Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-31

which women have go much pleasure in
writing, even when they have nothing to
cay, Madame Tallien was surprised to lind
hers were unanswered, although she might
have remarked that, since the Generals re-
turn from Egypt, she had performed much
more than her share of the correspondence.
Nevertheless, Madame Tallien was by no
means backward in coming to compliment
Bonaparte on his miraculous passage
through the midst OF the English feet.
Her congratulations met with the coolest
possible reception, at which she felt q little
piqued, without being uneasy in other re-
spects for she was not apprised Of the
great event which was then maturing itself
in secret. She merely said to Madame
Hainguerlot. another celebrated beauty Of
the day, "He is an unlocked bear" In the
course of the conversation she added, al
had better let his ill-temper have its
course and then, he will see me so fire.
quently, that he will get used to my counte.
nance. You think he won't speak to me?
Very well, l am easily consoled. / shall
make up for it with his wife"
1t is not certain whether Madame Tai.
liens expressions were reported to Napo-
leon but what followed Immediately after
the First ConsuPs installation at the Lux.
embourg was this: A list had been made
of the persons to whom the earliest visits
should be paid, at least by cards, seeing
that republican equality could not be un-
tremendously trampled under foot, and that
there still existed secondary powers, whose
vanity the First Consul did not wish to
shock too rudely He paid very few of these
visits in person and, as people knew how
precious his time was, the most susceptible
could not feel offended. But with Madame
Bonaparte the case was different for, in
the early dawn of greatness, the wife of
the head of the State was considered as
nullity in Government matters. At first,
she went, almost by stealth, once or twice,
to Madame Tallien's. The other came to
her several times without being admitted,
of which she was not aware. On inquiry,
she learnt that the footmsn, whose duty it
was to announce visitors, had received or.
ders never to allow Madame Tallien to en-
ter. Notwithstanding which, and pre-
cisely the very day the First Consul in
formed his wife of her friends exclusion,
Madame Tsllien, calling at an early hour,
obtained admittance. The usual Argus was
not yet at his post.
Madame Bonaparte, still agitated by the
communication her husband had made, was
in the utmost confusion when the charming
Spaniard burst into her chambers unawares.
Few faces were less capable of dissimula-
ton than Josephine's. Madame Tallien,
seeing at the first glance that somber
cloud was resting on the countenance whose
expression was ordinarily so amiable, ex.
claimed "What can be the matter with
you ?" Madame Bonaparte could not an
swer her voice was choked by sobs. She
wept as she embraced Madame Tallien
and, after regaining her composure little,
she confessed the cause of her vexation,
and related the scene which had taken
place a moment before. Still, as it was
whatever might be disagreeable, she laid
all the fault on the spiteful tongues who
had doubtless illuminated her friend.
Madame Tallien, wounded to the quick
by the First Consuls pointed and expressed
prohibition, had yet the power to control
her anger, and complained solely of the I'm.
worthy conduct of those who had blackened
her in his opinion.
Nothing is falser," she said, "than the
tales that have been told of me-than the
lovers they have assigned to me-than the
conduct / am supposed to be guilty Of
and even than the opinions attributed to me
during the hight of the Revolution. There
are people whose Judgment despise but
l am anxious to undeceive Bonaparte. |
wish to show him how completely he has
been deceived; and l am able to give him
proofs of his error.
"My dear Eugene. said Madame b.
naparte. IS cannot tell you how much l
approve of your resolution. Yes, yes, you
will justify yourself you will clear your
character. He will then revoke his odious
order and l need not tell you how happy
| shall be to be able to retain my most cher
ished friend"
Madame TalIien left the Luxembourg
after it had been agreed that she should
return the next day at the hour when the
General was able to receive her. Madame
Bonaparte, whose constant study was to
watch her husbands good natured mo-
ments, possessed whole treasury of
charms and seductions her smile and her
looks were SO csressing, that she often sue
eeeded in disarming Bonaparte. But she
was obliged to allow sufficient time for the
calm to succeed to the tempest and after
any scene of unusual vivacity the hero was
less accessible to her influence. That day,
she chose her opportunity well and, after
every indispensable precaution, she en-.
treated him to allow Madame Tallien to be
admitted to set herself right in his good
opinion. At first, Napoleon was refractory
he knitted his brows-as was his habit
when anything displeased him-which gave
him q resemblance to the Jupiter of the
ancients, for it was an ordinary precursor
of the coming storm. Madame Bonaparte,
who perceived it, wanted to retract her
words, when Napoleon, thinking better of
it, said, 'Be it 30 let her come !" He
then began conversing on other subjects
and Josephine thought she had gained the
victory.
But the victory was not yet won. Next
day, Madame Tallien arrived in full dress
of the period, wearing according to the
fashion of the day, Greek tunic, cut after
one of Girodet's designs, and made of
light and transparent material, although it
was the month of November. A muslin
shawl. embroidered with gold, played
around, without concealing her beauties.
Her foot, white and at liberty, instead of
being imprisoned in shoe, was displayed
on a sandal. On her great toe an enor-
nous diamond glittered; and her arms,
naked to the shoulder, were encased by
golden bracelets, enriched with antique ca
meos whilst her head, uncovered also,
displayed the most glossy black tresses it is
possible to imagine.
Madame Bonaparte, although accustomed
to behold her friend in this goddess.like
attire, could not help admiring her. After
an exchange of gracious words, she inquired
where were the proofs to be submitted to
the First Consul. HE will require SUBJ
stsntial proof, she added, for he is not
man like other men,"
Her proofs her evidence Madame Tai
lien looked at herself in mirror, wherein
her image was reflected from head to foot,
and smiled; and in brilliant conversa-
ton, mainly supported by herself, she as
sured her attached protectress that she was
prepared with every needful proof, and that
the FIRST Consul would acknowledge their
authenticity. Josephine was far from shar.
ing Madame Tallien's security she knew