The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-31

HIS FIRST INTERVIEW WITH JosEPHrNB-HIs AT
TBNTION AS A sUIroR.

TkNTlON AS A
Miss Muhlhach's empress Josephine con-
tains the following fsncful but interesting ac-
count of the cOnrtship of Napoleon and jose
phine: ~. -.
Josephine was not alone when Bonaparte was
announced /; and when the servant named him she
could not repress an inward fear, without knowing
why she was afraid. Her friends, who noticed her
tremor and blush, laughed estingy at the timidity
which made her tremble at the name OF the con
qneror Of Paris, and this was perhaps the reason
why Josephine received Gen. Bonaparte with less
complacency than she generally showed to her
suitors. o..
Amid the general silence of all those present,
the young general (26 years old) entered the
drawing room OF the Viseountess Besuhsrnois;
and this silence, however fattering il might be 30
his pride, caused him a slight embarrassment
HI therefore approached the beautiful widow
with q certain abrupt and perplexed manner, and
spoke 10 her IN that hasty and imperious tone
which might become general. but which did not
seem appropriate in lady's saloon. Gen. Piche-
CRU, who stood near ephine, smiled, and even
her amiable cOuntenance was overspread with
slight expression of scorn. as she fixed her beau
uful eyes on this pale, thin. little man, whose
long smooth hair fell in tangled disorder on either
side of his temples over his sallOw, hollow
cheeks whose whole sickly and gloomy appear
alce bore so little resemblance to the majestic
figure OF the lion to which he had been so often
compared aller his success Of the thirteenth
Vendemsire.
al perceive, general, - suddenly exclaimed jose
phne, thai you are sorry 1t was your duty TO I'LL
Paris once more with blood and horror. You
would undoubtedly have preferred not to be
obliged to carry out tho bloody oraars of the
affrighted convention
''Thst is very possible" said he. "But wat
can you expect, madam? We military men are
but the sutomatons which the government sets in
motion according to its good pleasure; we know
Only how TO obey. The sections, however, can
not but congratulate themselves that | have spared
them so much. Nearly all my cannon were loaded
only with powder. wanted to give little les
son to the Parisans. The whole affair was no hing
but the impress of my seal on France. Such
skrmishes are only the vespers OF my fame"
Josephine felt irritated, excited by the GOODNESS
with whchIN spoke of the slaughter OF that
day; and her eyes, otherwise sofull OF genteness,
were nowtinfamed with the flashes OF anger.
"Oh," cried she, elf you must purchase fame at
such price, would sooner you were one OF the
Victims"
Bonaparte looked at her with establishment,
butas he perceived her flushed cheek and fash
ing eyes, the sight of her beauty ravished him,
and soft, pleasant smile suddenly Illuminated
his countensnce. He answered her violent at
tack by q light pleasantly, and with gladstone
indebtedness he gave to the conversation an.
other turn. The small, pale, glsomy general
was at once changed into young, impassioned,
amiable cavalier, whose countenance grew beau
liful under the sparkling intelligence which ami
mated il, and whose enchanting eloquence made
his conversation attractive and lively, carrying
with it the conviction of superior mind
After the visitors who had met that morning
in Josephine's drawing room had departed, the
general remained, Notwithstanding the aston
ished and questioning looks OF the viscourtess
paying no attention to her remarks about the
fine weather, or her intention to enjoy a
promenade.
With rapid steps and arms folded behind hi;
back be paced few times to and fro the room
then, standing before Josephine, he liked on her
searching look.
"Msdam," said be suddenly, with kind o.
rough tone, have a proposition to make
give me your hand. Be my wife,"
Josephine looked at him, half astonshed, hal
irriiated. els it joke you are INDUCING In +! y
said she.
warmly. "Wil you do me the honor OF giving
me your hand?"
AZ ir.u said she, "who knows if might no
be inclined to accept your distinguished offer, if
unfortunately, fate stood not in the way OF you
wishes!"
Fate ~ said Bonaparte, with animation.
Eyes, fate, my general! F" repeated Josephine
smiling. " But let US speak no more OF this.
is enough that fate forbds me to be the wife o
| General Bonaparte. i can say no more, for you
would laugh at me.
But Won would laugh at me IL you could turl
me away with SO vague an answer" cried Bona
| psrte, with vivacity. g pray you explain tn
| meaning of your words"
4 We'll, ReQerdl, cannot Dt YOUR Wilcs luz
am destined to be queen Of France-yes, perhap
| more than queen!"
| Il was now Bonapartes turn to appear aston
ished and irritated. and. using her own'words, b
| said, Struggling his shoulders: Madam, Is II
| Joke you are indulging in?"
al speak in all earnestness," said Josephine
| shaking her head. Listen, then: A negr
| woman in Martinique foretold my fortune, and a
her oracular words have thus far been fulfilled,
must conclude that the rest of her prophece
concerning me will be realized"
"And what has she prophesied to your" aske
Bonsparte, eagerly.
"Sbe has told me: you will one day be quee
of Francel You will be still more than queen!"
The general was silent. He hadremained stand
ing; but now slowly paced the room few time
his hands folded on his back and his head incline
on his breast. Then again he stood before th
vlscountess, and his eyes rested upon her with
vondrons bright and genial expression.
al bid defiance to fate!" he said. somewh'
solemnly. his prophecy does not Brighten N
away. and in defiance TO your prophetic negr
woman, /, the republican general, address m
prayer to the future queen OF France; be N
wife give me your hand"
Josephine felt almost afnghted at the pertina'
| ity of the general, and sentiment OF apprehel
sion overcame her as she looked into the pale, d.
cided countenance of this man, stranger to he
and who claimed her for $ wife.
| "Oh, sirn she exclaimed, with some anguisl
"you offer me your hand with as much careles
| ness as II the Wh0le matter were merely LOT
| contra dance. But can assure you that marriae
is very grave matter, which has no resemblsn'
whatever 10 a gay dance. know 1t IA 80. hav
| had my sad experience, and | cannot so east
| decide upon marrying second time"
"You refuse my hand, them" said Bonapart
with threatening tone.
Josephine smiled. "0n the contrary, general
said she, "give me your hand and accompany n
to my carriage. which has been waiting for
this long time"
"That means to dismiss me! You close up'
me the door Of your drswing-room exclaim
Bonaparte, with warmth.
! She shook her head. and bowling before b
with her own irresistible grace, said, in friend
manner, " am too good patriot not to be pro
of seeing the conqueror Of Toulon in ny DRAWN
room. Tomorrow have an evening recepto
and invite you to be present, general"
From this day Bonaparte visited Joseph
daily; she was certain to meet him everywhel
At first she sought TO avoid him, but he alwa
knew with cunning foresight how to battle
efforts, and to overcome all difficulties which s
threw in his way. Was she ather friend Therese
she could safely reckon that General Bonapal