Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-07-13
leon, apart by himself, leaned against a pillar,


folded his arms upon his breast, and in perfect
silence, apparently lost in gloomy thought,
remained motionless as statue. A circular
table was placed in the centre Of the apart.
ment, and upon this there was writing ap..
paratus of gold. A vacant armchair stood
before the table. Never did multitude gaze
ubon the scafold, the block, or the guillotine,
with more awe than the assembled lords and
ladies in this gorgeous saloon contemplated
these instruments of more dreadful eXecu-
ton.
At length the mournful silence was inter-
rupted by the opening of side door, and the
entrance Of Josephine. The pallor of death
was upon her brow, and the submission of
despair nerved her into temporary calmness.
She was leaning upon the arm of Hortense,
who, not possessing the fortitude of her moth
er, was entirely unable to control her feelings,
but Immediately upon entering the room,
burst into tears, and continued sobbing most
convulsively. The whole assembly rose upon
the entrance of Josephine; all were moved to
tears. With that grace which ever distin.
guished her movements, she advanced silently
to the seat provided for her. Sitting down,
and leaning her forehead upon her hand, she
listened to the readiag Of the act of SEPARATE
Nothing disturbed the silenc, y. scene
but the sobbings of Hortense, blending with
the mournful tones of the readers voice.
Eugene, in the meantime, had taken a posi-
ton by his mothers side. Silent tears were
trickling down the cheeks of the Empress.
AS soon as the reading of the act of sepa-
ration was finished, Josephine for moment
pressed her handkerchief to her weeping eyes,
aud then rising, in clear and musical, but
tremulous tones, pronounced the oaths of ac-
ceptance. She then sat down. took the pen
and affixed her signature to the deed which
sundered the dearest hopes and the fondest
ties which human hearts can feel. Poor Eu-
gene could endure this language no longer.
His brain reeled, his heart ceased to beat, and
he fell lifeless upon the floor. Josephine and
Hortense retired with the attendants, who
bore out the insensible form of the affection
ate son and brother. 1t was fitting termi-
nation of this mournful but sublime tragedy.
But the anguish of the day was not yet over.
Josephine, half delirious with grief, had an
other scene still more'painful to pass through,
in taking final adieu of him who had been
her husband. Josephine remained in her
chamber in heart-rendng, speechless grief un-
til the hour in which Napoleon usually retired
for the night The Emperor, restless and
wrctched, had Just placed himself in the bed
from which he had elected his most faithful
and devoted wife, and the attendant was on
the point of leaving the room when the private
door Of his apartment was slowly opened, and
Josephine tremblingly entered. Her eyes
were swollen with grief; her hair dishevelled,
and she appeared in all the dishabille Of un-
uterable anguish. She tottered into he mid.
die of the room, and approached the bed-then
irresolutely stopping, she burst into food of
tears. A feeling of delicacy seemed for a
.moment oshGaer arrested her -s1rps@I CONF
sciousness that no,o she had no right to enter
the chamber of Napoleon-but in another
moment all the pentup love of her heart burst
forth, and forgetting everything, she threw
herself upon the bed, clasped her arms around
Napoleon's neck, and exclaiming, "My hus.
band my husband!" sobbed as though her
heart were breaking. The imperial spirit of
Napoleon was for the moment entirely van
quished, and he also wept almost convulsively.
He assured Josephine of his love, of ardent
and undyipg love. In every way he tried to
soothe and comfort her, and for some time
they remained lOCkeu IN cacn OtnerS emOracc.
Tie attendant was dismissed, and for an hour
they continued in this last private interview.
Josephine, then in the experience of an an.
guish which few hearts have ever known,
parted from the husband whom she had so
long, so fondly, and so faithfully loved.
The beautiful palace of Malmaison, which
Napoleon had embellished with every possible
attraction, aud where the Emperor and En-
press had passed many of their rhappiest hours,
was assigned to Josephine for the future resi-
dence. Napoleon also settled upon her 81
jointure of about six hundred thousand dollars
a year. She was also still to retain the title
and the rank of Empress Queen.
The ensuing day, at eleven o'clock, all the
household of the Tuilleries were assembled
upon the grand staircase, and in the vestibule,
to witness the departure of their beloved mis-.
: tress from scenes where she had so long been
the brightest ornament. Josephine descen.
ded, yelled from head to foot. Her emotions
were too deep for utterance; and she waived
an adieu to the affectionate and weeping
friends whosurrounded her. A close carriage,
with six horses, was before the door. She
entered it, sank back upon the cushions, bu-
ried her face in her handkerchief, and left the
Tuilleries forever.