my court is not that of Pere Duchesne. And then, just one more suggestion, you won't mind now, Lefebvre?" " Certainly not, sire," responded the Marshal, be- cause he recognized the justice in everything the Emperor said. " Well, it is this, your wife is all the while quarreling with my sisters, with Elisa particularly. Now, my court is not a drinking saloon where one expects to hear females wrangling." " Sire, Madame Bacciochi constantly reproaches the Marchioness with her humble origin, her republican principles and her patriotic expressions. Certainly you and I are republicans." " Without doubt," said Napoleon, laughing at the expression of Lefebvre who, like many of the old soldiers of the army of '92, thought they were serving the republic in fighting for the Emperor. To these simple and valiant soldiers, Napoleon was the revolu- tion crowned. "Lefebvre, my old comrade," replied the Emperor," tell the Marchioness it is my desire that she should try and get along with my sisters as pleasantly as possible." 246 " Sire, I will deliver to the Marchioness the observa- tions of your Majesty. I promise you she will conform with them." " If she can," murmured the Emperor, " I hope I am not demanding the impossible, but the first instinct of all of them is to quarrel." And then walking rapidly down the passage, he turned into his room saying beneath his breath, " What folly it is for a man to marry while he is a sergeant." And as the door closed behind him, he continued, " but my fault is almost equal to Lefebvre's. He married a washerwoman, and I humph ! A divorce can remedy that, but" As if to escape from his thoughts, he took from the pocket of his white coat a pretty little enameled box and opening it he enjoyed the odor of the fresh tobacco within. He never smoked. Once only he tried it, and that was when the Ambassador from the Porte pre- sented him with a superb Turkish pipe, and he had only taken a few puffs when" he rushed to the window for fresh air and as soon as he recovered from his nausea and wiped the smoke from his eyes, he exclaimed, " Take away that infection ! the pigs ! " and he un- ceremoniously sent the pipe back to the astounded Ambassador. From that time no one ever dared sug- gest smoking to him. After having refreshed his mind by the scent of the tobacco, Napoleon, as if impressed with a grave thought, stepped from his room again and called to Lefebvre. " I think it would be well for your wife to take some lessons from Despreaux, the dancing-master. He is familiar with all the best traditions of ceremony and elegance at the old Court." Lefebvre concurred in the suggestion of Napoleon and at once upon leaving the Emperor asked that Des- preaux should be sent to him. The dancing-master was a distinctive and interesting person. Small, thin, quick, gracious, smiling, powdered, 247 nervous, lie had passed through the Terror in his dan- cing-shoes without receiving so much as one spatter of blood. When the moment of revolt had passed, when pleasures began again and the doors of the salons were thrown open to society, Despreaux became an indis- pensable man. He restored a lost art, he was the single repository of polite tradition, of the complicated mazes of the dance which for the young people offered fabulous joys and a paradise of pleasure. With his pirouettes, his courtesies, his twirls, he effaced the souvenirs of the Revolution and initiated the new regime into the ceremonies of the old. It was on the occasion of Despreaux coming to the palace of the Marchioness Lefebvre that she had left orders to be awakened at ten o clock, after re- turning late the night before from a soiree given by Josephine. She found the professor of elegance and graces practicing some new steps before the mirror in her waiting-room. "Ah! you there, M. Despreaux, and how is your health ? " she said in a lively tone, seizing his hand, which he had not extended and shaking it violently. Despreaux, flushed, astonished, abashed, because the marchioness had interrupted him in his second move- ment of the grand salute which he had just devised, withdrew his hand from the grasp of Madame Sans- Gene and smoothing down the laces around his wrists, he bowed coldly and responded : " I have the honor of being at the disposal of Madame Marchioness." " All right, little one," Catharine exclaimed, sitting down on the edge of a table, " the Emperor finds there are not enough good manners in his Court ; he says we are not distinguished ; you understand what he wants, don't you, my boy?" 248 Despreaux, irritated by the familiar tone of the mar- chioness, responded in his squeaky little voice : "His Majesty is right in saying his Empire has the charms and the elegances of a police court. I am, Madame Marchioness, the respectful interpreter of his wishes. Do I understand you desire particularly to acquaint yourself with the art of the world that will give satisfaction to His Majesty?" "That's it, that's just the thing, old boy. There is to be a great ball of the Court on Tuesday and they are going to dance a gavotte ; it's going to be danced right under the very eyes of the tyran the Emperor, I mean, and I want to learn it, right off." " Madame Marchioness, the gavotte is a very difficult thing ; it is hard to understand ; it has very many changes. Perhaps you know how beautifully it was danced by Madame la Dauphine ; I had the honor of being her professor." said Despreaux, with modesty. " Well, we will try it now. And, say, the Emperor knows I don't dance it half badly; he often used to see me dancing the gavotte when I was washing his clothes, but its Lefebvre that insists upon you teaching me. Go on, now get your place for the gavotte." And Madame Sans-Gene tapped twice on the floor with her right foot as if she were calling an opponent at a fencing contest. Despreaux imperceptibly raised his shoulders and sighed ; to him the disappearance of the aristocracy was mournful and the vulgarity of the time made him weep at the loss of good manners. To teach the gavotte to washerwomen who by the grace of victory had become powerful ladies, was to him a dis- graCe. He approached Catharine with impatience and, taking his place at her right side, asked : " Have you ever danced, madame ? " " Often, at the Vauxhall ! " " I don't know it ! " said Despreaux, compressing his lips until his mouth took on an appearance of great 24Q severity. " And what dance did you enjoy there? The courante, the pavane, the passe-pied, the trenis, the monaco, the minuet?" " No, the fricassee ! " Despreaux could with difficulty suppress a sob as he said : "The dance of laborers and washerwomen." " 1 danced it with Lefebvre ; that's the way we got acquainted and engaged." The professor of elegance, with a melancholy expres- sion he could not repress, thought to himself, " In what 250 sort of a world am I thrown, I, the dancing-master of Madame la Dauphine?" And with a sort of concentrated sadness he began his instruction to Catharine Sans-Gene of the elements of that noble dance which Napoleon wished to introduce at the fetes of his Court. XXXIV. THE CLAP OF THUNDER. CATHARINE was exhausting herself in waving her arms, extending her joints, bending and drawing back her feet in cadence to the shrill squeaking of a fiddle on which Master Despreaux was executing a little tune of Paesiello's, when the door was opened violently and Lefebvre appeared. He was in full-dress uniform, covered with embroid- ery and wearing a huge plumed hat. Napoleon re- served to himself the right to wear the little plain head- gear in which posterity always sees him represented with the gray great coat, whether on horseback or pillar, asleep in bivouac, or wounded before Ratisbon. The golden eagle on the breast of Lefebvre's coat sparkled with diamonds, the great crimson sash of a Marshal of France, tasselled with gold, crossed his chest. Lefebvre appeared to be violently agitated : " That's the way things go," cried he as he entered the room, and like a drunken man, haggard, and with convulsed features, he threw his hat on the floor and shouted : " Long live the Emperor ! " Then he ran to his wife, kissed her and clasped her to his bosom. "In heaven's name! what's the matter?" said Catharine. Master Despreaux, interrupting the agile step which 2 S I he was demonstrating to his refractory pupil, came for- ward flourishing his leg. " Is the Emperor dead, Marshal ?" For reply Lefebvre delivered a Vigorous kick which, catching the dancing-master in the lower part of his back, caused him to pirouette after a fashion not pro- vided for by the laws of the terpsichorean art. Despreaux recovered his position and saluting grace- fully, said : " M. le Marshal made a remark ?" " Keep cool, Lefebvre, keep cool ! Tell us what has happened ? Despreaux asked you if the Emperor were dead. That surely can't be ?" " No, of course it can't ! The Emperor can't die, the Emperor will live for ever. It is quite a different affair, Catharine. We are going away ! " "Whither, husband. I mean M. le Marshal," said Catharine, glaring ironically at the dumbfounded Despreaux. " I don't know where we are going, but we've got to be there, and quickly, too. I fancy to Berlin." " That's a long journey, isn't it?" asked Catharine simply. She was not strong in her geography. " I don't know," answered Lefebvre, " but our jour- ney is not long for the Emperor ! " " And when do we start ? " " To-morrow ! " " So soon ? " " The Emperor is in haste. These Prussians have a hard cheek, the Emperor never did them any harm. Once before they came to invade France with the Austrians, the English, the Russians, the Spaniards, all the nations of the earth ! Well, they were pardoned ! It seems it was a petty state, but there were a good many intelligent men there. The Emperor liked them. He al- ways spoke well of a man by the name of Goethe, a fellow who wrote for the newspapers. He would have made 252 a count of the rascal if he had been a Frenchman, just as he would have made a prince of a chap called Cor- neille, a Rouen boy, only he's dead." " And so the Emperor intends to thrash these Prussians ? " " Yes, and strange to say, he thinks it will be a dif- ficult job. These Prussians are nothing to us ; this country can scarcely be said to exist. The Emperor insists it will be a glorious war well, he knows best. It's his business, after all, not mine. Our busi- ness is to strike for him, whenever he shows us an enemy to demolish that enemy. But, all the same, I feel humiliated at drawing my sword against a pitiful little nation like the Prussians. There is no credit in crushing such weak adversaries." " Pardon me, Marshal, but these Prussians have had Frederick the Great for their king, and every year they celebrate the victory of Rasbach," Despreux ventured to remark, keeping a prudent distance, however, for fear of getting another hoist from the Marshal's foot. Lefebvre shrugged his shoulders. "Rasbach? don't know it; ancient history, I suppose, besides the Emperor wasn't there. Where he is, victory is; he is never beaten." "That's true," said Catharine, "what a man he is, to be sure ! Do I go with you, Lefebvre ? " " If you like, as far as the frontier. The Emperor is taking the Empress along. It's just a military prome- nade a simple promenade. Ah, Catharine, this war breaking out so suddenly will be like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Have you seen Henriot?" " He is waiting to attend you, as you desire." " Good, I will present him to the Emperor. This sud- den war may help to advance him. Go fetch him ! ' Catharine started to obey, Despreux, always willing, offered his services and hastened to the door in advance of Catharine. 253 " Pardon, fair lady," said he. He had no time to finish, a violent kick caught him in a tender part, and Lefebvre's voice rolled out ; "Will you clear out, d n you, we are soldiers here, not acrobats ! " Despreaux departed, rubbing the small of his back, cursing the rough manners of soldiers and regretting the days when he taught deportment to Madame la Dauphine. Catharine brought a young sub-lieutenant in the room, Lefebvre ran to him and wringing his hand violently, said : " Henriot, good news ! " " What news, godfather ? " " War ! " " Who is going to fight, and where ? " " You young jackanapes, you may not be there, I must speak to the Emperor for you. Do you imagine everybody may have this honor of dying for the Em- peror. However, I trust you may be admitted to that privilege." Henriot delighted, cried out : " Oh, thank you, godfather ! When will you present me to His Majesty?" " Immediately; there is to be a review of the Imperial Guard, you shall come with me, and my wife shall speak for you to the Empress." " Yes, I'll go and find Josephine at once. You shall go, my boy, I promise you that." A roll of drums was heard under the window. " Come, make haste," said Lefebvre, " the Emperor is mounting his horse, the review will soon begin. ' And he dragged off young Henriot, while Catharine, ringing the bells, crying out, overturning Lise and two other women who came to answer the loud calls, finished dressing to visit the Empress. This was in September, 1806. 254 The French Empire covered two-thirds of Europe, Napoleon upon a throne built of trophies and banners ruled over nations and kings. Opening the session of the legislative body he had said, truly: " The Royal House of Naples has ceased to reign. Her crown is lost for ever. The Italian peninsula is reunited to the great Empire. I, as supreme chief, have guaranteed to the rulers and to the constitutions which govern the different parts of that Empire, their ancient rights and laws. I am happy to say my people have done their duty. From the depths of Moravia I have not ceased to receive testimonies of affection and en- thusiasm for France, and that affection I glory in far more than in the extent of the Empire and its wealth." At this height of glory and power Napoleon seemed to be stricken by vertigo. He committed the folly, the mistake, of giving kfngdoms to his brothers instead of making allies and feudatories of the native sovereigns by leaving them to the government under his aegi. He was a victim of family affection and heaped honors upon people who were ungrateful in misfortune and obstruc- tions in prosperity. Joseph Bonaparte was King of Naples and the two Sicilys. Louis was King of Holland. Elisa, the maiden of Saint-Cyr during the first epi- sodes of this history, was Princess of Lucques and Piombino. Caroline, Mme. Murat, became Grand Duchess of Berg. Pauline, widow of General Leclerc and remarried to Prince Borghese, was Duchess de Guastalla. All the sisters of the Emperor were jealous and quar- relsome ; not one was satisfied with the lot assigned to her by that all-powerful brother. " It seems," said Napoleon, half in jest and half in anger, "as if I had deprived them of a part of their heritage from the late King, our father. 2 55 The campaign of 1806, which was just beginning, served to increase and accentuate the rivalries and envy of the Imperial family. The war broke out suddenly. The victory of Austerlitz should have decided Prussia to preserve its neutrality. If she wished to attack the colossus of the West she should have done so when Austria, Russia, England, Switzerland and the two Sicilys were her allies. To do so now was folly. Her daring was the work of the most unfortunate self-confidence and of the most perilous illusion. Her statesmen, her philosophers, her schoolmasters with Fichte at the head went about everywhere preach- ing war and crying, " Down with France ! " With an infatuation of which we have since, by strange reversal of things, given example, her military men declared themselves ready, equipped, invincible. The people, excited by the speechmakers, forced on by the students and the ballad-makers, spoke of nothing save the Great Frederick and boasted in their beer cellars to make another Rasbach under the walls of Paris. The Prussians were forgetful they had a country unprotected by mountains and which Napoleon could readily invade and into which the French army could find an easy route, and could throw itself upon the imperfectly organized corps of the Prussian army. But Prussia was blinded ; she had persuaded her people that this was to be a national war ; patriotic pamphlets had been dis- tributed in lavish profusion ; they aroused, enthused, intoxicated the nation, and so effectively that it has been said in this campaign of 1806 Napoleon found him- self for the first time, confronted, not by paid fighters obeying more or less a mercenary discipline, but a nation in arms resolved to dispute the advance of a stranger on its soil. Vanquished in 1806 as was France in 1814, Prussia lost its battles, but preserved its honor. 256 When Marchioness Lefebvre entered the salon of the Empress she was animated with an irrepressible excite- ment. The news of the declaration of war was known, and each citizen anxiously asked his neighbor when the Emperor had arranged to depart. The Marchioness spoke for all when she asked the Empress for this infor- mation. " I know nothing," Her Majesty replied, " His Majesty has told me simply I am to make preparations to leave. I shall go with him as far as Mayence." " Lefebvre has told me to go with him, also," said the Marchioness. " I always take pleasure in being with the soldiers. Ah, Your Majesty, it is very hard to be con- tented in a palace ; I much prefer a bed in the camp. But do we leave to-morrow, or to-night ? " " How can I say ? " answered the Empress, tossing her head. " You know how the Emperor acts, decides quick- ly, secretly, as if he were going to leave the next minute, and no one knows when he really intends leaving. All the world waits on him. He goes when it pleases him. He has told me to be ready. I am ready. When His Majesty gives the word I shall walk down stairs, step into my carriage and that is all I know about it." " Oh we are used' to this tap of the drum," responded the Marchioness. " I do want to know whether Your Majesty has seen the Emperor this morning and whether his humor is good." " You have something to ask of him ? " " Yes, Madame, I have an adopted son, young Henriot, a nice boy, now twenty-one years old and already a second lieutenant. He wants authority to accompany Lefebvre." " If it would give you any pleasure, my dear Mar- chioness, I will take your protege in to my service." " Many thanks, Your Majesty, but it is in battle, not in the ante-chamber that Henriot would gain his stripes. It is not for nothing that he is the son of Lefebvre." 257 " Ah, well, we will see he has an opportunity to be killed, if that is his great envy." " Your Majesty is too good," said Catharine, delighted with the promise. Her adopted child, the son of Neip- perg and Blanche de Laveline, would attain glory and serve the Emperor. The sound of echoing shouts, mingled with the loud roll of the drum and the shrill notes of the trumpets, interrupted their further discus- sion and called both ladies to the window. In the court the Em- peror reviewed the Grenadiers of the Guard. Beside him rode his generals, des- tined to command grand armies and lead them to great victories : Lefebvre, Bernadotte, Ney,Lan- nes, Davout, Augerau and Soult. Mortier, commander of there- serves in Westphalia, and Murat, comman- der-in-chief of the en- tire cavalry force of the nation, marched past the Em- peror at the head of this troop of heroes. After having minutely inspected the men, as was his custom, the Emperor stopped before the drum-major of the Grenadiers, tall and dignified, wearing a high hat surmounted by a gigantic plume, his baton raised in the air, ready to give the signal for a burst of music, and the Emperor said: 25 8 " What is your name ?" " Violette, sire !" responded the man in a mild voice. " You have seen service ? " " Always, sire ! " " Good ! " said the Emperor, who was ever attracted by quick, brief replies. " Are you acquainted with Berlin ? " " No, sire." "Do you want to go there?" " I go where my Emperor wills." " Very well, Violette, prepare your trumpets and bugles; in one month you shall be the first man, with baton high in air, to enter the capital of the King of Prussia." " We shall enter it, sire." "Violette, how tall are you?" Napoleon demanded abruptly, looking with astonishment at the former aide to the cantiniere, who had certainly grown consider- ably since he had become drum-major to the Grena- diers. " Sire, I am five feet, eleven inches." " You are as tall as a tree ! " " And you, my Emperor, are as great as the world ! " said Violette, filled with joy in talking with Napo- leon, and unable to contain the expression of his en- thusiasm. Napoleon smiled at the compliment, and turning to Lefebvre, he said : " Call my attention to this drum-major on some other occasion, Marshal." Lefebvre saluted. The Emperor continued his in- spection. On a signal from the Marshal, the drums burst forth, the trumpets rang out and the Grenadiers of the Guard, that phalanx that did so nobly at Jena, Eylau, Friedland, and Waterloo, marched, superb, in- vincible, terrible before their impassable god, who stood with his hands clasped'behind his gray coat. And as the baton of Violette was lowered to stop the drums and the bugles, a great cry went up from this forest of men, strong and upright as a forest of oaks, a cry that might have been heard in that distant Prussia where they were to follow their victorious master : " Long live the Emperor !" Napoleon with a slight blush of pride crossing his sallow face, said to Lefebvre, in a loud voice : " I think that my cousin, the King of Prussia, is rather late in repenting of having provoked me. With these followers, I would make war on God Himself, were He even at the head of His legions of archangels commanded by Saint Michael and Saint George. Mar- shal, embrace your wife. We leave to-night." XXXV. THE COMMITTEE OF THE RUE BOURG I/ABBE. IN the centre of Paris is the Rue Bourg 1'Abbe, one of those tortuous passages peopled by a colony of workingmen in single rooms, and where the light of day is rare and the humidity is persistent. On the same day the Emperor passed his Grenadiers in review at Saint Cloud, there might have been seen in that street at nightfall seven or eight people leaning against the walls, gliding cautiously through the smoky passage to reach a gloomy building whereto was attached a sign to the effect that it was occupied by a cabinetmaker. The mysterious shadows of men disappeared one by one in the doorway of this place and the portal was closed quietly behind them. By eight o'clock, eighteen men were met together in the large room, which was furnished with a small table and a plain wooden chair and lighted by two chandeliers. Some one in a loud voice said: " Citizens," and the person who spoke was a young 260 man clothed in the uniform of an army surgeon, " if you are ready, we will open the meeting. We have the min- utes to read and the reports to hear." " Yes, we will begin. Open the meeting, Marcel," responded one of the number, and his remarks were in- dorsed by the voices of all the others. Marcel, the major-aide at Jemmapes, approached the table, struck upon it twice with a paper cutter and said gravely: " Comrades, the meeting is opened." All the members present arose, and throwing aside their cloaks, exposed to view their uniforms as officers of the army. Marcel looked over the assembly saying: " Comrades, I will call the roll," and taking a sheet of paper from his pocket he rapidly called off the names of those in the room : Florent, Guyot, Ricord, Baude, Blanchet, Gariot, Delavigne, Baudemont, Bournot, Jacquemont, Ricard, Liebant, Gindre, Lemarc, Poilpre, Rigomard, Bazin, Demaillot, Guillaume, Louvigne and Marcel. " Present," each responded to his name. Marcel then took another paper and read : " Minutes of the meeting held on the first Friday of August, 1806." During the reading of this document let us glance at the personages assembled in this strange place at the end of a court in the lower extremity of the Rue Bourg 1'Abbe. It was the monthly reunion of the Philadelphes, a secret society that had been founded by Joseph Oudet, who was known by the name of Philo- poemen as several of the members passed under classic names, Cato, Spartacus, Themistocles and similar con- ceits. The majority of the society were originally republicans, but foreigners, royalists and agents of the English government had gradually become associated with it so they, at that time, constituted a very respect- able minority. The object of the Philadelphes was to bring about the assassination of Napoleon. The association originated in the Jura and was brought into existence under the title of the Alliance, its recruits coming largely from the army ; the unhappy Moreau who, having gloriously served France and immortalized himself by his fine retreat from Germany, perished shamefully in the ranks of the enemy ; the traitor Pichegru became an active member. Based on an invitation of the Society of the Philadelphia the name of an organization in Philadelphia, United States, this association had its ramifications in England, America, Russia and Italy. It also affiliated with other secret groups, mostly military, the Miquelets of the Upper Pyrenees, the Barbets of the Alps, the Bandoliers of the department of the Franche-Comte, the Freres-Blanc and others. The ostensible purpose of the Philadelpheswas mutual aid^encouragement of friendly relations and reciprocal support. The assassination of the Emperor was not disclosed in the initiation to be the final object of the society, and as the members were divided into three ranks, those in the third rank were alone made acquainted with the grand secret. The members of the first and second degree knew nothing of the matters of the third. The Supreme Chief, or Censor, was elected by selection from a list of twenty-five candidates pre- sented to the three grades successively. At each grade ten names were taken off, so when the list reached the third grade there remained but five to consider. One condition only was imposed as a qualification for this office, the chief must be a military officer. The emblem of the Philadelphes was a star somewhat similar to that of the Legion of Honor. Extraordinary precautions were taken to conceal the meeting-places of the society, for at this time, when we find the con- spirators come together in a shed-like building in the Rue Bourg 1'Abbe, the police of Fouche or those of Dubois, were striving to apprehend some one member 262 of this vast organization, which had its influence in all the regiments of the Empire. Colonel Oudet, or Philopoemen, was thirty years of age; he was an elegant and courtly gentleman, his counte- nance was gracious and pleasing, his manners were gal- lant; under the air of an apparent preoccupation he made himself peculiarly popular with the ladies, but he was cold and uncompromising in the hatred he bore for Napoleon. He was absent from Paris upon the occasion of the meeting which was now in progress, an order having reached him to rejoin his regiment at Besanfon in view of the imminent war and the cencentration of the French troops. The higher circle, or third-grade members, who were meeting upon this night embraced some of the most em- inent republicans who had fought valiantly against the King in '93. Marcel having served in the wars of the Re- public and of the Consulate, retained the sentiments which then inspired him. He attributed the results that had followed the war to the tyranny of Bonaparte, and although he opposed the conflicts of later years, he performed his duty to the wounded on the field of battle with zeal and devotion. We have seen he did not hesitate to accompany Catharine Lefebvre when she went on her adventurous mission among the ruins of the Chateau de Lowendaal, and we have also seen he was happy when he restored little Henriot, saved through his efforts. Marcel wanted a universal repub- lic founded on fraternity and peace, where all men, laying down their arms would exchange the products of their common labor and celebrate their joyous fetes together. With these sentiments he was among the first to join the Philaddphes; he became its secre- tary and was known by the name of Aristotle. When the minutes had been read and adopted without observation, Marcel gave his attention to the correspondence of the society. This, he declared, was 2 6 3 interesting and came from many pans of the world, from new members in many regiments that were re- garded as the most enthusiastic in their devotion to the Emperor. The agitation the society had carried on was having its effect, the mothers of families, startled at the repeated conscriptions which every year robbed them of their children, urged their husbands to join the ranks of the Philadclphes. The press speechless, the orators mute, gave greater force to this secret propaganda; the country was ripe for independence. As the suppressed applause, moderated in fear that some agent of police was within hearing distance, died away after the reading of these communications, the door of the apartment opened, and a man, still young, of easy manners, wearing powdered hair with the coquetry of a patrician, entered saluting with dignity the comrades there assembled. He wore a long tail coat buttoned up to the chin, and he held in his hand a cane with a golden head. " Citizens," said Marcel, indicating the new arrival, "permit me to present to you our companion Leonidas, who comes to us recommended by our chief, Philopoe- men, he who will, perhaps become the Washington of France. He will tell you this occasion is favorable to make an end of the tyrant." " The time has never been so favorable ! " exclaimed the new-comer, " and I will tell you why, comrades, I will give you the reason: war has been declared ! " "Approach, comrade Leonidas, and explain your plan to the Philadelphes" said Marcel, at the same time giv- ing him the only chair that was among the slender fur- nishings in the meeting-room of the committee on the Rue Bourg 1'Abbe. XXXVI. THE PLAN OF LEONIDAS. LEONIDAS in his fluent way described briefly the proj- ect to the higher circle. He began by making a passionate attack upon Napo- leon; he reproached him with immeasurable ambition, his dreams of conquest, his Corsican origin, his proclivities as a bandit. He would not venture to question his genius as an organizer, or contest his talents as a military leader, but he dwelt with unconcealed admiration upon Moreau, Massena, Bernadotte, all the generals who added to the torrent and to the great works that were carrying Napoleon forward to glory. He declared the time was propitious and they could not fail finally to beat down the tyrant and restore liberty to France. The war had begun. At the head of a formidable army Napoleon would quickly force his way over the plains of Westphalia, of Hanover, of Brandenbourg. He would rest there, it would be important he should not leave the turbulent Prussians and return to Paris expecting this distant country would remain quiet without his hand to force it. Such being the case news from the capital would reach him rarely and it would take long in travelling. Before that time a revolution would be successful. "Yes," shouted Leonidas with energy at the risk of being overheard by any police agent who might be about; "it is not necessary Napoleon should be really dead; it would be sufficient if news to that effect were circulated in France; the rumor that the Emperor was dead coming in the universal excitement of the war would overthrow the Empire." " Bravo, Citizen Leonidas," said one of the members, " then you would profit by the absence of the Emperor to noise about the report of his death, but what part could you take to put down the anarchy which such an announcement would call forth in the country?" " All that is provided for," Leonidas calmly replied, and continued : " A decree will be rendered by the Senate which will invest me with the command of the army in Paris. General Massena will be charged with the duty of commander-in-chief of the armies engaging the enemy. The National Guard, by another decree, will be reor- ganized and General LaFayette will be made com-* mander-in-chief." "And what have you decided for the interior?" " Our Senate has prepared itself to name a provisional government." " Their names ! Give us their names ! " Marcel exclaimed. " They are citizens Garat, Destutt, de Tracy, Lam- brecht, General Moreau, the former member of the Di- rectory, Carnot ; these will constitute a part of the pro- visional government to be presided over by a military man." "Who is he?" " I shall be President." " Good ! and this government you propose to call republican ? " " What other regime for the country do you expect we would support ?" and Leonidas looked severely at the Marquis de Louvigne.who had put the question. "We shall abolish the conscription ; we shall exclaim to the whole of France 'You shall have greater rights'; we shall declare to Europe it shall be peace, not war ; we shall have no more levies of men ; France shall enjoy in peace the fruits of its glory and the advantages of its alliance with the other nations. That is what we offer to the people. Delivered from the tyrant, we will proclaim a new Republic, once more erect the statue of liberty." As the speaker finished, he was rewarded by applause and the members gathered about him extending their hands in congratulations. Marcel resumed his post as director of the debate, and said : " Citizens, there has been made clear to you, put prac- tically to you the plan of our companion Leonidas who has given it with the approbation of our censor Phili- poemen do you wish to adopt it ? " " Yes, yes ! " shouted several voices. " He should tell us now the date that has been fixed upon for the day of the execution." " That date," said Leonidas, " is a secret, an absolute secret. At the last moment you shall know it, do you accept ? " " Yes, yes ! Death to the tyrant ! Down with the Emperor ! " " My friends, I feel I owe it to you that you should know something of me. I have given you the names of all the members of the provisional government, save one alone, mine. I owe it to you that I should com- plete the list." There was silence in the room, every one leaned for- ward in the intensity of their curiosity to learn the name of this audacious conspirator who imagined he could encompass the death of the Emperor, hoped to seize the supreme power, intimidate the Senate, rally his forces and dispose of the army as he wished. " Philadelphes," said Leonidas, with great simplicity, " I was born at Dole on the 28th of January, 1754, I am therefore fifty-two years of age, my father was a chev- alier of Saint Louis and at sixteen years I was made a soldier. I commanded a detachment at the fete of the confederation, I controlled the square of Besan^on, I was made a general of brigade of Italy, where I served under my friends Championnet and Massena; I have always defended my country; I have loved my liberty. My name is General " 267 At this instant, a violent knocking was heard at the door; it was thrown wide open, and a young man rushed in saying hurriedly, but in a whisper : "Quick, quick ! Leave here, comrades." " What is it Rene ? " Marcel exclaimed, approach- ing the youth who was none other than Rene, the pretty sergeant of the battalion of Mayenne-et- Loire, and the faithful companion of the major's aide. "You will be lost ! If you stay here one second more you will be taken, the agents of Dubois are right on my heels." Marcel sprang to- wards the centre of the room, where he lifted a trap in the floor, saying to his companions : " We can get out this way, it leads us into the cellar of a friend, an ally, and from there we can reach a house on another street. Quick, the tyrant will look for us some time longer before he can find this retreat. Long live the Republic! " "Death to the Tyrant! Down with the Emperor," repeated the Philadelphes. Marcel held the trap until all his companions had gone through it, one by one. Rene waited until the last, saying to Leonidas : "After you, General." A moment more and Marcel had closed the trap, while the conspirators were in the darkness groping their way towards freedom. As they passed along through the narrow path Marcel said to Leonidas : " Pardon, we interrupted you just at the moment you were going to give us your name. Perhaps you will be kind enough to let me have it now that I might put it in the minutes of this meeting." " True," replied Leonidas, and then, speaking so all the others could hear him, he pronounced his own name and title : "General Malet! " XXXVII. THE GLORY OF THAT TIME. THE war was begun. Napoleon had prepared for it with extraordinary prudence, great circumspection and many precautions. Prussia, on the contrary, with an infatuation that we later understood, relying upon its earlier military fame all glorious in the souvenirs of the Great Frederick, misled by its politicians, dazzled by its military leaders who declared, in other words but in the same pompous manner of our own Marshal Leboeuf sixty-four years later, that they would not leave a button of the Grenadiers, was permeated by a spirit of impru- dence and mistake. A council of war was held on October 5, 1806, at Erfurt, under the presidency of King Frederick William, the Duke of Brunswick, Prince of Hohenlohe, Marshal 269 de Mollendorf, the cabinet ministers; the general officers participated in the conference which continued through two days. It is easy to gain battles on plans of campaigns that have been fought and where the faults of the enemies have been tested and the chances have been known so as to take advantage of them. Without committing the error too often of fighting a battle after it had been decided, and planning where a victory might have been .won on a lost field, it is certain the Prussians com- mitted one great fault at the opening of their war. Wise counsel might have prevailed at this conference, but Queen Louise assisted at the deliberations while resting on the fauteuil of the King. She was the evil genius of Prussia. She murmured in the ear of the King her indignation that any thought of bowing to the French should be considered while they still possessed the grandest army of Europe, the army of Rasbach. Did not the people, filled with enthusiasm and animation, cry, " On to Paris ! On to Paris ! " all through the streets of Berlin ! And the students in their impassioned orations with which they each night entertained their beer-garden crowds of bellicose companions,declared the country invincible ! The philosophers, the writers, the thinkers, in the laboratories and the libraries, urged the extermination of the French army and the conquest of the old provinces of the Lotharingians. They must advance in the face of the enemy ! The first victory would open the road to Paris. And the Queen said: " You hesitate, sire ! The people will think you are afraid ! " The King feeble, undecided, who could perhaps even yet have stopped hostilities, held to a pacific policy and wished to control the fervor of Queen Louise, but she represented at the Council of Erfurt the national im- prudence, the popular passions which were so wonder- 270 fully overwrought and she echoed the sentiment of that nation of fanatics. The advance was decided upon. In an insulting and brutal note Prussia demanded that France immediately withdraw her troops to the other side of the Rhine, and set the latest date for this retreat to be October 8. Berthier, Major-General, delivered the note to Na- poleon. " Very well," said the Emperor, " we will appoint a meeting with the King and keep it. Instead of being in France on October 8, we shall be in Saxony." The next day, October 8, the army entered Saxony in three columns, and Murat at the head of the cavalry struck the opening blow. It was the battle of Schleiz. The Prussian General Tauenzien had the Twenty-seventh Regiment under General Maison, and the Ninety-fourth and the Ninety- fifth Regiments of the line from Drouet's division. Murat with the Fourth Hussars and the Fifth Chas- seurs led the charge himself and won the first victory of the war. A second battle was fought on the loth at Saalfield, where Prince Louis of Prussia was killed and the vic- tory allowed Marshal Lannes to march on to Jena. The Prussians were panic-stricken, the streets of the little university town of Jena were crowded with fugi- tives, the bridges over the Saale were obstructed by baggage wagons, fleeing artillerymen, ambulances filled with wounded. The flight continued as far as Weimar. On the i3th of October Napoleon appeared before Jena. Soult and Ney joined him later in the night; Murat placed his cavalry so as to make the first dash into the city; Bernadotte was stationed between Jena and Naumburg, at a little town called Bornburg, where a bridge crossed the Saale. Marshal Davout was sta- tioned at Naumburg, and ordered to give his entire at- tention to the army of the Prince of Hohenlohe. Di- 271 rectly before the gates of the city Napoleon threw his camp, having as support Lannes and his division. In the centre of a square made by four thousand troops, Na- poleon pitched his tent, and that memorable spot has since perpetuated its fame in the shape of a small settle- ment called Napoleonsberg. Then with a prodigious activity, possible with no other military chieftain who ever led armies to conquest, Na- poleon began to make roads over which he could drag his artillery into an advantageous position. With a torch in his hand, he personally directed the work of the en- gineers and went from one point to another, tirelessly giving his own direction for the removal of the enor- mous rocks and the leveling of the trees that stood in the way of his cannon. Working with brain and hands harder than any of his assistants, he gave every evi- dence of his fatigue, but refused to seek repose until he 272 fired the first cannon with his own hand and saw an entire battery throwing its shells into the city. Before the bivouac fire, sitting with a leg thrown over either side of his camp-stool and his hands clasped be- hind him, Napoleon slept for a few hours in the midst of a circle of his soldiers and the noise of the heavy ar- tillery. Victory hovered above the Grand Army on its invisible wings and protected the sleep of the great soldier. When he opened his eyes a dense fog hung over the plain, and accompanied by men carrying torches that it might be possible for him to find his way along the strange paths, Napoleon went to the front of his troops. There he spoke to them with energy and with his ac- customed vigor, he told them he wished to cut the Prussian line in two, to separate it from the Rus- sians, and he wished to make this day an echo of the glories of Austerlitz. The cry of, " Long Live the Em- peror/' given by Lannes, was to be the signal for attack. The i4th of October, 1806, saw a double victory Jena and Auerstadt. At Jena, where Napoleon commanded in person, the victory was for one moment jeopardized by a false move on the part of Marshal Ney. At Auerstadt, where Davout was disappointed in not receiving aid from Bernadotte, the divisions of Friant and Morand arrived at an auspicious moment and determined the victory. Bernadotte allowed jealousy of the part given Davout to play, to influence him in following the absolute letter of Napoleon's order to guard his position at Dornbourg and declined to go to the reinforcement of Davout. It was here that Bruns- wick was killed and Marshal de Mollendorf was danger- ously wounded. This double and glorious conflict of the i4th of Octo- ber completed the panic in the Prussian army, the rout was complete ; the cavalrymen of Murat sabred the 273 fugitives up to the walls of Weimar. But for the inac- tion of Bernadotte not a Prussian soldier would have been left the next day to tell the tale, and Napoleon in his generous spirit said of Davout; " He is entitled to partake of the glory." The night of the battle Napoleon making the tour of the field stopped at the furthermost point and looked with pensive sadness upon a heap of bodies that marked the spot where the Prussian cavalry made its valiant charge. His aide-de-camp in answer to a question told the Emperor these were the men of the Thirty-second 274 Regiment, and Napoleon moving up to the frightful mass, raised his hat and said: " The Thirty-second, always the Thirty-second. They are buried in Italy, in Egypt and now in Germany. They are brave men! " He continued his round of inspection, and as he was about entering the village of Auerstadt, he passed a small farm that had evidently been the centre of a lively engagement for many dead bodies lay about and the ground was strewn with broken muskets and swords, the garden of the little house was trampled into the dirt and the farm was a prairie of desolation. Before the door of the building there stood a tall grenadier, as though he were mounting guard over a deserted home and a neglected graveyard. Under his arm he held a long cane and his figure and his face looked familiar to Napoleon as he drew nearer to him. When within speaking distance the Emperor recognized the man and exclaimed : "What the devil are you doing here, drum-major?" The drum-major, thus addressed, drew himself up to his full height, lifted his baton in the air and making the proper military salute to his general, he answered : " Sire, I am waiting for reinforcements." "Yes; but you are the drum-major of my Grena- diers ; your name is Violette, isn't it ? " " Yes, sire, it is I, en route for Berlin, as Your Majesty has ordered." " It is well ! We shall go to Berlin, my brave boy, the road is open to us now. But why do you speak of rein- forcements ? " " Sire, it is impossible for me to take away all my prisoners alone." " Your prisoners ! What prisoners ? " "Prisoners I have made; they are there in the house. I have shut the door and I am guarding it." " You have made prisoners, you ? " 275 " Yes, sire; a squad. I captured them with my baton; they are red dragoons who had dismounted here and they surrendered to me because they probably believed I had a whole regiment behind me; then I told them to go into the house and I have kept them there. That is how it happened, sire." One of the officers attending Napoleon had entered the building during this conversation, and now he re- joined the suite saying that Violette had told but a portion of the truth for he had imprisoned in the building sixty dragoons, who had thrown down their arms and begged that their lives be spared. Napoleon from his horse looked with an air of good humor and amusement into the haughty face of Violette, and said : " Come here." And pinching Violette's ear, he said : " Who permitted you, a drum-major, to make prison- ers of war? I will attend to you." And raising his voice, he called to his aide : " Rapp, come here." Rapp moved his horse alongside of the Emperor, and Napoleon, placing his hand upon his aide's breast, took therefrom the cross of the Legion of Honor and reach- ing towards Violette, he pinned it on his coat, saying : " Drum-major Violette, you are a brave man. Wear this symbol of your bravery. Rapp, see that the prisoners are taken into Jena." And without waiting for the thanks of the new chevalier, Napoleon put spurs to his horse and con- tinued on his rounds. Violette, resting his hands on the baton, pensively regarded the shining cross upon his breast. " I am not a coward ; I am brave ; the Emperor has said it." 276 XXXVIII LEFEBVRE SEEKS INFORMATION. RETURNING to his headquarters Napoleon directed Rapp to summon Lefebvre to him. Then making a sign to his secretaries who, with their portfolios on their knees, were prepared to take down his words, he began to dictate, walking up and down the confined space and interrupting himself every now and then to take a pinch of snuff from the open box that lay upon the table. " Write," said he to the first secretary: " ' The corps of Marshal Davout has done prodigies, the marshal has had his hat cut by an enemy's sword, his horse wounded, and he has received a number of Prussian bullets through his coat. He has shown himself to be distin- guished for bravery and possessed of the most exalted character that a warrior can hope for. He has been ably seconded by Generals Gudin, Friant, Morand, Deul- tanne, and by the rare intrepidity of his courageous men. The results of the battle are from thirty to forty thousand prisoners, from thirty to forty and perhaps sixty captured flags, 300 pieces of artillery, and immense stores of ammunition and supplies. We learn from de- serters, from prisoners, and from others that the disorder and consternation in the remnants of the enemy's army are great.' ' Napoleon ceased dictating. With him it was impos- sible to write, his hand ran over the paper as rapidly as his thoughts coursed through his brain. It resulted in an entanglement of letters that made his words unintel- ligible even to himself. The labor of his secretaries was arduous, Bourrienne, Fain, Menneval, by force of habit, by the strictest attention, by losing sight of themselves 277 entirely, had trained their minds to follow the Emperor in his feverish compositions. As was his custom, Napoleon then gave the first secretary an opportunity to copy off his notes and passed on to the second. " This is to be the fifth bulletin from the Grand Army," he said. " It is to be sent to the newspapers," and he used the last word with a sarcastic accent, resuming his restless walk across the room and beginning again his dictation : " The Queen of Prussia has several times come within sight of our outposts. She appeared to be greatly excited and in continuous alarm. The evening before the battle at Jena, she reviewed her regiment and was constantly complaining to the King and his generals. She wished for blood, the blood of the most precious in her kingdom. The most capable generals of their country, Brunswick and Mollendorf, were the first victims of her battle. " The tone of Napoleon was sneering ; it was the expression of contempt for the Queen of Prussia rather than the relation of his victory over a sovereign enemy. He stopped and hesitated in his dictation as though he were searching for a word, as though his habitual fluency had deserted him and he strove to properly con- struct his phrases. The secretary, surprised at this unusual interruption lifted his head and looked at the Emperor anxiously. Could he be suffering ? Could some sudden blow have struck this invulnerable man who knew no fatigue, no hunger, no thirst, no sleep, no idleness ? Napoleon caught the eye of his secretary and as if understanding the mute question, he said quickly: " Write, write, monsieur: ' The Emperor is resting at the Palace of Weimar, where he and the Queen stopped several days before the battle. All they have said of the Queen is true, she has a pretty face, but little spirit, and 2 7 8 is incapable of anticipating the consequences of her mistakes. It would be cruel to-day to become her ac- cuser, because she is suffering the remorse of the evils she has brought upon her country through the influ- ence she exercises over the King, her husband. He is an honorable man, who wishes nothing better than peace for his people.' " Again Napoleon paused, but this time because an officer entered the tent quietly and evidently not wish- ing to interrupt the secretaries. The new-comer showed his participation in the conflict for his uniform was torn by shot and the decorations on his mantle were burned by powder. He hesitated at the entrance, waiting until the Emperor should have finished his dictation, but Napoleon advanced to him at once with a cheerful greet- ing, shaking his hand warmly he said: " My old friend, Lefebvre, we haven't done badly this time, what do you think? " " Sire, with you and my Grenadiers, we could not do otherwise." " The Imperial Guard that you commanded has done admirably." "The Imperial Cavalry that Bessieres commanded has done superbly," said Lefebvre. " You have all done admirably," replied Napoleon, " and I wish you would say to the Grenadiers this evening, ' Soldiers, you have pleased the Emperor.' " "Thanks sire, thanks ! That will be sufficient. Do you know, sire, that the Guard made fourteen charges without a single repulse. And, sire, you gave me your sword of the Pyramids, and now look at it, it is like a corkscrew." " Good, good, to replace your sword, we shall give you a rapier. You already have a baton." " I do not understand: Will you explain, sire ? " " Why, you have already the baton of a marshal." " That's true, but the rapier ? " 279 "Ah, Lefebvre, you are slow of comprehension. Now hear what I say, you were there at the entrance when I was dictating this note concerning the Queen of Prussia." " Yes, sire." " With the liberty of a soldier, who should always speak the truth," said Napoleon with some emphasis, " I want to know what you think of it, Lefebvre ? " " Well, sire, I would not make war on women, and if I were in your place, I would allow the Queen of Prus- sia to rest in peace." " She has made this war, is she not responsible for my brave men who sleep there without a tomb in the valleys of Jena, in the streets of Auerstadt ? " " The Prussian people demanded the war." " The Queen set them the example," Napoleon answered, spiritedly, " The shopkeepers, the workmen, the laborers, the artisans looked upon the war with terror. Yes, it was a coterie of women and of young officers alone that made this possible; there is not a man of sense from Paris to Berlin who had not recognized the end of this affair." " It is true the Prussians should have considered whether they could have battled against Napoleon, Lannes, Ney, Davout, Soult, and should not have for- gotten my Grenadiers." " Some lay the unhappiness of Prussia to the visit of the Emperor Alexander. The changes that have ap- peared in the spirit of the Queen, from a timid and modest woman occupied with the affairs of her house- hold to have become a turbulent and warlike character, has been credited to the impression produced upon her by the attractive Alexander." "Do you believe the Queen is in love with the Czar?" " She has certainly tried to please him, she has taken command of a regiment, she has assisted in the councils of war, she has led her husband around by the nose and she has brought her throne to the edge of a precipice. Oh, woman ! woman ! What unhappy advisers you have been for sovereigns ! Return to your firesides and leave it to men to wield the sceptre and the sword. Wait a moment, Lefebvre." And turning back to the secretaries, Napoleon continued : " Now add this note to what you have already written, ' There has been found in the stores of the cities and in the dwellings of the country people, an engraving that has excited much laughter'' Napoleon ceased, he walked a trifle faster and ap- peared to be at a serious loss for some sufficiently severe expression he desired to use. Presently his face lighted up as though he had discovered what he sought, and with the sarcastic sneer upon his lip that was such a per- ceptible characteristic of his face when he wished it to be, he continued : 11 1 It was that of the handsome Emperor of Russia, near to the Queen and on the other side of the King who is holding up his hand taking his oath on the tomb of the Great Frederick, at Potsdam, to destroy the French army. The Queen dressed somewhat as Lady Hamilton is represented in the English engravings, holds her hand upon her heart and looks towards the Emperor of Russia with a most amiable air. The shadow of the Great Frederick expresses no indignation at this scandalous scene, his spirit, his genius, and his voice was with the nation that he had esteemed, and which had been able to say when he was its King that it would not permit the firing of any cannon in Europe without his permission.' " Having dictated thus far, he stopped, smiled visibly pleased with his effort and looked toward Lefebvre as though seeking his approbation. But that general was apparently absorbed in the contemplation of a plan that lay on the Emperor's table. Napoleon approached and said to him: " That is a beautiful piece of work ; it was done by an engineer of great merit, General Chasselout." " Ah, yes ! " said Lefebvre. " It is the plan of the City of Danzig," continued Napoleon. " It gives the distances, the heights and all the positions about the place." "Ah, it is Danzig, certainly! I don't know Danzig," Lefebvre answered, his tone each instant becoming more and more indifferent, and as nearly antagonistic to Napoleon as he dared. But the Emperor, smiling and apparently not noticing Lefebvre's manner, con- tinued: " You know Danzig very well, Lefebvre. It is the first port of any consequence on the Vistula ; all the commerce of the North begins there ; it has enormous resources ; it is the entrance to Poland ; we must go there before we go to Russia." " That is better," said Lefebvre ; " it would give me much pleasure to meet troops somewhat more serious than those of the King of Prussia. When do we go to Russia?" "Wait, a little patience, Lefebvre ! Russia is a great empire, and the difficulties are many to overcome ; she is protected by her vast expanse, by the cold, by the difficulties of communication, by the scarcity of food. My soldiers would die from famine and after going through the snows of Poland they never could reach the heart of Muscovy unless I can provide vast stores to follow them. There are no such difficulties with Danzig. It is a place of the very first consequence. The King of Prussia has constructed there a formidable citadel. There is a garrison of forty thousand Prus- sians, reinforced by four thousand Russians, to defend it. The brave Marshal Kalkreuth is its governor, and he is a noble soldier that I highly respect. You see this tract of land," and Napoleon ran his finger over the plan that lay before him, " is barren ; there is not 282 a tree, not a house, not a shrub to protect Danzig but it has the sea upon one side and the Vistula and the Motlau upon two other sides; it has powerful bastions and it could inundate the only approach by land. You see, Lefebvre, as I have said, Danzig might be impreg- nable." " Impregnable, perfectly, sire." Then thinking to himself: "What the devil does the Emperor want to tell me this for ? What does he expect me to under- stand from these papers ?" Napoleon patted the Marshal on his arm and said in his peculiar way: " Yes, Danzig is impregnable ! That is the reason I have decided you must take it." Lefebvre could not control a start of surprise. "I ! is it I then ! Very well, sire, it shall be taken with what, with my Grenadiers?" Napoleon shrugged his shoulders and still looking intently at the plan he said : " With that, foolish !" Lefebvre was stupefied; he looked at the plan, then at the Emperor in an effort to understand what Napoleon's words meant, and how he could capture a city with a piece of paper, because the Emperor emphasized the word "that" by striking the plan sharply with his fin- gers. What did these drawings of the engineers signify to him ? He was ordered to take Danzig, well and good, he would carry it by assault at the head of his Grena- diers. Napoleon looked slyly from the corner of his eye at his old companion. He thought a great deal of Le- febvre; he recognized his honest qualities; he knew him to be the most valorous and the most ignorant of all his offi- cers; Napoleon believed in his rough integrity; he knew the worth of his outspoken wife, Sans-Gene. For a long time he had intended to give Lefebvre some higher re- ward, some unmistakable evidence of his friendship, the siege of Danzig would present the opportunity. 283 "Old man," the Emperor said to him, "you take Danzig, and I will promise you when we return to France you shall have something a great deal better than a seat in the Senate." Lefebvre saluted the Emperor, happy in the absolute confidence he had in his word and in his ability to make it good. Napoleon told him to summon the engineer Chasselout and the General of Artillery Lariboisiere for conference with him. " I shall write this good news to my wife," said Lefebvre on leaving the Emperor ; " she will be most happy and at the same time most thankful to Your Majesty for these favors." " Your wife ? Sans-Gene ?" said Napoleon in a sur- prised voice. " Oh, do you still think of your wife, Lefebvre ?" "Do I still think of her? Why do you ask me that, sire? Catharine and I love each other just as though we were two country people. Yes, we think just as much of each other now as we did when she was a washerwoman and I sergeant; we are no different now that she is Madame Marchioness and I the commander of your Im- perial Guard. Do I love Catharine ? Oh, sire, my Em- peror ! my wife and my flag, of all else I am ignorant. I have never been to school and I know but three duties, to serve my Emperor, to love my wife, and to defend the eagle you have confided to me." " That is well, Lefebvre," said the Emperor, smiling, "when you have taken Danzig and we have returned victors all along the line, you will be able to still further reward your wife." "I have already the baton of a marshal; what else would you give me ? Oh, sire, what is it then that you wish to do for me, to merit it I would undertake the impossible ? " " I have said, take Danzig ! " " I will go there ! " responded Lefebvre, and after 284 bowing to Napoleon he left the tent and proceeded to his own quarters. " He has a brave heart," murmured Napoleon as he looked after him; " that is the sort of man Plutarch tells of as the soldiers of his time." Napoleon twirled himself around upon his heel and then became conscious again of his waiting secretaries who with pen in hand were ready to resume their work. " Write, monsieurs, you, Monsieur Fain, to Monsieur Fouche, ' My Dear Minister, I am very much provoked at the attitude of the French Academy. Abbe Siecard, in receiving Cardinal Maury, said some unpleasant things about the Comte Mirabeau. He is a student who has declaimed against the Revolution and seems to never make any change in his opinions. Speak to Mirabeau ' " A few more words ended his communication to the Minister of Police, and he passed at once to another subject : " ' The Director of the Opera must abstain from any interference in regard to the mechanical working of the stage ; that is my wish. I want them to change the arrangement of the last ballet ; I notice that some of the actresses are mounted on clouds, and it seems to me there is very likely to be an accident' " He passed to other equally diverse subjects, and when he had finished, he bowed to his secretaries and said : " Until we meet again, gentlemen ! Let me advise you to take a little rest. To-morrow we shall be in Potsdam and the day after we shall enter Berlin." XXXIX. THE ENTRY INTO BERLIN. ON the 2yth of October, 1806, Berlin presented a spectacle so grand that it recalled the most gorgeous and princely scenes of the classical era. As the Roman legions entered the cities that they conquered, so did the victorious Grand Army make its entry into this capital of a vanquished state. The city was alive early in the day to witness the great incident, the windows of the houses were crowded, the balconies had their strength tested beneath triple ranks of men and women; enormous crowds filled the avenues, the boulevards and the streets. The avenue that extended from Charlottenbourg to the King's 286 Palace was packed with a solid mass of people, women willing to be subject to the awful pressure to satisfy their curiosity stood on tiptoe, or clambered upon the sills of the adjacent windows; men carried their children upon their shoulders; ladders, stools, platforms were used all along the fronts of the houses, and in the narrower streets that were tributary to this broad high- way. All eyes were turned towards the gate of Char- lottenbourg, which was still closed and guarded by two agents of police, who found no other occupation than to beat off the street gamins in their persistent climbing upon it, as an excellent vantage-ground to witness the approaching army. All this mass of people talked in a voice violent and sad, individuals explained to other individuals around them the history of this brigand they were about to see and the prodigious succession of events that had brought Napoleon and his army to Berlin. A cry of anger went up from the population oppressed by the defeat, but intimidated and subjugated by the grandeur of the victory. The curiosity and desire to see the great Napoleon near them, to be able to study his manner, the clothes he wore, the way he carried his head or guided his horse, the attractions possessed by the victor of forty battles and also the satisfaction of looking upon his in- vincible soldiers, of whose prowess extravagant legends had already been made, dominated the sentiment of sadness and of prostration that was found at the bottom of all hearts. And the interest was intensified by the realization that this was the first occasion upon which the French Caesar had demanded the spectacular honors of triumph. Berlin was to have the unhappy privilege of being the theatre of a new and extraordinary enter- tainment. Presently a prolonged murmur coming from the dis- tance and bearing the ominous sound of an approach- 2 8 7 ing horror, swept through the crowd and passed from mouth to mouth down the broad avenue and through all the neighboring streets to the palace. The Charlot- tenbourg gate swung open. " Ah ! here they come ! " Tall and brilliant, looking down like a column of tri- umph upon this sea of humanity, floated and waved a tricolored plume, the aigrette with the colors of the Revolution, and beneath it a high hat gorgeously be- decked with gold. Haughty, imperious, strong, surmounted by the plume and the hat, his baton at arm's length above him, step- ping through the arched doorway of the Charlotten- bourg, advancing, menacing, his sceptre poised for its final signal . Majestic, grander than ever, his shoulders slightly swinging to the rhythm of the music he had in his mind, Violette, as the Emperor had promised, was the first of the conquering horde to enter Berlin. On his breast glittered the brilliant star of the Legion of Honor. His face was placid, but his eyes sparkled amid the eclat of this incomparable day. He swung be- fore the Berliners his long baton and his plumes nodding to heaven, and he seemed to say: " Look at me, children of Berlin! France is the most beautiful country in the world, the army is the most beautiful object in France, the most beautiful regiment of France is the First Regiment of Grenadiers, and I, its drum-major, am the most beautiful man of the First Regiment of Grenadiers ! Look at me well, children of Prussia, you have before your eyes the most beautiful man of all the earth ! Ah, if Catharine I should say if the Marchioness, could see me now ! " Because at the bottom of his heart Violette was possessed of a profound affection for Sans-Gene, respect- ful, innocent, a love as simple as his heroism and as great as his stature, 288 Behind the rolling drums was the colossal forest of Grenadiers, marching with a single step like automatic giants. Following them a long break and then Davout, Lefebvre, Berthier, Augereau, the glorious marshals of the Empire whose names were familiar to the crowd. Then another long break and alone, the solitary star in the orb of all these brilliant military constellations, the centre, the sun, mounted on his white horse with golden trappings, wearing his gray coat under which could be seen the uniform of a colonel of Chas- seurs and his white vest, came the Emperor. Behind him the superb Cuirrassiers of the Guard com- manded by Generals d'Hautpoul and Nansouty. Admiration stilled the crowd, checked its clamors, subdued its revolt, commanded its respect. Thereafter in the midst of silence the Imperial cortege went through the city. Not a cry of hatred arose, not a protest came from the ranks of this conquered and humiliated people, neither was there the sound of applause, not a cheer at the spectacle of these magnificent victors parading in arms in the capital of Prussia. Later another cortege not at Berlin, but at Paris, the Prussians, the English, the Austrians, the Russians, passed down the Boulevard from the Bastile to the Place Vendome amid the frantic acclamations of miserable Frenchmen welcoming their defeat, the waving handkerchiefs at the windows, and the joyful cries of delirious women. " Long live the Emperor Alexander ! Long live the King of Prussia ! Long live our good friends the enemy ! " The partisans of the Bourbons imprinted that day an indelible scar of dishonor on the face of France. There was an effort to efface it, in the sublime and tragic attitude of Paris on that unhappy first of March, 1871.. On that day Paris was a desert. Filled with the con- sternation of a city ravaged by an epidemic, the doors 289 were shut, the windows were closed, the streets were deserted, life was suspended, Paris offered a spectacle more dignified than did Berlin, when she greeted the entry of the Grand Army in her streets. Our van- quishers rested like a troop of suspects in a corner of the city without passing the Place de la Concorde. And how were their cavaliers received as they wheeled about the obelisk? By the silence of the patriots behind the barricade, a vast square, deserted, sinister, the im- posing statues of the cities of France with their stone faces concealed by a mask of black crepe that they might not see the approach of the conquerors. Touching symbols of an overwhelming patriotism. The entrance of the French into Berlin on the 27th of October, 1806, was not a victory of adventurers, of hired warriors, of friends of England as the unhappy epoch when the white cocard triumphed over us. Master of Berlin, Napoleon, after having solemnly received the keys of the city, accorded an audience to the magistrates and reassured them as to their safety. The most severe orders were given to maintain discipline and prevent violence, rioting and theft. With great consideration the Emperor summoned Prince Hatzfeld, who was Burgomaster of Berlin. The Emperor demanded of the Prince that he should resign his office assuring him his treatment would be hon- orable and just. At the same time he offered to con- tinue him in the office and volunteered he would not in any way interfere with the local institutions or laws but would permit the Prince to administer af- fairs as in the past, on condition that in such case no- thing should be done against the French. This was reasonable and equitable and Prince Hatzfeld accepted the condition; he earnestly thanked the Emperor for his goodness and swore upon the Bible he would, while administering the affairs of Berlin, do nothing against the French army nor against its chief, nor would 290 he reveal to the Generals of the King of Prussia any movements of the French troops with which he might become acquainted. Prince Hatzfeld took his departure; Napoleon turned to his work with his secretaries when Duroc entered bearing a message from Marshal Lefebvre that he wished to talk with the Emperor. " Why doesn't he come in ?" said Napoleon pleasantly; "is it necessary for Lefebvre to have a letter of invita- tion, my ante-chamber is for kings, not for a marshal like Lefebvre." " It is because he has a young lieutenant with him, and he was afraid Your Majesty would not care to re- ceive him." " A lieutenant ? His son, perhaps ?" " No, sire, Lefebvre has no son in the army." "Tell Lefebvre to come in and his lieutenant with him." Lefebvre presented Henriot, his adopted son, to the Emperor. Looking intently at the young man, Napoleon said: " Your age ? " "Twenty-one years, sire." "Second lieutenant in the Fourth Hussars; your general is Lasalle. You are the adopted son of Marshal Lefebvre ?" "The Marchioness adopted him, sire, on the field of battle at Jemmapes," said Lefebvre, making response for the embarrassed young man. "A fine combat that, Jemmapes. And it was at Jena that you made your first fight, it was a good debut, lieutenant ! " " In what regiment, sire ? " responded Henriot with simplicity. The Emperor laughed, he liked precise responses, it showed spirit, it augured well for the young man. "Ah ! I have named you lieutenant," Napoleon con- 291 tinned with a smile. "Well, then, lieutenant you shall be in the same regiment. Of course, if there is no vacancy there Murat or Lasalle will give you the first one that occurs." Lefebvre approached the Emperor and said to him : " Sire, I thank you for our adopted child ; the March- ioness will be very happy. He will be worthy of this promotion you have accorded him. Henriot has merit, and you have done justice to a true soldier" " Your scholar, Lefebvre ! " " I am proud, sire. Henriot, tell the Emperor some things you have done as a justification for the favor he has just shown you." Henriot, blushing and hesitating, failed to respond. " You didn't stand trembling before Stettin ! " Le- febvre exclaimed. " The Emperor is more formidable than Stettin," the young lieutenant murmured. " Cannot you tell how you took Stettin ?" cried Le- febvre. " Oh, oh ! How is this ? The Hussars took Stettin ! " said the Emperor in rare good humor. " Explain to me how it was ! You have not alone, I suppose, taken a place that had such a numerous garrison, so much ar- tillery?" " Sire, I had with me a corporal's guard of Hussars," responded Henriot, modestly. Lefebvre once more came to his rescue : " This is what he would say to Your Majesty : Gen- eral Lasalle with his Hussars and Chasseurs rode into the country. He is not very well acquainted with that country, Lasalle, and he sent Second Lieutenant Hen- riot with a corporal's guard of Hussars to reconnoitre a large village he saw in the distance " " A corporal's guard only ! What imprudence ! Con- tinue Lefebvre ! " " Presently he arrived under the walls of a large city, 292 fortified and its ramparts bristling with numerous cannon. Now, Henriot, you tell His Majesty what took place." The young man continued the story : " Surprised at finding myself before a place of such importance where I only expected to discover a village, I stopped ! " " Lasalle is brave, just as you are Lefebvre, but he is terribly ignorant of geography," said the Emperor. " Go on lieutenant !" " I hesitated for a moment as to what it was best to do," responded Henriot in a somewhat more assured manner, encouraged by the amiable words of the Em- peror, " but I had already been seen by the garrison, and they were pointing their cannon at me. If I had ordered a retreat to my men, we would probably all have been killed and my General would not have known of the existence of this fortified place. All our cavalry was scattered about the plain and offered an excellent mark for the murderous fire from the ramparts. Without very well knowing what it was the most prudent to do, I drew my sword and cried to my men, advance !" "Very good! and then!" said the Emperor, much interested in the recital. " We advanced to the bridge and were met by an offi- cer whom I ordered to halt, I drew my men up in line and I summoned the commander to surrender, the draw bridge was lowered and we entered. I sent a messen- ger at once to General Lasalle and an hour afterwards he entered the city. The Governor officially delivered to him the keys and the garrison were made prisoners." " How many men ? " " About six thousand." "It was fine, a magnificent feat, I congratulate you, captain ! Pardon me, chief of squadron," the Emperor corrected himself. " Lefebvre, I congratulate you on your son; tell Rapp to give me his commission to sign 293 to-day. Au revoir, commandant, I shall keep my eye on you. When I read the report of Lasalle and bulle- tin the Grand Army I shall make mention of this action." And Napoleon extended his hand to the young chief of squadron, so rapidly and deservedly promoted. Lefebvre and his protege left the room glorifying their Emperor. Henriot followed the Marshal into the street where they walked rapidly along attended by the curious glances of the Berliners. " Where are we going Monsieur Marshal ? " Henriot asked in a tone of surprise, as he noticed Lefebvre was directing his steps towards a handsome building situated not far from the palace of the King, where the Emperor now made his heardquaters. " To the Municipal Palace, to see Prince Hatzfeld, the Burgomaster," replied Lefebvre. " Why are we going there ?" " You will know presently," said Lefebvre with a curious smile. " Henriot, have you forgotten your little companion, Alice ?" Henriot blushed as he answered : " How could I forget her ! We have played together; we have slept together in the canteen wagon." " Yes, when my good Catharine was cantiniere. Alice, as you know, was taken by her from the midst of bursting shells and in the disorder of a surrendered city, that was in 1792, at Verdun. We treated you two as though you were brother and sister; perhaps it was not prudent." " I have felt very sad since I have lost Alice, she was so sweet, so amiable, so pretty." " Yes, you played the little husband to her little wife. Well, Alice is here." "In Berlin?" "Yes; her family is very poor, and as some friendly relations existed between one of the Beaurepaires and 294 Prince Hatzfeld, the wife of the Prince took Alice and she now has her." " And we shall see her again, what happiness ! " cried Henriot, enthused with anticipation. " Alice saw us when we entered Berlin; she has talked about us, about you especially, to the Princess, and I have received an invitation to dinner from the Burgo- master and I am going to take you with me." " Oh, Monsieur Marshal, how good you are." " I am good, eh ! The Emperor sometimes calls me a beast. Well, I have promised to take you to dinner to the Municipal Palace and that is where we are going. It is too late for you to refuse now." " This day shall certainly be by me eternally blessed." " I should think so ! A second lieutenant at noon and chief of squadron at four o'clock ! " " And now going to see Alice? " " Oh, you young people don't think of anything but pleasure," Lefebvre growled, " but now attend to this, young man, I did not bring you here and give you an opportunity to fight at Jena so that you should wrap up your sword in the petticoats of the Berlin women. Remember, you may embrace Alice and talk about your childhood adventures but then, en route ! " " Where to ? " "To Danzig." " A magnificent place, the strongest in the North, why they say" " Yes, now that's enough ! There are eighteen thou- sand men, two hundred pieces of cannon, redoubts, a canal, fortifications. Oh, its a fine present ! '* " Certainly ! " " The Emperor has given Danzig to me. Of course I have got to take it." " We are going in there ? " " I expect to. The Emperor has talked about my Grenadiers for that service, perhaps you think the Hus- 295 sars would do better, or we might take the citadel with the cavalry ! " Lefebvre said ironically, indicating the disdain that he as commander of the Footguards felt towards the cavalry. "The Hussars in Holland captured the fleet," re- sponded Henriot with vivacity, defending his branch of the service. " In war there is nothing impossible. But go on, have it over, say good-day and good-bye to Alice, and then, to horse ! " " And you are not going to allow me to return ! " said the young man. " Oh, Monsieur Marshal, my father, I have loved Alice since childhood, I love her now and I know I shall die if you say it is impossible that she shall sometime become my wife." "You talk about marrying! At your age? You haven't got time, you'd better attend to becoming a colonel." " But, Monsieur Marshal, you know very well how young you were when you married the marchioness." " Oh, that was different; I wasn't chief of a squadron; I was sergeant ! Now, boy, we will talk about this later considerably later." " When ? " " When we have taken Danzig." "Let's take it quickly." "Well, now we will go into the Municipal Palace and see the Burgomaster and all those people who will look at us as though we were curious animals. Ah, let me caution you when you write to Paris don't say any- thing about all this to the Marchioness; she will scold me." And the two entered the palace at the door of which a Grenadier presented arms and a page hastened to an- nounce the coming of his two guests to Prince Hatzfeld. 296 XL. THE WORD OF A PRUSSIAN. PRINCESS HATZFELD received the Marshal and his adopted son with a most gracious welcome. The Prince was reserved, dignified, imperturbable. Henriot, happy to have recovered Alice, blushing and charming, thought of nothing but the contentment of being near her. All the definitions of love that he had ever conceived were united in this one, single, blissful situation ; he preferred to all other happinesses, to all other events, to all spectacles, the pleasure of being again with his beloved. Final possession, is not that the exasperation of sentiment ? It is the pyrotechnics of passion. The best of love is not found in the plenti- tude of satiety, but the most delicious moment is when they ardently desire, these twin souls, when they enjoy the sound of the voice, when they tremble at the slightest touch. Henriot and Alice talked in a low voice during the dinner which was lengthy and elaborate, and they knew nothing of the polite conversation of those about them for they spoke only of themselves. They talked of their pleasant past, they told of the little incidents in their youthful adventures. One matter, and one alone, troubled Henriot in this delightful meeting ; it was that he had no time to put upon his sleeve ^the insignia of his new rank, while the sole disturbing element in the soul of Alice was that she could not appear in the new dress the Princess had promised her for a long time and which had been de- layed with the defeat of the Prussian army. 2 9 7 During the dinner, where the strict conditions of German etiquette were scrupulously observed, Le- febvre made an heroic effort to behave as a man of elegance and refinement. He knew the sentiments of the Emperor in this par- ticular; many times he remembered how Napoleon ob- served to the highest dignitaries of his Empire, that they should specially cultivate the art of knowing how to deport themselves in the world. "You are, Marshals, Generals, Chamberlains, Sena- tors," the Emperor had said to his Court, "You are, then, gentlemen of the modern world that I have created. Rise to the heights where I have placed you. Learn to bow, to enter a drawing-room, to give your arm to a lady, to converse, learn how to be dignified, imposing, distinguished." Distinguished ! That was difficult ! If the Em- peror had demanded only that they should have been brave, audacious, intrepid, to risk their lives a hun- dred times before the cannon, pass their days and nights on horseback, in doing the impossible and daring the invincible, that would have been nothing. But to be courtiers, these men of the bivouac and the bat- tlefield. And the brave Lefebvre, the rudest, the most out- spoken, the least educated Marshal of the Empire, it would have brought on an interminable illness if he had followed the Emperor's wishes. In secret, however, to please Napoleon, he bought a small vol- ume of Madame Campan, former instructress of the French children, entitled : " The Art of Living Prop- erly," and at night in his tent beneath the eyes of two sentinels he had studied the rules there laid down with the earnestness of a student corporal who, desirous of reaching higher rank, would learn the theo- ries of war. All the time he was at that interminable dinner 298 Lefebvre was patient, observing, studious. He ab- stained from eating and drinking from time to time and glanced to the right, then to the left, closely watching the manners of the Prince and rather appalled by the gracious, dignified air of the Princess. Mentally he went over the rules laid down by Madame Campan, and he became conscious upon two or three occasions of having been guilty of infractions upon the famous code arranged by that estimable lady. In drinking a glass of very superior Tokay that was served to him by the Princess herself, he could not help rubbing his tongue over his lips as he had been in the habit of doing when he drank white wine in the Parisian tunnel in company with his intended, Sans-Gene, nor could he refrain from the involuntary expression that was sufficiently loud to be heard around the table : "In the name of God, that's a fine little refreshment that is worthy of better acquaintance ! " As the Prince and Princess looked curiously at each other and compressed their lips in an attempt to restrain their laughter; Lefebvre lifted the glass again in his hand and as he poised it an instant in the air, he said : " To the health of His Majesty, Napoleon, Emperor and King." The irony of their smiles disappeared. Lefebvre had recovered his self-possession, and he extended his glass towards the Princess, saying : " A second glass, if you please." And raising this he repeated in a firm voice : " To the glory of the Grand Army ; honor and respect to the Army of Prussia !" The Prince and Princess bowed slightly and touched their lips to the glass, and the dinner ended in a most formal and almost frigid manner. Lefebvre pretended to have a report in process of preparation, and was, therefore, compelled to leave at an early hour, Henriot 299 with him happy in the thought of the pleasant moments he had just passed with Alice. " You know, we leave to-morrow," said Lefebvre to the boy as soon as they had emerged from the house. " I shall send an aide to Lasalle to ask him if I may take you with me." " I am at your orders, my father. Only permit me to make my adieux to Madam the Princess and to Made- moiselle Alice before we leave." " That is all right," exclaimed Lefebvre energetically and looking savagely at the young man, " You will go back there if you wish and present your compliments to the ladies, but let me whisper this to you: hold your tongue, in the name of all that is great don't tell them where you are going." Henriot was taken aback and confused by this admonition, because Lefebvre, in giving it, showed he had detected the possible indiscretion the young man might be guilty of. In fact Henriot had been on the very point of thoughtlessly disclosing the great en- terprise the Emperor had confided to the Marshal, but at the moment of his utterance he had caught Le- febvre's eye, he bit his lip and was silent. But the anger shown in the face of the Marshal' and the embarrassment of the youthful officer had not escaped the notice of the Prince. It concerned a state secret, he was sure, an important move of the troops, an advance before the main body of the Grand Army left, perhaps a rapid attack on the flank of the Russian army, now en route across Poland. These surprises were familiar to the genius of Napoleon. At this moment, when he seemed to be entirely de- voted to the interior reorganization of conquered Prus- sia, when every appearance indicated he was occu- pied only by the fetes and spectacles and receptions he himself had ordered, the Emperor might be pre- paring for one of those audacious blows that stupefied 300 his adversaries and by their very suddenness assured his victory. So the Prince anxiously asked himself in what way he could learn the secret that had been partly revealed to him by the young hussar. He spent some time in thought and contemplation, studying the means of pro- curing this information, and then entered the grand salon where the Princess was entertaining a party of friends. Saluting the ladies as he passed before them, the attention of the Prince was attracted to a murmur of low voices in a distant corner, where he found Hen- riot sitting with Alice. " Ah ! this young girl, by her help I probably shall be able to learn something," the Prince said to himself, while a smile of confidence and hope came upon his face. He joined the visitors entertained by his wife, and when Henriot arose to leave, the prince shook him cor- dially by the hand saying : " I pray, you, commandant, consider this house as your own during your stay in Berlin. But I learn you are going away very soon, I hope not for long?" " I shall accompany the Marshal," Henriot replied with a little hesitation. " Oh, then, we shall know when you are returning," continued the Prince without any appearance of interest in the matter. When all the guests had withdrawn and the Princess had retired to her apartment, the Prince called Alice to him and in a paternal and unctuous manner he talked of Henriot, he spoke of her youth and of the long friend- ship and love she had borne for the young commandant, how thoughts of him must fill her heart, and thus with facility and naturalness he passed on to other con- siderations about Henriot. "You love him, and I suppose he loves you equally well; it will be rather lonesome now to be separated 301 from each other, but I hope it won't be for a very long time; he seems to be a good fellow; where is he going, do you know ? " " No, I do not," said Alice, her heart a trifle worried by the peculiar manner of the Prince, although his words seemed to be amiable, and he observed regret- fully that his remarks had aroused some feeling in the young girl. He therefore considered it useless to pro- long the conversation; he had said enough to feel sure that Alice the next day when she saw Henriot again would probably learn from him his destination. He awaited the coming of the young man with im- patience, and at ten o'clock on the following morning the clatter of hoofs in the courtyard of the palace told Henriot had arrived. Leaving his horse in the care of a hussar, the young man ran quickly up to the salon and was announced to the Princess, who excused herself on the plea that she was suffering just then from a slight indisposition and would leave him to the care of Alice. The adieux of these two youthful lovers were sad and brief; Henriot had only a few moments to spare before reporting to the Marshal and the departure from the city was set for eleven o'clock. Just as he was leaving the door Alice timidly asked him: " Henriot, you have not told me where you are go- ing, I want to follow you with my thoughts, I want my heart to be with you in these strange battles you are going to fight ! " " You want to know where the Marshal is going to take me, my Alice ? The curiosity of a woman, isn't it ? Well, it is Danzig, there is where the Emperor is sending us, and he orders us to lay seige to the city and take it. You see, Alice, I have nothing secret from you." " Excuse me, Henriot, it is not right I should ques- tion you." 3 02 " Is it on your own account, Alice, that you asked me these questions, has not some one else been trying to find out from you where the Emperor is sending us ? Tell me?" Henriot demanded with ener- gy, the warning of Lefebvre flashing through his mind. "Yes, it was Prince Hatz- feld, who has questioned me; he asked me if I knew where you were going. " " Prince Hatzfeld? Then he is a traitor ! " cried Hen- riot. "And he gave his solemn oath to the Emper- or. Adieu, my dear, for the present, I must hasten back to the Marshal. We shall return when Dan- zig is taken, until then be silent, not a word to the Prince nor to any one in this place; happy is she who knows no- thing. Good-by ! " In his haste Hen- riot mistook the exit and instead of emerging on the vestibule, he opened the door leading into the private room of the Prince, and as he threw the door back he found the Burgomaster leaning for- ward with his ear against the key-hole and manifestly flustered at the unexpected interruption. Henriot closed the door quickly and as he ran to the courtyard 33 he said to himself : " The Prince has heard all; he knows the secret of our errand. There is not a second to lose; the Emperor must be informed. " He hurried to Lefebvre and at once told him of his suspicion, the Marshal sent Duroc to inform the Em- peror their destination had been discovered. Two hours later a courier sent by the Burgomaster to the King of Prussia was intercepted and brought before the Emperor. On him was found a letter from Prince Hatz- feld to the King announcing the departure of Lefebvre and the projected seige of Danzig. Napoleon was in the most violent rage of his life; he shouted: " See here the word of a Prussian! The Prince gave me his solemn promise to do nothing against us; on that condition, which he was free to accept or not, I per- mitted him to continue his titles, his rank, his preroga- tives; I treated him as an official of my own Empire, and this is the return I receive for my generosity, for my decency, for trusting a traitor. Well, he will find that my vengeance will be worthy of the offense; yes, general, I shall make an example of him. I would pardon a beaten soldier who sought to revenge his comrades and who had thrown down his arms to save his life; I have respected the exasperated patriotism of those country- men outside the city who, this very evening, in am- buscade murdered some of our unfortunate troops who were wandering around in small numbers; I am ready to respect any citizen who defends his country; I admire the explosions of savagery and of courage in the Mame- lukes, but I treat as reptiles these perfidious gentlemen, these hypocritical courtiers, these lying courtesans who bend their knee before me so I may permit them to retain their fortunes, their privileges, and that they may sneak around without any risk to their courage, looking for an opportunity to profit by the indiscretion, the passion of some young girl, to listen at their doors, 34 to become thieves in their own household, to act like traitors in breaking their oath and retracting their word. I shall punish this Hatzfeld and I warrant no one else will imitate him." " Sire, you are all powerful," said Duroc. " I am not feeble," answered the Emperor. " I have reason for being severe; I have no confidence in these arrogant Prussian noblemen, these men who live by the fear they inspire. Friendship, benefits, liberality are shown towards them in vain. You counsel me to clem- ency in your remark, Duroc. That was well enough at the time of Cinna, Augustus sat securely on his throne in the midst of a peaceful Empire; he was not eight hundred miles from his palace in the midst of an antag- onistic people and playing with all sorts of treason. Duroc, you go and arrest Prince Hatzfeld within one hour and have him tried by court-martial to-morrow morning. Go ! " Duroc saluted the Emperor. It was a useless labor to resist when the Emperor spoke in this way. Prince Hatzfeld was arrested, court-martialed, accused of high treason, found guilty, sentenced to death and to be shot within twenty-four hours. Davout, Rapp, Duroc made one last appeal to the Emperor ; they supplicated him to spare the Prince; he had done as he did through patriotism; his crime had a legitimate excuse; the Emperor would be more feared in pardoning than in executing; he would dis- arm the passions of those around him, and would earn the admiration of the German people by his act of generosity. Napoleon listened to these appeals and to these prayers, but his severest trial came with the pres- ence of Princess Hatzfeld. Touched by her gentle words, his sentiment appealed to by the thought of a child yet unborn that would be orphaned, the Emperor listened with much feeling to her appeal. As he hesitated Rapp ushered in a young girl who came trembling before the Emperor. It was Alice, in simple dress, her eyes filled with tears, join- ing her prayers with those of the Princess. She re- cited in broken words the story of her childhood, the care that the Marchioness Lefebvre had given her, the kindnesses she had found in the home of Princess Hatzfeld. She spoke of the friend of her early years, Henriot, the adopted son of the Marshal and with whom she blushingly confessed she dreamt of a future happi- ness. Would the Emperor be the indirect cause of eternal anguish to her benefactress ? Napoleon reflected seriously and slowly, he was touched by the supplication of this girl, his heart was not all bronze. "You are the fiance of Commandant Henriot, the brave hussar who took Stettin with sixty cavaliers?" said he, fixing his look upon the young girl. " Yes, sire, and, with your permission, I shall marry Commandant Henriot, Marshal Lefebvre has already given his consent." " Good ? You believe then that Marshal Lefebvre will accomplish the mission I have given him. Ah, well, mademoiselle, out of regard for the valiant officer who has accomplished one of the noblest feats of the century, I will grant your request. You may both rest easy." And going to his desk, he took from it a letter which he handed to Princess Hatzfeld with these words: " Here is the proof of your husband's treason, ma- dame. The court-martial has pronounced its judgment based on this proof, it exists no more. The court-martial will be called anew, and your husband against whom no charge can now be sustained will be set at liberty." And with a hasty and imperious gesture, the Em- peror took the letter again in his hand and threw it into the fire, it was the letter taken from the courier which contained advices to the King of Prussia that Mar- shal Lefebvre was marching against Danzig. 3 6 As the Princess and Alice were leaving the room beaming with their happiness at the clemency of the Emperor, he, his face covered with smiles, said to the young girl : " If Commandant Henriot does as well before Danzig as he did before Stettin, I will promise you, Madamoi- selle, a wedding portion when you sign your marriage contract." And as the Emperor returned to his work, he said to Duroc : " Well, Marshal, I hope you are satisfied with me. I have been weak, I had no business to pardon him; I should have continued angry. I should have made an example. I have done wrong." " Sire, your have conquered yourself. It is the greatest victory Your Majesty has yet achieved and posterity will glorify this day as one of the most prom- ising in your reign," responded the Marshal. XLI. BEFORE DANZIG. IN his tent Marshal Lefebvre angrily, impulsively was reading a report that had been rendered to him by his aide-de-camp. For some moments he listened to it, and then striking the table before him violently with his fist, he exclaimed: " Go ahead, go ahead ! I could do it well enough if I had the men, six thousand Poles, who are as drunk as Cossacks, twenty-two hundred Badois, five thousand Danes that I thrashed at Jena and now have to keep under my eyes, because I think they would a great deal rather be with the King of Prussia than with me. And that is all the Emperor has given me to take this city! "The Marshal has forgotten the Second Regiment," said the aide. 37 " No, by God, I haven't forgotten it; I am going to keep that Second Regiment for the assault; oh, if I only had my Grenadiers." " Have you any orders to give for the Chasseurs ? " " Ah yes, the cavalry ! They can't do much, these Chasseurs, they are good regiments, the Twenty-second and the Nineteenth, but, the devil, how can we take fortresses with cavalry? Henriot might. What a position the Emperor has put me in. I have just three thousand Frenchmen,- three thousand real soldiers and I am ex- pected with these three thousand men to take a place that is regarded as impregnable. It is true, I have six hundred engineers, but that is not much. It will be well earned, this present I am to receive." And the valiant Marshal mounted his horse, impatient at the delay in the operations of the siege. Danzig was securely invested. The siege was memorable, the most important of the wars of the Em- pire and it necessitated tedious preliminary operations. From the day the Marshal left Berlin, accompanied by Henriot, the work had been carried on with admirable precision and with excellent judgment. When the siege began General Schramm, with up- wards of three thousand Poles and a squadron of the Nineteenth Chasseurs and a battalion of the Second Regiment, crossed the Vistula and landed on a sand- bank. The men of the Second Regiment had the honor of being at the head of each attacking column. The Danzig garrison made a valiant sortie, but the Second Regiment stopped them and Schramm's forces pressed them back into the city. A bridge of boats was thrown across the river and the advance post of the French was established under the guns of Fort de Weichselmunde. Two other sorties were made and desperately fought. General Chasseloup, who had the full confidence of Napoleon, pursued the siege with uninterrupted tenacity to the great discomfiture of Lefebvre, who impatiently 3 o8 informed him from day to day he wished to carry the place by assault. The winter was severe, but thanks to the care taken by the Marshal, the soldiers had no suffering in their barracks. Every night great fires were lighted, and joyously the men sang their songs and brewed their punch in their great bowls. The morale of the troops was excellent, only the brave Marshal was uneasy; he understood nothing of all these precautions that were being taken by the engineers; he wished to be at them and, like an old warhorse impatient of restraint he kept his ears constantly strained for the sound of the advancing trumpet. The day we find him in his tent, listening to the daily report of his aide and interrupting him with his complaining comment, " Nothing new, always nothing new," a council of war had been called. General Chasseloup, directing the engineers' work, and General Kirgener, commanding the artillery, to- gether with General Schramm, had come to confer with the Marshal. " Well, gentlemen, when are we going to end this ? " he asked of them as soon as they entered. " A little patience, Marshal, we are approaching them," responded General Chasseloup." " When will it be in condition for me to assault ? Are we to rest eternally here ? " responded Lefebvre, who imagined these scientific men, these men of the pen, were retarding the decisive hour. " Marshal," said Chasseloup, politely, " will you throw your eye over this plan. Here are the surroundings of Danzig, traced out on this card, there you find two outworks separated by a little village named Schild- litz " "When shall we take this village?" " In eight days ! " " Not before ! Why not ? " 39 "Because we must first make a false attack on these works to the right, Bischofsberg." " Good, and after the false attack ? " " Then you will order a real attack, Marshal." " On which side ?" " Here, to the left, this redoubt which is named Ha- gelsburg." " Then we go for Hagelsburg ! whether we strike to the right or the left, it is just the same to me so long as we strike." " We shall strike, Marshal, you can be certain of that," General Chasseloup said with calm placidity. "The quicker the better. But why do we strike on this side and not on the right ? " " For this reason: contrary to the opinion of my col- league, General Kirgener, I have chosen the works on the left. It is that they are in a better position to per- mit us to deploy our troops, and they cannot make a sortie so well. It is also open to our attack from the rear. On the contrary, Bischofsberg is protected by a ravine." " But general, this ravine would do for my soldiers, they could advance under cover. Why did you not choose the other side ? There we could throw our men under the walls of Danzig without taking any great risks ?" " But, Marshal, how would it be possible for you to make any progress in the ravine." " I don't know what you mean, explain yourself, general ? " Then the engineer went into a long explanation to the Marshal on the art of capturing a city, and it is not extraordinary that the Marshal was deficient in this chapter of military art. For the most part the generals of the Empire were all ignorant of it. From the occu- pation of Vaudan there had not been in Europe a regu- lar siege, outside of Mantone the most of the places in- vested had surrendered without bringing the enemy to the issue of a siege. General Chasseloup acquainted the Marshal with the real difficulty of the position Napoleon had assigned to him; he had more confidence though in the company of the Grenadiers or the light infantry to carry by assault the well-defended fortifications. It was practical war that the Marshal wanted, the war of scientists he did not think much of. But by means of trenches and other laborious work they approached nearer and nearer to the walls and . finally got close up under the ramparts. Each trench was provided with cannon keeping up a continuous fire. This was the promise held out by Chasseloup for the termination of the siege. " And what shall we do when we get to the foot of these ramparts," asked Lefebvre. " Then, Monsieur Marshal, we will make as large a breach as possible in the walls by means of General Kirgener's cannon, and at that moment our soldiers can enter." The council was concluded and the officers returned to their quarters. The opening in the tent was parted and Henriot, wearing the uniform of a commandant of Chasseurs entered visibly affected. " Well, what is it now? Have you taken Danzig with your corporal's guard ?" asked Lefebvre, always a little ironical when he spoke of the cavalry. " No, Marshal, it is some news I bring, two pieces of news, one for the army and the other for you." " What is it that concerns the army ?" " The Forty-fourth Regiment of the line detached from the corps of Marshal Augereau and the Nine- teenth of the line coming from France have arrived with a detachment of artillery." " Bravo ! Those are the reinforcements I was ex- pecting," cried Lefebvre with enthusiasm. The Em- 3 11 peror has kept his word. Gentlemen, with the Forty- fourth and Nineteenth we can enter the city within a month. Now, Henriot, what is the other news that con- cerns me ?" "Madame the Marchioness is in the camp." Lefebvre sprang to his feet in surprise : "Great heavens, what is she doing here, the Marchio- ness? Has something happened in Paris? Do we stand in need of women before Danzig ? Does she want to see the snow, and these trenches, and earthworks, and hear the thunder of a siege that is not finished yet ? " Then, when this explosion had passed, an expression of joy came upon his face he exclaimed : " But it will give me real pleasure to see her -again, my Catharine. Henriot, go, bring her here quickly, and you, gentlemen," turning to the engineers : " I trust you will push things ahead as rapidly as possible, the Mar- chioness would be very pleased if she could see me take Danzig." XLII. JOSEPHINE'S SECRET. THE interview between the Marshal and his wife be- gan with most affectionate greetings. The first enthusi- asm of the reunion over, Lefebvre asked: " And why have you come here ? " " A State secret," Catharine replied. " Nonsense ! " "The Empress sent me." "Does she wish to know whether I shall take Danzig? " No, she wishes to know the Emperor's feelings towards her." " The Emperor always has strong attachments. He has passed his first and second youth now, and has be- come more settled. I am sure he loves her to-day." _ ^ T 2 4< She adores him ! " " About time. When he was general of the army in Italy she did not have such sentiments for him. You know Josephine was one of the most flighty of Parisi- ennes; she had around her a perfect suite of gallants, Barras, and Hypolyte Charles, the beautiful Charles, Adjutant Leclerc, and a dozen others. Ah, he loved the women, too, our general, it was a delirium, a pas- sion " "Why, yes, he did some extraordinary things; you know at Milan he was furious because she delayed com- ing to him; he sent courier after courier to her; he de- clared he could not live without her" " Yes, and it was just the same when we returned from Egypt. He really suffered enormously from the separa- tion, and one day when he broke the glass that was over the picture of Josephine he always carried in his pocket, he said to me: ' Lefebvre, my wife is either sick or un- faithful.' When we reached Paris, Josephine had gone to meet us by the road to Lyon while we had taken the road from Bourbonnais; he spent the whole day in tears in her boudoir. Bonaparte has had a momentary thought of divorce ! Is that the great news you would bring me, the secret you would let me into ? " " No, I believe the Emperor has always been attached to Josephine, he married her a second time in the church, in Notre Dame, he could not have had any idea of divorce then. Josephine has some fears, however." " Has her conduct given the Emperor any new reason for complaint ?" "Oh, no! The Empress is thirty-seven years old; she is of a nationality that ages early; she was affianced at twelve, a mother at sixteen, she is now an old woman, she is beyond suspicion but not reproach." " What does the Emperor find fault with, then ? " " Because she has no child. It is a terrible grief to her the realization that she cannot become a mother." " Yes," said Lefebvre pensively, "the Emperor suffers cruelly in mind at the thought he can have no heir, no one to succeed to his colossal work, no one to sit upon his magnificent throne. Ah! if science could only give him a son ! " "The doctors seem to have lost their skill; Corvisant tried without effect. He says the Emperor is resigned to the absence of a direct heir. His brother Joseph will succeed him." " Humph ! His brother ! Napoleon is the only one in his family ! There is Murat, too, his brother-in-law ; he dreams of the inheritance. No, wife, I believe Napoleon, in the absence of his own children, will adopt the de- scendants of Josephine, the Queen of Holland and her child." " Little Napoleon Charles ? The son of Hortense ! Do you speak seriously of that child succeeding Napo- leon?" "And why not?" laughed Lefebvre. "The Emperor has always been strongly attached to its mother, his stepdaughter ; some evil tongues have even " " Yes," interrupted the Marchioness, " they pretended that when the Emperor married his brother to Hor- tense de Beauharnais she was about to have a child and he was its father. Ah, well, the gossips can talk no more. Little Napoleon Charles is dead." " What is that you tell me ? Dead ? The Emperor will be prostrated ; he loved that child dearly." " Yes, and it may disturb his calculations. You know that I know our Emperor, and he has subordinated his affections, all his softest sentiments, to politics. It is that which torments me. What will he say when I take this unpleasant news to him ? " " He will not receive you pleasantly ; he will be rude." " Bah, I shan't cry ; I will give him his answer. You know I don't carry my tongue in my pocket ; it isn't for nothing they called me Sans-Gene." " But," continued Lefebvre, " why did the Empress send you to announce this unhappy event to the Em- peror ? People do not ordinarily wish to be messengers with bad news ! I cannot understand why you were asked to travel across Europe to find me in the mud and snow before Danzig." " Why, I have come to consult you before talking with the Emperor." " What advice can I give ! " " I want you to tell me what I can say in reply to Napoleon." " Now, how can I tell ! I don't know what the Em- peror will say to you." " I dread it." " What confidence have you received from the Em- press ? What mysterious mission have you to perform ? " "Trust me, Lefebvre, I understand my duty." " And you doubt me, wife ! If you knew what these blessed engineers have forced me to bear with their papers and their plans, you would not fear to acquaint me with anything that is difficult. Go on, tell me, I am all ears ! " " Well, then, the death of little Napoleon Charles is not only sad but it has frightened the Empress; she has consulted all sorts of people, physicians, fortune-tellers and sorcerers demanding a remedy, an elixir, a drug that will enable her to be a mother. She has taken the waters at Luxenil and Plombieres which are reputed to have the power to induce maternity. She is disconso- late, discouraged, nothing has any effect." " That is true ! She would share her crown with another for the sake of one of those blessings that throng so plentifully in the homes of the poor; one has nothing, another has everything." "She dreads the sadness of desertion; she fears the Emperor will repudiate her." " Why, because she can have no children ? That would be unjust. It is not her fault. If the Emperor consults me in the matter I shall reply to him that he has been acquainted with several ladies, little Foures, Belilote, the pretty companion of his in Egypt; Gras- sini. Mademoiselle George, without counting the ladies of the palace, the readers, the ladies of honor none of them have brought any heir to Napoleon, and they have not been altogether unwilling. You understand, if one had proved to the Emperor he was a father, that amiable friend would have become a woman of import- ance at once. But no one has charged him with being a father. As for Josephine it is different, she has given her proof. Eugene and Hortense are living evidences that she possesses the full capability of her sex." "You are right. Josephine has been a mother, but it is certain she must renounce the possibility of being one again. She is not young, and Napoleon believes that is the sole obstacle; he does not love her now and it is easy for him to believe a younger woman would give him the son he desires. Lncien, Talleyrand, all of them counsel him to get a divorce; they excite his vanity by persuading him he can secure an alliance with a princess, daughter of one of the monarchs of Europe." " Yes, they say this devil of a Talleyrand, this meddler and renegade whom I never see without feeling inclined to kick, because he is full of treason, they say he is help- ing along a project of marriage with the sister of the Emperor of Russia." " The Empress has learned of it; she knows they are conspiring against her happiness and she is awaiting the return of the Emperor to talk with him about this divorce in the interest of his dynasty. She has a way to divert the blow aimed against her." " What way ? " " Well, do you remember the young woman who was in the household of Princess Caroline ? An elegant brunette, magnificent eyes, her name was Eleonore " 316 "A scholar of Madame Campan, married a high liver, Jean Renel, who had been quartermaster of the Fifteenth Dragoons and was expelled from the army for stealing Yes, certainly, I remember her very well. The Emperor was much interested in her when he returned from Austerlitz. She was divorced. But what is there be- tween Eleonore and the Empress?" " Something terrible for Josephine ! Eleonore has received that which the Empress seeks! Eleonore has a son!" " Not by the Emperor ! " " Yes, every possible doubt as to the paternity of the child has been removed. During the time the divorce was being obtained Eleonore was at the school of Madame Campan at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and no man but the Emperor saw her. And then again, the child is the very likeness of his Imperial father." "The devil! Well, do you intend we shall have Eleo- nore's son for an Emperor?" " Perhaps ! The Empress has consulted lawyers, the divine right admits only heirs of the blood to succeed to the throne, but the Roman law permits adoption. Cambaceres has explained all that. I am now in favor of adoption." " You are very bright, Catharine," said Lefebvre, looking in great admiration upon his wife. " Then the Emperors of Rome, those famous rabbits, as they are called, adopted their heirs when they could not get them otherwise ? " "Yes, the greatest Emperors did, Augustus to begin with; you know Talma plays at the Theatre Francais and they give the adoption scene. It is very handy ! Now, do you understand why I am going to the Em- peror's camp at Frickenstein ? " " No, why ? " " The Empress knows about this child of Eleonore; she learned of it at the same time she heard of the death of Hortense's son, and she proposes to the Emperor to adopt this boy of Eleonore and make him heir to the Empire. She sacrifices her natural repugnance and will act the part of mother to the child. The army and the people, accustomed to admire and approve everything Napoleon does will applaud this act. The child, il- legimate, it is true, but having the blood of Napoleon in his veins, will certainly be preferred to that blockhead Joseph, or that silly Louis. For the Emperor's brothers, you know, every one has only the merest re- spect, they are known to be vain, ambitious, imbecile, and perhaps they are rascals who will betray their brother on the first occasion when it becomes necessary to do so to save the crowns he has put on their heads. This child, brought up in the palace by the Emperor and the Empress, treated by all the world as the Prince Imperial, will never be opposed. There, Lefebvre, that is what I propose to the Emperor, in the name and with the consent of the Empress. Now, you understand all?" Lefebvre reflected profoundly. His was a slow mind but one that was just. His good sense guided him in all the circumstances of his life. When they sought candidates for the Directory, he was considered, but he replied to their invitation with modesty and rare good judgment : " No, citizens, I cannot be a Director. It is a royal crown you are offering me. I am a republican and a soldier. I wish to serve my country in some other way than re-establishing a royalty with five heads. You are all men of education, you don't want a fool like me as King. I shall return to the army of Sambre-et Meuse, where I have the enemy to look after." Josephine's proposal he did not think would be acceptable to the Emperor, and he feared the mission of the marchioness would be fruitless. " But you have accepted the duty, wife, and you must perform it," he said, with the determination of a soldier incapable of loitering when the order to march had been given. There was a roll of drums and a blare of trumpets.' "Ah, good! there is supper," said the Marshal; "I have been in the habit of eating at the same time as the soldiers. To-day I invite you and I will tell the chef that he must give you a dish of honor. We will dine, tete-a-tete.' : " As we used to do at the Rapee, where we had that white wine. Do you remember that ?" " Do I remember it ? I want it in the palace. We can't get it here, they don't know it in Germany. I will offer you some Hungarian wine the Archbishop of Bamberg sent my chaplain for Mass; you know I have a chaplain now." " You ? What a farce ! It is funny to think of you learning to say your Pater " " They are very religious in Poland and they drink a good deal." The valet and the two servants of the Marshal came in to arrange the table; the marchioness threw aside her cloak and as she rose to do so, she saw a basket of champagne among the delicacies for supper. " Waiter, why didn't you bring the Archbishop's wine? The Marshal and I have a little ceremony this evening," exclaimed the marchioness, accompanying her words with a slap upon her massive hips, the favorite indica- tion of her good humor. XLIII. CATHARINE'S DESSERT. " ARE you hungry ? " asked the Marshal, as he passed to his wife a plate of bubbling soup whose odor was sufficient in itself to tempt or create an appetite. " I am as hungry as a dog," replied the marchioness. " And this soup looks famous." " The soldiers will eat no other. Now, that's the dif- ference between the Emperor and me ; the Emperor concerns himself with his men's feet. Why, I have seen him stop a marching column and order one of the sol- diers to take his shoes off. He sees to it personally that orders for shoes are properly filled. But I occupy my- self with their stomachs ; with musket over shoulder, good shoes and good soup they can make the tour of the world. Have a little beef, Catharine?" " Yes, and a pickle." " Pickles they don't know anything about them in this hog land ; but there is some sour cabbage ! " "All right ! And the drink, Lefebvre ? " " The Archbishop's wine ? " " Yes, and we will drink to the health of the Em- peror," said the marchioness gaily, lifting the glass to her lips. " What is new in Paris ? What is going on at the Court ? " asked Lefebvre. " Well, we have had several fetes. The Emperor or- dered us to amuse ourselves this winter. He said he did not wish his absence to make any difference, and for us to go on as usual. There was a quadrille of honor, and I took part in it." " You, my wife; did you dance with the prin- cesses ? " " Are we not princesses ? Yes, my dear, the Empress did me the honor. There were sixteen ladies, dressed by fours in different colors, there was a white, green, red and blue quadrille. The ladies in white wore dia- monds, those in red wore rubies, green wore emeralds, I was in the blue quadrille, and I wore turquoise and sapphires. " ' You must have been brilliant, Catharine, how I should like to have seen you." " Yes, I looked fine, with my great ostrich feather sticking upon my toque. It was superb ! We wore 320 dresses cut Spanish style and toques the color of the dresses. You should have been there." " And the men ? " " They wore velvet clothes, and they had toques just the same as we did. They had the same colors, too. My escort was a handsome man, M. de Lauriston, oh ! now don't be jealous, he is only a civilian. Then it was Despreaux you know, my dancing-master, who led. Princess Caroline by some extraordinary miracle did not quarrel with Princess Elisa that night. The ball was simply ravishing; I knew the Emperor would have enjoyed it, the dear man." "You will amuse him with the news you bring, I am sure." " He will be enchanted to see me arrive instead of Josephine, it won't interrupt the scene if as they say, that Polonaise eh ! how is it ? " " Did the Empress think of coming here to camp?" " She sent word to the Emperor to that effect, by a special courier; she was just dying to join him in Poland; she was restless and jealous, especially when her courier returned with express orders that she should remain in Paris. Then I was started off. But tell me, how about that Archbishop's wine; don't you think it may spoil in the bottle? " And she gaily held forth her glass to Lefebvre for a new replenishing and Lefebvre filled it. There sat these two simple, frank, honest people happy in being together, enjoying their modest meal in the tent with the cheerfulness of young lovers. The supper being concluded Lefebvre seated himself by the fire his feet on the table and looked at his wife through the clouds of tobacco smoke. The marchioness allowed her glance to wander around the tent and take in the furnishings her husband provided for himself. Sud- denly she burst into a hearty laugh and pointing towards the bed in the corner, she said : 3 21 " Do you sleep in that little portfolio, there ? Ah, my dear husband, how is that going to hold us both, for I don't suppose you expect me to sleep in the carriage that brought me here ? " " I have another iron bedstead like it. We can put them up to each other and make one, a trifle small, perhaps, but large enough for two who love," said Le- febvre, at the same time passing his arm around the waist of his wife. An orderly entered as he did so and Catharine em- barrassed, pushed Lefebvre's hand from her bosom, whispering to him: " Send these fellows away that we may at least take our dessert comfortably." The Marshal was about ordering as his wife requested when a number of sharp detonations rang out clearly, and above them arose the loud cry, " To arms, to arms," followed by a rolling of drums and the notes of the trum- pets putting the whole camp in an uproar. " What is that ? " exclaimed Lefebvre, looking towards the orderly. "Commandant Henriot wishes to speak with you, Marshal ! " "Well, let him enter ! But this sounds serious," an- swered Lefebvre, listening to the continued discharges of the musketry, accompanied now by the heavy roar of cannon. Henriot entered, and saluting the marchioness, said rapidly: " Marshal, the enemy has made a grand sortie, it is against the redoubt we have taken " " The redoubt where the Forty-fourth Regiment is stationed ? The redoubt we took eighty yards from Hagelsburg. The Saxons and Belgians are on guard there " " Yes, Marshal, but there is a panic among the Saxons; they have abandoned the trenches. It is a serious rout; 3 22 in a quarter of an hour, unless something is done, the Prussians will be here." " The Forty-fourth Regiment is there ? " demanded Lefebvre. " Yes, Marshal, and it is alone, Commandant Roquet in charge." "That is sufficient! Come, go with me but no, re- main here and look after the marchioness" " Look after me ! " echoed Catharine, in a wounded voice. " Don't you know me! Leave me, Lefebvre, and go to the front ! Don't you remember the night of Jemmapes! You were not concerned about me. Give these Prussians a thrashing and come back. We will meet after this affair." Lefebvre hastened forth, and as he did so a long shadow fell across the entrance to the tent and Violette stood within it. " Ah, it is Violette ! " cried Catharine. " Yes, Madame Catharine, I mean Madame Marchio- ness, you have guessed well. It is I, and if you wish I will take you up to a place here where you may see the entire performance." " No, my boy, many thanks, but I prefer to be alone; I would rather have you go with the Marshal. He may require you." Lefebvre quickly rallied the somewhat broken ranks of the Forty-fourth, and he shouted to them above the din of battle: " Soldiers, this redoubt is not only the protection of our camp, but it is the key to Danzig. If the enemy occupies it we will be much inconvenienced. I have promised the Emperor to take Danzig. I count on you to help a Marshal of France to make good his' word. Advance, Grenadiers of the Forty-fourth, and long live the Emperor ! " Then, as a sergeant would do, sword in hand, the grand cordon of the Legion of Honor blackened with 3 2 3 powder, fearing nothing, but plunging straight ahead, the Marshal was the first man to leap into the abandoned trenches at the head of the Forty-fourth. The Prussians, astounded by the return attack, hesi- tated. Lefebvre, throwing himself on the front rank of the enemy, cleared a way before him with his swinging sabre and received the savage thrust of a bayonet in his arm. His men swept after him, having no time to re- load, but cleaning the trenches with their plunging bayonets. " Advance ! To the redoubt ! " shouted the Marshal, 3 2 4 waving his bloody sword above his head and carried away with the frenzy of the encounter. And again he dashed forward, cutting, slashing, carv- ing a passage through the ranks of men that defended the redoubt and were cut down like rows of wheat be- neath the sharp blades of the advancing hosts. Beside him there was a young man who parried many a bayonet thrust intended for the Marshal, while upon the other side was a giant armed with a gun that he grasped by the barrel and wielded as a club against those who came within the luckless reach of his long arm. From time to time the giant stopped, as if for rest, leaned his clubbed musket on the ground, and then, in an instant, refreshed resumed his terrible assaults. They soon were masters of the redoubt. In one of the trenches they found a cannon, aban- doned so suddenly by the enemy that it yet remained loaded and primed and ready to discharge. " Oh," said Lefebvre, " if I had a couple of horses to drag this piece around, I would fire it after those run- aways." " No need of a horse, Marshal," exclaimed Violette, as he laid his musket, stained with blood, across the can- non, and with his muscular hands he seized the piece and by a great effort swung it around so that it pointed after the fleeing Prussians and towards the walls of Danzig. Henriot, springing forward, sighted the piece and applying a match sent the deadly shot hurling after the fleeing enemy. The report of the cannon completed the rout of the Prussians. The redoubt was taken and the Marshal looked with satisfaction upon the Prussians disappear- ing behind the ramparts, and then, returning his sword into its scabbard, he said to Henriot and Violette : " My brave fellows, I confide the defense of the re- doubt to you. Do not leave it to-night. I will return to the marchioness and have dessert." 325 XLIV. A LOVE HISTORY. THE next day, the marchioness awoke with the first ray of the sun. She sprang joyfully from her bed to the notes of the reveille that rang through the gloom; her memory went back to the camp of the republican army, when the volunteers, without shoes, hats or the necessaries of life, carried their muskets to the refrain of the Marseillaise and each morning upon arising re- solved to end the day with a victory. Quickly she dressed, aided by a maid she had brought with her, and who day and night without cessation asked her mistress how soon they would be on the road returning to France. The Marshal had already gone to visit the advance posts and look over the situation. The redoubt taken the evening before had been strengthened and fortified during the night. He felt confident from its condition now that it would serve as a protection from which he could batter a breach in the walls of the city and force the first line of defense back. He went over the scene of the sortie a few hours before, and when he had con- cluded his rounds he returned to Catharine pale and visibly affected. "What is the matter?" Catharine exclaimed with alarm. " Have the Prussians made a new sortie ? Have we lost the redoubt ? " " No, the redoubt, happily, is well protected, and the men are warned to take extraordinary precautions by the adventure of last night. No, it is not that, but a great misfortune has befallen us, my dear Catharine" " My God, what is it ! Speak, quick " " Henriot, our dear Henriot, whom you taught as a child, whom you love and I love as a son " 326 ' Is he dead ?" the marchioness cried, her voice trem- bling and her eyes filled with tears. " Be calm, he is "- "What then, what then ! is he wounded !" " No, he is a prisoner !" Catherine gave a great sigh of relief. She dried her tears. Her eyes again became brilliant. " Ah, that is bad enough," she said, " but I feared something worse; you frightened me, my dear. Prisoner of war, that is not a dangerous position, you can ex- change him on the first occasion; you made a great number of Prussians prisoners yesterday. " Lefebvre was silent for a moment and then he re- sponded in a solemn way : "When I say Henriot has been made a prisoner of war, I spoke in guarded words. I have sent to Marshal Kalkreuth offering to give him in exchange two officers and ten soldiers captured last night." "And he has accepted, this Prussian ?" " He has refused ! " " Is it possible ! and why ? " " Because he does not consider Henriot as a prisoner of war. " " Well, what does he consider him ? " "A spy, surprised in disguise in the city. " " Henriot, a spy ! A brave soldier cannot be a spy ! He fights with his face to the enemy, his sword in hand and his uniform clear of such stain. Marshal Kalkreuth is an old fool; is there no one of sense near him to tell him ?" "Unhappily, wife, appearances are against him. When he was captured in the streets of Danzig to- night, after the affair of the redoubt where he acted so valiantly, he was not dressed in our uniform, but he wore the uniform of an Austrian officer." " An Austrian uniform ! But there are no Austrians in Danzig. You are not fighting with Austrians." 3 2 7 " It is precisely for that reason he took the costume of an officer of the Emperor of Austria." " But what an idea ! What could he have meant by it? Can you explain it?" "Well, just like you I was surprised when I saw in what way he had gone into the city, and I could not un- derstand it* Violette, who I have severely reprimanded for not having stopped Henriot in his folly, knows how he was disguised, and why it was that he put this cos- tume on that has transformed him from a brave officer to a miserable spy." "And what has Violette told you?" " A strange story." " Love at the bottom of it, I warrant." " Yes, it's a love story." " Henriot is young, gallant, and capable of love, but what is this he has done now?" " Oh, he always was popular with the women, and they thought he was a hero, and that led him into these absurdities." "What absurdities?" " Why, he was in the outposts of the redoubt, and a carriage came from Koenigsberg. The driver exhibited a pass, permitting him to go through the lines, and it was all right and proper, and extended the privilege to the Consul-General of Austria to go through the French posts with his suite, and to present himself at the gates of the city; the order was signed by Rapp. The order was presented to Henriot, who accepted it and allowed them to go on, but inspired by curiosity he looked into the carriage and was heard to utter an exclamation of surprise. Now what do you suppose he saw there ? " "I cannot tell, the Consul-General probably." "Yes, and three ladies with him! The wife of the Consul-General, Princess Hatzfeld, wife of the Burgo- master of Berlin, and a young girl. Who do you sup- pose the young girl was?" 328 " How in the world do you suppose I would know ? " " It was Alice, our dear little Alice. The child you saved from the bombardment of Verdun. Henriot saw her again in Berlin, with me at the Princess Hatzfeld's house, and as a consequence of it the Prince came very near being shot by order of the Emperor, but instead of that he was exiled and his wife was authorized to join her family. And that was the reason she was going with the Austrian Consul-General to Danzig." " And this is why he went into Danzig. He loves her and he has followed her; I understand it all now, he was very imprudent." " He pretended to be the military attache to the con- sulate. In the Consul's suite was an Austrian officer with whom Henriot was friendly and he allowed him to take his uniform. Henriot joined the escort of the Consul- General, and with him, thanks to the Imperial pass, entered the city." "And he was recognized ! " " He was betrayed." "By whom?" " By the Austrian Consul-General." "The miserable fiend! He is probably in love with Alice, and it is a case of jealousy, rivalry ! " " I don't believe the Consul was inspired by ani- mosity, by vengance, he detests the French, he has an implacable hatred against our Emperor, he execrates him as a soldier of the revolution, whose invincible sword forced upon the entire world the principles of '89. He is an aristocrat and the enemy of all patriotic men, the regicides, as he calls us. I know all about him, Fouche has sent me a most circumstantial report." " I don't trust Fouche! " " Yes, I know, the old cure is a traitor just like Talley- rand; they are the evil geniuses of the Emperor; those two combine everything that is repulsive, they certainly have sold themselves out to England. But that does 3 2 9 not concern the Consul-General and Fouche has given me some very interesting items about him, they don't happen to serve the same master. The Consul is a secret agent of Austria; Fouche on the other hand, is working in the interest of the English. Ah ! if the Emperor would allow it, how I would clean all that ver- min out of the court! All I would leave would be our old companions in glory, the faithful soldiers, Davout, Duroc, Lannes, Bessieres and myself. There is not a traitor among them, no such set of questionable adven- turers as Bernadotte, Marmont, Talleyrand, F'ouche. He will be lost yet, I tell you, Catharine, and France with him." " The Emperor will regret some day when he took the council of these traitors but, Lefebvre, we should be doing something; how are we going to save Henriot ? They may shoot him, may they not?" " Certainly; taken disguised in a city that is being besieged, where he has entered by fraud he is liable to be shot. The laws of war are inexorable," the Marshal said with gravity; "if I should find here, dressed in our uniform, a Prussian officer, certainly there is no price that would tempt me to forego his execution." "Then there is nothing we can do to save Henriot ?" " Nothing, except a miracle. If I had the power, with my Grenadiers to dash into the city." "Good! Go! Enter the city, order an assault?" the marchioness shouted enthusiastically. Lefebvre inclined his head and with a gesture of despair he replied : " I cannot; I am not master here." " Not master ! You a Marshal of France ? " " Stop, my wife, I have an idea; I will order the drummers to sound the charge at the head of the Forty-fourth Regiment, I will scale the ramparts and take my chances. Reinforcements must arrive, of that I am certain. Mortier is on the road now with new 33 regiments and artillery. You see the Emperor has ordered us to make this siege on certain rules, these cursed engineers are doing it because, he says, I am only brave and cities like Danzig are not taken with bravery. He has made plans and calculations and geometrical figures that I don't understand ; the Emperor understands them, of course, because he is a savant, and he likes to carry on this particular siege like a savant. General Chasseloup has received particular instructions from Napoleon, and I have simply allowed my sword to rust in its scabbard while they are drawing pictures. I am a Marshal of France and the commander-in-chief and yet I can't save Henriot because I haven't been to school enough." " Then all hope is gone ; Henriot must die ! " " But I shall have my vengeance, when I enter Dan- zig, because I shall enter it ; I shall not leave an Aus- trian alive. When that city is taken, Catharine, I shall shoot this Comte Neipperg." The marchioness uttered a cry and threw herself in the arms of her husband. " What do you say ? What name was that you ut- tered ? " " Comte Neipperg the arch enemy of Napoleon, the Austrian Consul-General." " And don't you know who this Comte Neipperg is? Don't you remember that I have often spoken of him?" " You know him ? " " Yes. Don't you remember the night at Jemmapes, where, surprised in the Chateau Lowendaal with the brave Violette, I was seized as Henriot is to-day ? " "By heavens, I do? You have often told me of that adventure, and that you were saved by an Austrian offi- cer. It was he ? " "Yes, it was Comte Neipperg." " You have disarmed me," Lefebvre responded, with a touch of sadness. " How now can I shoot him when 33* I capture Danzig? I owe to him the life of my Catha- rine." " You are under no obligations. Don't you remember the morning of the loth of August?" " A day that never can be effaced from my memory." " What was it then that occurred in my wash-shop, when you came and knocked at the door with your companions of the National Guard?" " You had taken into your room a wounded man, a Chevalier of the Poignard, a defender of theTuileries; I was a little jealous, you remember. Why, I remember as though it were yesterday ! " "That wounded man was Comte de Neipperg." " Then he owed his life to you ? " "And we are quits. Lefebvre, it is absolutely neces- sary I should go into Danzig " " You are crazy? You, Marchioness Lefebvre, go into the stronghold of the enemy! And what would you propose to do ? " "To talk with Comte de Neipperg." "To ask him to save Henriot ? He could not do it. Don't think of such a rash thing." " I shall go into Danzig ! " the marchioness exclaimed with decision, and holding out her hand to her husband, she continued: " Comte de Neipperg, when he hears what I have to say, will never allow them to shoot his our Henriot." " Then you have a secret with him ? " " Yes, and with that secret I shall save Henriot." And without giving the Marshal the opportunity to respond or oppose her rash resolve, the marchioness threw aside the opening to the tent and cried: " Violette ! Violette ! Come here ! " 33 2 XLV. OLD MEMORIES. THERE was regularly under the walls of Danzig, and between the French trenches, an interchange of gossip and news, not permitted by the authorities but quietly winked at by both sides. Women would come from the city with liquors and scandal, and would trade both for the gold and acquaintance of the soldiers. In all sieges that are prolonged such suspension of arms is an estab- lished fact, and the happenings of one camp are quickly known in the other. It was during the hours when these interchanges took place that Violette chose to enter with the marchioness into the beleagured city, for, made familiar with the pro- jects of Catharine, Violette had at once consented to aid in saving Henriot. Having laid aside his brilliant uniform of a drum- major, wrapped himself up in dirty riding coat bought from one of the numerous peripatetic Jews who came from the Levant or out of the Russian Steppes and fol- lowed the armies about, Violette presented himself at one of the city gates, followed by the marchioness, dressed in the costume of a woman of the country. Violette spoke German fluently, and the marchioness, originally from Alsace, understood German as she did French. To the guard at the gate Violette explained that, sur- prised by the coming of the French, they had not been able, he and his companion, to get into the city earlier and their parents were inside and doubtless anxious about them. He, therefore, begged permission to enter and see them. The guard replied that he had no ob- jection, but they probably would have to get out again very soon. " Well ! " responded Violette gaily, " we will wait until 333 the French attack us and then we will help you fight." Having thus obtained the necessary permission they crossed the bridge, their hearts beating violently to find themselves thus alone in a city filled with soldiers, en- cumbered with the wounded, with artillery, supplies and barracks, where all the population seemed to look at them in suspicion, where they feared recognition at each step, were afraid to ask any directions, and en- deavoring to find their own way where they wanted to go without making inquiries. Violette having noticed a canteen where the soldiers appeared to be congregating and gossiping, approached the groups gathered there and mingled with them that he might hear what was going on. Some of them spoke of a French spy who had been taken in the uni- form of an Austrian officer and was condemned to be shot the next morning. When he heard that he felt easier, he realized there was yet time. Henriot had not been killed, perhaps they could save him yet. The marchioness on her part went into some of the stores and under pretext of seeking some material to buy she informed herself as to the residence of the Austrian Consul-General. She represented herself to be niece to the maid that attended the wife of the Consul. In this manner she learned where the consulate was located and with Violette turned her steps in that direction. Reaching the building they found it to be closed and there was no evidence of residents in the appearance of the place, no one to ask as to their whereabouts. Disappointed, fearful of delay, and knowing no other course, they knocked madly at the entrance to the palace and waited vainly for a response. " Nothing, no one ! The place is deserted," said Violette, and then of a sudden he threw his arms in the air, and pointed wildly to the windows on the second floor : " See that window !" 334 " Can you get in by the window," said Catharine. " A window is as good as a door when I can get my foot in it," responded Violette at the same time raising himself so he could look in and see what was going on inside. " There is no one in the building. We can go in." " Do you think we had better enter the Consul's house by the window?" " They repel us at the door then, Ma- dame Catharine, I should say Madame Marchioness, a little courage and daring," at the same time he bent his back over as though he would form a resting-place. " What are you do- ing, and what do you want me to do ?" " Climb up." "On what?" "On my back. Have no fear, it is solid, it will hold you," and he stooped more and more, the marchioness fi n a 1 1 y stepping upon his broad back. Once there she arose slowly, carefully and found herself on a level with the window. 335 "Enter," said Violette, using for the first time in his life a tone of command, and as she hesitated he con- tinued, " Pardon, excuse me, Madame Catharine, no, Madame Marchioness, but we are seeking to save the life of Henriot. Go and I will join you." Bravely the marchioness gathered up her skirts and in another moment had entered the palace, a second later Violette followed her. " That is an advantage in being tall ! " he exclaimed as if to make excuse for his height. " We must not lose a minute now, let us hurry and find the Consul." And opening the first door that was before them he and the marchioness entered a long, silent and sombre corridor through which they made their way straining their ears to hear any sound that might indicate the presence of a human being, and looking in at every door they passed in hopes of finding the room occupied. When they had reached the end of the corridor, they detected a low murmur of voices and listening intently they heard a man and two women in conversation. " We have them ! " said Violette, " some one is in here, I would a hundred times rather climb up the redoubt behind the Marshal than go in and face these people." " Enter," the marchioness exclaimed resolutely, " I hear Alice's voice." She turned the knob and opened the door. A cry of surprise greeted this unexpected intrusion and Comte de Neipperg, who was standing before a table in the salon, advanced quickly towards them, and said: " Who are you ? What do you want here ? " Two women, one pale, grave, sad, with great black rings beneath her eyes, the other young, gracious, crowned with a wealth of golden hair, advanced with him, astonished and stupefied by the presence of Ca- tharine and Violette. The marchioness, looking for a moment at the two women, stepped towards the younger one, saying: 336 " Alice, my Alice, don't you remember me ? " The young girl, without a moment's hesitation, threw herself into the extended arms, crying: "You, my mother ! here! How did you get here?" " I have come to save Henriot ! " the marchioness re- plied with dignity. " Oh, mother ! We are supplicating the Comte, but he is inflexible." Catharineturned towards Neipperg, and asked gravely: "Don't you know me, Comte de Neipperg?" " No, madame, and I demand to know who has per- mitted you to enter without being announced." " I am Catharine Lefebvre ! " " Marchioness Lefebvre, here ! My God, has the city been taken ? " he said with terror in his voice. " No, not yet ! I have come in advance of my husband, that is all, and to save Henriot, my adopted son. You understand Comte, my adopted son." " I can do nothing, Madame Marchioness," responded Neipperg with evident embarrassment. " Commandant Henriot came here, into a besieged city, under the pro- tection of a disguise and endeavored in my name to come into this house. I know he is in love with Mile. Alice, and believe me, if I had known it earlier I would have interceded with the Governor, but my inter- vention after I did learn of it, was entirely useless and could not stay the execution. They all supposed Austria must have had some interest in saving an officer, who to all appearances is a spy." " Then you believe you are powerless to influence the Prussian authorities?" asked the marchioness. " I believe I can do nothing; I am powerless to inter- fere; Commandant Henriot must submit to the laws of war; I regret it exceedingly. If I could"' " You must ! " said the marchioness in an authorita- tive tone. Neipperg made a motion of impatience, and the 337 marchioness continued : "Will you kindly request these two ladies to leave us alone for a moment." " For what reason ? I have nothing to conceal, both of them have been urging me in this matter. The Comtesse de Neipperg is very much touched by the tears of Mile. Alice and has urged some further effort ; I had about decided to end it by leaving the house." "You must save Commandant Henriot! " replied the marchioness, " whether you will or not. I will speak then before the Comtesse and before Alice, but I give warning you will regret having forced me to the dis- closure, a disclosure that is very serious." " Madame, the comtesse, and^ you, Alice, please leave us," said the Comte, impressed by the manner of the marchioness. The two ladies closed the door behind them Alice leaning upon the shoulder of the Comtesse, and the Comtesse murmuring some words of hope that the Comte might be able to save the young man. " Marchioness Lefebvre," said the Comtesse, " would never have passed through the lines to save Henriot without having some hopes of accomplishing it: Comte de Neipperg is under great obligations to her and she may be able to influence him." Alice struggled to keep up her courage and the tears that filled her beautiful eyes were brushed away under the revived hope of the Comtesse's words. Violette, on a sign from Catharine, said: " I will stand outside the door, Madame Marchioness, and if you want me, I will come in," and, drawing him- self up to his full height, he looked towards the Consul- General as if he would say, " If you do anything you shouldn't, I'll put you in my pocket, you cigar stump of an Austrian ! " " Very well, Madame Marchioness, speak, we are alone," Neipperg said, as he took his seat on the sofa beside Catharine, who replied with some emotion: "It is a long time since we have seen each other, 338 Comte, not since we met at Jemmapes and many events happened have since then." " I am happy to know of the changes that have occurred with you, I heard you had left the canteen and had mar- ried a sergeant " " Pardon, a lieutenant, who was fulfilling the duties of a captain." "The lieutenant has rapidly advanced, now a marshal of France, one of the most famous generals in the first army of the world, a friend of Napoleon, I congratulate you and I pray that when you return to the camp you will present my compliments to the Marshal." "If I have called up old memories, Comte, it was not for the purpose of creating a gloriole, and making a comparison between the cantiniere of Jemmapes and the wife of the Marshal who is in command before Dan- zig. Comte, in the Chateau Lowendaal where we saw each other for the last time, where you saved a miserable prisoner, who in turn had saved from a deplorable union a young woman who enjoyed your love, Mile. Blanche de Laveline "- " To-day she is Comtesse de Neipperg." "Yes! so I have learned, but the emotion that has been brought on me by this terrible position of Henriot made me forget to congratulate you. To her I really owe everything; she purchased for me the wash-shop, and through its sale I was enabled to marry Lefebvre. If to-day I am Marchioness Lefebvre, it is to your beau- tiful and kindly wife I owe it. Oh, I am not un- grateful, and I only await an occasion when I can prove the true depth of my gratitude. Unhappily, I am forced again to come to you seeking a favor." The Comte bowed with serious politeness, and the expression on his face indicated that he awaited with some impatience the explanation the marchioness had to make for her appearance. Catharine, with an appar- ent effort at self control, continued: 339 " When you saved me from being shot with the brave Violette, where were you ? In the chapel where the marriage of Mile. Blanche de Laveline was on the point of being celebrated with Baron Lowendaal, who had already fled to Brussels ortoCoblentz with the Marquis de Laveline whose consent had been given to the mar- riage. Do you know what motive, powerful motive, possessed me, that led me to pass through the advance posts and risk my life by entering a position occupied by the Austrian troops ?" Comte de Neipperg made a movement of indifferent assent and said: " I do not remember very well." "Then I will aid your memory. In my little wash- room on the morning of August loth, I made a solemn promise to Mile, de Laveline; you haven't forgotten that, have you ?" " Oh, no," answered the Comte with a sad expression, "I have tried not to think of it for many years. It was you, Madame Lefebvre, who went to Versailles to find my child and to bring him to his mother at Jem- mapes. Ah, you have reopened a wound that had almost healed. Continue, I beg you speak to me only of the present; I wish to forget the past; you have risked great dangers to come into this city with the laudable hope of being able to save a French officer in whom you are interested, interested, no doubt, because he is the protege of your husband, the fiance of Alice and your own adopted son. Speak to me of Commandant Hen- riot and permit me to forget the unhappy child who will always be mourned by his mother and by me." " You speak of Henriot as we speak of some one who has passed away, " said Catharine with such a manner that it brought Neipperg to his feet instantly. " What is that you say ? What do you mean ? " " That you believe something happened to this child entrusted to Mother Hoche at Versailles, and that I promised to deliver to you at Jemmapes." 34 " The child is dead." " Who told you so ? " " Marquis de Laveline, and a confidential servant of Baron Lowendaal. The child was buried under the ruins of the chateau when it was destroyed by the burst- ing of a shell." "The child was rescued alive from the ruins, Comte." " What is that you tell me ? It is impossible. Tell me, Madame Marchioness, tell me quickly, what reason have you for such an idea ? " " The child was saved ; he has lived ; he is to-day a strong, brave, handsome young man, and he is loved " Neipperg, who at every word was becoming more and more affected and whose handsome face was pale as death, murmured : " I begin to understand." " You begin to understand ! Your child, Comte, was adopted by Lefebvre and me ; he has become a brave French officer" " Not wholly, I trust." " Comte de Neipperg, you have delivered your son over to the Prussians, for them to shoot." Neipperg, overcome by the words of the marchioness, sank upon the sofa his face hidden in his hands, sob- bing violently : " This is terrible ! The child we had mourned so long returned to us alive, saved by a miracle, and lost, delivered up by me to the terrible justice of a court- martial." " He must be saved." " Yes, I will save him ; but how ? What means can I find to do it ? " " We must both seek a means." " Not one word of this to the Comtesse ; it would kill her." " Do you know whether the time for the execution has been fixed ? " " To-morrow, at sunrise." " Then we have several hours to work." " And if we can employ them well, they will be sufficient." " Propose an exchange of prisoners to the Governor. Lefebvre will give anything for Henriot; ten, twenty, thirty officers, fifty, if the Governor wants them. We have them, prisoners." " He has already refused an exchange." " What shall we do then ? " " I think I have found a means." " Tell me, what is it ? Can I help you in it ? " " No, I can do it alone. I shall go to the palace of the Governor and demand the surrender of Commandant Henriot on the grounds that he is an Austrian subject. Once within the Austrian consulate he will be saved. He can be guarded here. A prisoner if they wish, but kept here until his nationality can be established." " But how can you convince them that Henriot is an Austrian subject ? " " Is he not my son ? Does not the nationality of the father descend to his children ? Now, as for you, march- ioness, you must return to camp immediately; if your identity should be known, I fear even my influence would be powerless to protect you." The marchioness made no response; she dreaded to offer one single objection to interfere with the Comte in this terrible labor he had before him, and she realized it was dangerous for her to remain in the city and perhaps impossible for her to do so without compromis- ing Henriot. " Go then, Comte," she said," and may you be success- ful in bringing Henriot to us again." Provided with a pass from the Austrian Consul the marchioness and the faithful Violette safely went from the city without arousing suspicion. They regained the camp, but the marchioness had a heavy heart at 342 the thought that her Henriot was to become a soldier of Austria. " Will he accept his liberty at such a price ? " she said, in recounting to Lefebvre what had passed between herself and Comte de Neipperg. Lefebvre reflected a moment: "The engineers say they have finished; they have reported to the Emperor and he is pleased. Now, I shall give the order to attack ! Rest easy, wife; they will never shoot Henriot. I have Oudinot with his Grenadiers; I shall go at their head, and, by God, to-night I shall capture Danzig." XLVI. LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR. WHILE Lefebvre was preparing for the assault, Comte de Neipperg was at the palace of Marshal Kalkreuth soliciting an audience. He confidentially acquainted the Marshal with the secret of the presence of Commandant Henriot in the ranks of the French army, explained how by birth he was a subject of the Emperor of Austria and begged the prisoner should be remanded to 'his charge. Prussia and Russia held the balance of power against Austria, but Austria could, at any time, turn its arms for or against Napoleon. The presence of Comte de Neip- perg at Danzig was of the highest diplomatic impor- tance; his intervention with the conqueror could relieve the city of many of the horrors that would be attendant upon its capture ; the palace of the Consul-General of Austria was neutral territory where the capitulation, if the French forced their way through the last defenses, could be arranged. The Marshal considered all these arguments and then ordered that the French prisoner should be conducted under escort to the Austrian Con- 343 sulate, where he was to remain guarded, at the disposi- tion of the authorities who would examine further into the claims put forward by the Comte. The meeting of Henriot and Alice was touching and joyful; they forgot the dangers surrounding them; they abandoned themselves to delicious projects for their future and in their hopes of happiness they already believed they were free from every peril. When the siege was terminated and with the consent of Marshal Lefebvre, they would get married and forget all about the unhappy dream they had at Danzig. Comte de Neip- perg after having left Henriot and Alice to their love- making, invited the young man to come to him before the supper hour and confer with him alone in the library. Henriot hastened to the appointment, thinking the Consul intended suggesting some way by which he could return to the French camp, but when he was seated in the room Neipperg said with great gravity and seriousness that he wished from him some account of his early years, and desired to know all he could re- member about his childhood. Henriot repeated with frankness and simplicity the incidents of his boy days passed in the camp; he told how he was a child of the bivouac; he vaguely recalled Versailles where he had played before the little fruit- store of Mother Hoche; his real life, as he remembered it, commenced in the battalions of Sambre-et-Meuse and of the Moselle where he had been truly the child of the regiment. With undisguised emotion, he told of the first impressions received in this company of soldiers, how his youth had passed within the sound of the drum, accustomed to alarms, enduring long marches, familiar- ized with fatigue, rejoicing in victories. Neipperg cautiously asked about his parents, but Henriot responded he had never known them, the Mar- shal and his wife were his only friends. Then the Consul in a voice trembling with emotion said : 344 " Your parents are living, my young friend, and you will, perhaps, return to them soon; very soon you may be in their presence." Henriot made a movement that indicated surprise and perhaps a little indifference. " Pardon, monsieur," he said, " my parents abandoned me, they never gave any care to my infancy, they have never made any attempt to see me, they have never allowed me to hear from them, how can you think my heart would go out to them ? What sentiments of affection or of tenderness can I have for those who have never manifested any for me ? " " Do not accuse them, possibly circumstances stronger than you can imagine existed that made other action impossible; they might have thought you dead, and their hearts through long suffering of this supposed affliction might have become deadened. To-day their tears are dried; their joy is again aroused by looking into your eyes Henriot do you wish to embrace your mother ?" The young man was deeply affected, the name of mother which he had only known as that of the excel- lent wife of Lefebvre awakened in him a great fervor, he was to hear from the lips of his mother herself, he was to know from her that he was not alone, that he was no longer a waif, received in charity, brought up by a good soldier and a good cantiniere. In the presence of the woman who called herself his mother he would throw aside the indifference he displayed in the face of the consul, his soul responded rapturously to the burst of new affection these words kindled within him, and with a trembling voice he asked : "When can I see my mother, monsieur?" "This moment," responded the happy Comte as hurrying to the door of the salon, he threw it open dis- closing Alice with the Comtesse, and seizing his wife's hand he exclaimed : 345 " Blanche ! my dear Blanche, embrace your son ?" And rapidly, taking advantage of her momentary hesitation impossible to avoid, he repeated the revela- tions Catharine had made, and Madame de Neipperg threw herself into the arms of Henriot. The first feelings passed, Henriot with a troubled look turned towards Neipperg, who stood behind his wife whose eyes were wet with tears : " Then, monsieur, you are my father ?" The only response was Neipperg's opened arms and the joyous look upon his face. " Our son is saved ! " said the Comtesse. " My dear Alice, I hope no obstacle will now oppose this union you both desire. The Comte and I have nothing but good wishes for your happiness." " We will leave the Comtesse and Alice at once," Neipperg said, " and go to the Governor's palace. I wish, my dear son, to present you officially to Marshal Kalkreuth and make known to him your real position. " " I am at your orders, monsieur," said Henriot. " You still wear the Austrian uniform, I see, with which you imprudently introduced yourself into the city. Very well, wear it now because you have the right to do so, you have the dress of a captain and you were chief of squadron in the French army; I will undertake to see your rank is kept the same; the Emperor of Austria, my august sovereign, will certainly endorse this promise when we hear from him. Come Henriot, Mar- shal Kalkreuth awaits your call. " Henriot, deathly pale, did not stir; his hands were clasped and a gleam of anger was in his eyes as he replied: " What are you saying, monsieur ? I do not thorough- ly understand you; I am now as I was yesterday, and I was then as I have been always, a French officer devoted to France and to the Emperor, and if I have worn this disguise for some hours, I am ready now to lay it aside and resume my dress as a commander of Hussars; but no other ! " and tearing off the white coat of the Aus- trian, Henriot exposed the under vest of the French Hussars. " Henriot ! do not be guilty of this folly, " cried Neip- perg. " You are my son and so you are an Austrian subject, I offer to secure for you your former rank in the army of my sovereign, your advancement will be certain, will be rapid, all I propose is for your advantage. " " You propose to me treason ! " ' Take care of your words; it is your father you are speaking to. " Comtesse de Neipperg advanced between the two, sur- prised and pained by this altercation. " My husband, my son, be calm, " she said. " I under- stand the scruples of Henriot. They are those of an honorable soldier ; from his earliest years he has served France, it is not easy to change his camp; leave him to his reflections; put him not under restraint and do not think that your authority should force him to abjure his oath as a soldier. " " Many thanks, my dear mother," said Henriot, "for your kind and thoughtful intercession. I am sure you do not wish your son to be a renegade and a traitor." " Henriot, my son, do not use such terrible words." " I am a Frenchman I shall remain a Frenchman ! " " Obstinate boy ! I would as soon see you dead ! " Neipperg exclaimed, angrily. " I would prefer to die rather than to be a traitor to my flag." " I do not ask treason of you," replied the Comte. " You are in this city in the costume of an officer be- longing to a neutral country. I urge you to carry out this character of neutrality. You are my son ; your birth guarantees you the safeguard of Austrian nation- ality. Be reasonable ; consider what I am trying to do 347 for you. Consider your mother ; we are your only natural protectors, your family." " I have known no other mother than France, and my family is my regiment," cried Henriot, with exultation. " I have committed one fault. I am here in this city as a spy. I demand to be shot as such. At least my com- rades who do not know the real reason of my presence here will believe I found death in the midst of my enemies, although dressed in a foreign uniform yet wearing it as a spy and not as a deserter." The affecting scene was interrupted by the discharge of guns and the explosion of cannon ; sounds came from the direction of the ramparts ; the house trembled be- neath the fury of the artillery, while the cries and roars and shrieks of the affrighted crowd arose in the streets. Then there came a moment of silence and after it a mighty crowd rushing through the avenue beneath the windows of the consulate, panic-stricken, filled with terror, thinking of nothing but flight and safety. The roll of musketry followed them, and the echo of drums was heard indistinctly from the distance. " What is that ?" the Comtesse exclaimed, anxiously. " An attempted assault by the French who have probably been repulsed," Neipperg replied, coldly. " See here, Henriot, if you refuse to serve Austria, you must consider yourself in a dangerous position here and must submit to the rigorous laws of a besieged city. But there is yet time for you to reflect." " I have reflected, and this is my response," Henriot said fiercely, and striding to the window he threw it violently open, looked down upon the crowd of affrighted citizens as they rushed along, and then leaning well out so they all might see him, he shouted in a voice that was heard above the noise of the masses: " Long live the Emperor ! " " Unfortunate, unfortunate ! Nothing can save him now," and Neipperg fell upon the lounge unmanned 348 and feeling he was powerless to shield the son, who so rashly refused his aid. He pressed his wife in his arms, and neither found voice for a word. But to this seditious cry that Henriot hurled defiantly forth from the window, a responsive voice came up from below: " Long live the Emperor ! Here we are, commandant; we have arrived in time, thank God ! En avant, my friends! The commandant is there ! " And the gigantic silhouette of Violette, wearing his enormous tricolored plume and brandishing his baton, 349 appeared before the window and behind him the deter- mined faces of eight tall Grenadiers. Violette climbed on to the balcony, laughing: " This is my particular way of getting in here." The Grenadiers rushed into the court below, and in an instant Henriot again found himself at the head of his men. " Down with your guns ! " commanded Violette, drop- ping his baton ; " respect the conquered, Danzig is taken. We have no right to touch a hair of the head of its defenders; that is the order of the Marshal. Marshal Kalkreuth has surrendered and the city is ours. Long live the Emperor !" The capture of Danzig was accomplished. The delayed reinforcements had arrived. Marshal Mortier, Oudinot with his Grenadiers, Marshal Lannes with his infantry reserve, had come to support the besieging force. Oudinot with his Grenadiers chased back the Russians and made it impossible for them to aid the Prussians. In the final combat where three marshals of France were personally involved, a Russian bullet passed between Oudinot and Lannes as they were conferring and happily missed them both. Oudinot had a horse killed under him and the uniform of Lannes was covered with dirt and blood. In the midst of the conflict an interesting incident occurred: England had sent a man-of-war to the aid of Danzig, and it had kept near the city supplying the be- sieged with munitions. One of the corvettes that ac- companied it, the Dauntless, had profited by a slight trouble further North to sail up the Vistula, but being attacked by a vigorous artillery fire from the French it attempted to retreat when it ran on a sand-bank, and was captured by a company of Grenadiers. Marshal Lefebvre decided to make the grand stroke himself. It was with joy he saw his wife return from her perilous mission and relieve him of the anxiety of 35 her presence in the city he proposed to storm; the news she had brought to him of Henriot saddened him, for he had no faith in the promises made to her, and it was this feeling that prompted him to hasten the assault. At six o'clock on the evening of May zist, following the order of Lefebvre, four columns of 4,000 men each ad- vanced against the city. They were sheltered some- what by an earthwork, and they were ordered to make their advance in silence awaiting a signal before the final dash. The ramparts against which they marched were formidable and were defended by heavy palisades, strengthened by mud and sand impervious to bullets and difficult to break. Three enormous beams were suspended above the ramparts by heavy ropes ready to be precipitated upon the advancing troops. As the columns lay quiet awaiting the signal for the charge, Violette approached General Lariboiser, who led the sappeurs and said to him : " General, there are without doubt many braver men than I in the army, but they may not think of this, and so I propose you allow me to go forward and cut the ropes that are holding up those beams. My height will give me an advantage in doing it." The general seized Violette's hand and shook it warmly, saying: "Go, my brave fellow and receive the salute of a thousand men." Violette, who had supplied himself with an axe, glided quietly forward and when he came under the walls of the ramparts, he worked his way gradually to the point where the ropes supporting the beams were concentrated and raising himself to full height, he brought his hatchet down across them, they parted and the great wooden structure fell harmlessly to the ground. At the first blow of the hatchet, Lefebvre brandished his sabre above his head and shouted: " Grenadiers, advance ! Danzig is ours ! " 35 1 They came like a torrent, a cataract of men, a furious flood carrying everything before it and they swarmed over the ramparts without firing a shot. The fleeing Prussians rallied and opened a fire of musketry and cannon, but nothing could stop the advance of the vic- torious French; Marshal Kalkreuth realized resistance was useless and he surrendered to Colonel Lacoste. It was then eight o'clock in the evening. The firing ceased and Marshal Lefebvre considered the conditions of surrender. He consented to a sus- pension of arms until he had advised Napoleon of the capture of the city, and asked from him the terms of its capitulation. It was during the conferences between Lefebvre and Kalkreuth that Violette made his way to the Austrian Consulate. XLVII. NAPOLEON'S SECRET. THE news of the fall of Danzig carried .immeasurable joy to the heart of Napoleon and he decided at once to visit the city, wishing to study in person its defenses and to acquaint himself with its resources. It required but little time to prepare for the short journey and within a few hours after the arrival of the courier with the tidings of the victory, Napoleon had left his headquarters at Finckenstein and was travelling towards Danzig. The Emperor publicly complimented Lefebvre on his surpassing bravery and congratulated General Chas- seloup on his engineering work, and had seated himself to study the provisions of the surrender and arrange for the formal triumphal entry of the victorious troops into the city, when Rapp entered his tent with the announce- ment that the Marchioness Lefebvre requested an audience. 352 " How is that, the marchioness here ! " he exclaimed in surprise. "They say she is very much attached to her husband, an excellent example; but that is no reason why she should follow him to the camp; the place for the wives of our marshals is at court, with their Empress, and the place for their husbands is in the trenches with their troops." But the Emperor checked himself and then continued: " True I have discouraged Josephine coming here, she said in her last letter she had an irresistible desire to join me in Poland. Perhaps she would find the Poles worse than the snow of their infernal country. I won- der though if Josephine could have sent the marchioness here to watch me ? We will see ! I am an old monkey to be caught making faces. Rapp, show in the march- ioness." Catharine never felt fully at her ease in the presence of Napoleon, for he had a way of looking at one that was most searching ; his glance seemed to penetrate into one's soul. Nor was he always polite, but fre- quently exceedingly brusque and curt, and at such times he made no difference in the way he treated men or women. He did not entertain that reverent regard for women that many do, and numerous anecdotes are told and many of his comments about women are repeated. Some of these are brutally blunt, as was his famous response to a question by Madame de Stael. That in- sufferable blue-stocking asked him one day : " General, what woman in France do you admire the most? " and she awaited the answer she thought would be a compliment to herself. " The one who has the most children ! " Napoleon re- plied, sharply. Many times Catharine heard ungracious repartees that had fallen from the lips of the Emperor when he had been too ardently or unwisely pursued by the ladies of 353 the Court, desirous of attracting the attention of the ruler, and who, like la Remusat, after meeting rebuke had taken their revenge by setting his words down on paper as the needless insults from an unprovoked man. And yet she did not fear his presence so much as she might, because she knew how to make answers herself ; as she had often said, her tongue was not carried in her pocket, and she recalled the fact that she had known him when he was an artillery officer without a sou in the world, and the remembrance of that last day at the Hotel de Metz when she returned the linen and was re- warded by his amorous attack often served to give her assurance. Still, it was not without a lively uncertainty in her heart that she entered the tent when Rapp raised the canvas and introduced her. After having made her best courtesies, in conformity with the lessons given her by Despreaux, the march- ioness remained silent, awaiting the Emperor's ques- tions. Napoleon was in an especially good humor ; the capture of Danzig was pleasing ; he had nothing but esteem for this noble wife of brave Lefebvre and respect for her bravery in crossing disturbed Europe with so simple an escort. Catharine, encouraged by the manner of the Emperor, who invited her to be seated, began her story, but was cautious how she told it. She reminded him of the con- stant anxiety of the Empress, how she always saw imaginary dangers near to His Majesty while he was away from her, how she was uneasy unless she learned daily of his health. Finally she reached the first object of her mission, she repeated the sad incidents attend- ing the death of Napoleon Charles, the child of Hor- tense. A sob, short and sharp, stirred the breast of Napoleon. The Emperor loved the child, this unpitying conqueror, this destroyer of generations, this ravager of continents 354 had the feebleness to adore children. " He loved his son, this vanquisher," said Victor Hugo, and in his prison at Saint Helena, he carried a picture of a child, the sole inheritor of his genius. Many times had Catharine seen him playing with Na- poleon Charles, holding him in his lap during din- ner and setting him on the table itself among the plates, the silver service, the sweets and laughing heartily when the child in his merriment would plunge his foot into a dish of deli- cacies. Or he would take the baby into his private room, and would interrupt his studying of a plan of battle, or stop his dictation of instructions to some prefect, to feed patties to the infant or carry it around on his back. He was always " Uncle Bi- biche," this was the name Napoleon Charles in his in- fantile prattle gave to the great conqueror. Napoleon intended to adopt this child of Hor- tense ; without doubt he did not entirely ignore the scandalous stories that were circulated about him; he knew the libelers in- sinuated he had married his stepdaughter to Louis when she was giving evidence of an Imperial love. The Moniteur had announced, according to usage in such instances, that <( Madame Louis Bonaparte gave 355 birth to a son on the 18 Vendemiaire," as if the heir to the Empire were born. But Napoleon was not a man to be stopped in his projects by the fear of gossip or by the tongues of scandal. He had studied the possibility of willing his crown to the child of Hortense and gave no heed to the suspicions that credited him with its paternity. The death of the boy disturbed all his plans, changed his projects. For some minutes after Catharine had told of the un- happy event Napoleon remained wrapped in thought and speechless, without moving, without changing his position. Then he raised his head and making a strong effort at self-control, smothering his emotion and clear- ing his voice, he asked: "What other news do you bring, marchioness?" " Sire, in this world the sadness and the joys follow each other, and births alternate with deaths. I am not only the messenger of unpleasant tidings, I have also to make known the birth of a child that, without consoling you for the loss you have just sustained, may serve to lessen your sorrow. A lady of the court who was attached to the household of Her Highness, Princess Caroline, is a mother " " Eleonore has a baby. A son, perhaps ? " Napoleon cried joyfully. "Yes, sire, a son, and he has received the name of Leon." Napoleon extended both hands to Catharine: " You are certain of what you say ?" "Perfectly, sire; I have seen the child it resembles you." The Emperor looked fixedly at Catharine but there was no sign of anger in his manner at this remark. " It is not untruly that you are called Sans-Gene," and the Emperor playfully fondled Catharine's cheek and then walked quickly up and down the narrow limits of his tent, when ceasing his nervous movement he con- 35 6 tinued: "You have Napoleon's secret, be good enough to guard it." " Sire, I have also a secret of the Empress and my duty is to confide it to you." "Josephine has a secret ? She has charged you with making me acquainted with it! What is it then ? I pre- sume some new debt incurred to her dressmaker or fur- nisher ! Josephine is fond of dressmakers. With the money she spends foolishly each year, I could arm a man-of-war, send a division by the way of the canal from Bordeaux and open the route to Mayence. Go on, tell me of this new folly. Tell me the sum quick, how much?" " Sire, it is not a matter of money." "And what then is it, if you please ? " " The Empress who is so good and who loves you so tenderly is aware of the birth of this babe " " Ah ! the Empress knows " " She has been made acquainted with all ! Your Majesty has niany envious and unscrupulous members of your court " "Yes, I understand, my wife is opposed by my sisters Elisa and Caroline, who are actuated by sentiments I much regret. Ah, marchioness, my family has given me more trouble than all the kings of Europe put together. Well, what did the Empress say ? I am curious to know her sentiments concerning the child." " The Empress wishes Your Majesty's permission to adopt the child." " Yes," the Emperor replied after a moment's thought. " I can see that the adoption of this infant would be a new and powerful assistance. Murat, Louis, Joseph, all those who dream of succeeding me would doubtless abandon their hopes, their illusions. The adoption of this child would give me an heir. But what would the kings of Europe say ? Would they recognize the rights of such an heir? Would that I might have 357 a child, an heir, a Napoleon II., from some reigning family." The Emperor ceased speaking, fearing he had already said too much and his suspicious glance was again fixed on the marchioness who in her turn made a deep reverence, saying: " Sire, my mission is ended. I shall take my leave with the permission of Your Majesty, who will doubtless make known your decision on this matter to the Em- press. I return to France happy in having found Your Majesty enjoying good health, and always victorious. " " Thanks to your husband, marchioness. And thanks to you for your good news." The Emperor, radiant with smiles, extended his hand to Catherine signifying that the interview was at an end. XLVIII. THE LOVES OF NAPOLEON. THE divorce! The great event of the Imperial life has not yet emerged from its obscurity in the mind of the Emperor; it was one of those confused perceptions of a possible event, but improbable, that floated through his brain until it became a fact. At several times during his married life, Napoleon had considered some means for breaking the marriage with Josephine. First, when returning from Egypt, Bonaparte had been informed of the wild excesses in- dulged in by his volatile Creole, again when the religious marriage was consummated and finally at the moment of departure for the campaign in Germany. Fouche, one of the most ardent counsellors of this divorce, had advised, urged, sought in every way to bring it about, but Josephine invariably, after an interview with the Emperor, dispelled all immediate danger of such an incident. 35* But on the field of battle the vanquisher of Europe had himself been vanquished. The infidelities that Napoleon had enjoyed up to this moment are well worth recapitulation. For the names of the mistresses of Napoleon are pretty generally known. The Duchess d'Abrantes, Mademoiselle d'Avrillon, Constant, Bour- rienne, Fain and many others who have written familiar memoirs or apocryphal histories and royalist libels, have given us a complete picture of the loves of Bonaparte and of the Emperor. Finally M. Frederic Masson, in a book that is strengthened by indisputable documents, exceedingly interesting and impartial, offers us an anec- dotal history 'of the Imperial mistresses. And none of these amiable ladies ever had the slightest influence upon Napoleon's actions. We know little of his liaisons when as an officer he was poor, laborious, nervous and not companionable, yet it is probable that at Valence or at Auxonne hiis love adventures were numerous, although there is no evidence of their having existed beyond the evening of their occurrence. There is attributed to him during the cam- paign of Piedmont, an episode with Madame Turreau, the wife of the representative at that place. Her hus- band never seems to have entertained any suspicion of the affair, or at least if he did it was never apparent. The reward of his ignorance came with the 13 Vende- miaire when Napoleon chose Turreau as General of the Army of the Interior, and, with the influence of Barras, made him commander-in-chief of the troops of the Con- vention. Later Bonaparte extended still greater favors to Turreau giving him an influential post in the army of Italy which was lucrative, and when Turreau died Napoleon lavished upon his widow ample means for her luxurious support and the gratification of all her wishes. One of his most romantic liaisons was that in which Ma- dame Foures figures as the heroine. At Cairo, at a ball, given in a public garden called the Tivoli, operated upon 359 the same plan as the famous Vauxhall of Paris, Napoleon one evening met a charming little blonde, who was noticeable among the ladies of dark skin and black hair, and the elder ladies who had come down from Marseilles or Malta to mingle with the enjoyments of this attrac- tive resort. Napoleon was enchained by the woman's beauty and upon inquiry learned that she was a French modiste by name Marguerite Pauline Bellisle, who had married a man named Foures. Shortly after the cere- mony the husband, who was a lieutenant in the Twenty- second Chasseurs, was ordered to join his regiment in Egypt. This threatened separation in the very begin- ning of their honeymoon brought sadness into the hearts of the two lovers, and it finally resulted in the wife re- solving to disguise herself in the costume of a chasseur, and slip aboard the vessel that was to convey her hus- band to Africa. We have seen in the beginning of this history that Rene disguised in the attire of a man that she might follow her lover Marcel. It was only after she reached Cairo that Madame Foures resumed her proper dress. Bonaparte was pleased with her spirit, but for several days she refused the presents he offered her and resisted his importunities. Finally she consented, and her hus- band as often appears in the tangled plot of comic opera, was entrusted with a mission of great importance to France and embarked for that country. He sailed alone, carrying with him testimonials from the commander-in- chief as to his capacity, his ability, his bravery; he was instructed to convey to the Directory a message of the highest importance, and when the mission was completed he was to return to Egypt. The officer, delighted with the honor done him, took the ship forthwith, while Bonaparte, so soon as it sailed, gave a royal dinner to the pretty Madame Foures and a distinguished company. The general installed Madame Foures in a handsome house near the palace occupied by himself, and Four^s was hastening towards Paris to confer with the Direc- tors at the Luxembourg, and return as speedily as pos- sible to his companion. Unhappily for his peace of mind the ship upon which he sailed was captured by an English cruiser, and when his story was told to the English Admiral, that shrewd dignitary discerned the farce Bonaparte had played and giving the husband some sarcastic advice, he set him at liberty and saw that he was taken back to Egypt. Foures re-entered Cairo wild with anger and jealousy; he would not appeal to his general, but he would go before a magistrate and demand a divorce from the frivolous wife. It was granted him promptly, and Madame Foures resumed her maiden name, Pauline Bellisle, which later became corrupted into Bellilote. Bonaparte seriously loved her and she accompanied him on horseback in the hunts and other pleasure excursions he made into the country; she rode with him at the reviews and appeared at his side at the fetes; it was rumored he intended to marry her and divorce Josephine, and he agreed to do so if she had a child. But to her great misfortune she was no more successful in this direction than had been Josephine. Madame Foures started for France after the departure of Bonaparte, but the vessel upon which she went was also captured by the English, and when she was set at liberty with Junot and several other offi- cers and savants, who were taken with her, the reconcil- iation between Josephine and Bonaparte had been com- plete and the 18 Brumaire had been accomplished. The First Consul thought it best not to introduce Bellilote into the palace, but he purchased and presented to her a magnificent chateau, settled a sum upon her that made her independently wealthy and married her to one of the gentlemen of his court, who received as a wedding present a commission as Consul of the French Government. But the young lady could not resist the temptation for adventure, so she left her second husband and ran away with a lover, named Bellard, to Brazil. She re- turned to Paris at the time of the Restoration, and with the natural ingratitude of those who had profited by Napoleon's generosity, she became a fervent and aggres- sive royalist. Bonaparte had very little taste for artistic pleasures; he cared nothing for painting, his literary favorites were those that dealt with tragedy of the most pompous tone; great sentiments and majestic people or terrible events were the only things that appealed to his mind. Music, that is heavy, religious music, exercised a pro- found influence upon him. Personally he had no talent in this direction; he was incapable of distinguishing a false from a true note, paid little attention to symphony, but was peculiarly moved by the sound of a good voice. He was affected to tears when the soprano Crescentini sang, and he did not hesitate during his tour in Italy in bestowing upon each musical eunuch the Order of the Iron Crown. The passion he conceived for Grassini, the celebrated singer, was as much influenced by admira- tion for her voice as for her personal beauty. He met her in Milan; he admired her and he visited her. He invited her to Paris; she accepted the invitation and located in a little house on the Rue Chantereine, and quickly became wearied. A violinist, named Rode, offered his attentions and she accepted them. Bonaparte, informed of this by Fouche, ceased visiting her but notwithstanding when she later became a favorite in London and at The Hague, she would pass through Paris and the Emperor would call upon her each night, invariably leaving a handsome souvenir of his visit. Grassini was touched with the traditional ingratitude that in this case might almost be interpreted into treason. Not only did she sing at the home of the Duke of Wel- lington, but, while her imperial lover languished at - 362 Saint Helena, she became the favorite of the victor of Waterloo. Five or six women, actresses, singers, tragediennes served as the ephemeral companions of the Emperor. We can recall Madamoiselle Branchu of the Opera, who was an admirable lyric tragedienne; Madamoiselle Bourgoins who had the cruelty to declare one night in Napoleon's room while he was talking with Chaptal, that she filled the proud position of his mistress; Madamoiselle George, the superb and imposing queen of the theatre, she remained faithful to the memory of the fallen Emperor, and her fidelity to the great man who loved her was the means of her exclusion from the Theatre-Francais, done at the instigation of some noble gentlemen of the Chamber and of the captains of the King's Guard who were entrusted with the adminstra- tion of this place of amusement ! Napoleon, always busy, always working sought love at his door. He loved pleasure that came to him with- out vast labor, and so it is difficult to estimate the vast number of ladies of the palace, wives of the chamber- lains and of the officers, companions of the Empress, who passed in at the little apartments in the Tuileries to which Constant held the keys. The apprehension of a favorite, such as Montespan, Maintenon, Pompadour or Du Barry of the Old Monarchy did not deter him from establishing relations with the famous adventuress Madame de Vaudey. This intriguing lady and marvellous coquette was the daughter of a military celebrity, Richaud d'Arcon, who had captured Breda and drawn up the plans for the campaign in Holland. The daughter married Captain de Vaudey and was made a lady of the palace in 1804 accompanying the Empress to Aix-la-Chapelle. It was in the course of this trip where Napoleon had joined Josephine that the acquaintance was made between them. One day shortly after their intimacy had com- menced Madame de Vaudey pretended to commit suicide in order to procure a considerable sum of money she required from the Emperor. She wrote Napoleon of her needs and her approach to death and the Emperor promptly responded with the sum requested, but un- happily for her the aide whom he sent with the money found Madamq de Vaudey at her house in Auteuil pre- siding over a joyous supper that was spread out with all the extravagance of an aristocrat. This female, by the way, calumniated the memory of Napoleon in the ridiculous memoirs she wrote and which were published by Ladvocate, and she offered her services to Prince Polignac when the attempt was made to assassinate the Emperor. Amid the lesser loves Madamoiselle Lacoste was noticeable, a little blonde who was not admitted to the salon of the Empress but who occupied her time in the ante-chamber. Her name was Felicite, she was a daughter of one of the Emperor's collectors, who also enjoyed the added function of opening the doors when their majesties approached. There was also Madame Gazzani, reader, who was recommended by M. de Remusat, and she -was quickly succeeded by Made- moiselle Gutllebeau. This lady lost her position by an unfortunate accident, through a letter from her mother in which that estimable lady gave her daughter a variety of politic but too practical advice. The letter fell into the hands of Napoleon and Mademoiselle Guillebeau was forthwith deposed. Finally there came upon the scene the true mistress of the Emperor whom he loved profoundly and who, on her part, remained faithful to him until his exile, Com- tesse Walewski, the beautiful Pole. During the seige of Danzig and while the Emperor was on his way to Varsova and waiting a relay of horses, he received a deputation of local nobles. During the reception he was presented with a beautiful bouquet, and the lady who made the presentation was very young, almost a child, a blonde with a fresh color, charming in her manners and possessing large, frank, blue eyes. She was embarrassed in the presence of the Emperor and her emotion added to her attraction. The Emperor endeavored to reassure her by a few words; he thanked her for the compliment extended to him, and taking the bouquet expressed the hope of another early visit to Varsova. This young woman, by name Marie Lazinska, was married to Comte Anastase Colonna de Walewski. The comte was seventy years of age, the comtesse nineteen. In order to marry him, the wife had refused an attrac- tive young man bearing a respected name, very rich and very influential, but this young man was named Orloff, he was a Russian and belonged to a family that had oppressed and terrorized Poland. The old Comte Walewski, on the contrary, was a worthy patriot and Marie carried in her bosom the soul of a genuine heroine. Love of country dominated everything else; she gave her hand to the old noble as she would have given a son to the deliverance of Poland. The young comtesse watched with enthusiasm the triumphant march of Napoleon. Would not he inflict upon the Russians the most terrible punishment ? At Austerlitz she trembled with joy; the campaign of 1807 filled her with exultation. She already saw Napoleon the con- queror slaughtering the oppressive Moscovites and re- toring Poland to its patriots. On her part admiration for the Emperor had taken a place that upon the first occasion gave way to another sentiment, sweeter and more subtle. The friends of Comte Walewski, patriots like himself, hoping to achieve the independence of Poland through the genius of Napoleon, with one accord did all in their power to throw the beautiful comtesse into the arms of the Emperor. The attentions that Napoleon had shown 365 ' the comtesse at a ball given in his honor had not escaped them, the absent-mindedness, the distractions of Napoleon during a dinner where she was present strengthened their feeling that the sentiment aroused could be used in furthering the good cause. Duroc aided them; he declared the Emperor was deeply im- pressed and insinuated that the comtesse could use her 366 influence over him for the good of her country. All the world conspired against her virtue. The love of Napo ; Icon already aroused found further encouragement in the words of those about him; the Polish nobles reminded the comtesse of the history of Esther who employed her beauty to conquer Ahasuerus and deliver the people of Israel. They urged, they entreated, they beseeched, the eyes of the nation were upon the Imperial bed and the comtesse finally consented to a dishonor that would bring glory upon her country. Napoleon wrote tender notes, impassioned declara- tions, sent beautiful presents; the comtesse refused the gifts, made no response to the written words. Finally the schemers obtained her consent to an interview with the Emperor ; she approached him as a suppliant to right the wrongs of her people; Duroc introduced her into one of the rooms of the palace, she concealed her eyes with her hands and sank upon the fauteuil. Napoleon covered her hands with kisses ; she shed tears; she was silent. Napoleon had the tact not to startle her by any brusque or careless words, and she returned to her home as she left it. The respectful attitude of the Emperor had reassured her, and when a second audience was arranged for another day she went to it more readily. Between two outbursts of affec- tion, between two kisses, she found an opportunity to speak for her country to the impassioned Emperor who at that moment had no thought aside from amor- ous phrases. It is not claimed that Marie Walewski loved Napoleon when she became his mistress; but the attachment was strong and when she had given him a son, who as Comte Walewski was President of the Corps Legislatif under the Second Empire, her love burst into a veritable passion. On his part, Napoleon was sincere in his affec- tion, and he ceased his indiscriminate relations until after his marriage with Marie Louise. The comtesse 367 visited the Emperor at Elba, and during the Hundred Days she did not leave his side. News of the birth of the child to Eleonore, brought by Marchioness Lefebvre, had turned the thoughts of the Emperor away from the beautiful Pole. Why should he not adopt this child ? And if he decided not to adopt it, why should he not look to some of the reigning families for a princess Who would marry him and would give him a son that might have a king for grandfather; a king of such position as none thereafter would dare to contest the right to the inheritance of the Empire ? For the first time this revelation that he might have a son brought to the thoughts of Napoleon the realiza- tion of Josephine's age, and rapidly there ran through his mind the list of young and agreeable princesses in the courts of Europe one of whom he could make Empress. His meditations were interrupted by Rapp, with in- formation that the army was ready to move and that Marshal Lefebvre had given his orders for the formal entrance into the city of Danzig. XLIX. THE DUKE. ON the 26th of May, 1807, Marshal Lefebvre made his triumphal entry into the city of Danzig. He invited his two colleagues Marshal Lannes and Marshal Mortier to ride on either side of him passing down in review between the two ranks of troops and be with him in receiving the salute and the sword of Marshal Kalkreuth when he defiled out with the con- quered garrison. Lannes and Mortier declined, Lefebvre alone was entitled to the honors of the triumph, having 368 taken upon himself the responsibility and the dangers of this memorable siege. Each regiment that had participated in the capture of the city contributed a detachment to the guard of honor, and they entered with drums sounding and flags waving in the train of their glorious chief. The en- gineers were at the head, and out of six hundred men composing this select battalion the greater number had fallen in the trenches. The Emperor recognized the value of these experts and the order of the day before the entrance into the city was read in the pres- ence of the entire army: " Danzig has capitulated and our troops will enter there to-day at noon. His Majesty expresses his satis- faction to the besieging forces. The engineers have covered themselves with glory." The siege lasted fifty-one days. The formidable defences of the place, the force that was numerically as great within the city as that posted without the walls, the insufficiency of artillery on the part of the besiegers, the severe climate, the snow, the rain, the high winds had all contributed to prolong the resistance. The garrison suffered severely. Out of 18,320 men, 7,120 only left the city alive. The moral effect of the fall of Danzig was consider- able. The material result was also very great; Napo- leon found in the city immense quantities of military stores, grain and wines, all of which was sent to the cantonments of Passarge. The precious liquor in this chilling climate came to the army like a veritable revivifying cordial, an elixir of good health and good humor. Two days after the entrance of Lefebvre, the Em- peror visited the trenches and inspected the works and detailed the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth regiments of the line to garrison the deserted fortifications and occupy the city. Following this he invited all the com- 3 6 9 manders to a grand banquet at which Lefebvre sat upon his right. Before the repast, while the generals and Marshals Lefebvre, Lannes and Mortier awaited the entrance of the Emperor, the Grand Marshal Duroc appeared, car- rying a sword with a richly chiseled hilt, sparkling with diamonds. Immediately behind Duroc an officer bore a crimson velvet cushion upon which rested a gold crown. Duroc holding the sword and the officer with the cushion took their places at either side the throne that was reserved for Napoleon. A moment later the doors were thrown back and the Emperor appeared wearing the ordinary uniform of a colonel of the Chasseurs, and with a glance that was half quizzical and half amused looked at the sword and the crown. Napoleon turned before the throne and throwing his eyes over the brilliant company gathered there, he said in a loud voice to Duroc: "Will you request our dear and well beloved Lefebvre to approach ! " Duroc made a military salute and stepping to the side of Lefebvre, escorted him before the Emperor. Mechanically the Marshal put forth his hand, believ- ing the Emperor intended to confer the tribute of a public congratulation on the capture of Danzig and the further honor of a fraternal embrace. But Napoleon continued: "Grand Marshal, will you request the Duke of Danzig to bend his knee to receive his investiture." Lefebvre, at the utterance of this unknown and singu- lar title, changed his position as though to make way for some foreign dignitary, some Prussian or Russian per- haps, for there was no such title and no such duchy among the French. But Duroc approached again and whispered in the Marshal's ear: " Kneel ! " 37 Lefebvre sank to the ground beneath the pressure of Duroc's hand, and the Emperor taking the crown from its cushion placed it upon the Marshal's head. Stupefied, speechless, Lefebvre failed to fully under- stand the real meaning of this beautiful ceremony of which he was the central figure. Napoleon, taking the sword, gave three light taps upon the shoulder of Le- febvre, saying with great gravity: "In the name of the Emperor, by the grace of God and in virtue of the national will, Lefebvre, I make you this day Duke of Danzig, for you to have and to enjoy the advantages and privileges we have attached to that dig- nity." And then in his natural voice: "Arise, Duke of Danzig, and em- brace your Em- peror." Immediately the drum corps, sta- tic ne d beneath the windows, beat the long roll, and the marshals and generals and officers crowded around the newly cre- ated noble, offering their felicitations. It was a politic act of enormous importance, this ele- vation of a common soldier to one of the titles abolished by the revolution, made odious to the nation, forgotten after being ridiculed. Napoleon wished to strengthen his throne and his dynasty by the aid of a new aristocracy; he had endeav- ored by a thousand seductions, by advantageous mar- riages, by employments, by appointments to attract to his court the representatives of the former aristocracy. Now he had resolved to create a nobility of his own. He wished to organize a new society having its degrees, its ranks, its hierarchies, in a superb pyramid at the sum- mit of which, isolated by his grandeur, he, the Emperor, would stand. In the rank beneath him would be his brothers made by him kings, Louis having Holland, Joseph having Spain, Jerome having Westphalia. A little below this rank, his brother-in-law Murat, King of Naples, Eugene, Viceroy of Italy. Then the Princes, the great heroes of the battles, Ney, Berthier; the Dukes, Lefebvre, Augerau, Lannes, Vic- tor, Soult. The comtes and barons, financiers and dip- lomats, finally the plain cavaliers, legions that he had instituted. The new Duke, who with the sword and crown, re- ceived 100,000 francs, said to Duroc: "My wife will certainly be content! Catharine a Duchess ! What do you think of that, Duroc ?" And as he laughed at the thought, he caught sight of a young officer, attached to the suite of Marshal Lannes, who was also laughing, but in a satirical manner, and who was distinguished solely for the reason that he was heir to a noble family. Lefebvre stepped towards him and said: " You laugh at me, monsieur, because I have a title I myself won, while with you it has been the acci- dent of birth that you chance to be a comte. Laugh, monsieur, in your vanity and boast of your descent. Each to his business ; you are a descendant, I am an ancestor." Then, turning abruptly from the officer, Lefebvre said to Duroc: " My dear Marshal, when will the Emperor give the, signal for the banquet ? " 37 2 " Are you hungry, Lefebvre ? " " No ! But the sooner he gives the signal, the sooner we shall be free. And I have an uncontrollable desire to be the first to embrace and congratulate Madame, the Duchess of Danzig." L. WITH THE EMPRESS. THEY awaited the Emperor ! Victorious, master of Europe, having forced his friendship on Russia and his will on Prussia, Napoleon was approaching for a triumphal entry into Paris. By his orders Josephine had given a series of brilliant receptions, attended by the great personages of France, the diplomatic corps, the representatives of the various Kings. A soiree had been especially arranged at the Tuileries in honor of the new Duchess of Danzig. All the grand world, active and filled with intrigue, occupied itself with this reception; sarcastic faggots from the ex- tinguished fire of an old aristocracy asked ironically how the duchess would maintain her rank. Evil tongues moved freely and recalled with savage pleasure the washerwoman days of the present duchess. Many of the gossiping women were sprung from an origin quite as humble and had been the heroines of questionable adventures, and the subjects of crying scandals. Catharine possessed a reputation that had never been questioned. She was ridiculed because of her principles and the love she felt for her husband. Washerwoman, cantiniere, wife of the general, of a great officer of the Empire, Madame Marchioness, she had, during her entire life, this daughter of the people who had become a crowned grande dame, but one lover her husband, her Lefebvre. 373 On his part, he had preserved a fidelity that was wonderfully rare among the warriors of the Empire. He had resisted the temptations that misled his Emperor, his master, his god; he truthfully said: "That is the only path where I cannot follow the Emperor," and in answer to his jocular companions who did not hesitate to belittle his constancy he would say: " If I deceived Catharine, don't you see, how would it be possible for me to beat the Prussians ! I think con- stantly of her, then I should feel remorse, now it gives me a strong heart and an easy conscience to go into battle." Brave Lefebvre never blushed for his conjugal virtue. He was, he never hesitated to say, in favor of probity, fidelity and patriotism. This untutored Achilles, coming from the ranks of the people, remained simple, republi- can, declined to be associated with Barras and Carnot in the Directory because he was not sufficiently educated, declared there were but three objects influencing his life his wife, his country, his Emperor. The Empress's reception was at its height when the Duchess made her appearance, but Caroline and Elisa, Napoleon's sisters, had already entered the room and had ample opportunity to indulge in their insolence and their insulting quarrels. Caroline was Queen of Naples, Elisa, the demoiselle of Saint-Cyr, possessed the principality of Piombino, and there was a constant rivalry of crimination and a battle of epigrams between the two sisters. In the brilliant circle where Josephine was the centre Junot filled an important and conspicuous position. Now Governor of Paris, this former sergeant whom Na- poleon had made aide-de-camp and general of division, was assiduous in his attentions to the Queen of Naples. Their love was open and scandalous. Junot's carriage waited constantly before the palace of Caroline. Murat, occupied with his battles suspected nothing, and Junot, - 374 one of the most accomplished duellists of the day, was quite prepared to make Caroline a widow and share her throne. One fear alone controlled him, the coming of the Emperor. In the absence of Napoleon his entire Court was corrupt, abandoned, knew no restraint, no law. The rumor of his return compelled behavior on the part of those who were dependent upon his will, his glory and his disposition to maintain them in their positions. Alone, the two abominable scolds Napoleon was suf- ficiently unfortunate to have as sisters, dared to brave the anger of the great conqueror. Pauline Borghese was so free in her conduct as to be quite outside any oppor- tunity for excuse or concealment. Napoleon had the unfortunate weakness of adoring his family, those remarkable creatures whose sole value con- sisted in the favors showered upon them by their brother. In the affair of Junot, the Emperor learned of it upon his return and he reproached his old friend, Sergeant Junot, bitterly, reduced him from his post as Governor of Paris and exiled him to Portugal with the grade, of ambassa- dor and the title of Duke d'Abrantes. The dynastic folly of Napoleon was more strongly displayed in his family and among his marshals than in his own person. Wedded to the Archduchess of Austria, father of the King of Rome, Napoleon believed he could dominate the assembly of kings, but aMurat, a Junot, a Joseph to follow, as ruler of France and of the world what folly! This folly served the purpose of the traitors, of Talley- rand, Fouche, Bernadotte, Marmont in their terrible treason of delivering France to the strangers, thanks to the connivance of the infamous Marie Louise and her good friends the Cossacks and the Prussians. At the hour the Marchioness Lefebvre repaired to the apartments of the Empress the brave Marshal dined with the Emperor, and during the meal Lefebvre was singularly embarrassed several times. Upon each occa- 375 sion, it was when Napoleon addressed him as " Duke," the title was too recent to be readily recognized and too exalted for him to grasp with the facility that had attended his humbler rank. Napoleon always delighted in pleasantry, and he found much satisfaction in tormenting Lefebvre ; he knew the Marshal to be honest and poor; he had made him a Duke, he proposed to make him rich. During the dinner Napoleon said suddenly: " Do you like chocolate, Duke ? " "Yes, sire, I like chocolate if you wish it; I like everything you like." " Good ! I am going to give you a sample of it; it is Danzig chocolate. It is only proper you should have a taste of the products of the city you have conquered." Lefebvre bowed and maintained silence. He could not always understand the subtle jokes of the Emperor, and in such instances he took refuge in a polite salute and a discreet absence of reply. Napoleon arose and took from a table near by a square package that had the appearance of a chocolate cake. He returned to his seat and, handing the paper to the Duke, he said : " Duke of Danzig, accept this chocolate ! It is a small present prompted by friendship." Lefebvre took the package without evidence of any marked interest and nonchalantly dropped it into his pocket. " Sire, I thank you," he said. " I shall give this chocolate to the hospital ; it is excellent, they say, for the sick " "No," quickly exclaimed the Emperor, "do nothing of the sort ! Keep it for yourself, I pray you." And Lefebvre muttered to himself : " Quaint idea that the Emperor should give me choc- olate as though I were a girl." A pie representing the city of Danzig was served as 376 the culminating effort of the chef, and Napoleon, ex- tending a knife to the duke, said : " We will give this pie to you; it is your conquest and at your signal it shall be again destroyed. It is fit- ting that you should do the honors with such a dish." Lefebvre cut into the pate and the diners speedily brought about its annihilation. The dinner was con- cluded, and Lefebvre returned to his quarters charmed with the amiability of his sovereign. "Too bad Catharine is not here," he said to him- self. " Never has His Majesty been in better humor. But what a singular present, this Danzig chocolate." And unconsciously he broke the paper that enwrapped the sweets, when there within, in place of the expected delicacy, the duke saw carefully folded bank bills to the amount of three hundred thousand francs. It was a present that permitted the new Duke to main- tain his rank. The two sisters of Napoleon and the ladies in their train missed no opportunity to insult Catharine upon her humble origin, and they seized this reception of the Empress as a fitting occasion to humiliate her. Catharine Lefebvre in full court costume, her head bearing a dress of white ostrich feathers rising from her artistically arranged hair, a regal robe the work of Leroy, a long mantle in sky blue velvet with golden bees and the ducal crown embroidered in the corners, advanced radiant and beautiful into the salon. The Sans-Gene of earlier days was for a moment em- barrassed. She had that morning rehearsed with Des- preaux the ceremony of presentation as became her position of Duchess with the right to stand by the side of Queen and Empress. The instruction passed through her mind as she held her train and stepped into the salon. The court usher, rouged, powdered, majestic, who had for many years fulfilled the duties of his office, announced in a loud voice : 377 " Madame, the Marchioness Lefebvre." Catharine looked at him scathingly and said: " Well, you don't know your business, you fool! " The Empress stepped from her throne and advanced towards the marchioness. Always gracious, always graceful, the Empress was never more elegant than when she extended her hand to the Duchess and said: " How do I find you, this evening, Madame the Duchess of Danzig?" "As solid as Pont Neuf ! " Catharine responded un- abashed, "and I hope Your Majesty is in the same con- dition." And then turning towards the usher she said: " That's a lesson for you on titles, old man." Catharine took her place in the circle of ladies, the centre of all eyes and the object of all comment. The Empress talked amiably with her and Catharine with her remarkable adaptability was soon completely at ease, but as she caught sight of the sneering smiles in- cited by Caroline and Elisa and evidently intended to disconcert the new duchess, Catharine exclaimed, angrily and aloud: " Why are they all after me, those chippies there ? If the Emperor were only here it would give me real pleasure to see him put an end to their insults." The conversation was general and lively but the poor Duchess found none, aside from the Empress, who ad- dressed their remarks to her, or who did her the honor of even responding to her questions. Catharine was en- raged at the studied attempt to belittle her presence and while considering in what manner she should repay the infamy, she was saluted by a tall, mysterious-look- ing man who said: " You do not remember me, Duchess ? " " No, I do not, I suppose I have seen you somewhere." " Exactly, we are old friends. Before you entered the high rank you now occupy I had the honor of your acquaintance." 378 " Oh, you mean when I was a washerwoman ! Well, I never forget anybody I knew at that time, nor does Lefebvre. You know I have always kept among my dresses one bf the costumes I used to wear when I was a working woman, and in the same way Lefebvre has still the uniform he wore as sergeant in the French Guards." "Ah, well, Duch- ess," replied the man in an insinua- ting and quiet voice, " the time when I knew you was far in the past; we met at one of the popular balls where I had the pleasure of enjoy- ing your society; I was your guest, al- most your friend; a fortune-teller, if you remember, pre- dicted that night that you would be a duchess some day." "Yes, I remember it very well; it was a great night wasn't it ? Lefebvre and I often speak of it. And didn't the fortune-teller tell you anything that has come true ? " " He did; I have lived up to my horoscope, and as for you, certainly you have realized it." " Yes, truly, and what did he predict for you ? " 379 " That I should one day become Minister of Police and I am." " You are M. Fouche ? " said Catharine a trifle uneasy at the thought of this man, who with true feminine in- stinct she felt to be a traitor. " At your service. Duchess. You have here several rivals, enemies, permit me to warn you of perils that are threatening. Do not give to these ladies the pleasure of profiting by some of your imprudences of comment, or your lack of acquaintance with the ceremonies of the court." " You are very straightforward, M. Fouche, and I accept your offer," Catharine replied with considerable good humor; "you have warned me in time; you know very well I am not thoroughly acquainted with their manners, but yet I am not ignorant what is proper to say in society; my fault is I do not always take the conventionalities into account; I turn my tongue loose and it goes as it wishes. I understand that you in the quality of Minister of Police can be very useful." " There are some things I can do and others that are impossible," replied Fouche, modestly. "But if you will be awake to the hints I will give you, I think you will avoid any unpleasant incidents from these ladies who are disposed to criticise you." " M. Fouche, you oblige me greatly, I am so uneasy amid ceremonies of the palace that I never leave the door without wishing I were back in my canteen." "Very well, Duchess; I know they are trying to entrap you into certain expressions, and I will protect you if you will follow me. When I strike twice on my snuff-box, which I shall hold constantly in my hand, you will be good enough to cease saying whatever may be your conversation at the moment. See, I shall give you this signal," and Fouche lightly struck the enamelled snuff-box twice with his first two fingers. 380 " It is understood, M. Fouche; I will not lose sight of you nor of your snuff-box." "My snuff-box, particularly." This arrangement made the Duchess followed in the train of the Empress to the adjoining banquet-hall. LI. CATHARINE S REVENGE. THE sneering smiles and the caustic comments followed the marchioness to the supper-room. The Queen of Naples and her sister Elisa had gathered about them their cantankerous female friends, all resolved to make it as unpleasant as possible for the duchess. Caroline showed beneath her fan a note written by the marchioness to the court costumer, Leroy, which she had purchased at a high figure, and which read as follows: " Will you, M. Leroy, not fail to send me to-morrow my catin* dress " Elisa had given directions to the usher that when Catharine came accompanied by Marchioness Lannes, as had been announced, he was to give her the title of marchioness instead of the rightful duchess. Elisa had possessed herself of a story telling of a curious and interesting incident happening in Catharine's household a short time before and in connection with the theft of a valuable diamond belonging to the marchioness. The details were certainly unfit for repetition, but Elisa, feel- ing it would embarrass Catharine still more, approached the Empress and laughingly repeated the incident. Cath- arine angered beyond control, burst forth with some characteristic remark when her eye chanced to meet that of Fouche who was tapping vigorously upon his snuff box. * Catharine intended to write satin; the word catin is equivalent to demi-monde. 38' " The devil ! he wants me to stop. I would have given this hussy a dose," she said, "but I am glad Fouche has interrupted me." Then hesitating a moment she step- ped to the centre of the circle of gossips and looking into the face of Caroline and Elisa alternately she said with an intensity of irony that was most cutting: " Your Majesty, and you, Madame Princess, you do the honor of telling how a poor woman, such as myself, detected a thief, a professional thief, a thief who stole trifles, a servant, a scrub, who was neither a marshal nor a king nor the relation of an emperor. In truth, I had a strong disposition to let this diamond thief go when I considered the crowned thieves who are robbing the Empire and who are despoiling our country." Catharine's words produced the most astounding ef- fect in the brilliant following of the Queen of Naples. Fouche had stepped hastily forward and was frantically tapping upon his box. But Catharine cast no glance in his direction. She refused to stop ; she continued look- ing intently at the affrighted women : " Yes, the Emperor is too good, too lenient. He does not know what becomes of the money ; he is satisfied with the income of a captain, but all those whom his favor has lifted from the most obscure ranks of society devote their energies to pillage, ravaging and robbing openly from the people. It is not the servants who steal jewelry in others' apartments, in those of the mar- shals or those of the sovereigns, that the Emperor will have to strip to find evidences of their crimes." Her voice trembled with anger; strong in the con- sciousness of Lefebvre's integrity, the honor of a sol- dier, Catharine Sans-Gene scowled in the faces of these insolent females whose parvenu husbands were robbing the Empire and plotting treason against the Emperor. Caroline of Naples was audacious, and the feeling of a Queen increased her audacity : " Madame Duchess, perhaps you would have us re- 382 turn to the epoch of republican virtue ? Oh, those were beautiful times, truly ! " " Don't you dare to insult the soldiers of the Repub- lic ! " Catharine shouted, pale with anger ; " they were all heroes, Lefebvre with them. They did not fight as your husbands, as your lovers, ladies, do now to acquire position and privileges and wealth, to despoil the prov- inces and rob the public treasury ! The soldiers of th$ Republic fought to liberate an oppressed people, to de- liver men from slavery, to glorify France and establish its liberty. Those who came after them perhaps fought bravely, but the profits of the glory, more than the glory itself, fell to them. Our Emperor will regret the loss of the soldiers of the Republic. When he looks about him for the friends to be with him in danger, the men to support him in trouble, he will not find him in the husband of the Queen who cannot uphold her throne." Elisa, angered and indignant, said to Caroline: " Let us go, sister; we cannot reply in suitable lan- guage to a washerwoman who the weakness of our brother has made a duchess ! " The two Princesses left the salon after a brief salute to the Empress, who was at a loss to understand the evident anger of her disagreeable sisters-in-law. Fouche shook his head and said seriously to Catherine: "You have said some pretty lively things, Duchess; I have been giving you signals, rapping on my snuff-box, but you wouldn't pay any attention, nothing could stop you." " Reassure yourself, M. Fouche, I shall tell it all to the Emperor, and when he knows what took place he will endorse what I have said." Catharine was alive to the sentiments of Napoleon in regard to his family and while she realized the devotion that always marked his feelings toward them, she knew that before and beyond even such regard there would always prevail his love for the army. It was the army that Napoleon's sisters frequently slurred and Catharine in telling M. Fouche she should repeat this incident to the Emperor, relied upon playing the insult to the army as her trump card in the complaint. 384 LII. THE RUSSIAN ALLIANCE. ON the 22d of June, 1807, France was victorious over the whole of Europe. Lefebvre had taken Danzig. On the i4th of June Napoleon had defeated the Russian army at Friedland, and Soult had been successful at Koemgsberg. The i4th of June was a glorious anniversary and Napoleon, ever superstitious, entered the battle with confidence, for it was the date of Marengo. The Russian army, commanded by General Benning- sen, advanced on the city of Friedland. The river Alle wound around the city and was crossed by a multitude of bridges. Marshal Lannes, with ten thousand men, embracing the Grenadiers and volunteers of Oudinot, with the dragoons and hussars under the orders of Grouchy, held the road against the Russian advance. At three o'clock in the morning the first shot was fired. The action at once became decisive. It was a bold effort and was made with all the forces the Emperor of Russia had at his command. Alexander had given his assurance to Frederick William he would fight a decisive battle for the salvation of Prussia. Lannes, with a greatly inferior force, was in peril when Mortier came to his relief with Dupas's division. Marshal Mortier had his horse shot under him by a cannon ball, his own unhappy death was not to be met on the field of battle but at the hand of a murderer a few years later on the Boulevard du Temple, during a review of the National Guard when an explosive was thrown by Fiechi and directed against Louis Philippe. The stand made by Lannes gave an opportunity for Napoleon to come to his aid. The Emperor galloped up radiant, confident, far in advance of his staff eager, impatient to take part in the action and to command in person at the victory. Oudinot, covered with blood, his uniform torn and soiled, cried after Napoleon. " Let me have my Grenadiers, sire; give me reinforce- ments and I will drive the Russians into the river." Napoleon made a sign with his hand and checking his horse swept his glass over the field. The day was well advanced, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, who were called to- gether, counselled a suspension of the battle until the next day; they wished time to reorganize the army. " No," declared the Emperor, " we shall continue what we have begun so well. Twice the enemy have made mistakes." With a perception and a promptness that were mar- vellous the Emperor decided to occupy the city of Fried- land, that formed the head of the curve in the Alle river. To make this audacious dash Napoleon required a leader who would fearlessly assail the strongly defended bridges leading into the city. He looked about him for an instant and grasping the arm of Ney he said quickly pointing towards Friedland: " There is where I want you to go, march directly ahead; pay no attention to what happens behind you or on either side of you. Force your way through that mass of men and cannon, clear the bridge, get into Friedland somehow, anyhow. Don't have any thought of what is taking place in any direction except in front of you. I shall be behind you and on each side of you, I and the army. Go, Marshal, and give to Marengo an immortal anniversary." Ney dashed off with wild enthusiasm and as Napoleon watched him plunge down the road, he turned to Mortier and said: " Ney is not a man, he is a lion ! " These were the heroes destined to perish under the bullets of the restoration, marching towards the bridges 3 86 defended by a great force of sturdy Russians. The Emperor summoned his generals and with phenomenal coolness changed their instructions and reconstructed his plan of battle. Ney was at the right, Victor was stationed between Ney and Lannes, Mortier a trifle in the rear with the divisions of brave Poles commanded by Dombrowski and the dragoons of Latour-Maubourg. The French army thus was drawn into an imposing mass of 24,000 men. The firing had almost ceased, the Russians thinking the battle was terminated, at least for that day. In a silence that to the keen observer always presages the coming of a storm, the army took its new position of battle. A signal was to be given from twenty pieces of artillery that were massed in a battery at the point where Napoleon stood directing the movements, cool, prudent, realizing that the fortunes and glory of France depended upon the next few hours. Resisting the impatient appeals of his generals and the soldiers who were ready to throw themselves on the enemy, the Emperor calmly awaited the complete dis- position of the forces before giving the word. Then the signal boomed forth from the deadly mouth of a score of cannon. Ney rushed his men forward into a descent that was overwhelming. The Russian artillery poured shot into the approaching ranks and every moment was marked by awful ravages, for the files of men were so deployed that they received the full effect of the fire in their face and at their side. The infantry in Bisson's division hesitated, stopped. Napoleon hastening to their support ordered General Senarmont to change the position of his bat- tery so he might command the Russian artillery. Indifferent to the rain of balls the general placed his cannon as Napoleon directed, the enemy meanwhile making his men the target of their artillery and musket fire from across the river and the plain. The Russians appalled by the ceaseless cannonade sought every avenue to escape the terrible advance of Napoleon. The Imperial Guard emerging from the ravine climbed over the earth walls, bayonetted the canonniers, drove the valiant Russians before them like chaff. It was a grand butchery, a glorious, horrible fete of the White Army, a hand-to-hand conflict of the an- cients. The Russians fled before the victorious host, the bridges were in flames and Marshal Ney met General Dupont in the centre of blazing Friedland. Then Napoleon as a great mechanician who plans and manoeuvres a masterful machine that works to his satis- faction, ordered an advance of the entire army. The scene was grand, formidable; with a mighty shout the French rushed over the ground as the last ranks of the Russians disappeared in the obscurity of the evening. It was ten o'clock at night when Napoleon, victorious, dismounted from his horse and ate a piece of bread that had been offered him by a soldier. It was the first mouthful he had tasted during the day. A bivouac fire in the ranks of Lannes's men sent its sparks and glare high into the heavens and threw forth such an inviting warmth that Napoleon approached it to dry his boots, soaked with the watersof the turbulent river. His pale face lighted with the reflection from the crack- ling logs, was no sooner recognized than a great cheer went up, that was caught by succeeding groups until it surged over that wide plain and through the bloody streets of the fallen city. " Long live the Emperor of the West ! " Napoleon made no movement of response to this spontaneous ovation, but his quick ear caught the sound of the new title given him by his proud followers. It fired a train of thought in his keen mind and he mur- mured: " Emperor of the West ! It is a good name, a great 3 88 role ! Ah, if the Emperor Alexander would join with me ! We two could rule the world." It was the beginning of that which has been called the Napoleonic insanity, the Russian Alliance was the first symptom of mental disorder in this grand man, the first step towards destruction. On the ipth of June Napoleon reached the banks of the Niemen, the stream separating Eastern Prussia from the Russian Empire. The Grand Army leaving its camp at Boulogne in September, 1805, had traversed Europe in a triumphal progress. Austria crushed at Austerlitz; Prussia vanquished at Jena; Russia beaten and demoralized atFriedland; what remained for him to do ? Peace ! Yes, but with civilized Europe, with England, with Austria, with Prussia not with the barbarians of Rus- sia ! Unhappily the Emperor accepted seriously the un- reliable friendship of the Czar Alexander. They talked with him Talleyrand, Fouche, the two traitors who ad- vised him of marriage with the Grand Duchess Anne, sister of the Emperor of Russia. These traitors flattered the secret desire held by the Emperor for an alliance with one of the reigning families, and having an heir whose grandfather sat upon a throne, not by force of arms but by divine right and the fiction of inheritance, The Grand Duchess Anne was not yet fifteen years of age. She was short, plump and exceedingly pretty. A resemblance was found between her and the Empress Catharine because of her aquiline nose, her face being free from the blunt and Tartar features of the Russian rulers. The Princess had been educated with great care by Madame de Lieven, and she gave every promise of being an accomplished sovereign. But the physical and moral qualities counted for little; 389 it was the alliance with Emperor Alexander that at- tracted Napoleon, for he had already resolved to break his marriage with Josephine and fortune appeared in every way to favor the consummation of this plan, as the next day following the victory Prince Bagration as envoy of the Czar came with proposals for peace, and to ask an interview in the name of his Imperial Russian master. The interview was fixed for June 25th at Tilsit, and the hour to be one o'clock, midday. Napoleon addressed to his army this proclamation which even at nearly one hundred years still inflames every French heart: "Soldiers: "On the 5th of June we were attacked by the Russian army. The enemy was misled as to the reasons for our inactivity. It was learned too late our repose was that of the lion and they repented when they troubled it. " From the banks of the Vistula we have come to the borders of the Niemen with the rapidity of an eagle. You celebrated at Austerlitz the anniversary of my accession ; you have this year celebrated that of the battle of Marengo, which put an end to the war of the second coalition. " Frenchmen ! You have exalted yourselves and me ! You return to France covered with laurels and after having secured a glorious peace that carries with it the guarantee of being permanent. The time has come for our country to live free from the malign influence of* England. " My actions will prove my gratitude and give you all to understand the love I feel for you." This proclamation was dated at the Imperial Camp at Tilsit, June 22, 1807. Three days later occurred the memorable interview between the two Emperors. An enormous raft, designed by General Lariboisiere, was floated upon the waters of the Niemen. Upon it a glass pavilion was constructed, and decorated with tapestries and hangings found in rich profusion among the treasures of the city of Tilsit. 39 Napoleon and Alexander embarked at the same mo- ment, and promptly at one o'clock in the afternoon they stepped upon the temporary island that was to become famous from that time. Murat, Berthiere, Bessieres, Duroc and the Master of the Horse, Caulaincourt, ac- companied Napoleon. The Czar was escorted by the Grand Duke Constan- tin, Generals Benningsen and Ouvaroff, Prince Labanoff and Count Lieven. When they met the two Emperors embraced in sight of their respective armies drawn up on the opposite shores of the river, and were saluted with a storm of hurrahs and cries at this solemn and amicable demon- stration. The scene was strange and impressive, A vast and unbroken plain extended to the limit of sight. The narrow Niemen rolled its muddy waters through the marshy earth, beyond the little city of Tilsit to the marshes of Lithuania, protected by a wall of mountains where the Teutons had erected a formidable fort. On the right side of the river dwelt the hairy, fero- cious, half-civilized Cossacks, riding horses as savage as themselves and bearing long, murderous lances; the Basques armed with the ancient bow and arrow, Oriental tribes recalling memories of early Asiatic invasions. Among these Eastern barbarians arose the Russian Guard, dignified, imposing, superb, with their tall stature, clothed in a costume of green and red. On the left bank were gathered the crowds of heroes, with their high feathers, their cloaks and tall hats. The population of the country swarmed among the soldiers and united their cries with those of the two armies. The Emperors had embraced and were recon- ciled; they promised to live thereafter in peace, and vil- lages would no more be converted into slaughter-houses or bonfires. Joy was wide-spread; every one saw a return home, to 391 family, to wife; in their simplicity the brave warriors accepted as an expression of sincerity the spectacular reconciliation of the Emperors. Events following not long after this showed that politics has no heart and two sovereigns can greet each other cordially and yet be fighting to the death meanwhile. Alexander was still young; he was a Slav, he was nervous and easily influenced, susceptible to fugi- tive impressions, to capricious thoughts, to uncertain decisions. He was twenty-eight years of age and, although he was vanquished, he felt a certain vanity in having measured his prowess with the conqueror of Europe who at Eylau and Friedland had defeated him with difficulty. The two sovereigns, after their embrace, entered the glass pavilion to confer. A third sovereign stood on the banks of the river, melancholy, disheartened, inspiring disdain, perhaps pity. It was the King of Prussia. Frederick William had not been invited to accompany the two Emperors; he had begged Alexander to plead his cause and he anxiously awaited the result of the interview. Napoleon employed his most charming manners in the meeting with Alexander; he was cordial, fluent and persuasive and he threw into his expressions that irre- sistible seductiveness of which he had unlimited control. " Why do we make war on each other ?" he said, " it is the English alone we should fight ! " " If you wish to invade England we are in the live- liest accord," responded the Czar. " I detest the English, they have deserted me, abandoned me in the moment of my peril." " If you have those sentiments then peace is assured," said Napoleon quickly, extending his hand. Napoleon was intent on winning the friendship of Alexander; he still dwelt on the idea of a Russian 392 alliance; he saw England erased from the map and his own political rule supreme by the confederation of two great empires. Napoleon ceded all details that Alexander asked. He was conqueror and yet he received conditions from the conquered. He made foolish sacrifices in that brief interview of interests clearly due to France, but he was influenced by the double chimera of having the Cossacks and Basques as allies and wedding the imperial princess. Of all the faults committed by Napoleon in the latter years of his reign, one only was criminal: at Tilsit he might, as absolute master of the situation, have recon- structed the kingdom of Poland and have protected the west by its natural safeguard against the menaces of Panslavism. The omission to do this brought upon France Waterloo, Sedan and two invasions. To please his new friend, Napoleon sacrificed Turkey, the old and constant ally of France. Hs had promised the Ottoman Porte he would never make any treaty that would allow Russia to enjoy an outlet on the Mediterranean to the ultimate disadvantage of Constan- tinople, he agreed to preserve the integrity of the Otto- man Empire. He permitted Alexander to put his hands on Malgravia and Valachia; the appetite of the Russian ogre was insatiable; we know something of it to-day. Napoleon sacrificed Persia to the Muscovite maw; he abandoned Poland despite the tears and charms of the beautiful Countess Walewski. And in exchange for all these gifts, all these subjects, all this territory, what was offered by the delighted Alexander ? Promises, sighs, amiable words. Alexander promised, Napoleon presented. The Czar declared he did not like England; he offered to recognize the Napoleonic dynasty and the new kings, the brothers Bonaparte had seated upon chance thrones. A revolution occurring shortly after assuring the de- 393 position of the Sultan, Napoleon proposed to Alexander that they appropriate the Turkish Empire. The Mus- covite potentate was strongly favorable to the offer to himself the East, to Napoleon the West. They would par- tition the globe as two heritages, as an estate that had been long in litigation. It was at this suggestion Alex- ander exclaimed in genuine enthusiasm for Napoleon: " What a great man ! What a genius ! What broad views! What- profound thought! Ah, that I had known you sooner what faults I would have avoided, what great things we would have accomplished together." Alexander profited by the influence he was gradually acquiring over Napoleon, to plead the cause of the King of Prussia, every other influence had been brought to bear without result. The King wished the old elector- ates of Brandenburg and Saxony to be restored. The Queen of Prussia had urged this concession. Her beauty, her grace, her spirit had been relied on to touch Napoleon. The Queen was at that time thirty- two years of age and was regarded as one of the most beautiful women in Europe. She made every effort to seduce Napoleon, but he was defiant; he closed his eyes and would permit no sentiment to enter his heart. The Queen was not skik- ful; she disliked the Emperor, yet she feigned a passion for him; she played her part as an actress of mediocre ability imparting unconsciously to her voice the in- tensity of her feeling. To this sovereign who pleaded for her kingdom Napoleon opposed a frigid, icy manner. Upon one occasion at dinner the Emperor politely presented the Queen with a beautiful rose and she in accepting it murmured: "Ah, sire, with Magdeburg." She looked into the Emperor's face, her eyes moist, her sigh sweet, a little as the coquettish courtezan tempts her rich lover: " Ah, sire, if you will be gener- ous, be good, as they say you are, as they all love you." Napoleon dryly interrupted the sovereign and said : " Your Majesty is familiar with my intentions; I have communicated them to the Emperor of Russia and charged him with making them known to King William, for the Czar acts as mediator between us. These inten- tions are unalterable." He politely saluted and withdrew. The peace of Tilsit was signed on July 6, 1807. The 395 following day the sovereigns exchanged their ratifica- tions. Napoleon wore the Grand Cordon of Saint An- drew, Alexander the Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honor. The Russian Imperial Guard and the Old Guard were drawn up facing each other. Napoleon pinned the Cross of the Legion of Honor upon the breast of a Russian Guard amid the wild applause of the armies. The memorable interview was at an end, France glo- rious and triumphant. Napoleon dominated Europe. LIII. THE AUSTRIAN ALLIANCE. THREE years passed before Napoleon took any fur- ther steps in his project for divorce, or sought to realize his dreams of a Russian alliance strengthened by a marriage with the Grand Duchess Anne. The war in Spain, the campaign in Austria had served to occupy his time during this period. But despite his inaction the desire for an heir and the wish to build up a dynasty on a marriage with the daughter or sister of a reigning sovereign grew stronger and stronger in Na- poleon's heart. At Erfurt he had opened the negotia- tions for such a culmination by suggesting to the Em- peror Alexander the possibility of cementing their al- liance by becoming brothers-in-law. The Czar had agreed without agreeing to the project'. He advanced but one objection, the Empress-mother. Conferences continued with Russia for the purpose of obtaining the consent of the Empress-mother. M. de Caulaincourt, envoy to the Czar for this special nego- tiation, counselled delay. The Court of Russia, desirous of putting the affair off as long as possible, made all manner of excuses. They dwelt upon the ill health of the Grand Duchess, they insisted upon the establish- ment of a Greek chapel with orthodox priests at the Tuileries. All those subterfuges irritated Napoleon; his nervous temperament chaffed at the delay. He saw under these excuses a defiance of his wishes, a repugnance to give him for a wife a daughter of the Czars. The question of a Greek chapel was nonsense; he was wounded at the condition imposed upon him to never re-establish the kingdom of Poland. He resolved to renounce the Russian Alliance. But he had not yet separated from Josephine. He loved her devotedly, he always loved her, and it was not without genuiue grief that he nerved himself to tear his affections asunder and take up new ties. Josephine had ever exercised great influence over Napoleon; to him, notwithstanding her age and indiscretions, she was al- ways the most beautiful and seductive of women. On his return from Schoenbrunn, where he had en- joyed the companionship of the charming Comtesse Walewski, who was enceinte, he resolved finally to hasten the divorce. He had received the proof in two instances, from Eleonore de la 1 Plaigne and from the beautiful Pole, that nature permitted him to have an heir. He proposed then to make known his decision to Josephine with as little delay as possible, and after that it could be determined whether he should wed the daughter of the King of Saxony or the daughter of the Emperor of Austria. The alliance with the sister of Alexander had already been renounced. Soon after his return the Emperor summoned the Arch-chancellor Cambaceres to confer with him at Fontainebleau. " What is this I hear ? " said the Emperor, " Paris has expressed some doubts lately ! Been stirred by false news ! Has it lost confidence in me ? " " No, sire, you are always loved, followed, admired. 397 But we feared because there have been some alarming rumors during the past few months ; it has been said an attempt was made to assassinate you while at Schoen- brunn." " They were wrong to be disturbed by such a report ; it had merely a foundation of truth. There was a great crowd at Schoenbrunn ; the people admired our victor- ious troops. A young man dressed in a long coat I had noticed the fellow because he had made several at- tempts to get near my carriage did certainly intend to strike me. He held a paper in his hand a petition, probably. Rapp saw him and was impressed by some- thing in his actions, and seized him. They found on the man a long, naked knife." " Intended for you, sire ? " " Yes, so the rascal said. I talked with him myself and I had him examined by Corvisart. The man's name is Staaps, and he was the son of a Protestant min- ister at Erfurt. The miserable fool appeared perfectly calm and declared he acted entirely on his own respon- sibility, had no accomplices whatever. I don't believe it, however ; I think he belongs to that sect of Phila- delphes whose members have sworn to kill me, or see me killed. Bah ! those are the professional perils of being a ruler. They could not have had much of interest in Paris to be engrossed by such a report." " Your life is so precious, sire ! " "Yes," replied Napoleon, after a moment's thought, " it is necessary I should live. If I am struck by the bullet of a lunatic, or the dagger of a fool, what will be- come of my work, of my France ? All will die with me. I am building on the sand, Cambaceres, and it is time if we are wise that we gave the Empire a more substan- tial foundation." The Arch-chancellor evidently was not pleased. " Your Majesty wishes an heir. I do not pretend that you should not realize this desire, only, if you will 398 permit me to observe that, without speaking of the bad impression it will make on the people, if you repudiate the Empress, all the clergy will oppose it." " I will see the clergy is obedient, I possess the respect of the Pope," Napoleon replied, haughtily. " In all events, sire, be careful of the religious element in the selection. If you wed a Catholic princess it will be necessary to set aside the clandestine religious mar- riage you have celebrated." "That marriage is void, its formalities were never ful- filled," Napoleon answered, petulently. " You were blessed by the Pope, Pius VII., and he would not otherwise have consented to the crowning of Josephine." " Yes, that is true. Fesch married us secretly in an apartment of the Tuileries, but it was simply a com- plaisant affair done to allay the scruples of the Pope." " It was officially attended." " The ecclesiastical judges and the Counsel of State will determine that. Cambaceres, I want you to go and prepare the Empress for a serious interview with me on this subject." Cambaceres bowed and, in taking leave of the Em- peror, murmured: " He will quarrel with Russia, and we shall have the Austrian Alliance; that means all of Europe will be under arms within three years. Poor Emperor! My poor France ! " LIV. THE DIVORCE. FOR many months Josephine had dreaded the blow that finally fell with such crushing force. She had sur- rendered to Cardinal Fesch the certificate of her religious marriage, relying upon the true affection, the faithful- ness of Napoleon, to maintain her rank as his wife. 399 But since the episode of the beautiful Pole and the intimacy of Schoenbrunn, was she sure of holding the heart of the Emperor ? Summoned by the Arch-chancellor, Josephine re- sponded, trembling, her langorous eyes bathed in tears. The scene was brief and painful. It was after dinner, on November 30, 1809. The coffee served, Napoleon took the cup that was held by a page and made a sign that he should leave the room. Husband and wife for the last time were tete-^-tete. Napoleon announced his resolution in few words. He made no attempt at delicacy in the explanation, he said the interests of the country demanded that he should have an heir and consequently he was forced to annul this marriage and contract another. As Josephine sobbed some beseeching words, recalled how she had loved Bonaparte, as she sought to revive his tenderness by reverting to their happy moments and their delicious hours, Napoleon interrupted her passion- ately and imperatively striving to restrain the emotion that agitated his own breast and defended his resolve by the pitiless exclamation: " Do not try to change my determination, nothing can do that. I shall always love you Josephine, but politics demands that I shall separate from you. Politics has no heart, it has only a head." Josephine with the cry of a broken heart sank uncon- scious to the floor ; she heard but the first words of the unhappy speech. Napoleon summoned the chamberlain M. de Bausset: " Come in and close the door," he said. Josephine was stretched upon the floor sobbing, cry- ing, moaning: " I cannot bear it, I cannot bear it ! It will kill me ! " " Can you lift the Empress and carry her to her pri- vate apartments by the inside staircase; there they can 400 give her the care she requires? But stop a moment, I will help you ! " said Napoleon. And between them, the Emperor and the chamber- lain, the still un- conscious Joseph- ine was raised and supported on the shoulder of M. de Bausset. Na- poleon, with a light in his hand, went ahead from the room as though showing the path to this quasi-funeral. He opened the t9 the corridor, and said: "Go down these stairs." "Sire, these stairs are too steep, I shall fall." The Emperor putting aside the light, clasped his arms around Josephine's limbs, while the chamberlain sup- ported her head, and together they carefully picked the way down the uncertain and winding steps with the inert and deathlike body of the stricken Empress. But as they descended step by step the chamberlain was surprised to see Josephine open her eyes, and say in her sweet voice: "Don't squeeze me so tight ! " And then she relapsed into unconsciousness. This for- tunate sign assured him of the continued health of the repudiated wife. Napoleon was affected as deeply as was his wife; he sacrificed his happiness, his love, to the demands of poli- tics, and he was cruelly punished for it. It was a ter- rible and prophetic vision of his destiny this sinister de- scent of the staircase with the wife who had been the companion of his glory, the good fairy that presided over his life. The decree was signed on December i5th, in the pres- ence of a solemn assembly at the Tuileries, brought to- gether at nine o'clock in the evening. In the Emperor's grand cabinet there were present: Madame Mere (the Emperor's mother), the Queens of Spain, Naples, Holland, Westphalia, Princess Pauline all of Napoleon's sisters triumphant and making no at- tempt to conceal their joy from Hortense, the sad Queen of Holland; the Kings of Holland, of Westphalia, Naples, and Eugene, Viceroy of Italy. Cambaceres, assisted by Murat and by Renauld de Saint-Jean- d'Angely, occupied seats before the table, upon which were laid the documents pertaining to the divorce. Then Napoleon taking Josephine's hand and his eyes filled with tears he did not repress, genuine tears from his heart, repeated the remarks prepared for him by 4 02 Cambacieres announcing the resolution taken by him and his dear wife. He gave as his sole reason for the separation the hopelessness of expecting children from his union with Josephine. " Arrived at the age of forty years I can entertain the hope of still living long enough to educate in my spirit and in my thoughts the children Providence may be pleased to give me. God knows how this resolution has torn my heart, but there is no sacrifice that would be too great for my courage, if I felt it were best for France. " I wish to say that far from there having ever been any questions arise between us, I have the fondest and tenderest attachment for my beloved wife. She has made happy fifteen years of my life, and the memory of them will always remain graven on my heart. Having been crowned by my hand, I desire she shall retain the rank and title of Empress, but above all, I wish no doubt to exist as to my sentiments and that I shall always look upon her as my best and dearest friend." Josephine on her part endeavored to make fitting response to this declaration, but her voice was choked with grief and her eyes were blinded with tears. She handed the paper from which she began to read, to Regnauld de Saint-Jean-d'Angely who repeated the words in her stead. She declared she accepted the divorce with resig- nation and in the hopes that it would be the means of presenting the nation with an heir. " But," said the declaration, " the dissolution of my marriage will in no manner change the sentiments of my heart; the Emperor will always find in me his best friend. I am well aware that this act, made necessary by political demands and by great state interests, has touched his heart but we all find glory in the sacrifices that we make for the good of our country," To the phrases and text of Cambaceres and Maret, Josephine had added but a single line, touching in its simplicity: " I am glad to give to the Emperor the greatest proof of attachment and of devotion that has ever been given on this earth." The next day, December i6th, the Senate con- firmed the divorce. The decree was couched in sober and precise terms. The first article provided that the marriage between the Emperor Napoleon and Empress Josephine was dissolved. The second article provided that Empress Josephine should always bear the title and be considered an Empress. The third article fixed the amount of her annuity, an annual sum of two mill- ions of francs paid from the public treasury should be allowed her. The successors of the Emperor were bound to fulfill the provisions of the divorce. In addi- tion to this the revenue from Navarre was assigned to Josephine during her life. It was claimed later that legal reasons existed against the divorce and in favor of the civil marriage celebrated on March 9, 1796 in the presence of the municipal offi- cer of the Second Arrondisementof Paris. If Josephine gave the correct date of her birth she was forty-six years of age in 1809 and divorce was not permitted to any persons aged more than forty-five. Article 7 of the Imperial statutes provides that "divorce is inter- dicted to all members of the Imperial family of both sexes and all ages." But these provisions, these restrictions, these judicial decisions and legal objections could not withstand the imperious will of the all-powerful Emperor. Napoleon had wished the divorce and Josephine obeyed him; there had been abnegation and sacrifice on the part of the Em- press in consenting to this sad condition, while on the part of the Emperor there had also been a certain de- gree of heartache because of the love he bore Josephine, an affection less sensual, less passionate doubtless than 404 his earlier years, but an affection that was real, serious, profound. The tears he shed at the rupture of their love were genuine, and those that filled the eyes of Josephine were no less burning. The i6th of December, the day the Senate declared the union dissolved, was Saturday. At four o'clock on the afternoon a carriage took Josephine from the Tuil- eries to Malmaison. The weather was most disagree- able, the heavens were hung in black for the event as they should be for a funeral. The route from Rueil, lonesome, melancholy, sad, increased the unhappiness of the ex-Empress. Her son Eugene who had acted as one of the private counsel consulted by Napoleon, accompanied her. The Emperor had left the Tuileries and was then residing at the Trianon. Two days later he visited Malmaison. " I find you more depressed than I had thought," said Napoleon to Josephine with kindness; "you have kept up your courage, attend to your health which is so precious to me. Let me see you calm and happy." He embraced her tenderly and returned to the Tria- non. On Christmas Napoleon gave a dinner at the Trianon and Josephine was there for the last time. What can be said of the parting of these two lovers, separated by a public act ? Doubtless Josephine cried and Napoleon was hardly less uncomfortable; fatality interposing between them, they were the playthings of politics, the slaves of fortune. Notwithstanding the faults of Josephine, despite the infidelities of Napoleon, the imperial household was always a happy one. The Emperor never expressed any regrets concerning his fatal step, but in his declin- ing days at Saint Helena when illness racked his frame with pain and he felt the daily humiliation of being in the claws of the British cat that played cruelly with its victim, the vision of the happy years passed with Joseph- ine no doubt occupied his thoughts and this last 45 dinner in the Trianon was like a ghost to his remorse. But he was possessed of a mysterious and an irresist- ible power, as a man stumbling over a precipice, pitch- ing head foremost, with no control over himself, until he reached the bottom. When Josephine entered Malmaison, the Court made preparations for the second marriage of Napoleon. Talleyrand and Fouche, inseparable traitors, were joined by that diplomatic perfidy, M. de Metternich, of whom Cambaceres said, " He is very near a states- man, he is such a beautiful liar," and they hastened to provide a young Empress for the Tuileries. M. de Metternich made known to the Emperor, through Duke de Bassano as intermediary, that if he addressed the Austrian Court, he would not meet with refusal nor would the conferences for the final arrange- ments be delayed as they were by Russia. Austria, in fact, had no reason for delaying the event if it were de- cided upon. In the early days of February, 1810, Napoleon broke off his relations with Russia and sent an autograph let- ter to Francis II. It was an official demand, and Ber- thier, Prince of Neufchatel, was charged with asking the hand of Marie Louise from the Court of Vienna. Napoleon was changed now; he was certain of be- longing to the rank of kings, of undisputed kings. He gave more attention to his personal appearance, he studied himself anxiously. He had his throat examined, his chest sounded, and he spent much time before the mirror assuring himself that his teeth were in proper condition. At this epoch Napoleon was changing in his physiog- nomy and his bearing. He was five feet three inches, and appeared still shorter surrounded by the giants of his army, Berthier, Lefebvre, Ney, Mortier, Duroc, and others. His complexion, which was always olive, had now taken the tone of old ivory; his previous slender figure had given place to a very perceptible stoutness. The medals showing the General of the Army in Italy, with hair flowing and long, was not the likeness of him who now appeared like an Italian prelate of the Renais- sance. Now his hair was thin, his forehead, naturally high, was higher and his temples indicated approaching baldness. His glance was as piercing and penetrating as ever, and his eyes had the acquired power of possessing a singular brilliancy that seemed to make them translucent. When he fixed his eye on a human being it made an impres- sion that was never forgotten. All memoirs, all libellers of the Restoration confirm this extraordinary power of .Napoleon's eye. He could charm or destroy with it, and modern science, better than history, has analyzed the incomparable power he could exert by a glance of his eye. Napoleon's physique was not noticeable or abnormal. His head was twenty-two inches in circumference; he wore always by preference the famous little hat that is associated with his portraits and his statues; his feet were small; his hands were petit and beautifully shaped. His health was excellent, his constitution extraordinary, he could perform an exceptional amount of work with- out feeling fatigue, he never knew what it was to be indolent, he dismounted from his horse to plunge im- mediately into his accounts, his plans, his public duties. He entered into the smallest details, his disposition was to examine the minutiae of every situation, his thorough- ness is indicated in this note, preserved in the Govern- ment records, and made by Napoleon on the margin of a report rendered him by Comte Mollien, Minister of the Treasury: "Why have you mentioned only two of the four cannon at Ostend?" He had seen these can- non, he remembered them and in the midst of the pressing, urgent matter, concerning the army and the 407 nation, he recalled those cannon and insisted upon knowing what had become of the entire number. It may be said that Napoleon was in the full strength of his years and at the summit of his power when, the divorce being pronounced, he prepared for the espousal with Marie Louise. The first modification made in his personal affairs in view of the approaching marriage was the arrange- ment of his wearing attire. He had been in the habit of wearing a foulard nightgown open in front and a nightcap that possessed so little of the majestic as to invariably excite the ridicule and laughter of Josephine, but he felt this peculiarity of dress would not be espe- cially pleasing to the young wife and so he decided to abandon it and sleep in his bare head. He likewise bathed every day ; he dictated his dis- patches while in the bath and when he left it he was massaged, brushed and rubbed with eau de cologne. He wore drawers of white linen, white silk stockings, breeches of white cashmere and the dress of colonel of chasseurs. With a further idea of pleasing Marie Louise he gave orders to the tailor who dressed Murat to prepare for him a number of costumes such as were worn by the King of Naples. The coat he had been accustomed to wear he wished to be used as a model for the new. In vain Leger, tailor to the King of Naples, suggested changes, alterations, elaborations, but Napoleon would not hear of the magnificence and sumptuousness affected by Murat, his brother-in-law, who was covered with gold lace and embroideries. But Napoleon's boots were of the finest quality and were made by a ladies' shoemaker as were also his low shoes. Napoleon summoned Despreaux and took lessons in the valse, he wished to open the ball on the day of the grand fete celebrating the marriage, with Marie Louise 408 as his partner and the valse was the essential dance. He ordered new hangings for the palace, new pictures, changed the furni- ture, increased the bric-a-brac. There was nothing of the old court left to greet the new Empress. Upon one occasion as Napoleon was fe- verishly walking through the galleries of the palace he stop- ped before the por- traits of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette that were placed in the salon of the fu- t u r e Empress, and smiling sarcastically he murmured: "The king, my un- cle ; my aunt, the queen." Marie Louise was in fact the niece of Marie Antoinette. In one of these mo- ments of exuberance and playfulness Na- poleon said to Le- febvre: "Come here, Duke, I want to talk to you." And Lefebvre mum- bled to himself: " Humph ! he wants to pour into my ears the praises of this Austrian, she is perfection, an 409 eighth wonder, never has any one seen such a beautiful princess. Why don't he take Maret or Savary for his confidences, I am not interested in them ! " Marshal Lefebvre regretted Josephine. It was with pain he had seen the Emperor seat an Austrian princess on the throne of France, and he was opposed to the divorce, he considered it desertion, the two had begun the conflict of life together; why should they run away in the middle of the battle? Responding to the Emperor's call, Lefebvre followed to the grand salon which had just been furnished anew, carpets of great value laid and upon the walls rich tap- estry decorated with golden bees. " There, Marshal, isn't that beautiful ? " asked Napo- leon. " Yes, it is and it does you great credit," answered Lefebvre. " There is nothing too good, nothing too rich for her who will come here as Empress," exclaimed the Em- peror. Lefebvre turned towards the walls and continued to examine and compliment the furniture, the curtains, the brocaded silks, the golden fauteuils and the superbly carved sofas. In one corner stood an elegant harp of gilded wood, with a procession of dancing cupids and wreaths of roses delicately painted upon it. " The Archduchess is a fine musician," said Napo- leon, touching the wires of the instrument lightly with his finger. " Come here and I will show you the Em- press* trousseau," and Napoleon led the way to the bou- doir prepared for Marie Louise. The Duke was much better suited to inspect the uni- form of a grenadier or review an encampment than to appreciate the rich articles that were spread over the bed, the sofas, the chairs, and which were carefully enumerated by the delighted Emperor. Fie displayed successively laces, chemises trimmed with Valenciennes, handkerchiefs, undervests, petticoats, night caps, and a multitude of other articles furnished by the famous Ma- demoiselle Lolive and Madame Beuvry, whose accounts footed up nearly an hundred thousand francs. Another hundred thousand francs were expended for laces, point d'Angleterre, and one hundred and twenty-six thousand for dresses. There were all sorts of ornaments, trifles, ribbons, beads, with which Napoleon had filled ela- borate baskets. The jewelry was marvelous and as beau- tiful as ever queen wore. There was a miniature of the Emperor encircled in diamonds and valued at six hundred thousand francs. A diamond collar costing nine hundred thousand francs, more beautiful than the famous queen's necklace, two earrings worth four hundred thousand francs and a parure of emeralds, turquoises and diamonds. These were among the wedding presents given by the Emperor, in addition to which there was a headdress of diamonds given by the Crown Treasury and valued at three mil- lion three hundred thousand francs. There was also a paper providing for an allowance to the Empress of 30,000 francs monthly, one thousand each day for spend- ing-money. Napoleon looked at all these things with evidences of the most complete satisfaction; he was delighted to show them to his old companion : " Don't you think she should be happy, the Em- press ? " he asked. " Yes, sire, the Archduchess certainly could not live more elegantly in her father's palace. She has now the simplest jewels and all her dresses put together are not worth as much as one of these chemises. What a change for the Archduchess, all these diamonds, these laces, these ornaments and yet they count for little besides the glory of being the wife of the Emperor Napoleon." " Flatterer ! " exclaimed the Emperor gaily. " I only say what I think, sire; you know I am like my wife, a little sans-gene." " Ah, apropos of your wife, I have something to say to you, confidentially; dine with me; come to dinner now." And they turned towards the dining-room. Lefebvre a little surprised by the Emperor's remark, thinking : " What can he want to say about my wife ! Has she been quarrelling with those sisters again, I wonder ? " 412 LV. LEFEBVRE REBUKES NAPOLEON. THE dinner of the Emperor was prepared, and the covers laid in the small dining-room that the victor of Jena preferred to the large state apartment. Since the departure of Josephine he had taken no meals with any of his convivial companions, but had at the last moment invited Duroc, Rapp, the chamberlain or some minister who had called to hand in a report. Napoleon never thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of the table; he was a very rapid eater and swallowed his food without any regard for conventionality; he made it a point never to eat for more than fifteen minutes, and he lived up to this peculiarity even in his great banquets. He would push back his chair suddenly in the middle of a meal, making a sign with his hand that no one should be interrupted by his leaving; he always saw to it that a dinner was well served, because, although a poor judge in himself and not at all of a gourmet, he realized that those about him enjoyed the table to its full extent. His marshals were gifted with robust appe- tites and the Arch-chancellor Cambaceres earned the admiration of Napoleon by the manner in which he ab- sorbed enormous slices of roast meats and drank two carafes of chambertin, his favorite wine. Napoleon, who did not drink at all, always saw to it that two carafes of this were placed on each side of the Arch-chancellor. One day, rising suddenly from the table as was his habit, Napoleon said to Prince Eugene, who arose with him: " But you have not had time to eat, Eugene ! " " Pardon me, sire, but receiving Your Majesty's invi- tation, I dined in advance. ' And this wise precaution, inaugurated by the son of Josephine, was thereafter popular among those members of the Court who sat at the Imperial table. The Emperor breakfasted alone, never used a napkin, and had the plates set upon a small round table. He ate in a few moments eggs and cutlets, and it has been stated by those who have written of the intimate affairs of palace life that the Emperor was rather slovenly than otherwise at his meals; he did not always use a fork and he had a reprehensible habit of breaking his bread in his plate and mixing it with his gravy. He made no distinction whatsoever as to the society present and dined in the same manner whether his guests were princes, dukes, marshals or ladies Napoleon had his favorite dishes, chicken hla marengo, so named by him after one of his great victories, and he also was fond of dishes of the workingman or farmer; lentils, beans, shoulder of veal grilled with lard. He was an amateur so far as wine was concerned and those from whom he bought made no secret of robbing him. The dinner to which Lefebvre was summoned was simply served, but was somewhat more pretentious than ordinarily. Napoleon was trying to accustom himself to remaining at the table after he had completed his meal; it was another sacrifice he was ready to make to his future wife. "The Germans have such gross appetite and they are accustomed to prolonging their dinners, I presume I must accustom myself to it," he argued. Lefebvre, who was a vigorous eater found no objection to this new system Napoleon was introducing, but he was a trifle uneasy during this meal for he could not determine in his mind why the Emperor had invited him and what he had to say concerning Catharine. When dinner was ended and coffee served, Napoleon said to Lefebvre, without any preliminaries: " What do you think of my breaking with Josephine, all of you, all you marshals ? You know the reason of 4H it, don't you ? I wish to know what is thought of my divorce and new marriage." " But, sire, we have not had any other idea than that which would please Your Majesty we should; we bow before your decision; we are not in the habit of discuss- ing your orders. The divorce and marriage is to us a change of front, a new manoeuvre that you probably feel it necessary to execute. We have no objections to make. I will tell you, truly, we mourn the Empress. She was good, gracious, with a kind word for every one who approached her, and we were accustomed to her and she was accustomed to us. Her fortunes had grown with our own, we were poor together, and rose with you, sire, to the position we now occupy. She never reproached us for our humble origin or our ignorance of the customs in the higher world of fashion. Oh, I know that some speak of us, of me and of my dear wife, the Queen of Naples, or those in the household of the Grand Duchess Elisa " " You exaggerate the raillery of my sisters. I know that they are pleased to turn their derision on the brave men who have aided to gain my battles, to establish this throne that they consider as a heritage in the family." " The Empress Josephine, sire, never tolerated these questionable pleasantries and these sneers that wound, she treated every one with consideration and with regard to their feelings. We fear that a new sovereign, a princess educated in the court of Austria, in the midst of proud nobles, having all the prejudices of her caste will not think we are good enough, our origin will be too modest for an aristocratic lady. Sire, we have little sympathy with your daughter of an Emperor. That is what is said by your marshals, your generals, your com- panions from the battlefield." " Have no fear, my dear Lefebvre, Marie Louise is very good. Your new Empress will love and honor such heroes as you, Lefebvre, as Ney, as Oudinot, as Soult, as Mortier, Bessieres or Suchet. Your wounds are the noblest of crests, and your nobility has for its quarterings not the chimeras and the fantastic crowned griffins of other times, but captured cities, battered cita- dels, burning bridges, flags, thrones, all conquered by your prowess; this is modern heraldic science and Marie Louise knows it and respects it." " It is not altogether us, there are our wives," Lefebvre said. Napoleon made a gesture of impatience: "Yes, yes, I see! Your blessed wives didn't win the battles." "Sire, they partook of our existence, they stimulated our courage, kept up our energies; they loved and ad- mired us, and they are good wives who merit the favor of Your Majesty and the victories they have been a part of," Lefebvre responded with energy. "Yes, I know; but some of these excellent wives, to whose virtue I render all homage, make the most ex- traordinary grand dames, remarkable duchesses. My God, didn't you have enough of marriage when you were a sergeant?" " Sire, it may be that I made a mistake when I was a sergeant, but I have never repented of it." " You have a good and loyal heart, Lefebvre, and I endorse your words as I do your actions; but, seriously, at this moment, here you are a marshal of the Empire, a grand officer of my crown, Duke of Danzig and your wife, very good woman, but she is out of her place; she ex- cites ridicule by her plebian manners; her language is still that of a woman who has been raised from the washtubs." " The Duchess of Danzig, or Madame Lefebvre, I love: I shall love her always, and nothing in her manners will ever cause me to forget the many years of happiness we have had together." 4*6 " You were married under the Revolution, Lefebvre! " " Yes, sire, we were. There could not be a stronger tie." " Do you believe that ? " said Napoleon, looking fixedly at Lefebvre. "We are married, Catharine and I, and it is for life." " But I was married to Josephine, and " " Sire, that is different." " Possibly! But, my dear Lefebvre, have you never thought about a divorce ? " " Never, sire! I consider a divorce " He stopped catching himself quickly with the thought that what he started to say might be misinterpreted as a criticism on the conduct of the Emperor. " Now, see, Marshal," continued Napoleon noticing Lefebvre's embarrassment, "suppose we divorce our wives at the same time. I will see that the marchioness is well provided for, she shall have all possible attention, every honor shall be shown her in her new estate ; she shall preserve the title of duchess. You understand all that." Lefebvre rose pale, agitated, his lips trembled as if he would make the answer to his Emperor that his quick nature prompted. He leaned against the chimney piece while the Emperor with his hands crossed behind him and walking rapidly up and down the room, continued as though he were dictating an order for a battle. "Once the divorce is pronounced, I will find for you a wife, a lady of the old court, with a title and a name and connections. It don't make much difference about her fortune, I will give you all the money you want, enough for both of you. I believe the young no- bility should mix in with the old. You are a modern paladin, you will be classed with the heroes of the crusade. Now, see, we will found on the fusion of double France, the old and the new, a modern society, a modern order of the regenerated world. Then, there will no more be antagonism between the two aris- tocracies ; your children will be on a par with the heirs of the noblest families in Europe and within two gen- erations there will not exist any further traces, no mem- ories even of the division, of the hostility of the two parties ; there will be be only one France, one nobility, one people. Come, Lefebvre, get a divorce, I'll find an- other wife for you." "Sire, you may send me to the confines of the globe, into the burning deserts of Africa, over the icy steppes of Siberia, you may dispose of me now and for ever, you may order me killed if you will; I shall obey; you may strip me of my rank, of my titles that I owe to my sword and to your generosity, but- you can never influence me to renounce my love for my dear Catharine; you can never oblige me to separate from my companion who has been devoted to me during my unfortunate days and who will remain my wife until I die. No, sire, you will never see that; I deplore your disgrace and I shall never be divorced. Madame Lefebvre, marchioness and duchess by your will, will remain Madame Lefebvre by mine." The Duke of Danzig spoke fiercely and violently, daring, for the first time, to defy the Emperor and resist his appeal. Napoleon looked at the Marshal intently and said : " You are a brave man, a model husband, Duke. I cannot partake of your ideas, but I respect your scru- ples. What the devil ! I am not a tyrant. I will speak no more to you of divorce ; keep your washerwoman only advise her to control her tongue and not to in- troduce in my Court, before the new Empress, brought up in the Imperial Palace of Vienna, the language of the markets and manners of Vauxhall. Go, Duke; I have an appointment with the Minister of Police ; you wish to return to your fireside." Lefebvre saluted and withdrew, disturbed by the proposition of the Emperor and by the sarcastic words that had followed his rebuke. As the Marshal disap- peared, Napoleon looked after him, shrugged his shoul- ders and muttered : " Imbecile ! " LVI. THE HEART AFLAME. LEFEBVRE, discontented, restless, and with inflamed countenance wondered how the Emperor would take his resistance and endure the moral defeat which he had inflicted, and, grumbling, went to his apart- ments. He found Catharine trying on a court costume in view of the ceremonies attendant on the Imperial marriage: She threw everything away on seeing her husband, flew to meet him, and clasped him in her arms, greeting him joyously and familiarly, then the next moment, seeing his troubled face: " What's the matter ? " she cried with anguish. " Has any one fired at the Emperor?" " No, His Majesty is well ! Very well ! " " Ah ! What a relief," said Catharine. The possibility of the sudden death' of Napoleon haunted the soul of every one. It was the worse catastrophe that could be imagined. The dread of it not only tormented those near the Imperial person, but the entire nation, and was not without its value to the audacious prospects of Mallet and the Philadelphians. Catharine repeated her question: " Well ! What's the matter ? You come you go you don't seem to be able to rest quiet a moment. 'Tis something serious, then ? " " Very serious ! ", 4*9 And Lefebvre began to pace the room something after the fashion of his Imperial master. " You have had a quarrel with His Majesty ? " asked Catharine. "Yes, we tackled each other. The Emperor charged me from the rear. I resisted his attack as well as I could. I took the offensive and and " " And what pray ? " "I beat "him. 'Tis very dangerous to beat the Em- peror. He is the sort of man to be revenged." " Likely enough ? But what on earth did you quarrel about?" "About you!" "About me! Nonsense impossible." " It is true. Fancy what the Emperor wanted me to do with you! " " How should I know? Perhaps he wanted you to send me to that castle we talked about buying for which he gave you the money at Danzig, you know ! " " In fact, it was afar off in the country that he wanted me to send you." " Why didn't you agree to his wishes. A short visit to the country would rest me, we should have a coach to drive about in, dogs, a cow to give us milk. I think 'twould be delightful, and besides, don't you see, Lefebvre, I am sick and tired of these court fops (chip- pies) who make game of us. I don't see the fun of all these fetes these receptions of the Emperor, and the wedding that draws near will be nothing but standing for hours and hours on one's hind paws, with mantles that are awfully heavy, corsets that strangle one and hairpins that stick into one.. If the Emperor wants to send us to the country to this estate he has chosen, let us go at once let us buy the castle and settle down! We shall have peace and quiet for a long time perhaps, for ever! Why didn't you agree at once? Why didn't you say, ' Sire, we are ready J ' " 4 2 " Because, my good Catharine, when the Emperor spoke of sending you to a distant castle, he didn't in- clude me ! " ".What?" " Yes, I was to stay behind with him! " "That's a pretty notion to part us in time of peace I like that! So, I was not to go with you to the field, as your aide-de-camp a standard-bearer! and to-day when all Europe is at peace. What's the nTatter with the Emperor, I wonder?" " Not only did he want to separate us, my dear Cath- arine, but do you know what he intended doing with me ? " "Not I! Perhaps to give you a command in the army, or to make you ruler of some great State Naples or Holland ! " " You're out there! He wanted to make me marry ! " Catharine screamed. " You marry and how about me ?" " You were to be divorced ! " "Divorced! I! He dared to propose that! He had the impudence to speak of divorce! It's abominable! What did you say, Lefebvre ? " The Marshal opened his arms and smiled. Catharine fell into them. The husband and wife embraced with ardor happy to be near each other hugging as if to reassure them- selves after the fright that the very idea of separation had called up in their hearts; they protested by that fond embrace against the divorce of which the Emperor had spoken. Nothing should separate them ; they vowed in that silent and sweet embrace that the very thought of such violence was abhorrent to them. "And what answer did you make to the Emperor?" Catharine asked, after a long silence, disengaging her hands from her husband's arms. Lefebvre led his wife to a sofa, made her sit down 421 beside him, and whispered, looking tenderly into her eyes, and holding her hand in his: " I told the Emperor I loved you, Catharine, you and only you; that having lived together happily all the years of our lives we had but one hope, one wish, to live to- gether to the end, to dwell side by side, till some Russian or Spanish bullet should send me to rejoin Hoche, Desaix, Lan- nes, all those com- rades of my battles past." " You said well, Le- febvre ! What will the Emperor mix up in next, I wonder. Does he want every- body to be divorced because he is? But he must have had some project, some plan?" "Don't I tell you he wants me to get married ! " "And to whom, I'd like to know ! Yes, I am jealous! Tell me the name of the wo- man he proposed to you. He has taken up a nice trade for an Emperor some woman he wants to get rid of, one of his cast-off mistresses, no doubt. That Gazzani woman, or that Eleonore, or the fair Pole ! " - 422 ' " He mentioned no name ! " " That's good ! " " He spoke generally. He wants me to imitate him, to follow his lead. He has an Archduchess, and he would have us all marry into some noble family." " What ideas ! See here, my poor Lefebvre, I'm not speaking for you. I know you too well, but the other Marshals, what could they do with those beautiful ladies so proud of their ancestry ? Isn't Augerau the son of a hawker in the markets; Ney, Massena, every one of them, aren't they children of the people, like you and I ? What folly to want to give them wives who would cast it up to them, laugh at them and deceive them with other nobles like themselves. Lefebvre, I am beginning to fear that our Emperor has a slight strain of folly in him after all. It is stupid in him to marry the daughter of an Emperor, who will always despise him as a soldier of fortune." " The Emperor has his reasons, no doubt ! " " And we have ours ! However, you refused de- cidedly refused ! " " Do you doubt it ? " said Lefebvre tenderly, as he kissed his wife again. Blushing with pleasure, Catharine grew calm. " Don't be alarmed, you know well enough I would never marry another woman," said Lefebvre, smiling. " I should think not, indeed; don't you belong to me? didn't you swear you would be mine and mine only till death did us part?" " Yes, I vowed that before the Justice of Peace. It's a long time ago, but I've never forgotten it, my Catha- rine ! It was the oath I took when I married you." " Nor I ; and besides, if you had been tempted to forget, there's something to remind you." " What ? " said Lefebvre, puzzled. "That ! " said Catharine, turning up the sleeve of his uniform and showing a heart aflame, with the motto, t 2 jy ****^^m "To Catharine, for life," tattooed in blue on his skin. It was his bridal gift. " It won't rub out," cried Catharine in triumph; " could you marry an archduchess with such a thing on your arm? I wonder what she'd say when she saw it? I guess she would want to know who this Catharine was to whom you vowed to be faithful. She'd be. apt to raise Cain. Ah, me ! You can't go back on that promise, my old Frangois ! " "True enough; and the other arm wouldn't please her either," said Lefebvre laughing and pulling up the second sleeve showing another tattooing dated August loth, with this inscription plain to be seen : " Death to all Tyrants ! " " There, you see we are bound for life," said Catharine, leaning her head happily on Lefebvre's bosom. " Yes, for life," murmured the Marshal. " I should like the Emperor to come in and catch us now," said Catharine. And the husband and wife, more firmly united than ever, embracing, joining their souls and mutually caressing, crowned the victory gained by Lefebvre over Napoleon. t LVII. THE DREAM OF THE ARCHDUCHESS. IN the simple, modest chamber occupied by her on the second floor of the Imperial Palace of Vienna, Marie Louise, alone, sat playing with a little dog, Keisu, a tiny, frisky creature, presented to her by the Austrian ambassador to England, one of those curly- haired creatures with a nose like a fox and called King Charles spaniels, in flippant remembrance of King Charles II., who loved the diminutive animals and pre- sented six of them to his mistress, the Duchess of Ports- 424 - mouth, to keep her company in her lonely boudoir. The dogs were just then the rage in the fashionable world and Marie Louise had cultivated an attachment for hers that was stronger than any she had yet enjoyed. A knock at the door aroused the Princess from her indolent pastime and, in response to her almost in- audible invitation to enter, there came the one maid of honor, duenna, femme de chambre, allowed as the entire retinue of this exceedingly simple-living Duchess. The maid entered with a rush, her eyes glistening, her face flushed, her appearance that of one who was startled by some extraordinary event. " What is it ? " said Marie Louise, in surprise. " Is the palace on fire ? " " No, the palace is not on fire ; but y9ur Imperial father, the Emperor, is coming here." " My father ! Coming to my room ! What in the world does he want ? " " I don't know. Your Highness will learn very soon, no doubt." And the duenna, curbing her loyal emotion, made a majestic reverence and slipped out as the Emperor of Austria approached. Francis II., or Francis Joseph I., Emperor of Austria, was an insignificant monarch. He had fought persist- ently against the French Revolution and then against Napoleon, and he fought for the defense of what he considered the basis of social order, the maintenance of the privileges enjoyed exclusively by the nobility, and for the destruction of all democracy. He loved his daughter Marie Louise with that stolid and fatty affec- tion peculiar to the German race, and he thought she would be happy with Napoleon placed on a throne that was founded on the glories of fifty battles. The Em- peror of France was at that time the richest sovereign of Europe and he was regarded as the most generous monarch that ruled a state. Francis II. looked with selfish satisfaction on the presents, the jewelry, the laces, the magnificent dresses that had been sent to his daughter by her Imperial fiance. At the same time, he instructed his representative in Paris, Prince von Schvvartzenberg, that the Court was poor and that cer- tain donations from the national museum and the na- tional manufactories of France would be acceptable to the poverty-stricken aristocracy of Vienna. Then, on a word from Napoleon, desirous of gratifying his pro- spective father-in-law, happy to show his fiance the sumptuous extent of his liberality, Servan, Mollien, all the officials of the museum and the palaces hastened to respond to the Austrian appeal. They pillaged the Gobelin factories, they exhausted the resources of Sevres, they selected the handsomest pieces from Aubusson, they created the most beautiful furniture, objects of art, hangings and sent them all to Vienna. The future father-in-law received these gifts with infinite pleasure as proofs of the munificence of Napoleon, and later in return he refused to send Na- poleon at St. Helena two horses for his carriage and delicacies for his table. But this was the political instinct of Francis II.; he was pleased to have Napoleon as his ally and he saw in this marriage a new prop to his throne; he saw victories from which he would reap a benefit and he saw a desirable substitute for the broken Russian Alliance. He received with joy an autograph letter from Na- poleon announcing the arrival at Vienna of Berthier, Prince of Neufchatel, charged with a mission officially asking the hand of Marie Louise. The consent or Francis was given in advance, there rested only one little formality to definitely arrange the union, the prep- aration of the young Archduchess that she might leave for Paris and become Empress of the French. It was the news of her departure that Francis II. came to announce personally to his daughter. Marie Louise was eighteen years of age, strong but without grace, nothing hi her actions that was piquant, not even amiable, substantial, a peachy, fresh complex- ion. She was pretty, but with the beauty of a girl who might work in a beer saloon, fat arms, heavy frame, large feet, voluminous bosom, lips that were large and sensual, her eyes very blue, very cold, expres- sionless. She was a pretty animal, quiet, indifferent and with very little delicacy. Napoleon, looking at the description in all its varia- tion, had accepted with pleasure the physicial acquire- ments of his fiance. This massive Princess would be an excellent pouliniere ; certainly she would give the Empire an heir. Of her moral character the report was equally pleas- ing. The Princess had been educated with a care that was minute and searching, severe almost as that of a convent. Her education was thorough and even sur- passed that which prevailed at the time among those of her rank. She was mistress of almost every art; she spoke with equal fluency nearly every language of Europe, French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Bohemian and Arabic. She was destined from her birth to marry some ruling prince and her parents saw that she was educated in her childhood with the idiom of her future subjects. Nor had music been forgotten the elaborate harp provided by Napoleon and which Le- febvre had admired in the Tuileries, proved her future husband was not ignorant of her talents as a musician. As to her religion, she had been thoroughly imbued with the exterior signs of all creeds without having cul- tivated their dogmas to an embarrassing extent. The chances of a political union might give her a husband who was Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran or Calvinist, and it should never be said that religion had been found an obstacle to an alliance that was in the interests of the Austrian Court. In the greatest simplicity she had been reared and now lived, the repeated reverses, the lost provinces, the armies destroyed and reorganized, the war levies had exhausted the Austrian treasury. The Court of Vienna lived upon an economical scale, no feasts, no State re- ceptions, only little family soirees that were almost provincial in their nature, an occasional musicale with modest refreshments, no handsome or expensive furni- ture in the apartments, no art objects in the great galleries. The youthful Marie Louise lived very much like a farmer's wife in the palace of her father. She was constantly on the alert ready to throw her clothes and little properties into her trunk and flee at the alarm of " Napoleon ! " From her earliest years her heart had been startled by the affrighted cry of : " The French ! " Then when this warning ran through the corridors the palace had been in an uproar; her memory was filled with visions of dignified chamberlains flying with almost unwieldly limbs down the long halls, with the gold key of their office flapping against their back at every jump, the servants throwing pell-mell into the boxes and cof- fers the clothing, the precious objects, the palace uten- sils. Bareheaded officers rushing in bringing blood- curdling news of the conqueror's approach, the streets filled with cowardly refugees, with wounded patriots, all sending up a dolorous cry to heaven deploring their defeat. The bells would be ringing out their alarms, bands of blanched countrymen would be shouting beneath the palace windows, "Peace! peace!" Her father, his eyes popping from his head, half dressed, would be standing in the door of his bedroom calling at the top of his voice, " Have we got time to get into the mountains ? " And finally she remembered how she would be seized by a nurse and hustled down into a covered carriage, and the horses put upon a furious gallop towards the Tyrol, while around her were hyster- ical women, startled fops tearing their hair and throwing their arms towards heaven and crying: " All is lost ! " Napoleon, in the imagination of the fugitive princess, was a Corsican ogre who drank clear blood, who sat upon an enormous horse, carried a sword that was drip- ping with the gore of innocents, who was a crowned bandit, followed by a mob of butchers and vagabonds, pillaging palaces, wearing red hats, carrying a guillo- tine with them and its knife never dry, slaughtering defenseless men and defenseless women. Bur at the first words from her father Marie Louise accepted the situation with docility. She declared the marriage he proposed was not displeasing to her; she knew France was a great and beautiful country, and that her rank as Empress would place her among the greatest sovereigns of Europe and above the members of her own family. At the same time she considered the magnificent presents Napoleon had prepared for her; she knew the riches that were hers in Paris where her future husband awaited her with impatience. So Marie Louise responded as a docile and obedient daughter should that while she certainly regretted leav- ing her excellent father, her family that was so affection- ate and the Court where she had passed her young years, yet she accepted without objection the offer to become the wife of the Emperor of France if her father thought it were best. She announced that she was ready to go to Paris and the Prince of Neufchatel should be so advised. Francis II. embraced his daughter tenderly; he shed no tears, he showed no emotion, and with a passive manner and perfect indifference the daughter accepted the new situation. She expressed no surprise at the disposition that had been made of her, but recognized a political advantage which was not entirely clear to her. She obeyed her father without comment while 429 mentally she enumerated over and over again the. pres- ents accompanying her nuptials. The only questions she asked were as to the probable value and importance of these presents and satisfied herself as to the amount of money and the amount of power the man she pro- posed to marry could command, she assured herself that she would be in a position in her exalted rank to make all the other princesses madly envious. That satis- fied her. Before he left her, Francis II. said to his daughter: "You will be alone Louise in the midst of a strange people and far from us, surrounded by brave soldiers and brilliant women, but where there will be nothing to remind you of your country. I have considered this, and believe it best some of our family go with you, that you may have a companion in Paris" " My dear Keisu! My pretty little King Charles!" said Marie Louise, clapping her hands and joyful at the thought she would not lose her inseparable friend. " No ! " answered Francis, " it is not Keisu, Napoleon detests dogs, and Keisu can remain here in Vienna, she shall be well taken care of." Marie Louise, disappointed and provoked, resumed her seat and squeezed out a few tears from her blue eyes. She tapped the floor nervously with her foot, she did not want any of her family with her, her dog' was probably the only creature in the world she loved. Cold, haughty, reserved, she had no youthful feelings, no virgin curiosity, no vague attraction towards the un- known, the desire for love did not exist in her calm soul, selfish and closed to every generous aspiration, and despite the realization that the ardent and amorous blood of the impetuous Marie Therese flowed in her veins, that she was related to Marie Caroline, Queen of Naples, and rich in the history of famous revelries, to Marie Amelia, Duchess of Parma, whose loves were in- numberable, to Marie Antoinette of France, the queen 43 of the diamond necklace, the lover of Polignac and of Lamballe, but the hour of awakening had not yet sounded and with senses dormant Marie Louise coldly awaited the birth of pleasure. Later Marie Louise sacrificed everything to her pas- sion, reason, will, loyalty, and for her insatiable thirst for love she was a traitor to her husband, she abandoned her son, renounced her throne, forgot her prudence, de- based her name. One day while walking in the Park of Schoenbrunn, she saw in the centre of a fountain a pretty blue flower rearing its modest head amid a wealth of aquatic plants. Fruitlessly she tried to reach the tiny shrub and impru- dently resting her foot upon the mossy edge of the basin she leaned forward with her parasol to draw it towards her. But the treacherous mold beneath her foot gave way, and with a cry she fell into the water. The woman with her ran frightened towards the palace for aid, and the white swans disturbed in their placid contentment fled in an opposite direction, the Princess was helpless and cried aloud for help. Sud- denly she was seized by strong arms and lifted from the danger and seated dripping on the grassy lawn. A man, elegant in his person and in his dress, unknown to her and to her maid who had returned at the sight of the rescue, stood before them, offering his respectful salutation and wringing the water from his saturated clothes. Marie Louise held her hand towards him, and said: "Thank you very much, without you I think I should have been lost." The unknown, without making any response, kissed the hand he held within his own. "And you have done all this for one you do not know/' said Marie Louise, for the attitude of her de- liverer disposed her favorably towards him. The Princess regarded the gentleman with interest and curiosity; he was richly dressed, wore a powdered wig, silk stockings and a jewelled sword, and without hesitation had thrown himself into the water which at this season was quite cold. As she looked at him, he offered her, with graceful politeness, the little blue flower that had been the cause of her mishap. Marie Louise, surprised and charmed, struck perhaps by one of those secret and certain presentiments which in love precede the avowal of passion and of tenderness, regarded with lively attention this cavalier who after having thrown himself into the water to rescue a life, 43 2 had not hesitated to plunge in again to gratify a desire. She gave no attention to the disorder of his toilette and it was, indeed, almost ludicrous in its condition, his peruque was twined with weeds from the fountain and his hat was running little rivulets through its involun- tary bath. The Archduchess took the flower from his trembling hand and placed it to her lips as though she would read in its mute petals the secret of the unknown. " Pardon me, sir," she said, " will you tell me your name ? The Emperor, my father, will much desire the acquaintance of a gentleman who has not hesitated to throw himself into the water to satisfy one of my caprices." The gentleman blushing with pleasure, replied : "I am the Comte de Neipperg, Consul-General in the service of His Majesty the Emperor. I have an audi- ence with His Majesty for this morning, and I pray Your Highness will have the goodness to excuse me that I may return to my apartments and resume a suit- able costume to appear before the Emperor." " Go, Comte, I excuse you for my father, and when he learns from me the cause of your delay you may consider he has pardoned you in advance " And since she had met Neipperg she had carried with her an unextinguishable memory, an impression as pro- found as a wounded heart, all springing from this unin- tentional meeting on the borders of the treacherous fountain. " No, my dear daughter, Keisu will not be your com- panion," the Emperor continued, as he was about to leave the room. " I have arranged to place at your dis- posal a master of the horse, an officer of honor, who shall always be at your command, who will by his pres- ence remind you of your country, who will tell you of your father and the incidents occurring here, who will keep you informed of our affairs, a gentleman of posi- 433 tion and influence, worthy in every way to enjoy this confidential post. Don't you know who he is?" " I am exceedingly obliged, my father, for the interest you manifest," the young Archduchess responded, tran- quilly, " but I dislike to impose upon any countryman of mine so great an obligation, and I know I shall regret my little Keisu." " Your new officer begins his services to-morrow, my daughter, because the Prince of Neufchatel has ar- rived." " Always at your orders, father." " But you have not asked the name of the gentleman," said the Emperor, a little annoyed at the indifference of his daughter. " That is true ; what is his name ? " " Comte de Neipperg ; he has long been in our serv- ice and was formerly accredited to Marie Antoinette. His age and character indicate an excellent cavalier and I hope you will be satisfied with my choice." " Yes, my father," Marie Louise replied, delighted to again meet the gallant unknown. LVIII. THE IMPERIAL MARRIAGE. ON the i ith of March, 1810, Marie Louise was espoused by proxy, at Vienna. The Archduke Charles, in this representative ceremony, acted for the Imperial husband. Berthier, in great pomp, left Vienna with the new Empress. At Brannen, which marked the limits of the Austrian States, the ladies of the palace and the German officers left the royal party and the Emperor Francis, who had travelled thus far incognito, embraced his daughter with great tenderness and every indication of deep feeling, while she remained passively insensible to 434 any exhibition of grief that would appear to come natu- rally at such a moment, and while the tears coursed down the cheeks of this monarch who, it might be thought, would have been hardened through suffering twenty defeats, Marie Louise was impassive and indifferent. The Archduchess had evinced no regret in leaving the palace wherein had been passed the years of her childhood; her eyes were dry when she parted from her father who loved her, but whom she never loved. The only true sentiment she showed in the course of her trip was when she referred to her little dog. The Queen of Naples, sister of Napoleon, had come here to meet Marie Louise and to accompany her on the remainder of her journey, which from this point was a progress of ovations, of bouquets offered by the munic- ipalities, of triumphal arches, speeches, banquets, and bursts of music. Aroused by these attentions that were entirely new to her, Marie Louise was delighted with her trip; she showed no desire to hasten so as to meet her husband, no more than she felt any regret for her family, her country that she had left with no knowledge of when she should return. Undemonstrative as an image, apathetic as a Hindoo divinity, she passed through her series of triumphs with- out one amiable word to respond to the compliments of the officials, without one smile to distribute among the people that pressed about her. From time to time she turned gaily to address a few words to Neipperg, who followed in a carriage with his escort. Napoleon was impatiently counting the days and hours ; he was consumed by a fever of anxiety and was in a nervous condition that impelled him to commit numberless follies. He denounced the official pro- grammes, the receptions, the ceremonies. He passed no moment that was not brightened by thoughts of the approaching Princess ; courier followed courier in er- 435 rands to the royal cortege and to return with the latest information of their progress. Chamberlains and spe- cial envoys were daily dispatched to assure the new Em- press of her welcome and the impatience of the lover who was awaiting her. Thinking of the slightest means by which he could bring pleasure to the heart of the Archduchess, Napo- leon had ordered the pictures showing victories by the French over the Austrians and which hung in the palace galleries, to be covered with draperies so as to conceal their figures feeling, possibly, that the daugh- ter of Francis would be pained in viewing the defeats of her father. Finally he arranged with great care the details of the marriage fetes, the ceremonies to be observed, which were to be in every respect similar to those at the union of Marie Antoinette and the Dauphin. He was passionately in love with Marie Louise with- out any other acquaintance with her than portraits that probably were inexact ; but his passion was rather called forth by the aristocratic blood of the demoiselle. He could not dissimulate his joy, his happiness, his triumph, that he, poor Corsican whose mother had gone to market with a basket on her arm, who had known pov- erty, almost starvation, that he should be about to wed an Archduchess, daughter and granddaughter of three Emperors. . An Archduchess was more than a woman to him she was an earthly divinity. He felt God had especially arranged this marriage ; he imagined everything that was extravagant ; this foolish genius, so strong, usually master of himself and of others, so imposing and so terrible at times, was now meek, silly, like a small boy that has been given a German doll. It was perhaps the only moment of his prodigious career that Napoleon the Great appeared to be small. He excused his feebleness by contending that love ennobled all, elevated all, and that this truthful, pro- 436 found but ridiculous passion made all humanity forget its reason. Such argument indeed appears fallacious in the face of later history, when we know with what complacency Madame Bonaparte consented to be known as Madame de Neipperg. This sentimental passion Napo- leon declared we all were liable to feel, brings him from his pedestal and shows htm in his love for the Austrian to be the same enthusiast as is the college student in his love for an unattainable actress. But Napoleon's love cost him more dearly and cost France far beyond the value of its lavish display in welcoming this indifferent stranger. The maledictions of the French people have long since drowned the smiles and flowers that greeted this immoral Empress who opened her arms to Neip- perg, and Paris to the Cossacks. A special order had been given providing for the first meeting of their majesties. It was between Compiegne and Soissons that the Imperial interview was to take place. At two leagues from Soissons a large plain had been selected and two pavilions erected side by side protec- ted from intrusion by a strong barrier, and here the meeting was to be had. The Emperor left for Com- piegne at the moment when Marie Louise was approach- ing it, he was accompanied by princes and princesses, by the great officers of his household, riding in five carriages and escorted by a detachment of the National Guard. It was arranged that the Emperor and Empress should leave their carriages and meet in the tents, where they might enjoy their first embrace. Then they would ride together in the same carriage to Compiegne where the authorities had made elaborate preparations for a grand reception. But all this was upset by the impetuosity of Napo- leon; the lover overcame the sovereign, he was guilty of an indiscretion that was truly inexcusable. When he learned the Empress had left Gitry for 1 437 Soissons, he could restrain himself no longer; he entered a carriage with Murat and hastened before his escort to greet his wife, wishing to come upon her unawares and unknown. They were then separated by fifteen leagues and it was at a small village known as Courcelles that Napo- leon came within sight of the Archduchess's cortege. At once upon its coming into view Napoleon jumped from his vehicle and hastened towards that of Marie Louise, which he found to contain his sister and Berthier and he entered without delay, at the same instant overwhelming his bride with impulsive compliments and caresses that occasioned her the liveliest surprise. He directed the postillions to urge their horses for- ward and reach Compiegne as quickly as possible. They galloped ahead and passed at breakneck speed before the tent erected for the serious purpose of the solemn meeting of the Imperial couple. They made no stop, which caused the greatest disappointment to the assem- bled officials, Court attaches and enormous crowds of loyal subjects gathered from the surrounding country. It was ten o'clock on the night of March 28th that Napoleon and Marie arrived at the Palace of Compiegne. The Empress found her rooms elaborately prepared for her reception, with all the comforts and elegances that the resources of the city could furnish and the thoughts of an admiring people could suggest. Napoleon occupied apartments at the Hotel de la Chancellerie. The civil marriage was fixed for the first of April, and on the second of April the religious ceremony was per- formed in the Cathedral of Notre Dame. That evening Napoleon and Marie Louise sat long at their private supper and it seemed as though here might be a responsive spark kindled in the calm Marie Louise in return for the lavishness of Napoleon's attentions. 438 The ladies of the Court were stupefied the following morning to find Comte de Neipperg in the ante-chamber of the Empress, seated upon a fauteuil, weeping with rage. LIX NAPOLEON S JEALOUSY. DID Marie Louise ever love Napoleon ? It is possible that in the first months of their union, brought about by the Austrian Court as a matter of di- plomacy, the young princess having tasted the pleasures of marriage, may have entertained some such feeling, but later not only did she forget her honeymoon but she had no scruples in confessing that Napoleon had always been indifferent to her. Here is how she received news of his death, the final catastrophe making her the widow of an Emperor : A courier brought to her at Parma this brief despatch from her father : " General Bonaparte died at Saint Helena on the 5th of May, 1821, at forty-five minutes past five in the even- ing, after a long and distressing illness. I send you, my dear child, my affectionate consolation. I join my prayers to yours for the repose of his soul and I raise my voice to God that He will preserve Your Majesty under His holy care. FRANCIS." When she wrote her father acknowledging the re- ceipt of his dispatch and the news it contained, her words were : "I confess I am deeply wounded. While I have never had a lively sentiment of any sort for him, I cannot forget he is the father of my son and far from neglecting me, as the world has accused him, he always showed me the greatest regard and kindness and his sole object seemed to be to rid me of the idea he 439 married me for political reasons. I am then very sad and yet I am gratified he has ended his unhappy existence as a Christian." These cold sentiments do not indicate a very cheerful remembrance of the hours of their intimacy, or of the pleasures in their wedded experience. She had married to gratify a vain desire, he had united himself with the daughter of the Emperor of Austria wishing for children that could claim an archduchess for their mother, but once married he became a slave to love and it was really the wife for whom he had affection. He exercised his ingenuity to please her, he multiplied his presents, he was prodigal in his attentions. Marie Louise received it all with haughty indifference as though it were a trib- ute due to her. One single attention only that Napo- leon could show her excited response and called forth a joyous recognition. We have spoken of the despair Marie Louise felt in separating from her little dog, Keisu. The aversion of Napoleon for these animals about the palace was what made it necessary for her to abandon her King Charles, but Berthier, having received the confidences of the Archduchess and being acquainted with the disappoint- ment she felt had arranged, if Napoleon would consent, to agreeably surprise the young Empress. He had secretly on the day of their departure from Vienna, and after Marie Louise had bestowed her final caress upon Keisu, put the little animal in a traveling basket and carried it to Paris. There Berthier reporting to the Emperor what he had done, apologized for the intrusion and asked whether he might present it to the Empress. Far from being provoked, the Emperor commended Berthier upon his thoughtfulness and at once directed that a pretty basket of rose colored silk should be made for the re- ception of the dog. When this was finished he adroitly directed the conversation to the King Charles that had 446 been left behind in Vienna, and as the young wife clearly showed her feeling, he opened the door and said in his lively tone, his eyes sparkling with good humor: " Don't cry, Louise, here is your little companion found again ! " Marie Louise seized Keisu and covered her with caresses, the first evidence of tenderness she had dis- played, rewarding the Emperor with an embrace almost as ardent, and Napoleon rested quite content for the balance of the day under a love reflected upon him in the passionate affection aroused by the King Charles. Not only for his Louise, as he called her, had he struggled to correct his plebian taste or overcome his aversion for dogs, but he had corrected his most invet- erate faults and particularly his unhappy habit of eating and drinking with such gross haste. Marie Louise had a vigorous appetite and she remained at the table far beyond anything Napoleon had ever been reconciled to, but even this he recognized and resigned himself to it most happily. At forty-one years of age he changed the habits of his youth; he adopted a gaiety to which he had always been a stranger, he organized entertain- ments, made up garden parties, amused-his wife with all sorts of games and in the evenings he gave fetes and pleasant entertainments in the park of Saint Cloud. Marie Louise wished to ride, and he neglected for the first time in his career the affairs of his country, the orders he should have dictated, the reports he should have studied, the details of the administration of this vast' Empire that always passed beneath his eyes, merely to gallop through the park by the side of his young amazon. Unhappily complications arose in the political world that forced him to interrupt these pleasant hours and to devote his time to the labors of his country. To him it meant a heavy heart, to Marie Louise indifference. When Napoleon was thus deprived of the society of the Empress in her daily recreations, drawing bridle and returning to the palace and to the laborious duties of his exalted post, she would say in her unruffled tones: "I cannot bear your disputes with Savaryand Talley- rand; go and give attention to your soldiers and the police, I will take a few more turns around the park. And, oh, don't be uneasy, nothing will harm me, Neip- perg will accompany me." With a pleasant smile the Emperor would leave her attaching no unworthy thought to the presence of Neip- perg. This attendant on the Empress, who was appoint- ed by her father, was a sort of tutor selected by Fran- cis II., wherein no thought of an intrigue could certainly arise. The age of Neipperg and his subordinate posi- tion forbade any suspicion in the mind of the Emperor. The jealousy of Napoleon and the dismissal of Neip- perg burst upon them both with stupefying suddenness. Napoleon, accompanying the Empress on horseback through the beautiful roads of St. Cloud, was checked at a turn of the way by the tall figure of a man stand- ing on the edge of the grass and holding aloft an enor- mous cane as though to attract the attention of the Im- perial couple. The man was a giant in stature, wore an old, faded blue coat, but upon his breast there glittered and sparkled the brilliant star of the Legion of Honor, the unspeaking evidence of its wearer's bravery. His left arm was held behind his back and his right extended, the hand grasping the enormous cane adorned with a silver head. The man in this half civil, half military costume was accompanied by a woman clothed entirely in black. Napoleon and Marie Louise were followed by Comte de Neipperg and the faithful Roustan, in his Mameluke costume, with turban, Turkish pantaloons, scimitar and pistols protruding from his belt. Napoleon was the 442 soul of bravery and no emergency, however threaten- ing, ever overbalanced the perfect repose he felt in his destiny and in his own ability to overcome his enemies. But when he rode through the country with the Em- press he always took the precaution of having Roustan near at hand, fully armed to come to his aid if neces- sary. Napoleon pulled up his horse and looked sharply at the tall figure which stood before him ; he saw nothing in the attitude that was threatening, nothing that prompted him to call Roustan, and as the Emperor re- garded him, the man quickly brought his cane to a " present arms " and cried: " Long live the Emperor ! " Napoleon said : " Come here ! " "Yes, sire!" " I have seen you before," said the Emperor quickly. " Yes, sire, frequently ! " " Were you not the drum-major of the First Grenadiers of my guard ? " " I was, sire ! " " And why are you no longer ? " "My arm, sire. A Biscyen unfortunately smashed it." " Where was that ? " " In the Island of Lobau." " Ah, that was a terrible battle. Aspern! It was the grave of many of my bravest men, it was there I lost Lannes. You served under the Duke of Montebello, my friend," said the Emperor in a saddened voice, be- cause the memories of the battle recalled the death of his best friend and always was a subject to him of the deepest grief. " Sire, I had the honor of having him behind me at Berlin, when, with cane high in the air, I was the first to enter, at the head of the Grenadiers, into the capital of the Prussians." " 443 ~" Napoleon laughed heartily. " Yes, yes, I recollect. And I decorated you." " You did, sire, personally." " On the evening of Jena; you had taken all those prisoners." " A squadron of red dragoons." " And all by yourself ! " " With my cane! And then I knew you were in the vicinity, sire ! " " You are a skillful flatterer, certainly; and I remem- ber that your name was Violette." " It is, sire." " Good," says the Emperor, pinching Violette's ear, as was his humorous custom. " Now what can I do for you ? " Violette motioned to the young woman in mourning, who stood some steps away, and said: " Sire, it is a petition." The Emperor with a movement of impatience and in an irritated tone, said: " What does the woman want ? A pension ? What right has she to it ? Is she the widow of one of my soldiers?" Violette without response signalled to the woman to approach, and she trembling, her eyes red with weep- ing, sobbed : "Sire, I have come to demand justice, mercy." " Justice you shall have. Mercy is different. What is it that agitates you so ? " " Sire, read this, I pray you," and she extended a paper to the Emperor. Napoleon took the document and glancing at the signature, he cried : " General Malet ! This is from General Malet ! A Jacobin, a conspirator, a traitor. What does he ask of me ? I should have him shot for his schemes and his infamies, instead of that I have been content to send him to Saint Pelagic, and there he will stay." 444 " If Your Majesty will be good enough to read," said the woman. Napoleon rapidly threw his eye over the lines upon the paper, grasping the meaning, as he always did, of each paragraph almost before he had reached it. It was a letter written in humble terms and coming from General Malet who had been arrested two years before together with a number of other members of the Phila- delphes, surprised at one of their meetings by the treachery of a member they had trusted. This is a por- tion of what Malet's letter contained : " Sire, after having remained silent in regard to this unhappy affair, I now have the honor of writing Your Majesty in an attempt to make clear my innocence. I have resolved to await patiently the act of justice and clemency that will restore my liberty. Two years have now passed, sire, and I am still imprisoned as a criminal 445 for having repeated, perhaps indiscreetly, but certainly innocently, the comments that have brought upon my head this terrible suspicion under which I am now resting." Here followed in in extenso a review of the services General Malet had rendered to his country, and the petitioner called special attention to the constancy with which he clung to Napoleon on the i8th Brumaire. Then followed an enumeration of the disgraces Malet had suffered, the letter concluding in these words : "With these misfortunes, sire, there must come desola- tion into the soul of the most courageous, but one thought consoles me and sustains my courage: it is that the most beautiful attribute of a monarchy is the pos- session of a monarch who can redress by a single word the unmerited sufferings of so many unfortunates. I await that word, sire, which shows your justice and your goodness, to obtain my liberty, and as I have the regret to think that my services can perhaps never more be ac- ceptable to Your Majesty, 1 would ask that you order your Minister of War to permit me to retire with my family to the Isle of France where I may live unknown. I am, with profound respect for Your Majesty, your very humble, very obedient servant, GENERAL MALET." The Emperor murmured: " Those are very good sentiments, and I should like to think that the repentance of General Malet is sincere, but if I give him his liberty what will be the result, it would set a deplorable example; it will not fail to create some suspicion in the army." The Emperor thought for a moment, and turning to the woman, said aloud: "All this, madame, is asking permission for General Malet to leave Saint Pelagic; very well, I will have him put in the hospital for a time, and we- will see how he gets on there, after that I will look into the matter further. Are you satisfied with this, Vio- lette ? " Napoleon turned towards the drum-major, as he put the spurs to his horse and started off to overtake 446 the Empress, who had ridden ahead, accompanied by Comte de Neipperg. But Violette stopped him with another expression: "Sire, you have accorded mercy, now I ask for justice." " Speak ! " answered Napoleon. " Well, my Emperor, this woman is a soldier." "You are crazy ! What do you mean ?" "Sire, she has make several campaigns with me; she is called the pretty sergeant." The Emperor, with a gesture of surprise, answered : " The pretty sergeant ! I know that name. Come here, madame : I have seen you before." " Yes, sire, a long time ago, in Paris, at the Hotel de Metz. You then did us a favor ; I told you of Marcel, who was a major's aide at Valence, and with your in- fluence he was transferred to Verdun." " Marcel ! I know that name very well, too. Where is he, this major's aide, Marcel? " " Sire, he was arrested with General Malet ; he is im- prisoned at Ham." " He conspired against me, did he ?" " Marcel was never an enemy of Your Majesty, but having discovered that a man whom he believed to be as good a Frenchman as he is himself was conspiring to restore France to the princes, he denounced this agent of the Count of Provence." " What is the name of this emissary ? Do you know it?" " Sire, he was Marquis de Louvigne." " And he was not arrested ? " ' He is at liberty, sire ; it is Marcel who remains a prisoner." " I shall inquire into what you have told me, madame. You know to whom Marcel communicated these proj- ects of the agent of the Bourbons?" " To the Minister of Police, sire, to the Duke d'Otranto." 447 " Fouche has said nothing to me of this ; he has not told me of any interview with the Marquis de Louvigne, or of any plot. It is well, madame ; if these things are as you tell me, you may rest assured I shall see justice done." The Emperor, agitated and angered, turned his horse in the direction taken by the Empress ; Violette saluted with his cane and Napoleon rapidly passed out of sight. The Emperor rode rapidly through the various paths, looking in every direction for Marie Louise ; no trace of her was to be had until he noticed fresh marks of horses' hoofs in a little bridle path that led amongst the bushes lining the broad road ; the shrubbery was trampled down as if it had but lately been invaded, and the Emperor, startled and anxious, asked himself what could be the meaning of this divergence from the regular track and whether an accident could have hap- pened or whether her horse had become unmanageable and dashed into the woods. Thus thinking, the Em- peror, followed by Roustan, plunged into the bushes. A few yards from the entrance a riderless horse was tethered to a tree and the Emperor recognized it as belonging to his wife. The branches were here so dense as to make the progress of the animal difficult. Napoleon jumped to the ground parting the bushes with his hands and continued his way. A few yards further on he came upon a little clearing that contained a rustic kiosque, from which he heard the indistinct murmurs of voices and detected the slow words of the Empress and the deeper tones of a man. Angered in a moment, a thousand thoughts running through his mind, a vague suspicion inflaming him, Napoleon dashed forward and appeared in the doorway of the kiosque, where he found the Empress, Neip- perg seated a respectful distance from her talking earnestly. "What are you doing here, monsieur. Leave! The 448 Empress has no wish to remain in tete-a-tete with you at this place any longer," Napoleon exclaimed. Neipperg bowed and without a word withdrew. Marie Louise looked curiously at her husband and laughing, she tranquilly said: "Well, I declare, Napoleon, I believe you are jealous!" Neipperg received a handsome present a few days later, and with it an order for his return to Austria. The day of his departure the Empress under some pre- 449 text remained in her room where she wept bitterly, and at the moment the equerry stepped into his carriage a maid handed him a small box which he opened with emotion. The box contained a ring bearing a little blue enameled flower the counterpart of that he had snatched from the fountain basin in the park of Schoenbrunn, one of those little flowers that are known among lovers as the " forget-me-not." Neipperg placed the ring upon his finger, pressed the flower to his heart, and stepping into the carriage he threw a discreet kiss in the direction of the room occu- pied by the Empress. Marie Louise standing behind the curtain followed Neipperg with her eyes so long as he remained in sight, and received the kiss he threw her and it delighted her heart. LX. TOUCHES DISGRACE. THE Emperor had shut himself in his study to make himself familiar with the brief concerning the Marquis de Louvigne which he caused to be brought to him. Cambaceres, the Lord High Chancellor, helped by His Majesty's order in the examination of the facts. The words of Rene, the suspicion that haunted him of treachery on the part of the Minister of Police served to confirm the alarm raised in his mind by the military conspiracies. He knew of the action of the Count of Provence in London, but Fouche, every time he was questioned, replied with such assurance of no danger to be apprehended on that side, that he ended by for- getting those who, in foreign parts, prepared a restora- tion then judged to be impossible as well as unlikely. The danger was no longer on the side of the dis- contented soldiery who, like Malet, dreamed of the upset- 45 ting of regiments or of sudden surprises of the garrisons The barrack-room insurrection was unlikely to occur. The terms of General Malet's letter proved that, for the moment at least, the Philadelphes had renounced their projects. There remained, then, the unrecognized royalty, the plottings of the Bourbons, the source of intelligence maintained in France by the princes, by money, and the complicity of England, perhaps in this last the real danger was to be found. Marquis de Louvigne, an obscure agent and there- fore the more to be feared, should have been arrested ten times over, but warned no doubt at the actual mo- ment he had succeeded in getting back to England. Fouche had left him at liberty. There was either guilt or stupidity in this, or perhaps he was ignorant of Louvigne's quality as agent of the princes, and then Fouche deserved to be dismissed as incapable, or per- haps he was aware of the presence in Paris and the de- signs of the Marquis de Louvigne, in which case Fouche was a traitor and deserved to be punished. Irritated by the adventure of the kiosque, annoyed at the movement of violence into which he had been betrayed and angered by the presence of Neipperg near the Empress, the Emperor had sent in haste to the Pre- fecture of Police for the brief concerning the Philadel- phes and the Marquis de Louvigne. He had given the order in so short and impatient a manner that the secretary charged with the bringing of the brief, being on good terms with M. Dubois, did not fail to inform him of the anger of Napoleon. Count Dubois, alarmed, entered the carriage himself and conveyed the paper personally, giving the document to the secretary and waited in great uneasiness in the ante-chamber, without causing himself to be announced. After about an hour the prefect, hearing nothing more and judging the Emperor's wrath was appeased, asked 45' for his carriage and made ready to quit St. Cloud. Just as he was getting into his coach, a well-known voice hailed him: " Dubois! Dubois! Come here at once ! " It was the Emperor who shouted to him from the balcony of the study. More alarmed than ever the prefect hastened up the stairs. As he again passed the ante-chamber and was enter- ing the Emperor's private room, the chamberlain, M. de Remusat, barred his passage. He told his name, but all in vain. "The Emperor is closeted with the chancellor and my orders are to let no one enter," said the chamberlain in a harsh voice. "But your orders cannot apply to me," replied the prefect, "since His Majesty has just called me." " Sir, it is impossible ! " " Do you mean to tell me that I lie ! " " No, but you must have fancied it. Who could have called you, since I am in waiting and have neither re- ceived nor transmitted any such order." " It was one who serves himself better than he is served the Emperor?" M. de Remusat grumbled out some angry words, but at that moment the Emperor opened the door of his private room and put an end to the squabble. Napoleon seemed to be much agitated. He paced up and down the room, a large page of paper covered by lines of his writing, quite illegible, was spread out on a desk. He stopped short before Count Dubois, and said: " Dubois ? this fellow Fouche is a great rascal." The Prefect of Police, who hated the Duked'Otranto, bowed in silence, neither approving nor contesting the qualifications bestowed upon his chief by the Emperor. Napoleon, continuing his walking up and down, then addressed Cambaceres: 45 2 " Yes, a rascal, a great rascal, but he shall not hum- bug me as he has tried to humbug his God with his Convention and his Directory, both of which he basely betrayed and sold. I can see further than Barras, and he won't find it so easy to get the best of me. Let him look out but he has notes and instructions of mine in his possession, and I want them back." Then turning to Dubois: "I know," said he, "that you and Fouche are deadly enemies, and in spite of that I have chosen you to go to him and fulfill an important mission very important to him, for it concerns his head." " Sire/' said Dubois, " I beg Your Majesty to deign to excuse me from the honor you propose. You have said yourself that the Duke d'Otranto is my enemy. He will think I have come to bully him." "Silence," answered the Emperor, "you go to him on business of the State, which no one can do so well. Listen ! Fouche has had from me during the time he has been in office a great many notes and confidential communications I wish to see them ! " " Has not Your Majesty asked for them ? " " Over and over again ! And do you know his an- swer ? He says he burned them these papers. He Fouche burn the papers written by my own hand ! Pshaw ! not he ! " " Sire, I will execute your order. I will ask him again for these notes." " Yes, I must have them at once. I have positive proof that Fouche betrays my trust that he is in com- munication with royalist agents. I intend to put it out of his power to injure me. He is no longer Minister of Police. Go to his castle at Ferrieres, where he is at present, and demand in my name all those papers ! " " I must have a list of them, sire ! " " Here it is, said he/' throwing the great page of hier- oglyphs to Dubois. 453 " And if the Duke d* Otranto refuses?" inquired the Prefect, persuaded that the crafty minister would never give up papers that were his safeguard, those papers re- lating to the execution of Duke d'Enghien. "If he refuses," cried the Emperor angrily, "you will take ten gendarmes with you and bring him to 1'Ab- baye I'll show him a quick way to serve a process ! Go, my dear Dubois, rid me of the traitor." Consoled by this vigorous act, the Emperor signed the decree which named the Duke of Rovigo Minister of Police, and his rage was appeased immediately. He smilingly dismissed Cambaceres and Dubois. Then he went down to the Empress and surprised her in the midst of her ladies. To amuse himself, he requested her to play to him upon her harp, and was as amiable as though nothing had occurred to disturb him. Dubois acquitted himself of his mission as best he could, but could find nothing to seize at Ferrieres. Fouche had put in a safe place all those papers which he afterwards sold to Louis XVIII. Those papers, how- ever, were not as important as Napoleon supposed. They established above all that the execution of the Duke d'Enghien had been instigated by Savary, afterwards Duke de Rovigo and Fouche's successor in office. Fouche, after having protested before Dubois the respectful manner in which he received his disgrace and announced his departure for Rome, quitted Ferrieres secretly and went to hide himself in Paris in a very ob- scure little house. There, surrounded by confidential agents whom he employed as a sort of counter police of his own, he watched the Emperor nervously, the Empress and all who approached their majesties. While he was in power it happened he received some very obscure reports, which had interested him much, regarding M. de Neipperg, the Austrian equerry placed 454 by His Majesty Francis II. about the person of Marie Louise. Some personal observations had verified the exacti- tude of the reports furnished by his agents. " Comte de Neipperg is in love with the Empress," thought he, smiling, and his fox-like visage took an extaordinary expression of malice, "the thing is plain to be seen, too plain, for the Emperor has perceived it and has dismissed the equerry." He reflected for a mo- ment, took a pinch of snuff and said with another smile : " Does the Empress love him ? That is the ques- tion. Neipperg is gone, but he'll come back ! He won't stay long in Vienna, just long enough to show himself to the French Am- bassador and then he'll re- turn double quick." He took a second pinch of snuff as he murmured to himself : " This gallant at the palace, then I'll bar his passage, and carry him like a faithful dog to the Empress, who cannot deny my zeal and hasten to repair this present injustice, or else for the Empress is powerful and can do much with Napoleon, I will warn her protect her save her and Marie Louise will be grateful. The loves of sovereigns are the safety of misguided servants, such as I." And delighted by his perspicacity, Fouche, confident, reassured, rubbed his hands, saying to himself : 455 " Only let Neipperg come back in a couple of months, and I'll send you into retirement on your estates, Monsieur le Due de Rovigo." LXI. THE RETURN. HERE'S your hat, Duchess," said Lise, the femme de chambre, opening the door of the salon where Catharine Lefebvre stood before a long mirror, turning, arranging, and admiring a new riding habit the dressmaker had just brought to her. A hunting party to go to Compiegne had been ar- ranged by the Emperor for the next day, and the Duchess of Danzig, under the circumstances, had ordered a longer petticoat, a waist with brilliant metal buttons, and a coquettish hat. Just then she was complaining about the skirt and the waist which she thought were much too short: " I can't get half into these things. Why, I'll look like a fright when I meet their majesties. Lise, Lise, bring that hat here ! " She seized the bonnet from the hands of the girl, and, throwing it on the table, she stood off at a little distance and critically regarded it: "That will look horribly on me ! " " I don't think so, Duchess," the maid ventured. "You don't know anything about it, Lise." "Well, madame, do you think it is too large !" " Too little, it won't begin to cover my head. I should think it was a cap made for the Emperor." "Do you wish to see the man who brought it, Duchess; he is waiting in the ante-chamber?" " Is it the hatmaker himself ? " " No, madame, it is his clerk." "All right, tell him to come in." And Catharine again turned to the mirror to examine her new costume. The door opened, but Catharine did not interrupt her exercise before the glass; she placed her hat upon her head, she approached the mirror and withdrew from it, she arranged and rearranged her hair, and all with the same impatient movement. Suddenly she gave an ex- 457 clamation of surprise, she saw in the mirror the reflec- tion of the man's face Lise had brought into the room, the clerk of the hatter. Turning quickly, Catharine pointed towards the door, and said to her astonished maid: " Leave us." And as Lise disappeared into the corridor closing the door behind her, she asked herself: " What can be the matter with the Duchess to-day ? Why has this hatter's man caused her such a flurry. Oh, probably she has recognized somebody she knew when she was a washerwoman, an old acquaintance, I suppose. Oh, that's funny ! " While Lise was thus satisfying her curiosity outside, the Duchess hastened to the man and seizing his hand said with every trace of anxiety in her voice; " You here ! How did you get here." " I found your hatter in Paris and learned he was going to deliver a hat to you. I followed the boy who was sent with it, and on the road I gave him a napo- leon and he allowed me to take the box and bring it here to your room. That's the way I got here, and I believe I am filling my role very well. Now you will see that I am safe!" "What terrible imprudence! Don't you know you have some strong enemies at work here ? " " I know I have one, the Emperor! " "That is sufficient! What an uproar there would be if it were known Comte de Neipperg had returned." "They need not know it!" said Neipperg, because it was he who, incapable of being longer separated from Marie Louise, had dared to return to France. " But the spies," said Catharine in alarm, "don't you know you are observed, that you are being watched and followed. The Emperor has had reports concerning you and all sorts of communications against you, and if you are found here in France you are certainly lost." 458 " I think I shall stay but a very little while, in two days at the latest I shall be on my way back to Vienna." " Well, what did you come for?" " I must see the Empress." "That is simply impossible! Why are you so obsti- nate? You are rashly imprudent, and more than that, you have no right to intrude upon the Empress and subject her to suspicion." This seemed to impress Neipperg for the moment be- cause he hesitated as though thinking of some suitable response, and then taking Catharine's arm he said with emotion: " My dear Duchess, don't ask me any more questions, don't force me to lay open my heart, my sad heart. You must understand, you must see that I love the Empress, and something tells me she is not entirely indifferent." " Foolish man; if the Emperor sees you it will be death for you, disgrace and repudiation for her. Stop this senseless passion at once." " I cannot, I can end this love only with my life. But I know I can satisfy my love partially by making it known to the object of my passion." " What is your scheme? What new audacity have you dreamed of? " "To have one last interview with Marie Louise; I ask you to help me, convey to her an object she confided to me." " A love token ? " " Yes, this ring," said Neipperg, taking from his pocket a little box which he opened and exposed the ring Marie Louise had given him on the day of his departure. Passionately he pressed it to his lips, kissed it again and again and replaced it in its box, murmuring: " How can I part with this jewel, the most precious object to me on earth, dearer to me than life itself ! " " And is it to get me to give this box to the Empress 459 that you have left Austria and braved the anger of the Emperor, fully justifying his jealousy ? " "There is another reason. Napoleon has noticed the Empress no longer has this ring among her possessions, I presume some maid has indiscreetly let it out." " Or Fouche." " Yes, perhaps Fouche. Marie Louise has pretended to have mislaid it and Napoleon has been searching for it and says it must be found. Pressing word from the Empress reached me at Vienna, and I immediately started. This evening Marie Louise must have her ring back, so that her husband's suspicions shall be ended." " But if you are surprised here, what explanation will you have? " " None, I hope I won't be surprised." " Who will help you to gain admittance to the palace ? " Neipperg hesitated an instant and looked at Catharine suspiciously. " I have only one friend, that is only one good and faithful friend in France, it is you, my dear Duchess. I hope you will help me in this instance and will save me, perhaps, once more." " No, you needn't count on me." "Catharine Lefebvre, do you remember the roth of August; do you remember how you saved me, protected me from the vengeance of the National Guards when they were going to shoot me, how you saved me from being killed ? " " We are beyond the loth of August, my dear Comte," responded Catharine, with dignity. " I am now Mar- chioness Lefebvre, Duchess of Danzig, and I o\ve it all to the Emperor. My husband and his faithful subject, the companion of his conflicts and his glory, is Marshal of his armies, Duke of his Empire; with him he has fought upon every battlefield of Europe. We do not wish, the Marshal and I, to aid in any plans of an enemy of the Emperor; Napoleon has been our friend; he has 460 put us under obligations that are many years old and if you remember the loth of August, I have not forgotten the night of Jemmapes. Reflect, Monsieur de Neipperg, that what you ask of me is impossible. Marshal Lefebvre does not know you are not a friend of France. The honor of the Emperor, the -virtue of the Empress are sacred to us." "Then you abandon me ! " " I have counselled you to leave, to return to Vienna without seeking to speak to the Empress." " I can never do it. And what about this ring? " " You can trust that to me, I will give it to Her Ma- jesty myself, discreetly, I promise you," and Catharine held out her hand to Neipperg who seized it and im- pressed a kiss upon it. "Oh, thank you, thank you," he murmured, "and let the Empress know I am thinking of her, that I will come at her first call, her first signal." " I will carry out your wishes, Comte, but I believe and I hope the Empress will never want to remind you of your promise, never wish to demand your devotion." "Don't be sure of that, Madame la Duchess, the ground under the feet of your Emperor is mined." " The mine will explode without danger to him. His throne is surrounded by kneeling kings." "The prostrate kings will arise, their vengeance will be greater for being so long delayed. I know this, my dear Duchess; the Court of Vienna has unfolded its secrets to me; your Emperor must look out for himself. The storm is gathering, the thunder will soon be heard." " If a storm menaces the Imperial throne, I don't sup- pose it will have its beginning in Vienna. Your Em- peror is father-in-law to ours." " My sovereign has never taken his alliance with Napoleon seriously. He has sacrificed his daughter in order to preserve his provinces. A marriage dictated by politics may be broken by politics." 461 . "You have lugubrious presentiments, Neipperg, but happily nothing now exists to indicate they will ever be realized. Don't depend too much on your imagination. Don't forget that Napoleon is always powerful ; his throne is secure; he is surrounded by devoted followers, and no pity will be shown those who conspire against him or against the Empress." " Yes, I know," answered Neipperg, " there is Roustan, the Mameluke. What would he do to me if I were found in the apartments of the Empress?" " He would kill you." " Oh ! oh ! they would not dare to do it. The devil! Napoleon looks fine surrounded by his Oriental janis- saries to guard himself and his wife. Is his palace the harem of a Sultan ?" " I advise you not to trifle with the jealousy of Napoleon or the scimitar of Roustan." " I do not ignore the fact that Napoleon has im- prisoned Marie Louise, that he locks her up as though she were an odalisque, that he forbids any man, even the great officers of his household, his best friends, Berthier, Cambaceres, Lefebvre, or Caulaincourt to enter the apartments of the Empress unless he himself invites and accompanies them. I am aware likewise of the blind devotion of this Mameluke, who would strike down his own father if he found him breaking a rule of the palace, but I have taken my precautions, I am inviolable." " Inviolable ? What do you mean by that ?" "Without having exactly informed the Emperor of Austria the purport of my secret visit to France, I have told him I was coming to find the Empress, either at Paris, St. Cloud or Compiegne, I talked to him freely, he wished to have me tell him whether she were happy, if Napoleon treated her kindly. You know the Emperor Francis loved his daughter, and his affection was deeply touched when he was called upon to sacrifice the heart of Marie Louise to the interests of his monarchy." 462 " Has it been necessary, then, for the Emperor Francis to employ such a mysterious ambassador as yourself to learn the sentiments of his daughter; is not the Empress at liberty to write to her father ? " Neipperg slightly and scornfully shrugged his shoulders. " You forget Savary." " Yes, but who is Savary ? " " He has organized a secret office, a dark cabinet, everywhere, at Saint Cloud, at the Tuileries, here at Compiegne. The Duke of Rovigo is pastmaster in the art of opening letters, steaming or loosening their seals by means of a knife-blade heated in the fire. The Emperor of Austria knows this and he has commisioned me to obtain from his daughter important secret infor- mation. It is for this that, braving all, I have come in disguise to the Palace of Compiegne." " Neipperg, don't you know how to be reasonable ! Don't throw yourself away, don't compromise the Em- press." " Such a thought is very far from my mind, I assure you." " Heed me and leave immediately without trying to approach Her Majesty." Neipperg hesitated and Catharine took advantage of his apparent uncertainty to insist upon his going. " Even admitting that you are so foolish as to remain, how will you get to Her Majesty's apartments ? Who will admit you ? " Madame de Montebello." " Her maid of honor! This is really serious! My dear Comte, you know since the illness of General Ordener that Lefebvre has had command here and incidentally performs the duties of grand marshal of the palace. Madame de Montebello is under his orders; he is respon- sible for the presence of all persons in this palace who have not been summoned. Now, Neipperg, you cer- 463 tainly don't want to place Lefebvre in the position of choosing between his love for you and his duty ! " " Would Lefebvre have me shot ?" " Unquestionably, if the Emperor ordered it. If you are discovered here he will order it. Go, then, I beseech you, in the name of our old friendship, in the name of your son Henriot whom the Emperor favors; you don't want to compromise his career for the sake of one happy moment, for an interview that is hopeless." " If you say to me Lefebvre would not take the respon- sibility of deciding for me, then I will leave." "You will take the road for Vienna?" " Yes," said Neipperg with a certain embarrassment as though he were speaking the words only and not with the intention of living up to them. "I will take my carriage that is waiting on the Soissons road; I will find the hat clerk and report to him as I promised, and then go on to Paris and from there start for Germany. Adieu, then, and don't fail to deliver the ring of Her Majesty as you said " At this moment a knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and Lise entered. " Who is it? Why am I disturbed ? " Catharine demanded. " It is Monsieur de Remusat, chamberlain of His Majesty, and he wishes to speak to the Duchess," answered Lise. "The chamberlain? Oh, yes, I know," said Catharine; " it is probably to talk about the quarrel I had yesterday with the Emperor's sisters. They have gone to the Emperor and he thinks I should be read a lesson. Tell M. de Remusat to come in," and then, turning to Neip- perg, she added, " Adieu, monsieur." " Then, Madame the Duchess is satisfied with the hat," said the ostensible clerk in a loud voice. " Perfectly satisfied. Present my compliments to your employer," answered the Duchess. 464 And she seated herself upon the fauteuil to receive with becoming dignity the chamberlain of His Majesty. LXII. THE FAITH OF THE WASHERWOMAN. THE order brought by M. de Remusat was ominous. The Emperor desired the presence of the Duchess of Danzig in his cabinet at once. The chamberlain completed his mission and retired; the Duchess hurriedly changed her dress, wrapped her- self in a long mantle and followed to the Emperor's apartments. Napoleon was working in his small office, lighted by three candles and a lamp, having with him the valet, Constant, who just then was preparing a cup of coffee. Two artillery officers in brilliant uniforms, de Lauriston and de Brigode, waited on the Emperor. Napoleon, in a furious temper, was looking at a num- ber of clippings from foreign papers, all of a scandalous nature and reflecting in some way upon him or his family, paragraphs pretending to give information of the private life of the Imperial household; Junot's at- tention to Caroline was criticised and some startling stories were told. One of these articles in particular irritated Napoleon, because it referred to the disgrace of Neipperg, the equerry of the Empress, placed there by the Emperor of Austria, and then the article went on to insinuate that after the departure of the equerry Marie Louise had been low-spirited and languishing, all due to Napoleon's jealousy. To these irritating incidents were added the complaints of his sisters, who were continually quarrelling among themselves, and had tormented him that day with their angry words. Elisa became more and more jealous of 465 Caroline because she had been made a Queen, and that very afternoon the two had engaged in a wordy alter- cation that began in French and ended in a Corsican patois, accompanied by an exuberance of violent ges- S tures and a selection of vulgar expressions peculiar to the Corsican purlieus. In the midst of the dispute Na- poleon attempted to separate them, but as they were deaf to his rebuke and indifferent to his wishes, and he did not possess the physical strength of putting them 466 bodily out of the room, he seized the coal tongs from the great chimney place and threatened to knock them both senseless if they did not cease. It was a comical and mortifying scene, recalling in too-faithful accuracy the altercations in which the family had participated during their poverty-stricken days at Marseilles. It may, therefore, be understood, the Marchioness Lefebvre, against whom the Queen of Naples and the Grand Duchess of Piombino had entered a formal and aggravating protest to the Emperor, was summoned to an audience that promised to be everything else than amiable. But she was provided with ample courage and had a spirit confident in its own resources, so she was prepared to hold her own with the redoubtable adver- sary who had summoned her. To strengthen her defense still more, a happy thought occurred at the last moment, and opening her jewel box wherein she kept her most precious posses- sions, she took from it a folded paper, yellow with age, creased and torn and giving evidence of having been concealed in the portfolio for many years. She care- fully pushed the paper into her corset, and hastening down through the long corridors of the palace, passing the vestibules where were sleeping the officers of the household, she reached the door of the Imperial cabinet. Roustan, the faithful Mameluke, guarded the en- trance, and an aide-de-camp announced the Duchess to His Majesty. Catharine Lefebvre, with a brave, stately reverence, saluted the Emperor as she entered, and hesitated in silence for a moment until he had concluded his inter- view with the Minister of Finance and that functionary had withdrawn. The Emperor turned over the papers on the desk and nothing was heard but the regular tick of the elaborate clock on the mantel and the soft crackle of the fire in the chimney. 467 Suddenly Napoleon looked up from his papers, and said, roughly: " Well, Marchioness, I am having some delightful trouble on your account. What were you up to yester- day ? I hear nothing all the time but reports of your violent language, of your absurd expressions, and all the newspapers of Europe are quoting them to show that my Court is little better than a market-place. There is no use telling me you have been provoked. I know all about that, but there is no excuse for using such language in my Court; .if you don't know how to talk you had better learn; I am out of patience with this ignorance around me. I should think when Lefebvre acquired the baton of a marshal he might have given up some of the associations he formed as a sergeant." Napoleon stopped talking long enough to go to the fire and pour from the little pot that was boiling there a small cup of coffee whose delicious odor spread through the room. Catharine remained calm, indiffer- ent and waiting. Swallowing the steaming drink at a single gulp, Napoleon went on : "Your position here at Court is simply absurd; you must get out: you owe it to the reputation of the rest of us; you have made no efforts to improve your personality with the changes that have taken place in your fortune. If you are divorced I'll promise you that there shall be no change in your rank or your prerogatives. I have already told this to Lefebvre, did he say anything to you about it ?" "Yes, sire; Lefebvre told me all about it." " Well, what did you say to him ?" "I? I laughed at him." " What do. you mean by such language ? What did Lefebvre do? Didn't he tell you you must agree to it?" " Oh, he just hugged me and told me to forget what you said." 468 " How dare you reply so to me, your Emperor and your master ! " " Sire, you are our master, our Emperor, that's true. You can dispose of us as you see fit; can end our exist- ence, I presume, Lefebvre and me; you can do all that. You are the Emperor and by simply signing your name you can throw 500,000 men across the Danube or Vis- tula, who are ready to be killed for you, but you can't come in between Lefebvre and me ; you can't sepa- rate us; your power stops right there, and if you wish to go into any such conflict as that you'll get the worst of it." " You believe that, do you ? But, madame, you know you have a tongue that is simply uncontrollable and you make a scandalous exhibition in my Court altogether too frequently. Now take that affair yesterday, didn't you insult the Queen of Naples and the Grand Duchess of Piombino? Won't you respect the Emperor in the persons of members of his family? Why should I tol- erate such scenes, these outrages that are more fitted to a dance-hall? " " Sire, you have been misinformed; I simply defended myself and resented the insults that were heaped upon me. Your sisters outrageously insulted the army." Napoleon, at one bound jumped from his chair, pale with anger, and shouted out at the top of his voice : " The army ! What is that you say ? Who has in- sulted the army ? " " Your sisters insulted it, in my person ! " " I don't understand what you mean." "Sire, Youf Majesty's sisters reproached me because I was one of the heroic soldiers of Sambre-et-Meuse, and you know that their glory has seldom been equalled, never surpassed." " That is true, but how were you among them ? " " I was a vivandiere, sire, in the Thirteenth Regiment. I accompanied Lefebvre," 469 " You were through that campaign ? " exclaimed the Emperor, at once becoming interested. "Yes, sire. Verdun, Jemmapes, Altenkirchen. I served in the Army of the North, the Army of the Moselle, the Army of the Rhine, the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse. I was in eighteen campaigns, and I was mentioned in the order of the day afte.r the en- gagement at Alten- kirchen." " In the order of the day, you ! Im- possible." " Yes, sire, for bravery, in the same citation that enumerated the heroes of the army, with Hoche, Jour- dan, Lefebvre." "But this is great, magnifi- cent," said the Emperor smiling. " Why the devil didn't Lefebvre tell me about it." " What would have been the good, sire ! Didn't he get giory and honors enough for two? Excepting for this, rumpus I should never have spoken of it, nor of my wound." " You were wounded ? " " Yes, by a bayonet, at Fleurus, it went through my arm near the shoulder." " Let me see. Marchioness, I cannot believe that they would have pierced such a pretty arm." And Napoleon, taking Catharine's hand in his own, 47 pushed back her sleeve and kissed the scar that marked the savage blow from an Austrian bayonet. He looked into her eyes and said: " Your skin is like satin, Duchess, permit me again." " Oh, there is only one wound," she said laughing, and then with a half amused and half malicious expres- sion she continued; "This is not the first time, sire, you have told me my skin was like satin." "I! You say I have already told you that, I never have been near enough to you," Napoleon responded, still permitting his hand to wander softly over Catha- rine's arm. " Yes, sire. It was a long time ago, very long ago. It was on a certain loth of August, oh, I was just engaged to Lefebvre then, and I went to see you one morning in a little room of the Hotel de Metz on the Rue du Mail, where you were living then." "That's right, on the second floor." " No, on the third floor." " What the devil were you doing in the room of an artillery officer?" " Don't you know ? I came to bring home your wash- ing and you were sadly in need of it, and if you had had your way, I never would have returned as I had come; you were thinking of war, then; why when I went in you had your nose down in a geography and you kept it there for a long time, but you were aroused from it altogether too quickly. Then I married Lefebvre, I didn't love him at that time, I adore him now. If you had declared 'yourself then, I don't know but what I might have preferred you to him, as I told you. But, pshaw, that seems like the history of another world we won't think of it any more, sire." Napoleon looked at the Duchess attentively, and he said: " What were you then ? " " A washerwoman, and that's what your sisters re- proach me with." "A washerwoman, a washerwoman! It appears as though you have followed every calling. A cantiniere may go, but a washerwoman I didn't suppose you were following that for a living." " Sire, it was the only way I could make an honest living. Did you suppose for a moment I was doing your washing just to fill in my time ? I had a hard enough struggle with the bills 1 couldn't collect; why, would you believe it, right here in your own palace there is a military officer who owes me to this day for wash- ing I did for him then." " Give me your account against him, and I will make him pay it," said Napoleon. "But I don't want to give the account to Your Majesty." "That's foolish.'' "No, it is reasonable; I don't wish to demand what is due me, and yet my debtor has got a very good position at this moment," and putting her hand into her corsage, Catharine withdrew the little yellow paper which she had placed there when the Chamberlain summoned her; "and he not only owes me this debt, but I have a letter from him acknowledging it and asking me to wait a while for the money. This is what he has written: ' I have just this moment received your note and my present means are insufficient for me to supply the wants of my mother and my brothers and sisters, who are refugees at Marseilles. When I shall have been restored to my grade as captain of artillery ' " Napoleon took the letter from her hand and as he looked over it, visibly and profoundly affected, he said: " Then it was I! All my youth returns to me with this torn paper and this faded writing. Yes, I was poor and unknown; I was devoured with ambition and restless 47* under the restraints that were placed upon me. I was alone, without friends, without credit, without any one who believed in me and you had confidence. A washer- woman! Oh, I remember it all very well; you were good, you were thoughtful, perhaps you alone saw into the future and believed the obscure artillery officer would not always remain in the third-floor room of a furnished hotel, or that you would always look after his linen; you had compassion for his loneliness and for his poverty. The Emperor will never forget it." Napoleon was affected by uncontrolled emotion; his anger had passed away; he looked with almost religious reverence upon this letter; he put his hand to his brow 473 as though trying to recall another memory of those years, and he said: " Now, I remember, your laundry was in the Rue des Orties; I often went there, and I know just exactly how it looked. There was the large washroom with the stairs going up out of it, the tables, the tubs, the big chimney. The door of your room was to the left, the entrance door to the right. It was a big square room with a lot of ropes across it, the clothes hanging up to dry. But let me see, what did they call you then, what was your name before you were married ? " "Catharine, Catharine Upscher." "No, that was not it, you must have had another name. Let me see, some nickname." " I did, they called me Sans-Gene." " Ah, yes, that's it, and you have kept that name f ere at Court." "Yes, sire, and on the battlefield also! " "You are right ! you did well to defend your vivan- diere skirts against the insolence of my Court, and it is I, Catharine Sans-Gene, who will make every one here respect you. You know to-morrow I give a hunting party in honor of the Prince of Bavaria, before all my Court, before my sisters, I shall speak to you in such a way that no one ever will again dare to reproach you with your humble origin or your poverty; you shall partake of the honors with Murat, with Ney, and, by God, with me! But now, before you go, I think it is fitting the Emperor should pay the debts of the artillery captain. How much do I owe you, Madame Sans-Gene ? " and the Emperor put his hand in his pocket for his purse. " Three napoleons, sire," replied the Marchioness, holding out her hand. " I think you charge me a little high," said Napoleon. "There is the account, sire." " My linen could not have been as bad as that." "Much worse and then there's the interest." "True, I had forgotten that; well, I will pay it off;" the Emperor had found nothing in his trousers pockets, and his hand returned empty from his vest and coat, and laughingly, he said: "I declare, I am unfortunate, I have not got three napoleons about me." "Very well, sire, I will once more give you time." " Many thanks. Now, I suppose you will want to go, it is very late; I declare there is eleven o'clock striking, and everybody in the palace is asleep, we should be in our beds, too. I will send Roustan with you to your apartments." "Oh, sire, I am not afraid; it would be impossible for any one we do not know to get into the palace at night." " That's a fact, but these corridors are so long and so dark, I think you had better have an escort and a light," and the Emperor raising his voice called out " Roustan! " The door opened and the faithful Mameluke appeared. " Show Madame the Duchess to her apartments ; they are at the other end of the palace; take a light with you." Roustan stepping back into the adjoining room, re- turned with a candelabra and went through the door opening from the cabinet on to the grand gallery; he took a few steps forward, holding the entrance open that the Duchess might follow him, when just as she was about to do so, Roustan came again into the cabinet and with the habitual Oriental calmness and expression of gravity, he said: " Sire, some one is in the gallery. A man with a white coat. He has gone in the direction of the Empress's apartments." LXIII. " YOU LIE, MONSIEUR." WHEN Roustan announced the presence of a man in the corrider all Napoleon's vanished anger returned; he was pale with the rage that filled his heart, speechless with the thoughts that rushed through his brain. " A white coat," the Mameluke had said. Who could it be among those wearing the Austrian uniform that would be introduced in this manner at night, as a thief, in the portion of the palace forbidden to every one. Was it the audacious equerry who had pursued the Empress with his attentions. The name of Neipperg flashed into the Emperor's mind, but he said half aloud : "It is impossible. Neipperg is at Vienna. I am sus- picious without reason. Have I become a fool that I should think always of the Austrian ? No, the white coat that attracted Roustan is worn by some old Chouan, an accomplice of Cadonal, that Marquis of Louvigne, perhaps sent here by Fouche. He has slipped into the palace, probably to surprise me in my sleep, to assassinate me, but I will seize him." With the promptitude that ever distinguished him in cases of emergency or sudden surprise, Napoleon blew out the candles that stood upon his desk and directed Roustan to extinguish the lamp and stand behind the door of the bedroom ready to respond at the first call. The Imperial cabinet was in darkness save for the dying embers in the fireplace, whose weak sparks threw out only sufficient glimmer to indicate the shadowy outlines of the door opening on to the gallery. Napo- leon stepped lightly to Catharine's side and taking her hand whispered : "Be quiet !" 477 The marchioness trembled with fear and anguish at the terrible result she expected from this incident of which she alone held the secret, for she had no doubt it was Neipperg who had been seen by Roustan. "The fool hasn't kept his promise," she thought; "he is determined to see the Empress, and he is lost." Prostrate, her blood driven back from her heart, she leant upon the sofa, while Napoleon anxious but calm and thoroughly master of himself listened for the ap- proach of one he believed to be a murderous royalist. Some one came quietly down the corridor walking upon tip toes and making hardly an impression upon the yielding carpet. Quickly and cautiously the figure advanced and through the open door of the cabinet the form of a woman was seen. She came nearer and nearer, stopping every few steps to listen, her hands were extended before her as though feeling the way and she clutched each piece of furniture as she came to it as though it were an anchorage in her journey. " Madame de Montebello ! " murmured the Marchio- ness as she recognized the Lady of Honor and at the same instant Napoleon squeezed her hand so fiercely as almost to cause her to cry aloud. The Emperor gazed eagerly after the woman, and her presence in the cor- ridor, the secrecy of her movements, the manner in which she looked everywhere than towards the cabinet indicated she had no suspicion the Emperor was in his room or that any one was there. The direction she was taking indicated her object to reach the Empress's apartment; at the moment she came opposite where her watchers were concealed, she encountered a man who stepped from the deeper shadow of a pillar and said under his breath: " Shall I pass in, Duchess ? " But Napoleon sprang forward and seizing the man by the throat, shouted: 47" " Roustan ! " And the Mameluke followed with a brilliant lamp in his hand. " Neipperg! So it is him! " exclaimed Napoleon al- most choked with anger and tightening his grasp upon the unhappy Comte. A cry from the woman was the only reply to Napo- leon's words; she was surprised as she was about to put the key in the lock of the door admitting her to the Empress. In his anger, Napoleon had forgotten her, but now he said to the Mameluke: " Roustan, seize that woman and hold her until I call you again. And now as to you, monsieur," said Napo- leon, speaking to Neipperg, " what are you doing in my palace at night ? Who let you in as though you were a thief ? " Neipperg, very pale but calm, answered: " Sire, I have come from Vienna ! " " For what purpose ?" " On the order of my sovereign." " To do what ? " " To carry out a confidential mission with Her Majesty the Empress, also my sovereign." "Ah! and do ambassadors fulfill their missions at midnight? That is not the popular hour for presenting letters." "It is the hour indicated by my sovereign." " The Empress has given you a rendezvous at mid- night in her bedroom ! " "At midnight, Her Majesty the Empress told me she would have a response I asked from her in the name of the Emperor of Austria, my master." " The Empress has not seen you to make any such engagement. You lie, monsieur." " Sire," answered Neipperg, trembling beneath the insult, " I am an Austrian general, I have the rank of a Minister Plenipotentiary. I am here representing my 479 sovereign to an Archduchess of Austria. You have in- sulted me in your own palace where I am not able to respond. Sire, it is cowardly." " You miserable hound ! " cried the Emperor, made more furious by the Comte's impertinence in daring to use such language, and grasping Neipperg again he said: " You have come here at night, in my house, as an assassin, you are not fit to wear the noble insignia of your rank." 480 And suiting the action to the menace Napoleon, with impulsive movement, tore the buttons from Neipperg's uniform. Carried away by shame and rage, Neipperg's hand closed around the hilt of his sword, and as the blade leaped from the scabbard, he shouted: " Damn you ! " Catharine saw the movement and at one bound threw herself before the Emperor, shielding him from attack and calling loudly: " Roustan, come here ! " The words had hardly left her lips when Roustan ran from the cabinet and flung Neipperg to the floor where he lay powerless beneath the iron grip of the slave. Three other Mamelukes, aroused by the noise, hastened from their rooms, and Napoleon, opening another door on the gallery, called: " Monsieur de Lauriston ! Monsieur de Brigode ! Monsieur de Remusat ! Come, all of you ! " In a few moments the chamberlains and the aides-de- camp of the day were at the scene. " Here is a man, gentlemen, who has drawn his sword on me. Monsieur de Brigode take his sword, Monsieur de Lauriston, I shall hold you responsible for his safe keeping." Monsieur de Brigode took the sword, and Monsieur de Lauriston, laying his hand on Neipperg's shoulder, said: " In the name of the Emperor I arrest you," and then, turning to Napoleon, he asked: "Where shall I take him, sire ?" " Guard Monsieur de Neipperg in the salon until Due de Rovigo arrives; he will take measures to have a court- martial convened within an hour, that will determine the identity of the prisoner, and, after learning of the at- tempt upon my person, it will render a verdict. At day- break I want all to be over." 48 1 LXIV. THE DEBT OF THE DUCHESS. THE marchioness was filled with horror at the terrible sentence pronounced by Napoleon and she sought vainly through her mind for some means of saving the Comte. To intercede with the Emperor was folly, it would be useless. Neipperg had been condemned and there was nothing to stay the vengeance of Napo- leon. The all-powerful sovereign would punish the outrage committed on the husband. Through Catharine's fevered brain there ran twenty projects to protect the unfortunate Neipperg, each one impossible, each more impracticable than the other. She was discouraged, disheartened when the door opened and Lefebvre entered. He was in full uniform; his face wore a serious expression; it was apparent that the news of the arrest of Neipperg, which had been brought to him by an aide, had pained him. " You know,"- he said to his wife. "Everything ! The unhappy man has sacrificed him- self. Is there any possible way you can think of to persuade the Emperor to stop the execution?" " None. The Emperor has spoken. In my position as Marshal of the Palace, it will unfortunately fall to me to preside at the court-martial that will pass upon the Comte's guilt. " And shall you obey ? " " Is it for me to disobey the Emperor? " " You know Comte de Neipperg saved my life at Jemmapes, where I, too, would have been shot but for him and without his intercession I certainly would not be here now." " Yes, we have contracted a debt to the Comte, but I remember he would have been killed also but for you 482 on the morning of the loth of August. That squares accounts. Thunder ! and I can do nothing for him, my duty will not permit me. There are moments when it is painful to live up to one's duty, and the obedience of discipline is difficult. I shall execute the order of the Emperor but he must select some one else to carry it out." " But I, I am not Marshal of the Palace; I have no duties to fulfill, no orders to execute; I am a woman; I pity the unfortunate man. You speak of a debt, Le- febvre; it is the cantiniere who owes it; the marchioness will pay it." "What shall you do ?" "The impossible! See here, Lefebvre, who is it that can reach the Empress ?" "At present, no one. Those orders are imperative." " What, no means of getting a word to her! One word! " " None! I alone am authorized, to approach the door pose of assuring myself that the sentinels are at their of Her Majesty's apartments, and then only for the pur- post." " That is sufficient. You must help me, Lefebvre," said Catharine enthusiastically. "How can I?" " I will tell you. You can approach closely to the door of her room." " Easily." " You can say something before the door; she will recognize your voice, and the presence of a marshal there in the night will attract her attention; she will seek to discover what it means; she will probably send out a maid. You understand." " Partly, and why should I make this attempt to at- tract her attention; what is it you want me to do, then ? " " Say, in a loud voice to the sentinel, ' Have you seen any one coming from the Empress's room, some person who is bringing a letter to the Emperor of Austria?' If you utter the name of the Emperor of Austria suffi- ciently loud she will hear it." " I do not understand what you are trying to do, ex- plain it to me." " It is useless to waste the time now; minutes are hours under the circumstances; but go, go quicklj' and do as I ask you." And as Lefebvre hesitated, wondering in his mind what this mission was given him by his wife, Catharine repeated: " Remember, pronounce the name of the Emperor of Austria loud enough to be heard." Lefebvre hastened down the galleries leading to the apartments of Marie Louise, and the Marchioness slipped out into the corridors to find some one from whom she could gather information as to the present disposition of the prisoner. She sought the palace officials and the aides-de-camp, asking them all where Neipperg had been taken, but failed to learn anything concerning the unhappy man. She had gone down as far as the entrance to the Emperor's cabinet, when the door opened and Monsieur de Lauriston appeared, saying: " What can be the matter with the Minister of Police; why has he not yet reached here? He must know what has happened." The Minister of Police knows nothing," said a squeaking sarcastic voice, which Catharine recognized, and came forward, saying: Ah, Monsieur Fouche, have you dropped down from Heaven ! ** " Most people suppose me to be anchored in the other place," replied the former Minister of Police. "What can I do for you?" " You can do me an enormous service." And what is it? You know I have always had a deep affection for you, I may say we are old friends. 4 8 4 You knew me when I walked the streets of Paris with no other fortune than ambition and revolutionary senti- ments; I have seen you a washerwoman and now I see you a Duchess." "And I have seen you Minister of Police." " I was, and I shall be there again," answered Fouche with a satirical smile, "but how can I be of service to you just now, my dear Duchess ?" " You know what has happened to Monsieur de Neip- Perg?" " Yes, they are only waiting for Savary to shoot him." " Monsieur de Neipperg must not be killed. Due, I count upon you to help me save him." " On me! and why the devil should you count on me? Monsieur de Neipperg is an Austrian and a declared enemy of the Emperor; he is not my friend, he is no relation, I do not see at all why I should concern myself with him, a criminal, a fool who throws himself in the arms of a Mameluke because he wants to get a pretty woman." " My dear Fouche, you do not know " " Then why should I learn ? Prove to me that I have any interest in wasting my time with M. de Neipperg, and, of course, I will change my views and place myself at your disposal." The sudden arrest of Neipperg had, in fact, rather interfered with the projects of Fouche, who had counted on making a little capital by surprising the foolish equerry and delivering him up to the Emperor. The words of the Duchess revived the hope that had been dashed that he might make capital out of the scandalous infamy. " And what interest have you, my dear Duchess ?" Fouche demanded, in an insinuating voice, " to ask me to concern myself with Monsieur de Neipperg?" " A considerable interest. You wish to be restored to your position as Minister of Police ? " 485 " Oh, entirely for the good of the State and the safety of the Emperor." " Very well, the opportunity is offered you. Save M. de Neipperg " " And expose myself to being exiled by His Majesty? " " Not at all! Understand me now; there is not the slightest intrigue between the Empress and Monsieur de Neipperg." " Not even a little intrigue ? " " Do you doubt me ? " " Never! Then Monsieur de Neipperg can establish his innocence." " He cannot if left to himself." " Who can ? " " The Empress ! " " That is certainly reasonable; she is the most inter- ested. Well, what can we do about it ?" " If you can delay this court-martial, put off the exe- cution, keep Savary out of the way, if the Empress can be seen, we can save him." " And then ? " " The Empress when she knows it is due to you that this object has been gained she will use her influence with the Emperor to have you reinstated; she can easily protest against the injustice you have been the victim of, and persuade Napoleon to restore you to the func- tions from which you were removed." " By Heavens, you have almost convinced me, Duch- ess," said Fouche, opening his snuff-box, and taking a large pinch as was his custom when some weighty thought was occupying his mind. "That is perfectly reasonable, and I will try to save this poor Monsieur de Neipperg from Savary." "What will you do?" " I shall see the Emperor." At this moment Constant, the valet of the Emperor, emerged from the cabinet hastening to the Duke of 486 Rovigo with the information that his master awaited him impatiently. " Will you say to His Majesty I am here, my good Constant," said Fouch advancing and speaking in his most agreeable and persuasive voice, " will you also kindly say to His Majesty that I ask a moment's audi- ence." Constant, who was under many obligations to the ex- Minister, bowed in response and returned to convey the word to Napoleon. " If Savary puts off his coming ten minutes longer, and I can speak to the Emperor, Monsieur de Neipperg will be out of danger," said Fouche. " What argument shall you use ? " " I shall represent to His Majesty that it will be im- possible to carry out this execution; it will be without legal precedure, almost without proper judgment, a man surprised at night in the palace why, it will be received with ridicule, and it will compromise the Empress out- rageously. It will irritate the Austrian Court, and it will justify at the same time all the scandalous stories that have been published concerning the pretended intimacy of Monsieur de Neipperg and Marie Louise." " But how will you explain Neipperg's presence in the palace?" " A conspiracy ! " " But it will be necessary that you shall show the existence of one." " Well, that is not difficult, a good Minister of Police always has two or three in reserve. I have in hand the elements of two very pretty plots, mixed up with the republicans, Lahorie, Malet, the Philadelphes, but, of course, they would not do with the Comte de Neipperg, an Austrian general and a most aristocratic diplomat. We will have to embroil him with the Jacobins. No, I guess it would be preferable to have him in a royalist scheme with the Comte de Provence." 487 " But a conspiracy is very serious, suppose it should be proven ? " " Well, but when there is no conspiracy, how can it be proven, after all?" said Fouche with a skeptical smile. "The Emperor will be curious and he will keep the man alive to discover the proofs, and all that will gain time; we certainly have no choice of means; we must make use of what is nearest at hand. Ah, here is Constant coming back. Will His Majesty receive me ? " " His Majesty replies that he will receive the Duke d'Otranto after he has seen the Duke of Rovigo." Fouche made a violent gesture of disappointment and chagrin, and exclaimed: " His Majesty couldn't have said that ! " " His Majesty did say: 'I am in no hurry to receive the Duke d'Otranto, it is probably some story of a con- spiracy he wants to tell me, what concerns me first is to finish with Monsieur de Neipperg.' And so, Duke, I am going to summon the Duke of Rovigo." But before Constant could leave the palace, Savary had entered excited and out of breath, and rushing down the gallery, he met Fouche, stopping long enough to ask: " What is it ? Do you know why the Emperor has called me up in the middle of the night, you, who pretend to know everything ! Have you been filling His Majesty's brain with some of your wierd stories about a military conspiracy ? " " Not at all," replied Fouche in his indifferent manner, " His Majesty is concerned with Monsieur de Neipperg, you know that former equerry." "Monsieur de Neipperg! Why he is resting in peace in Vienna; hunting, fishing, playing the flute. I have just received a report detailing all his movements, and it tells me he is now living in the environs of Vienna." " Ah, my dear successor, communicate that to the Emperor and he will be gratified and will compli- ment you upon the thoroughness of your infor- mation." "Oh, there is no great merit in it; I shall simply go in and announce that Monsieur de Neipperg is at Vienna; that is all." And Savary, with proud confidence entered the Em- peror's cabinet. "Well, my little conspiracy scheme is knocked out," said Fouche to the Marchioness; " I must find something else." "Yes; think of something, quick!" " I have another expedient, not very good, but we must try it Does Monsieur de Neipperg know your writing? Good; now write what I tell you to.'' Fouche taking a paper and a pencil dictated to Catha- rine who wrote with considerable difficulty, owing to the inconveniences of the moment, two lines in which she told Neipperg to stand by the window which he was to open quietly so as not to excite the attention of his guards. "Now send him this paper," said Fouche, "and ex- plain to the guard it is simply for Neipperg to write to his mother before he is shot, they certainly will not re- fuse that." The Marchioness sought Monsieur de Lauriston, who acceded to the request and undertook to get the paper to the Comte without delay, Fouche, quietly and without attracting attention, stepped aside and quickly disappeared down the corri- dor. The Marchioness said in a loud voice: " M. de Brigode, will you have the goodness to request the Emperor's permission for me to retire, or ask him if he wishes me to remain within call." " The Emperor wishes to speak with you," Napoleon himself replied. " Sire, I am at your orders," Catharine responded 4 8 9 rather startled at the unexpected voice of the Emperor whom she believed to be in his cabinet. " You understand this time, I hope," said Napoleon to Savary as the Emperor and minister parted at the door and the Marchioness passed through the cabinet. Don't make your usual mistakes. Go ! " "Sire, a grave shall be dug in the forest and within three hours, that is at sunrise, the culprit shall be buried and no mark left to indicate where he lies," the Duke of Rovigo answered saluting and withdrawing. " Now we two, said the Emperor dryly as he closed the door behind Catharine and looked at her in his earnest manner, " or rather I should say we three, for Madame de Montebello will join us, we can talk by our- selves." The Lady of Honor was sobbing in the fauteuil, her face buried in her hands, the picture of despair and lost hope. Napoleon seating himself so he could watch every change of expression on the part of the ladies, rapidly interrogated them in his own imperative way. He asked one question after another with confusing rapidity, striving to detect them in a misstatement or trap them in an avowal or disclosure. Madame de Montebello had introduced Neipperg to the Palace and was conducting him to the Empress's apartments ; Marchioness Lefebvre had talked with Neipperg, for during his stay in France the comte had frequently visited at Lefebvre's home, in fact, there had been rumor of an intrigue between Catharine and the Comte. Napoleon used every argument, brought up every incident he could recall to unearth the secret he believed existed yet feared to learn, but uncertainty was torture and the dread of the truth was almost equalled by the anguish of doubt. The torments of his mind were killing, the thoughts of Marie Louise having de- ceived him, of leaving him, caused that poignant suffer- ing to which only such an imaginative brain is liable. 49 And yet he continued with the tenacity of an inquisitor to press question after question upon the ladies, fixing his eyes intently on them as though he would read their secret thoughts from the expression of their faces. " Then you think, Duchess, that I am the victim of a delusion in thus suspecting the presence of M. de Neip- perg here at night ?" said the Emperor in a somewhat less irritated tone. " You really believe that Madame de Montebello has spoken the truth when she stated that her errand was to deliver to M. de Neipperg a con- fidential letter intended for my father-in-law ? " " Sire, I am convinced it is the truth, nothing but the truth," replied Catharine. " I wish I could believe it were true," Napoleon murmured. " But, sire, you have the means of verifying the state- ment of Madame de Montebello." "Tell me the means." " Her Majesty the Empress is sleeping. She knows nothing of what has happened in the palace." " Nothing! Secrecy and silence have been kept, and I posted sentinels around her door so none might approach either her or her ladies." "Very well, sire; assume that you have discovered nothing and permit Madame de Montebello to terminate her errand under your own eyes, then you can determine the truth or falsity of her statement." "Really, Duchess, you have good ideas and I will test it as you suggest. Only," he continued, seizing Madame de Montebello by the arm, clutching it fiercely, " you want to be very careful that you do not try any double game, madame. Not one word, not a gesture that would warn the Empress. Go! I shall watch you ! " At the Emperor's order the Lady of Honor was permitted to pass the sentinels and enter the apartment of the Empress; her limbs were trembling, her heart was racked with fear, for she was not conscious that 49 1 Marie Louise had been warned by hearing the loud voice of Lefebvre addressing the guards and directing that any letter coming from the Empress and addressed to the Emperor of Austria should be taken at once to Napoleon. Napoleon, his mind feverish and his hands clasping impulsively, stood with his arm resting on the back of a chair, his eyes staring towards Marie Louise's bedroom, where Madame de Montebello had entered and was then saying to the Empress, in a sufficiently loud voice for Napoleon to overhear: " Madame, M. de Neipperg, who sends me for the reply you promised him, is in the ante-chamber waiting. What shall I tell him ? " The Empress started as one aroused from sleep, stretched her arms and reaching to a table standing be- side her bed, she took a sealed letter and handed it to Madame de Montebello, saying: ' Here is my reply. Present my compliments to M. de Neipperg and excuse me to him because I am so sleepy." The Lady of Honor hastily withdrew and handed the letter to Napoleon. " My dear Louise," he exclaimed, "she does love me." " Then speaking to the two ladies he added: " You are right, ladies, not one word that would alarm a jealous husband, nothing but politics. A word only of M. de Neipperg, my dear Louise asks her father to select another messenger hereafter as the presence of the Comte at my Court is not acceptable and is commented upon by the papers. Ah, Duchess, I am indeed happy," and Napoleon's joyous voice verified his words. " Now, sire, that your fears are allayed," said Catha- rine as Napoleon playfully pinched her cheek, " I hope you will countermand your orders for a court-martial to try M. de Neipperg." " Yes, if he will leave at once and follow the advice of 49* ' the Empress, if he will get out of France. And yet, he is evidently the victim of my father-in-law's desire to know whether I make his daughter happy. Well, you go and see M. de Neipperg." And the Emperor forgot his suspicions, the smile re- turned to his lips, his anger disappeared. He called M. de Remusat. " Take M. de Neipperg's sword, it is on my desk and carry it to him. Advise him to make better use of it hereafter." " And what further ? " " Conduct M. de Neipperg to his carriage and wish him bon voyage. M. de Neipperg is free." " M. de Neipperg is dead ! " said a voice behind the Chamberlain. It was Savary who had entered, accom- panied by his aides and officers. "Dead! You have already shot him?" exclaimed the Emperor. "Why such haste? You were directed to wait until daybreak ? " " Sire, that was my intention, but M. de Neipperg tried to escape. He got out through the window but for- tunately a guard was posted there. A carriage was awaiting him near by and the guards seized him and drove to the place of execution in the forest where he was shot. The Duke d'Otranto was there " " Entirely by chance, Your Majesty," said Fouche. "The Duke will assure Your Majesty that everything occurred as I have had the honor to report." "You have made a sad mistake," said the Emperor. " I was about to release M. de Neipperg; he came here, I know now, as a courier simply. Is that not so, Fouche ? " " It is, Your Majesty. If I had had the honor to have been yet Minister of Police, I should have believed an error had been made, that the Emperor had been mis- informed " " It is regretable you were not Minister," Napoleon interrupted. 493 " Sire, pardon me, because I acted as though I were." replied Fouche. "How so?" "Convinced there had been a mistake made and that Your Majesty would be persuaded of the innocence of all the parties involved and would regret that in a moment of anger you had shown no mercy to M. de Neip- perg, I took it upon myself to give the officers an order they are all men I know and can trust I ordered them to turn their back on the forest so soon as they had M. de Neipperg in the carriage, and start him on the road for Soissons that is what I did as though I were yet Minister of Police." "You have done well !" cried the Emperor, delighted at this solution of the dilemma. " The officers obeyed me, sire, so well that M. de Neip- perg is not dead, as has been stated to Your Majesty by the Duke of Rovigo, who is not always exact in his information, but he is galloping towards Soissons where he will arrive after breakfast." " My compliments, Duke, you are a valuable agent. You have understood me where no one else could. But tell me, how did you know I would pardon the man ?" " Well, sire, after having talked with the Duchess of Danzig " " But suppose I had persisted in my determination, you then would have been assisting a State prisoner to escape, and that is a serious offense." " Sire, I sent officers on in advance, who are now wait- ing at Soissons to hear from me by courier before they permit M. de Neipperg to continue his journey." "You are the devil, you provide for everything," the Emperor murmured, all his good humor displaying itself and stepping to the side of the Marchioness, he continued : " I believe it is time, Duchess, that you should re- 494 turn to your husband; as for me, I shall join the Em- press and assure her that her letter left for Vienna." Marshal Lefebvre agitated and showing evidences of his grief entered the room and saluting Napoleon asked for his orders for the court-martial. " The Emperor has pardoned him," cried Catharine, " and he'll never ask us again to be divorced." " Bravo, and thanks, sire ! " said the Marshal. " Lefebvre, when a man has a wife like that he should take good care of her," the Emperor said, squeezing the arm of the Duchess. Happy in the confidence that Marie Louise had not forgotten her vows, pleased at having pardoned and satisfied that Neipperg, thanks to Fouche, had escaped the bullets of Savary, Napoleon seizing Catharine around the waist embraced her ardently to the great surprise of the officers, and said: " Good night, Madame Sans-Gene ! " And his heart filled with joy, he entered the bed- chamber of Marie Louise. THE END. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 775 627 3