The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-11
Enpsror's Romantic CouTtship
Of Mile. Do Montijo.
CLEVER RUsE OF cHapER0N.
Nine Msnagss, Who Stll Lt,s 10 Paris,
Recalls Sen, lse.dshs In i's Girhssd
d Empress Eussni,.


Tn a pretty little apartment In the Ave-
nue. des Ternes Paris. there lives an
agreeable old lady. with snow white hair
aud snappy black eyes who is brimful Of
stories about the family that welded the
last imperial destinies OF France.
She lis Nine. Menagere. for many years
dame de compssnc to Princess Mathilde.
the sister Of Napoleon ILL.,
Although she has passed those duties
on to younger hands. Cor the ola princess
still keeps up considerable state In her
daily life, the ties OF friendship femain
strong between the two old ladies.
When the Partisan hotel Of the princess
Is occupied the great iady's landau with
it's two pompous men on the box, arrives
once or twice a week at the house I'm the
Avenue des Ternes 10 fetch the old com
panion for cup OF tea and a firesIds
chat.
II is then, over the steam Of that harm
less nepenthe. that old times and old
scenes are revived-scenes OF those mirth-
ful days when the beautiful Eugene was
the idolIzed empress OF the tickle French.
1t is to this friendly gossip that the fol-
lowing story of the proposal OF Napoleon
for the hand of Mile. de Montijo is due.
and coming from such source IL may
be relied upon as possessing more the
flavor of truth than most OF the romances
that have been woven and scattered
broadcast.
FIRST SIGHT ACCIDENTAL.
Everybody has been told how tho young
emperor saw and fell captive 10 the
charms Of the fair Csstilian while she
was riding I'm the Bois. but few know
that that was not his first glimpse OF
her. That first sight OF the beautiful
Eugenie was also accidental and IL had
stirred him TO. admiration years before
under rather tragic circumstances -
After the Strasburg nssco OF 1896. the
young Louis Napoleon was arrested and
shut up In the barracks until the tot
tering throne OF Louiy Philippe had gained
its equilibrium. and his ministers decid
Cd TO send the pretender on the four
months voyage to America that we all
know about now,
lie was hurried through France in the
night and In Paris, where halt was
made. ne was taken 10 the prefecture OF
police and given his breakfast In the
great hall
The prefect OF police at the time was M.
Gabriel DeIessatt, whose mother-in-law.
the Countess de oLaborde. was warm
friend of Mime. de Montijo, friendship
that was responsible for the sharing OF
certain educational advantages between
Eugene and her sister. and the two chill
dren of NJ. Delessart
IL happened that the very hafl assigned
for the temporary habitation OF the pris-
oner prince was the one devoted at less
important times 20 the children and their
studies. TO which they arrived inst the
unfortunate youth was being led from
the door.
1t was at Compiegne, however. that the
real courtship began. In the autumn OF
the year lSi2. Louis had been emper-
or for almost whole year. He had GUST
ed the Bourbons from their unhappy SUI
premacy and was making merry I'm the
very chateau that they loved above all
Others I'm royal France.
HER MOTHER WAS CLEVER.
II was on December 81 of the same year
that the real declaration OF the emperor's
sentiments was made, and In the very
hotel OF the Princesse Mathlde, I'm which
she still holds at rare intervals her
charming receptions.
The princess mad large company
gathered around the great chimney I'm her
salon to welcome the new year. which
promised to be so momentous for the
Bonaparte family. Nine. de Montijo and
her two daughters were among those
present.
AZ half-past IL o'clock the emperor en-
tered the room and found seat beside
Eugene. She was radiantly beautiful
then, and on the occasion was dressed in
white velvet with "A teweled clover leaf,
On imperial gift. nesting upon her bosom
When midnight struck. according to a
custom which still exists at the Princess
Mathildes New Years eve parties. each
gentleman imprinted kiss upon the
forehead of the lady at his right.
But at this point the superb tact OF the
Countess de Montijo asserted itself. and
just as Napoleon was about to press his
lips to the fair brow OF her daughter. the
latter uttered a sharp cry and then
whispered. "Oh. mother, you have hart
mel" but collecting herself instantly she
gently pushed the emperor away and pre-
sentcd to him her slender white hand
''sire, "she said, in Spain IL is not the
custom for ladies to grant such favors 10
gentlemen. even on New Years eve-and
this Is all can do for you"
Napoleon kissed the tips of the pretty
fingers and said In a low tone: "Ncx.
year I shall have hand and brow as we'll"
The presence OF mind that caused her
10 tread hard on her daughters toes was
a coup de pied the Countess de Montijo
never regretted.