The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-07-17
How NapOIean Arranged a Marriage.

One day, says Cont Lavellette, when
I had accompanied Bonaparte to the
treasury to expedite the sending off of
the sums that were required at ToulOn
for the feet, he ordered his eoaehman
to drive along the new Boulevards that
he might have at his leisure a conversa-
ton with me. CT cannot make major
of YOU" he said "I must, therefore
give you a wife you shall marry Emile
de Beauharnais. Shei is very handsome,
and very we'll educated. Do you know
her ?" -" [ have seen her twice. But,
general, I have no fortune. We are GO
ing to Africa. may be killed. What
will become in that case, of my poor
widow? Besides / have no great liking
for marriage" I" Men must marry to
have children; that is the chief aim of life.
Killed you certainly may be; we'll In
that case, she will be the widow Of one
of my aides. de-eamp, of a defender Of
his country. She will have a pension,
and may again marry advantageously.
Now she is the daughter-of an emigrant
that nobody viii have my wife cannot
Introduce her into society. She, poor
girl, deserves a better fate. Come, this
business must be quickly settled.
Talk. this morning, with Madame Bo-
naparte about it her mother has al
ready given her consent. The wedding
shall take place in eight days. I will
allow you fortnight for your honey
moon; you must then come and Join us
at Toulon on the Doth. - ct was on the
9th. / could not help laughing all
the while he spoke at last I said 81
will do whatever you please. But will
the girl have me ? 1 do not wish to
force her inclinations. " She is tired
Of boarding-school, and she would be
unhappy if she were to go to her moth
er's. During your absence she will live
with her grandfather at Fountaiuebleau.
You will not be killed, and YOU will find
her when YOU come back. Come. come.
the thing is all settled. Tell the coach
man to drive home'' In the evening 1
went to see Madame Bonaparte. She
knew what was going forward, and was
kind enough to show some satisfaction,
and call me her nephew. To-mor-
row, " she said, 90 we shall 90 to st. Ger
maine. I viii introduce you to my
niece. You will be delighted with her /;
she is a charming girl y Accordingly,
the next day, the general, Madame Bo-
naparte, Eugeine and / went IN the open
carriage to St Germaine, and stopped
at Madame Campan's The visit was
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ali the young girls were at the windows,
in the parlors, or on the courtyard, for
they had obtained a holiday. We soon
entered the gardens. Among the forty
Young ladies, ] sought anxiOusly her
who was TO be my wife. Her cousin
Hurtense led her to us, that she might
salute the general and embrace her
aunt. She was, in truth, the prettiest
of them all Her stature was tall, and
most gracefully elegant her features
were charming, and the glow of her
beautifnl complexion Whs ightened by
her confusion. Her bashfulness was 50
great the general could not help laugh
ing at her, but he went no further It
was decided that we should breakfast
on the grass in the garden. In the
meanwhile I felt extremely uneasy.
Would she like me? Would she obey
without reluctance ? This very abrupt
marriage, and this speedy departure.
grieved me When we afterward got up,
and the circle was broken, I begged Eu-
genie to conduct his cousin INTO soli-
tary walk. I joined them, and he left
u.s. l then entered on the delicate sub
iect. I made no secret of my birth nor
of my want of fortune, and added:
possess nothing in the world but my
sword and good viii Of my general {;