Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-01-31


so much. Nearly all my cannon were
loaded only with powder. / WANTED to
give little lesson to the Parisians. The
whole affair was nothing but the impress
of my seal on France. Such skirmishes
are only the vespers Of my fame"
Josephine felt irritated, excited by the
coldness with which Napoleon spoke of
the slaughter of that day; and her eyes,
otherwise so full of gentleness, were now,
animated with flashes of anger.
"Oh," cried she, if you must only
purchase fame at such price / would
sooner you were one of the victims 4"
Bonaparte looked at her with astonish-
ment, but as he perceived her flushed
cheeks and flashing eyes, the sight of
her grace and beauty ravished him, and
a soft, pleasant smile suddenly illumined
his countenance. He answered her vio-
lent attack by high pleasantly, and
with gladsome unaffectedness he gave to
the conversation another turn. The
small, pale, gloomy general was at once
changed into young, impassioned, ami
able cavalier, whose countenance grew
beautiful under the sparkling intelligence
| which animated it, and whose enchanting
eloquence made his conversation attrac-
tive and lively, carrying with it the con-
viction of superior mind
After the visitors who met that morn
ing in Josephine's drawing-room had
departed, the general still remained,
Notwithstanding the astonished and ques-
tioning looks of the viscountess, paying
no attention to her remarks about the
fine weather, or her intention to enjoy a
promenade.
With rapid steps and hands folded be-
hind his back he paced few times to
and fro the room; then, standing before
Josephine, he fixed on her face search
ing look.
Madame" said he, suddenly, with a
kind of rough tone, have a PROPOSE
ton to make: give me your hand. Be
my wife?"
/ Josephine looked at him, halfaston-
ished, halfirritated. "Is it joke you
are indulging in ?" said she.
speak in all earnestness," said Bo-
naparte, warmly "Will you do me the
honor of giving me your hand?"
The gravity which Bonaparte spoke,
the deep earnestness imprinted on his
features, convinced Josephine that the
general would not condescend to indulge
in joke of so unseemly character, and
a lovely blush overspread the face of the
viscountess.
"Sir," said she, "who knows if / might
not be inclined to accept your distin'
guished offer, if, unfortunately, fate stood
not in the way of your wishes ?"
Fate?' said Bonaparte, with anima
J ton.
eyes, fate! my general" repeated
Josephine, smiling. But let us speak
no more of this. 1t is enough that fate
forbids me to be the wife of Genera
Bonaparte. l can say no more, for you
would laugh at me"
"But you would laugh at me if yol
could turn me away with SO vague al
answer" cried Bonaparte with vivacity
al pray you explain the meaning of you
words"
: "Well, then, general, cannot be YOU
} wife, for am destined to be Queen o
France yes, perhaps more than queen!' 7
1t was now Bonaparte's turn to appea
+ astonished and irritated, and, using he
own words, he said, struggling his shoul
: ders, Madame, is it joke you are in
e dulging in?"
"Ispeak in all earnestness," said Jose
e phine, shaking her head Listen, then
a negro in Martinique foretold my fol
f tune, and as her oracular words hav'
$ thus far all been fulfilled, must con
e clude that the rest of her prophecies con
: cerning me will be realized"
e "And what has she prophesied t
t you ? asked Bonaparte, eagerly.
r "She has told me: You will one da
h be queen of France; you will be stil
d more than queen!"
/. The general was silent. He had rt
= manned standing, but now slowly pace
e the room few times, his hands folde
t on his back, and his head inclined on hi
+ breast. Then again he stood before tn
e viscountess, and his eyes rested upon he
n with wondrous bright and genial e,
S preston.
e "I bid defiance of fate" said he, SOM
e what solemnly. "This prophesy do,
s not frighten me away, and, in defiance {
o your prophetic negro woman, /, the r
e publican general, address my prayer
the future queen of France be my wife
Z give me your hand"