The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-20
Pauline drew timidly back, and tried to
4 Al f.,,,n.


and complimentary things that ever ieI
from mortal lips, at once noticed the dll
ference between the characters OF tn
children; and bcekoning to Pauline, n
said with love smile
"Ah, my pretty one, how fresh ard IN
nocent YOU are. What is the news iron
heaven |"
The child understood tho compliment
blushed scarlet, and again shrunk behin'
the farmer.
"And YOU my caglet," said the Empe
ror, gazing into Camillc's luminous eyes
show dare YOU rob the sky OF its bright
est stars! >
Camille blushcd also; but It was 60
qucttish blush, and she did not try to hid,
It, but gave the Emperor n grateful and
admiring look.
"Well, my brave comrade," said Ma
polcon, turning to the farmer, "what is t.
be done with these little fairies. W.
cannot leave themto wander here. Here
| have it; you know who ! am; and yo'
see that man standing by your side
Now, YOU may choose one of us for YOU
guardian. Ifyou choose me-" said tho
Emperor. playfully initiating one pleading
for a favor, "you shall wear dresses made
of such stuff as this" (pointing TO th'
costly robe OF the Empress.) "And wher
arrived at womanhood, you shall marry
a marshal ofthe Empire, and live in pal
aces. And for that good man there, he
will bring YOU up virtuously and find YOU
honest husbands among his neighbor'
sons. Now which will you choose 3
Speak; for as YOU decide, so shall it be-
"Oh, sire, | will choose you," said
Camille, bounding forward and knceling
BY the side ofthc carriage. Then rails
ing her fearful eyes, and glancing alter
nately at the Emperor and Empress, she
said, "Oh, am so happy. l can ask
nothing more than to have such a hero
and such an angel rs my guardians.
Maria Louise smiled at this double
complement and seemed well pleased
though she said nothing. Napoleon only
smiled, and made a sign to on of the
footmcn, who lcaped to the ground and
opened the carriage door.
"Comc into the carriage" said Napole'
on to Camille; and like young leopard.
ess she bounded to the feet of the En-
press, where she remained, although the
latter motioncd her to take q seat beside
her.
"Well, mademoisellc," said Napoleon,
with playful and gallant air TO Pauline,
tive wait your decision"
~ will stay with this good man, said
Pauline, clinging to lIndelt.
AT this unexpected decision, the En-.
peror uttered an exclamation of astonish.
mcnt, the Empress looked displcased, and
poor Hudcit, fearing it might bring his
masters displcasurc upon him, was toe
much frightened to appreciate the com,
plimcnt the child paid him.
"Do You know what YOU arc saying,
said Napoleon kindly. "Are YOU afraid
of me! shall love You, and You shall
play with the King of Rome. Think
again; and remember that You will be
separated from your cousin, il You do not
90 with MS"
~ will stay with good Hudelt," said
Pauline firmly" and | wish Camille
would come, for | do not like to have
her separated from me-"
Napoleon, probably more for the pur.
pose Of asccrtaining the workings of the
child's mind than any intention otinfuenc.
ing her to change her decision, again re.
sumed,
"But just think Of the difference be-
tween IIudclt and myself. | am power
ful and can make You queen if ! like,
while the most he can do is TO marry you
to n peasant
"My mother told me-" said Pauline,
with deep emotion, "whcn she was on her
death bed, to trust more to the good and
honest than to the rich and great. She
said it was sometimes safer to have the
humble for protectors, because they
might fall and crush us in their ruin"
The blaze of Napolcon's eyes would
have qucnched the eagles gaze, us he
leaned over the side of the carriage, and
said, ...
"Your mother was wise, and you do
well to obey her teachings. What was
her name!
"Leti,ic d'Ilarcrout."
"Thc wife of Colonel d'lIarcrout, who
fell at iona 7"
AYES, sire, Colonel dIIarcrout was my
ia her." said Pauline, wiping the big
tears from her checks.
ale was very good friend Of minr,
and SO was your mother. Did Your
mother never speak Of mcr
AYES, sire, she did often speak Of you,
and she loved You very much, until
until"
until wheni" said Napoleon quickly,
and with a piercing look. Speak child;
| shall not be offended"
Being thus commanded, Pauline said,
rs she shrank behind the farmer,
Until you sent Josephine away"
Poor lludelt uttered cry of terror,
and nearly fell to the ground. The En-
press started, and her face flushed with
anger. The position sat as still as tho
they had neither eyes nor ears. For an
instant Napolcon's face was as white as
marble, and the next moment it was rigid
and motionless. He knew that every
word spoken on that occasion would be
rctaied through the circles Of Paris, and
he was determined that the egossip should
reflect no discredit upon him. Smiling
upon Pauline he said ~
"iour mother was wise and good
woman, would that France had many like
her; but she could not understand the
necessities which the interests Of the
State imposed upon me and Josephine.
Your mother has left You her sweetness
and wisdom-a valuable inheritance
In selecting your guardian you have not
,hnsan halls, M,, l,r,,. II,,Jolt ,v;lI L.,