Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-10-03
The Young Countess waieski.

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Lamartine's History of the Consulate
and Empire touches upon this private
passage in the life of Napoleon:
But while victory and Indifference
thcs removed from MIN the wife which
policy had given him, but which Empire
could not attach 10 him. adversely brough,
back TO him at Fontainbleaua young and
beautiful foreigner, whose love neither
defeat nor exile could extinguisil. A.
mong the numerous and fugitive objects
OF his eapricious and illegitimate attach,
ments, Napoleon had loved once perhaps
with tender and durable passion. Al
the summit of his success am. glory, al
tele at Warsaw, the beauty Of young
Polish lady. intoxicated with enihusias N
for bis name, had made lively lmpres,
sion on him. She was the Young wife
ct noble Sarmatian already advanced
in years. She shone for The first time.
amid the pomps of court. She adored
III Napoleon-as what Pole then did not!
genius, victory. and the fallacious hope
of The Independence of her country.
Her countenance heamed with the ad,
oration she internslly lelt. Napoleon
saw her, understood her, loved her
Long resistance. violent struggles be.
tween passion and duty, and tears fan
ned the flame into a passion. The EN-
peror carried off the Countess Waleski
from her husband, from her country -
lle.conveyed her 10 his camps and 10
his conquered capitals. A son was born.
the result of this attachment. A hand
some residence at Paris, often visited a,
night by Napoleon. concealed from public
view the even impassioned mother OF
this child
Adversely rendered her fault almost
sacred, and his love more dear 10 her.
She wished, by devoliug herself to the
exile, 10 atone for her weakness for the
conqneror of Europe. She wrote to
Napoleon TO ask an interview, aud 10
offer 10 accompany him wherever mis-
fortune might lead him. He consented
To The interview, and the last night bni
one which preceded the departure of the
Emperor Tor Fontainbleau, the young
wiie introduced by back staircase into
the room adjoining the bedroom of her
lover. The confidential valet announ
ced 10 his master the arrival OF her
whom he had consented 10 receive. Ma
poleon was plunged in that kind of drea.
my stupor which had overcome him
since his fall. He swered that he
would shortly call her who, on his ac-
count, had braved modesty and advers.
~. The young lady, in tears, waited
IN vain the greater part of The night
He called not. She heard him, never
iheless, walking in his room. The at
tendant again reminded his master of
the visitor. .Wait little longer" said
the Emperor. AT length the night hav.
ing passed away, and day beginning to
dawn, there was some danger of the Sc
crei interview being revealed; when the
young woman. repalsed, detected, and
offended, was reconducied In tears, 10
her carriage by The confidential witness
OF her last adieu. Whether il was that
Napoleon had lost all sense of feeling
in the agitation of his mind, or that he
was ashamed TO appear as the cas,,Gown
captive before her who had loved him
as the victor aud sovereign of Europe,
ne evidently had no compassion for her
devotion. When the confidential ser
antentered his chamber in the morning.
and describing the hopes. the fears. ana
shame OF the Countess Waieski. .Ahr'
said he. at is humilialing far her as well
as myself; bui the hours passed without
my being aware OF them had some
thing here" he added, touching his fore
head with his finger. Despair, which
snl,ens the hearts OF other men, render
ed his hard and frigd.