The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-11-13
Misfellaueons.
TIE COURrsIiIP POFNAr0LEONAND
JOsEFHINE.


Josephine was not alone when Gen. Bo-
napartc was announced; aud when the
servant named him, she could not sup
press an inward fear, without knowing
why she was afraid. Her friends, who
noticed her trenor and blush, laughed
jestingly at the ,imlllty which made her
tremble mt the name of the conqueror OF
Paris. and this was. perhaps, the reason
why Josephine received Gen. B0naparte
with less complacency than she generally
showed to her visitors.
Amid the general silence Of all these
present the young General (twenty-siN
years OLD entered the drawing-room OF
the yiscountess dc Bcauharnals; aud this
silence, however ilattering Il might be to
his pride. caused him n slight embarass-
ment. lie therefore approached the beau-
tinil widow with certain abrupt and per-
picked manner, ami spoke tn her In that
hasty, imperious tone which might be-
come n general, but which did not seem
appropriate in lady's saloon. General
Piche.r,, who stood near Josephine,
smiled, and even her amiablc co,intcnance
was oyerspread with slight expression
of scorn, as she fixed her beautiful eyes
on this pale, thin little man. whose long,
smooth hair fell In tangled disorder on ell
ther side Of his temples over his sallow.
hollow cheeks; whose whole sickly ana
gloomy appearance bore SO little reseiii-
b!ance to the majestic figure Of the Hon to
which he had been so Otten compared
AFTER his success of the thirteenth Ncndc-
miarc.
III perceive. General" suddenly eN-
claimed Josephine. "that YOU are sorry Ii
was your duty To ill Paris once more
with blood and horror. You would un-
,loubtedly have preferred not to be obliged
to carry out the bloody orlers of the af-
fright ed Conventions"
Bonaparte shrugged his shoulders some
what. "That Is very possible" said he,
perfectly quiet. "But what can you ex-
pect, madamcg We military men are but
the automatons which the government sets
In motion according tn its good pleasure
we know only how to obey; the sections,
however, cannot but congratulate them
selves that have spared them so much.
Nearly all my cannon were loaded with
powder. WANTED to give little lesson
TO the Parisians. The whole affair was
nothin. but the impress of my seal on
France. Such skirmishes are only the
vcspers OF my fame"
Josephine felt iriltatcd. excited by the
collness 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.
40" cried she, "if You must purchase
fame at such a price. would sooner you
were one Of the ylctlms,'
Bonaparte looked ut her with astonlsh-
ment, hut rs he perceived her flushed
cheeks AMI flashing eyes. the sight of her
grace and beauty rayished him, and u
son. pleasant smile illur'ued his counte-
nance. He answered her violent attack
bv u light pleasantly AMI with gladstone
unaffcctedness he gave to the conversa-
ton another turn. The small, pale,
gloomy general was at once changed Into
young, impassioned, amiable cardiisr,
whose coun'enancc grew beautiful under
the sparkling Intelligence which animated
u. ami whose enchanting eloquence made
his conversation attractive aud lively, car
| rying with it the conviction of superior
mind.
After the visitors who had met that
morning In Josephinc's drawing.room had
departed, the general still remained, not
| withstanding the astonlshed and question:
Ing looks of the yiscountcss, paying no
attention TO her remarks about the fine
weather, or her intention to enjoy prom
enade.
with rapid steps and hands folded be-
hind his back, he paced few times to
and tro the room; then standing before
Josephine, he fixed on her searching
look.
Madame" said he, suddenly, with :
Kind OF rough tone. 81 have n PROPOSE
tion TO make: give me your hand: Do my
| wifey'
Josephine looked at him, half astonlsi,.
ed. half lrritated. ''Is Ii . joke you ars
indnlginx iny' said she.
speak In all carnestness," said Bona
pare, warmly. "will you do mo the
honor OF giving me your hand ~
The gravity With which Bonaparte spoke
and the deep earnestness hnprinted on hls
features, convinced Josephine that the
general would not contiescend % Indulge
IN (oke % 60 nnsssnly charncfer. ~