The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-15

How She Appeared to an Inmate Of the
Tuiicries.

How she Appeared to an Inmate or the
Tuiicries.
Miss Anna l.. Bickncl. am English lady.
was chosen as g3vcrness for the daugh-
ters Of the Duchssse de Tasehcr de Ia
Pagor.e. during the reign Of Emperor
Napoleon Ill. and for many years lived
in the Tuilerios. She was treated with
the utmost consideration ard had un-
usual opportunities for studying the pri-
waite life of royalty. She has contributed
some of her "reminiscences TO the Scptenl-
Der Century. OF the Inflated Eugene
she writes as follows.
1 had seen the Empress Eugonic pass 10y
in her carriage more than once before I
entered the Tuilories. and although i could
not but think her beautiful, still, Ike
most of those who saw her only under
such circumstances, / had no idea of her
real attractions. A few days after my
arrival at the palace, as / was crossing
the large courtyard with the future Prin-
cess Won Thurn ind TaXis, / suddenly
saw her stop short and perform the court
courtesy-a downward plunge instead OF
the usual bend-while the sentinel pre-
scented arms as she hastily whispered.
"L'Impcratrice"
There was the Empress. standing be-
fore us at "a large window on the ground
floor. a vision robod in pale blue silk, the
sun, forming q sort of halo around her.
rested on her hair which seemed all
motion gold / was absolutely startled,
and my impression was that / had never
before seen such a beautiful creature. i
fully understood at that moment The en-
thusiasm which / had supposed 10 bee
exaggerated. Her face was beaming with
smiles ass she recognized my pupil 10
whom she nodded with the most unpre-
tending gOol-naturo. I remarked, after
we had passed on, that l had supposed
her hair 10 be of darker hue. where
upon l was told not 10 Judge tin ! had
seen her in the shade instead of the sun.
The first time that I was able 20 see
Che Empress in private life was at ST.
Cloud, where the de Tascher family oc-
cupiod a villa adjoining the palace. with
an entrance TO the private grounds Of
which We had~a key.
one evening I had taken a drive with
the duchess, and on our return she had
gone into the garden with her elder
daughter 10 enjoy the fresh air request
ing me 10 order the lamps for the draw
ing-roOm. j had just laid my hand on
the bell when ! heard a voice asking for
the duchess. and the door suddenly open
ing. l saw a lady standing i'm the en-
trance Surprising her TO be q visitor from
Paris. ! Immediately Went toward ho.
begging her 10 come in while I called thD
duchess. who was in the garden: but
saw some hesitation. and although the
room was nearly dark a ray Of moonlight
resting on her face revealed the Empress
Eugene.
was startled. and hardly knew what
I ought 10 90. 50 paused for a moment:
whereupon she hastily took flight. clos
ing the door. l ran 10 the duchess, say
ing: Madame, The Empress is here,"
She hastily came forward. when the door
opened again and the Empress, accompan-
led by the Due de Tascher and a numer-
Gus suite came IN quickly, with extend
"a hands. which the duchess kissed. She
had previously run on alone. leaving the
others behind, her. and IN the ante-room
had asked the servant on duty If the
duchess was al home. wishing TO surprise
her The man. who was half asleep.
sprang 20 his feet with evident trepida-
ton; on seeing which she exclaimed. do
YOU know me-" Certainly. | have the
honor OF knowing your Majesty" "Oh
how tiresome!" she cried C'Comme c'est