Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-09-15
Napoleon and Masked Rails

Great as was Napoleon's repugnance to
masked balls, he was induced to attend one of
them when, for the first and last time in his
imperial life, he is said to have participated
in the dance. He had ordered ten different
dresses to be taken to the apartment designed
for him, but in each disguise he was detected
Several of his marshals often amused them
selves with good laugh at his utter failure
in his attempt to unplay the emperor.
DO you know, said Napoleon, when raj
lied on the subject, that was regularly dis
covered by jeune dame, who seemed to be an
accomplished intriguant and yet. would you
believe it, with all my efforts, | could not rec
Ognize the flirt.
Josephine was present during this conversa-
ton, and unable to restrain herself any longer,
fell to laughing immoderately. Thus the dis
covery at last came out that she had been the
jeu1e dame herself
During the carnival of that winter, the
masked balls at the opera were frequented
by all the upper classes, and were particularly
amusing. Josephine, was very anxious to
have Napoleon see one, but he would not 60
Then l shall go without you, mon ami,
replied the Empress.
Do as you like was the response, as the
Emperor rose from the breakfast table.
AT the appointed time, Josephine left for
the ball but the very moment she had set out,
her husband sent for one Of the fcmmes de
chambres to learn exactly how she was dressed.
With game to play, the Emperor resolved
to do his part well so, with Duruc. another
officer, and his own favorite valet, all COM
pletely masked, he entered carriage, and
arm-in-arm entered the ballroom. Napoleon
was that night to have the name of Auguste,
Duroc was to be Francois, &C. They made
the tour Of the apartments, and not person
resembling Josephine was visible. He was
about leaving, when mask approached, and
rallied him with so much w.t. that he had to
stop for reply; but he was somewhat en-
barrassed, which, being perceived by the
mask, harder repartees fell thick and fast
The crowd mingled in the giddy and electric
movements Of the bal masque, but at every
turn this mask whispered low in his ear
state secret Of little importance in ITSELF but
startling to Napoleon. At length, he ex-
claimed, after one Of those whispers
Comment didJle! Who are you!'
And thus he was tormented for nearly an
hour, till he could endure it no longer, when
he withdrew in disdain and disgust. When
he entered the palace that night, he learned
that Josephine had some time before retired
to her room. AS they met the next morning,
Napoleon said
So you were not at the ball last night1'
Indeed was
But / assure you | was there
And you, mon ami, with half-suppressed
smile she continued, What were you about
all the eveningl'
81 was in my cabinet, said Napoleon.
Oh, Auguste !! replied the Empress, with
an arch-gesture.
The whole secret was OUT Josephine had
donned costume, of which her femme de
chdnbre knew nothing, and Napoleon enjoyed
and repeated the joke thousand times 1t
were all in vain to hope that her husband, in
any costume, could move without having his
identity Immediately detected by woman Of
such keen perceptions as Josephine.