Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-30
EMPRESS EUGENE.
How She Escaped from Paris-Her
Meeting with the Prince lmpe-

tered small local yachting cruz NJ
Deanville to look over the papers before
presenting himself at the hotel where
the Imperial fugitive was in hiding, when
he was greeted by a gentleman whom he
at once recognized. 1t was Sir John
Montagu Burgoyne, a young Crlmean
hero, who had enjoyed the friendship OF
NJ. de Lesseps for many years.
Sir John at once, according to his own
statement, OWNED that something unu-
sual was in the wind from the presence
of NJ. de Lesseps at such a season IN
such a place. His own presence was
accounted for by the fact that he was
awaiting the arrival of Lady Burgoyne
from Switzerland, and his yacht, as he
explained to M. de Lesseps, was under
orders TO sail on Wednesday for England,
NJ de Lesseps knew his man and
knew that frankness was the surest way
to gain the object which presented itself
with lightning quickness to his mind.
Sir John had barely finished informing
him of these particulars when, laying his
hand upon the Englishman' arm, the
great engineer said:
"Sir John, will you do me the very
greatest favor ever demanded OF any
human being?"
Name it, said the gallant soldier.
"Will you find me three places on
your yacht for the passage to England
on Wednesday,"
"Is that all?" said Sir John, laughing.
"The places will be ready for you
There was again a momentary pause,
during which NJ de Lesseps fixedly re-
garded the young man.
"Do you know2" he asked rapidly, as
if ashamed of the doubts which had
prompted his scrutiny" do you know
who you will carry with you as my com
panions de voyageP "
Sir John smiled and shook his head.
"Her Imperial Majesty the Empress
of the French" said NJ. de Lesseps
quietly.
The two men rose and clasped hands.
No word was spoken, but they under
stood one another. M. de Lesseps was
affected to tears, and Sir John was
scarcely less moved.
| pass over the introduction of Sir
john and subsequently of Lady Bur
goyne to the Empress, about which, in
the hurry with which | collected these
notes, failed to obtain particulars. 1t
is sufficient to say that on the Tuesday
evening the Empress, with Madame LIE
Breton, proceeded on board the yacht
without any one being in the secret but
the owners of the little vessel.
A novel incident had nearly compro-
missed her safety even at this juncture.
Ii la1 10 ha m at In n hnmf
his intention to bring two English ladies
on board for the voyage across. Madame
lie Breton had scarcely reached the
deck when the man, touching his cap,
asked some question relative to the ac-
commodation in her rather rapidly ex-
temporized berth, to which she was, oi
course, utterly unable to reply. The
Empress, however, who speaks English
perfectly, came to her relief, and, by
Madame lie Bretons wish, apologized to
the man for the ignorance Of " her
French waiting maid,
Early in the morning the French pilot
came on board, and while the fugitives
were still sleeping below with the ex.
ception of NJ de Lesseps, who remained
on deck during the whole of the voyage
the English yacht Gazelle of sixty tons
burden, bearing the Empress of France
and her fortunes, sailed out Of the har-
Dor of Deanville and made straight for
Ryde.
This short sleep was, am assured, the
only one which the Empress had enjoyed
since the preceding Friday night. She
had found it impossible to close her eyes
while she remained on the Soil of France
and her sleep, according to Madame LIE
Breton's account, was fitful and disturbed
while she remained on the yacht.
Early on Thursday morning the little
vessel cut into Ryde, and the Empress,
taking most affectionate leave of her
generous hosts, made her way to the
York Hotel, where she partook of break
fast. She then crossed by the ordinary
steamer to Portsmouth, where she imme-
diately took the train for Hastings, arriy-
ing there at about 8 o clock on Thursday
night. She did not at once proceed to
the hotel at which the Prince had been
directed to put up, but by direction OF
NJ. de Lesseps, she remained at the wat
ing-room of the station while that gentle
man went out to reconnoiter. M. de
Lesseps, on reaching the hotel, cautiously
made his inquiries, announced himself
as soon as he ascertained that the Prince
was there in safety, and after hasty in
terview was leaving the house to return
to the railway station, when yelled
figure rushed past him on the stairs.
1t was the Empress. Her maternal
anxiety had been too great to allow OF
her remaining qqietly for N. de Lessepss
return. She had folloyed him through
the streets to the hotel, with the inten-
ton Of remaining at the door; but, hear
ing the voice Of the Prince Imperial,
who had advanced TO the head of the
stairs with NJ de Lesseps, she had been
unable longer to control her feelings,
and before her astonished guide could
restrain her either by voice or gesture,
mother and son were locked in close
and almost convnlsiye embrace. The
scene was more than touching-it was
awful in its intensity Of sorrow. 1t was
witnessed not only by the high person
ages whose names have been already
mentioned, but by the proprietor of the
Marine Hotel and by female servant
who was descending ihs stairs with a
tray and was for few moments unable
to pass the group on the landing. What
q situatiog-a landlord and a kitchen
maid blubbering responsive tears to the
sobs of an ex-empress clasping to her
bosom child who was but lately called
the hope of France.
Both mother and child looked fear
fully worn out and i'll, the child especi-
ally bearing evident traces Of the effects
of nervous excitement His eyes, natu-
rally large, appeared unusually SO, and
they attracted the particular attention of
the Empress, who was observed to push
back the hair from the boys forehead,
and, after looking at him long and earn
estly, to close each eyelid with kiss
The landlord himself, a man who has
travelled, and who understands French
indifferently well, says he never shall for
get the depth and tenderness with which
the Empress, while she held her son, ex-
claimeds Non pdurre Louisl Non
paurre Louis mdiHteRaRt .je mai que
toi."
And papa" said the child, and be-
fore he could continue the doors Of the
drawing-room we're closed upon mother
and son.
/ am writing from special information