, 1842-11-12

was Impossible. His mind was clos
ed with one thought-that she might
close her eyes forever, ere they rest
ed on a o she had loved so fondly."
"DId she dieg" asked Josephine,
with interest.
"No, madame," replied Henriette;
"she at last recovered. But hardly
had Louis received her blessing, and
been folded to her arms, ere he was
torn from her grasp by the officers of
Justice, and dragged hitler. Oh!
must he die? Mercy, sire, l beseech
you"
"Mademoise!lc," said Napoleon,
apparently softened, "this was the
second offence; name the frst-you
omitted that"
at was" said Henrietta, h%esitating
and coloring-'it was-that he heard
was to marry Conrad Ferrant, whom
| detest as he does," added Henrietta,
with naiUete.
"Are You his sister, that he feels
such an interest in your fateY' asked
the Emperor.
"Oh! no, sire!' said Henriette. her
lovely cheek assuming still deeper the
hue OF the rose; 81 am only his cou-
SIM"
"Ah! only his cousin," said Napole-
on. glancing at Josephine, with a half
suppressed smile.
"Oh! sire!' cried H%enriette, "recol-
lect the anguish of his widowed moth
err, when she reflects that the atiec-
ton Of her son for her is the cause of
his death! "What," she continued,
scan ! do to save him?' and the poor
girl, forgetting the presence Of royal
ty, burst into tears.
The kind hearted Josephine glanc-
ed at the Emperor, with eyes ex.
pressive Of sympathy and pity; she
noticed the workings Of his face, and
felt at once that it was very uncer-
tain whether Louis Dellmarre was to
be shot the next morning.
Napoleon approached the weeping
girl-she hastily looked UP, and dried
her tears. "Mademoiselle," said he,
"wouId you give your life for his9
Would you die, could Louis Delmarre
be restored to life, liberty, and his
mother?"
Henriette started back, deadly pale;
looked fxedly at the Emperor for a
moment; then turning away, she bu-
ried her face in her hands. After a
silence OF some moments, Henrietta
looked up-an air Of fixed determine
ton rested on her iace--''I am will
ing," said she, in a very low, calm
voice.
Napoleon looked at her in surprise,
as if he had not anticipated SO ready
an answer to his proposal: 81 will
see you again." said he; sin the mean
time, accept such apartments for your
accommodation as | shall Direct"
As soon as the door closed on the
fair petitioner, Napoleon walked to
the window against which Josephine
was leaning, and said: 81 see how it
is; Louis Delmarre, is the lover Of
this young girl. True to woman's
nature, she has braved difficulty and
danger TO beg for his release"
"How strong must be the love she
feels for him. said the Empress.
"Ah," said he, 81 have a mind to
subject this same love to a severe
test. Much | doubt whether she will
give her life for him. Nevertheless,
| will see."
"Surely,n exclaimed the Empress,
you are not serious. Louis certainly
can be pardoned without the death Of
Henrietta"
Napoleon drew her nearer the win
dow, and conversed in a low voice.
4 y .
Henriette stood alone in a magnifi-
cent apartment. Hours had passed
unobserved, so intensely was she alb
sorbed in reverie. A small folded
paper was tightly grasped in one
small hand; on it were traced these
words:
ga deserter is condemned by the
laws of The army to suffer death. If
YOU wish Louis Delmarre restored TO
liberty, the means are'in your power.
Ere day dawns, he may be on his
way to his mother, whom he SO much
loves"
"Ah," murmured Henriette "do ]
not love him too?" Pressing her
hands upon her heart, as if to still It's
tumultuous beatings, she paced the a.
partment. The door opened, and
De Merville entered. He paused
ere he articulated, "Mademoiselle."
81 am ready" replied the iigh-soul.
ed Henrie,te, smy decision is made"
nm ~rN