The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-24

of the wealth which Mile Montansiei
could give him; TO the lady he enlarged
ON the position that bis talented young
friend was bound 10 make for himself
ami that would, of course, be shared by
his wife.
For the purpose of introducing the
couple to each other, ne decided
upon giving q supper, TO which they
were both invited. lie so arranged
matters that they were placed together
at the table, and hoped that this precau-
ton, added TO the injunctions which nc
had given TO Napoleon to behave for
ence i'm his life with some show Of civil
IT'S to a lady, would have thehappiest re-
suit. But in this he was fated to be dis
appointed Napoleon was quite the last
man TO rely upon in such a respect. His
manners toward the fair sex were those
of q costermongcr. and though he could
generally hold his own IN a conversation
with men, he was entirely without the
knack of making himself interesting or
agreeable to women. lie felt that his
place was in the camp or the field, and
DE was quite out of his element among
Che cOnventionalities of a salon.
Had he been inclined to WOO, it would
have been in a straightforward, soldier
like fashion, not with the dallyings and
compliments so dear to the French woman
of his time. SO, presently, Barras had
the modification of seeing Mile. Montan-
sier. her back turned TO Napoleon. en-
gaging in q lively conversation with the
gentleman on the other side, while the
future c0nqueror was making, with little
pellets Of bread, a plan Of battle on the
table before him. Hardlya word passed
between the two during the remainder
of the meal. Barras watched with grow
ine annoyance The Indifference Of Ma
uoleon, and felt his plans melting into
thin air as he saw the evident delight
With which the widow turned from him
to- the more entertaining companion she
had found elsewhere.
Supper over Barras drew Napoleon
aside and spoke forc,bly to him Of the
foolish way in which he was throwing
AWAY his chances. "You know, " said
he. chat money IS everything TO you;
fere are 1000, 900 francs. and you will
not ST -etch out your hand 10 take them;
a most attractive woman, and You Will
not show her the smallest gallantiy.
Mile. Montansier has c'me here TINS
evening prepared to hear declaration
from YOU. Strike while the iron Is hot'
and win the wealth that you cannot DO
without at one bold stroke.
"The woman is old enough to bo my
Grandmother" said Napoleon, who was
then % years old; "but that is no mat
ter. for 10 me all women gre alike.
Money is what ] want; and, If cannot
get il without O wife. ] must take the
two together. / am no coiner Of pretty
soeeches. but before the evening is over
] will say 10 her: Mademoiselle, are
YOU willing to accept me as your nus
landg More than that ] cannot do.
The very kind Of proposal that any
woman would expect from a blunt sol
der replied Barras. "Say that ana ]
desire no more. You are TO be envied;
for. besides her wealth, mademoiselie Is
very handsome still"
TIE FOREsTALLED Proposal
NAPOLEON turned away with a gesture
Of impotence; but half an hour later
Barras noticed, 10 his joy, that the two
were alone together in a recess. Presently
got mp and went away, and
the lady beckoned 10 barras with her
fam. "Take away that dreadful little
man. l." she said with a shudder' he has
bored me TO death, and l only prevented
him from proposing by sending INN ior
3 glass Of lemonade"
'But why prevent him? said Barras'
Gle will be a great man yet"
GIVE myself and my money 70 such a
little horror, such an ill-mannered boaE
rs thatr replied mademoiselle. "Nevefl
would sooner take tho first beggar man
.ut of the streets. What nave l done
hat should be given such O wretched
evening" Don't iet your --
But at this moment she was checked
,v the arrival of Napoleon with the
.cuonade. Barras hurried away, still
,opinQ for the hest; bat soon he saw NJ
he other end Of the room Bonapai'e
standing in the attitude IN which he has
10 often been depicted, with his arms
folded and his chin sunk upon them
"Well. are you 10 be marriedf he said'
Fastening towards bis pr0lege.
"That old actress. " said Napoleon, lhat
female CrUsus refused me before had
-oened my mouth 20 ask her hand. was
=, the poiut of speaking. as told you i
.bo,id speak, when she began to INFORM
,,o tbat her wealth was the cause OF her
instantly receiving offers nom ad'en-
,,rors ~ bocared nothing for herself that
.ho th,pled Providence she had so far
cen through some fellows, and that she
was resolved 10 keep her indePenpehce'
,,sa clad / had not spoken. forit gave
ne the opportunity % saying 'i''uo
no;selle pray perseyero 10 that praise
worthy intention il is ole wnich ! am
.ure no one will ever try TO persuade you
= IT,, Let her keep her millions TO
, y '' the hook Tor sons one else; have
lone with her" H.
And in spite Of Barras' enGeavors the
Affair ended there.
In after years Nile. Montansier was ,
rond Of Boosting that, had she chosen she
NIGHT have been empress Of France ana
wife ~ the most famous man Of the age
Gould she have been gifted with inc iAo,
atty offorcsIgbt. no doubt she would nave
REGARDED more lenientiy the young 'n''"
whom NJ. Barras wished her 70 marry
Chambers Journal.