The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-05-05
Josephine was in a state of terrible agta.

Josephine was in a state Of terrible agita-
ton. Her limbs toticred and her heart
throtbed most violently. Assisted by Eu-
gene, and accompanied by Hortense, ,he
trembingly ascended the stairs 10 the little
parlor where she had often received the carr
esses oi her most afleciionste spouse. She
opened the door. There stood Napoleon as
immovable ms a statue, leaning against the
mantle, with his arms folded across his
breast. Siernly and silently, he cast
withering look upon Josephine, and then
exclaimed in tones which like daggers pier
ced her heart, Madame it is my wish
that you retire Immediately to Malmaison'
Josephine staggered and would have fallen
as If struck by mortal blow, had she not
been caught in the arms Of her son. Sob
bng bitterly with anguish, she was convey
ed by Eugene 10 her own apartment. Ma
poeon was also droadfully agitated. The
sight of Josephine had revived all his pas
sionate love. But lie fully believed that
Josephine had ,unpardonably trifled with hs
affections, that she had courted the admira-
ton Of multitude of flaItcrors, and that she
had degraded herself and her husband by
playing the coquette. The proud spirit Of
NAPOLEON could not brook such q requiial
for his fervid love. With hasty strides he
traversed the room, striving to nourish his
Indignation. The sobs Of josephine had
deeply moved him. lie ycarned to fold her
again in fond love TO his heart. But he
proudly resolved that he would not relent
Josephine, with tla, prompt obedience which
ever characterized her, prepared immedi'
ately 10 comply with his orders. Ii was
midnight. For week she had lived in her
carriage almost wilhou, food or sleep. NAL
maison was thirty miles from Paris. Napo-
leon did not suppose that she would leave
the house until morning. Much TO his sur-
prise, in few moments he heard josephine,
Eugene and llortcnse descending the stairs
10 take the carriage. Napoleon, even in his
anger, could not be thus inhuman. My
heait." said he, "was never formed to wIt-
ness tears without emotion" lie immedi-
ately descended TO tho courtyard. though his
pride would not yet allow him to speak to
Josephine. He, however, addressing Eu'
gene, urged the party 10 return and obtain
rcfreshment and repose. Josephine, all
submission, unhesiatiugly yielded to hi.
wishes, and re-ascended the stairs, in the
extremity OF exhaustion and grief, and threw
herself upon cough, ir her apartment
Napoleon, equally wretched, returned TO his
cabinet. Two days of utter misery passed
away, during which no intercourse took
place between The estranged parties, each oi
| whom loved the other with almost supeIhu'
man intensity.
Love in the heart wilpfnally triumph o.
vcr all distractions. The struggle was LONG
but graduaIy pride and passion yielded anc
love reeained Tire ascendency. Napoleon sc
| far Aprrcndcred oD The third day as 10 enter
the apartment Of Josephine. She was seat
ed at tolct,tablc, her face buried in bel
hanGs, and absorbed in the profoundest woe
The letters, which she had received from
Napoleon, and which she had evidently beer
reading, were spread upon the table. Hor'
tense, the picture Of griof and despair, was
standing in the alcove of a window. Napo'
leon had opened the door softly, and his en-
trance had not been heard. With an irres
olute step he advanced toward his wife, and
then said, kindly ard sadly, Josephine J.
She started al ihe sound of that well known
voice, and raising her swollen eyes, swim
ming in tears, mournfully exclaimed, "Mon
ami my friend. This was the term o.
endearmcnt with which she had invariably
addressed her husband. 1t recalled thou
sand delightful "reminiscences. Napoleon wa'
yanauished lie extended his hand. Jose
phine threw herself into his arms, pillowct
her aching head upon hi, bosom, and in the
intensity of blended joy and anguish, wep
convulsively. A long explanation ensued
| Napoleon became satisfied that Josephine
had been deeply wronged. The reconcile
alton was cordial and entire, and was never
again interrupted.