Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-02-25


in his private cabinet, and he would steal il
an ever welcome intruder upon the Sc
crecy of her boudoir. Now, reserve and re-
straint marked every word and movement
The private access between their apartments
was closed. Napoleon no longer entered her
boudoir, but when he wished to speak to her,
respectfully knocking at the door, would wait
her approach. Whenever Josephine heard
the sound of his approaching footsteps, the
fear that he was coming with the terrible an
nouncement Of separation, Immediately caused
such violent papitations of her heart, that 1t
was with the utmost difficulty she could totter
across the floor, even when supporting her
self by leaning against the walls, and catching
at the articles of furniture. They had many
private interviews, before Napoleon ventured
to announce directly his determination, in
which he limited at the necessity Of the meas
ure. From all these interviews Josephine re-
turned with her eyes SO swollen with weep
ing, as to give her attendants the erroneous
impression that personal violence was used to
compel her TO consent.
He accomplished his resel Ition, - said Jo-
sephine, q with a cruelty of which no idea can
be formed.'' 1t was, however, the cruelty
of the Iaceration Of her heart and the crush
ing of all her hopes. In what stupor, in
what uncertainty, more cruel than death, did
| live during these discussions, until the fatal
day in which he avowed the resolution which
had so long read in his countenance."
The fatal day for the announcement at
length arrived. Josephine appears to have
had some presentiment that her doom was
sealed, for all the day she had been in her pri-
waite apartment, weeping bitterly. As the din
ner hour approached, TO conceal her weeping
and swollen eyes she wore a head dress with
a deep front, which shaded the whole of the
upper part Of her face. They dined alone.
Napoleon entered the room in the deepest en-
barrassment. lie uttered not word, bat me-
chemically struck the edge of his glass with
his knife, as if to divert his thoughts. Jo-
scphine could not conceal the c0nvulsive agi-
tatiors Of her frame. They sat during the
whole meal in silence. The various courses
were brought in, and removed untouched by
either. Says Josephine, " We dined together
as usual. | struggled with my tears. which,
Notwithstanding every effort, overlooked from
my eyes; l uttered not single word during
that solitary meal; and he broke silence but
once, TO ask an attendant about the weather
Ny sunshine, saw had passed away; the
storm burst quickly" Immediately after this
sorrowful rcpast, Napoleon requested the at
tendauts to leave the room. The Emperor,
closing the door after them with his own
hand, approached Josephine, who was trem-
bling in every nerve. The struggle in the
soul Of Napoleon was fearful. His whole
frame tram5led. His countcnancc assumed
the expression of the firm resolve which
ncrvcd him to this objectionable wrong. He
took the hand Of the Empress, pressed it to
his heart, gazed for 4 moment, speechless,
upon those features which had won his youth
ful love; and then, with a Voice tremulous
with the storm which shook both soul and
body, said - Josephine, my good Josephine,
you know how have loved you; it is to you,
to ven aIo~c, that ! owe the few moments of
happiness l have known in the world. Jo
sephine, my destiny is more powerful than
my will. My dearest affections must yield
to the interests of France"
Say no more" exclaimed the Empress,
in mortal anguish; Il expected this. I'M
derstand and feel for you; but the stroke Is
not the less mortal and with a piercing
shrek she fcll Hlclsss upon the floor.
Napoleon hastily opened the door, and call
ed for help. His physician, DIR. Corvisart
was at hand, and entering with other attend
ants, they raised the unconscious Josephine
from the floor; who in a delirium of agony
was excaming, - Oh no, you cannot, you
cannot do it. You would not kill me" Ma
poleon supported the limbs of Josephine,
while another bore her body, and thus they
conveyed her to her bedroom. Placing the
tiuSeuSible Empress upon the bed, Napoleon
again dismissed the attendants and rang for
\ her women, who on entering found him bend
/ luE over her lifeless form. with an expression
ofthc deepest anxiety and anguish. Napoleon
/ slept not that night, but paced his room in ST.
lcnce and solitude, probably dashed by an a
yenginE conscience. lie frequently, during
the night returned to Josephiue's room to
inquire concerning her situation; but each
I time, the sound of his voice and his footstep
almost threw the asouized Empress into con-
yulsions. mo, No" says Josephine, -
cannot describe the horror of my situation
during that night, Even the interest which
k affected to take in my suiferiugs, seemed
70 me additional cruelty. Q my God how
justly had reason TO dread becoming an
/ Empress