The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-28


Three louis, I see; well, you must take
napoleon for louis"
But when the Emperor felt in his pock-
cts he found he had not single piece Of
money there. This is very unlucky,"
said he vexedly. Never mind, sire, will
give you little longer replied Gather
Inc. The Emperor smiled one of the win
ming smiles which neither man nor wom-
an ever looked upon and did not feel its
charm. Peace was restored. With a fey
paternal words Napoleon cautioned the
duchess regarding her future behavior at
court and she readily agreed to do her
best to reform her manners.
She was about to depart, when Roustan,
the faithful Mameluke, who always slept.
before the Emperors door, appeared say
ing in low, grave voice. "Sire, a man
In white uniform has just passed along
the gallery, after trying the door of the
Empress apartments Napoleon turned
deadly pale. Acting quickly, as was his
wont. he unlocked side door, and, mo-
tionng to Roustan to conceal himself in a
window niche, turned down the lamp and
dragged Catherine to a sofa At the same
moment there was heard a swish of
skirts and in the dim light Madame de
Montebello was seen to glide from the
apartments of the Empress through the
study of Napoleon, which she fancied un-
tenanted. There was whispered confer
ence at the door and then she entered
with the Count de Nepperg. Napoleon
sprang to the lamp, turned it up and cons
fronted the pair \
A terrible scene ensued. Neipperg set
forth that he was in full uniform: that ba
was an envoy of the Emperor of Austria
sent to get from the mouth of his daugh-
ter the Empress, an assurance that she
was well treated in the court of France.
he mad made this secret entry into the
palace because there was no other way.
his presence on French soil having been
prescribed. In a fury Napolean called
guards and ordered the count to be con-
fined securely to await his execution. He
dispatched a messenger for Savary, the
minister of police, and upon the arrival
or that official ordered an Immediate
courtmartial. Savary promised that before
daylight Neipperg's body should rest in
an unidentified grave in the forest. But
warn the Empress and to consult Fouche.
me crafty ex-minister of police arranged
the escape of Neipperg, and Catherine re-
paired again to the presence of the EN-
peror. Boldly she told him that she had
known of Nepperg's presence in Franco
and that his mission was as he had
stated-nothing else Nine. de Montebello.
who had been hysterical and fainting, re-
vived and corroborated Catherine I'VE
shall see," said he, 1.-The Empress sleeps.
Awake her. Nine. de Montebello, and tell,
her that the Count de Neipperg requests
an asswer to the letter you say she has
received
The Duchess de Monticello entered
the bedroom of the Empress and
aroused her from a simulated sleep,
Napoleon, concealed, watched and
heard. Grumbling at being thus
awakened the Empress wrote a note
to her father in which she declared
herself perfectly happy in the love of
Napoleon and requested that he choose
next time some other messenger than
the Count de Neipperg to communicate
with her. Then she went to bed again.
In the study of the Emperor were now
assembled Catherine, the Duchess of
Montebello and Savary. F'ouche en-
tered. Sire" said he, II have taken
great liberty. Knowing that when
Your Majesty discovered the facts in
regard to NJ. de Neipperg you would
regret hasty action 1 have aided him
to escape. But he is still in the GUS
tody of my men. Shall he be recalled?
III fe-v
1t seems that M. Savary was not COM
petent to watch the movements of the
count-and I ventured to interfere. He,
you see. was not in Vienna as the Min
lister of Police had told you"
Napoleon was now convinced of the
innocence of his wife and was relieved
to find a way out of the difficulty in
which his ordering of the execution of
Neipperg had placed him. You have
presumed" said he to Fouche, but let
the incidents of this night remain
secret with you all-or dread my ven-
geance. You, Nine. Sans-Gene, may re-
main at court. Bride your tongue.
You. Nine de Montebello. will no long,
err serve as first lady in waiting-but
be discreet as to the reason Of your
dismissal. "a. Savary, I shall not re-
quire your services longer tonight"
Then. turning to Fouche he said: MR.
Minister of Police, have the Count de
Neipperg placed across the frontier and
released" And he disappeared through
the door leading to the apartment Of
the Empress.
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