marie antoinette and her son-第106章

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happily　you　have　fastened　to　your　bonnet；　carefully　before　your
face；　I　hope　that　no　one　will　see　that　the　most　beautiful　lady　in
Paris　honors　my　house　with　her　distinguished　presence。〃

Josephine　made　no　reply　to　this　flattery；　but　drew　the　black　lace
veil　closely　over　her　face；　and　hastened　to　leave　the　fiacre；　and
entered　the　house。

〃Fouche；〃　she　whispered；　as　she　ascended　the　staircase；　〃my　heart
beats　as　violently　as　it　did　when　I　drove　to　the　Tuileries　to　be
presented　to　Marie　Antoinette。　It　was　the　first　time　that　I　spoke
with　the　Queen　of　France。〃

〃And　now；　madame；〃　said　Fouche；　with　a　smile；　〃you　will　speak　with
the　last　King　of　France。〃

〃Does　he　know　who　I　am？〃

〃No；　madame；　I　have　left　it　to　you　to　inform　him。　Here　we　are　at　the
saloonhe　is　within！〃

〃Wait　only　a　moment；　Fouche。　I　must　collect　myself。　My　heart　beats
dreadfully。　Now；　now　you　may　open　the　door！〃

They　entered　the　little　saloon。　Josephine　stood　still　near　the　door；
and　while　she　hastily　removed　her　bonnet　and　the　thick　veil　and
handed　them　to　Fouche；　her　large；　brilliant；　brown　eyes　were　turned
to　the　young　man　who　stood　in　the　window…niche；　his　hands　calmly
folded　over　his　breast。　In　this　attitude；　with　the　calm　look　of　his
face；　the　gentle　glance　of　his　blue　eyes；　he　bore　so　close　a
resemblance　to　the　pictures　which　represented　Louis　XVI。　in　his
youth；　that　Josephine　could　not　repress　a　cry　of　surprise；　and
hastened　forward　to　the　young　man；　who　now　advanced　out　of　the
window　recess。　〃Madame；〃　he　said；　bowing　low　before　this　beautiful
and　dignified　lady　whom　he　did　not　know；　but　whose　sympathizing　face
made　his　heart　tremble〃madame；　doubtless　you　are　the　lady　whom　M。
Fouche　said　I　might　expect　to　meet　here。〃

〃Yes；　I　am　she；〃　replied　Josephine；　with　a　voice　trembling　with
emotion；　her　eyes；　flooded　with　tears；　all　the　while　being　fixed　on
the　grave；　youthful　face　which　brought　back　so　many　memories　of　the
past。　〃I　have　come　to　see　you　and　to　bring　you　the　greetings　of　a
man　whom　you　loved；　who　revered　you；　and　who　died　blessing　you。〃

〃Of　whom　do　you　speak？〃　asked　Louis；　turning　pale。

〃Men　called　him　Toulan；〃　whispered　Josephine。　〃Queen　Marie
Antoinette　termed　him　Fidele。〃

〃Fidele！〃　cried　Louis；　in　a　tone　of　anguish。　〃Fidele　is　dead！my
deliverer；　he　whose　fidelity　and　bravery　released　me　from　my
dreadful　prison。　Oh；　madame；　what　sad　thoughts　do　you　bring　back
with　his　name！〃

Josephine　turned　with　a　triumphant　look　to　Fouche；　who　was　still
standing　behind　her　in　the　neighborhood　of　the　door。　Her　look　said；
〃You　see　he　is　no　traitor；　he　has　stood　the　proof。〃

Fouche　understood　the　language　of　this　look　perfectly；　and　a　smile
played　over　his　features。　Then　Josephine　turned　again　to　the　young
man。

〃You　did　not　know　that　Toulan　was　dead？〃　she　asked；　softly。

〃How　could　I　know　it？〃　he　cried；　bitterly。　〃I　was　taken　at　that　time
to　a　solitary　castle；　where　I　remained　several　years；　and　then　I
went　to　Germany；　and　from　that　time　I　have　always　lived　in　foreign
parts。　Since　I　have　been　in　Paris　I　have　made　the　effort　to　learn
something　about　him；　but　no　one　could　inform　me；　and　so　I　solaced
myself　with　the　hope　that　he　had　really　gone　to　America；　for　that
was　his　object；　as　the　other　gentleman　who　assisted　me　in　my　release
informed　me　at　that　time。〃

〃This　other　gentleman；〃　said　Josephine；　softly；　〃was　the　Baron　de
Jarjayes；　and　the　child　who　was　carried　into　the　Temple　was　the〃

〃The　son　of　the　Count　de　Frotte；〃　rejoined　Louis。

〃Fouche；　it　is　he！〃　cried　Josephine。　〃It　is　the　son　of　my　noble；
unfortunate　Queen　Marie　Antoinette。Oh；　sire；　let　me　testify　my
homage　to　you；　as　becomes　a　subject　when　she　stands　before　her　king。
Sire；　I　bow　my　knee　before　you；　and　I　would　gladly　pour　out　my　whole
life　in　tears；　and　with　each　of　these　tears　beg　your　forgiveness　for
France；　for　us　all。〃

And　the　beautiful；　passionate　creole　sank　upon　her　knee；　and　raised
her　tearful　eyes　to　the　young　man　who；　perplexed　and　blushing；　gazed
at　her；　then　hastily　stooped　to　her　and　conjured　her　to　rise。

〃Not；　sire；〃　she　cried；　〃until　you　tell　me　that　you　have　forgiven
methat　you　have　forgiven　us　all。〃

〃I　forgive　you？　What　have　I　to　forgive　in　you？　Monsieur　Fouche；　who
is　this　lady　who　knows　me　and　my　destinies；　and　who　brings　me
greetings　from　Fidele？　What　have　I　to　forgive　in　her？　Who　is　she？
Tell　me　her　name？〃

〃Monsieur；〃　said　Fouche；　slowly　approaching；　〃this　lady　is〃

〃Hush！　Fouche；　I　will　tell　him　myself；〃　interrupted　Josephine。
〃Sire；　when　your　beautiful；　exalted　mother　was　still　living　in
Versailles；　I　had　the　honor　to　be　presented　to　her；　both　at　the
grand　receptions　and　at　the　minor　ones。　One　dayit　was　already　in
the　unhappy　Reign　of　Terrorwhen　the　queen　had　left　Versailles　and
Trianon；　and　was　already　living　in　the　Tuileries；　I　went　thither　to
pay　my　respects。〃

〃That　is　to　say；　madame；〃　cried　Louis；　〃you　were　a　brave　and　loyal
woman；　for　only　the　brave　and　the　loyal　ventured　then　to　go　to　the
Tuileries。　Oh；　speak　on！　speak　on！　You　wanted　to　pay　your　respects
to　the　queen；　you　were　saying；　she　received　you；　did　she　not？　You
were　taken　into　the　little　saffron　saloon？〃

〃No；　sire；　the　queen　was　not　there；　she　was　in　the　little　music…
hall；　and；　because　at　that　time　etiquette　was　no　longer　rigidly
enforced；　I　was　allowed　to　accompany　the　Marchioness　de　Tourzel　into
the　music…room。　The　queen　did　not　notice　our　entrance；　for　she　was
singing。　I　remained　standing　at　the　door；　and　contemplated　the
wondrous　picture　that　I　saw　there。　The　queen；　in　a　simple　white
dress；　her　light　brown；　slightly　powdered　hair　concealed　by　a　black
lace　head…dress；　sat　at　the　spinet　on　which　her　white　hands　rested。
Near　her　in　the　window…niche　sat　madame；　engaged　with　her
embroidery。　Very　near　her　sat；　in　a　little　arm…chair；　a　boy　of　five
years；　a　lovely　child；　with　long　golden　locks；　with　large　blue　eyes；
and　looking　like　an　angel。　The　little　hands；　surrounded　by　lace
wristbands；　leaned　on　the　support　of　the　chair；　while　his　looks
rested　incessantly　upon　the　countenance　of　the　queen；　and　his　whole
child's　soul　was　absorbed　in　the　gaze　which　he　directed　to　his
mother。　The　queen　was　singing；　and　the　tones　of　her　soulful　voice
resound　still　in　my　heart。　The　song　was　this：

'Dors；　mon　enfant；　clos　ta　paupiere；　Tes　cris　me　dechirent　le　coeur：
Dors；　mon　enfant；　ta　pauvre　mere　A　bien　assez　de　sa　douleur。'

And　while　she　sang　she　turned　her　head　toward　her　son；　who　listened
to　her　motionless　and　as　if　enchanted。　'See；'　cried　madame；　the
sister　of　the　pretty　boy；　'I　believe　Louis　Charles　has　fallen
asleep。'　The　child　started　up；　and　a　glowing　redness　suffused　his
cheeks。　'Oh！　Theresa；'　he　cried；　'how　could　any　one　go　to　sleep　when
my　mamma　queen　was　singing'？'　His　mother　stooped　down　to　him；
pressed　a　long　kiss　upon　his　brow；　and　a　tear　fell　from　her　eyes
upon　his　golden　hair。　I　saw　it；　and　involuntarily　my　eyes　filled；　I
could　not　hold　back　my　tears；　aud　went　softly　out　to　compose　myself。
Sire；　I　see　you　still　before　methis　beautiful　queen　and　her
childrenand　it　is　with　me　to…day　as　then；　I　must　weep。〃

〃And　I！oh；　my　God！and　I！〃　whispered　Louis；　putting　both　his
hands　before　his　quivering　face。　Even　Fouche　seemed　moved；　his　lips
trembled　and　his　cheeks　grew　pale。

A　long　pause　ensued。　Nothing　was　heard　but　the　convulsive　sobbing　of
the　young　man；　who　still　held　his　hands　before　his　face；　and　wept　so
violently　that　the　tears　poured　down　in　heavy　drops　between　his
fingers。

〃Sire；〃　cried　Josephine；　with　supplicatory　voice〃　sire；　by　the
recollection　of　that　hour；　I　conjure　you；　forgive　me　that　I　now　live
in　those　rooms　which　Marie　Antoinette　once　inhabited。　Ah！　it　has　not
been　my　wish；　and　I　have　done　it　only　with　pain　and　grief。　Believe
me；　sire；　and　forgive　me　that　I　have　been　compelled　to　live　in　the
palace　of　the　kings。〃

He　took　his　hands　from　his　face；　and　gazed　at　her。

〃You　live　in　the　Tuileries？　Who　are　you？　Madame；　who　are　you？〃

〃Sire；　I　was　formerly　Viscountess　Beauharnais；　now　I　am〃

〃The　wife　of　the　First　Consul！〃　exclaimed　the　prince；　drawing　back
in　terror〃　the　wife　of　him　who　is　pursuing　me；　and　who；　as　Fouche
says；　means　to　bring　me　to　the　scaffold。〃

〃Oh；　sire；　forgive　him！〃　implored　Josephine；　〃he　is　not　wicked；　he
is　not　cruel；　but　circumstances　compel　him　to　act　as　he　does。　God
Himself；　it　would　seem；　has　chosen　him　to　restore；　with　his　heroic
sword　and　his　heroic　spirit；　peace　and　prosperity　to　this
unfortunate　land；　bleeding　from　a　thousand　wounds。　He　was　the　savior
of　France；　and　the　grateful　nation　hailed　him　with　paeans；　and　full
of　confidence　laid　the　reins　of　government　in　his　hands。　Through　his
victories　and　his　administration　of　affairs；　France　has　again　grown
strong　and　great　and　happy；　and　yet　he　is　daily　threatened　by
assassins；　yet　there　are　continual　conspiracies　whose　aim　is　to
murder　the　man　to　whom　France　is　indebted　for　its　new　birth。　What
wonder　that　he　at　last；　to　put　an　end　to　these　conspiracies；　and
these　attempts　upon　his　life；　will；　by　a　deed　of　horror；　inspire　the
conspirators　with　fear？　He　is　firmly　resolved　on　this。　The　lion　has
been　aroused　from　his　calmness　by　new　conspiracies；　and　the　shaking
of　his　mane　will　this　time　annihilate　all　who　venture　to　conspire
against　him。　Sire；　I　do　not　accuse　you；　I　do　not　say　that　you　do
wrongly　to　make　every　attempt　to　regain　the　inheritance　of　your
fathers。　May　God　judge　between　you　and　your　enemies！　But　your
enemies　have　the　power　in　their　hands；　and　you　must　yield　to　that
power。　Oh；　my　dear；　unfortunate；　pitiable　lord；　I　conjure　you；　save
yourself　from　the　anger　of　the　First　Consul；　and　from　the　pursuers
who　have　been　sent　out　to　seek　you。　If　you　are　found；　you　are　lost；
and　no　one　in　the　world　will　then　be　able　to　save　you。　Fly；
thereforefly；　while　there　is　still　time！〃

〃Fly！〃　cried　the　young　prince；　bitterly；　〃evermore　fly！　My　whole
life　is　a　perpetual　flight；　a　continuous　concealment。　Like　the
Wandering　Jew；　I　must　journey　from　land　to　landnowhere　can　I　rest；
nowhere　find　peace。　Without　a　home；　without　parents；　without　a　name；
I　wander　around；　and；　like　a　hunted　wild　beast；　I　must　continually
start　afresh；　for　the　hounds　are　close　behind　me。　Well；　be　it　so；
then；　I　am　weary　of　defying　my　fate　longer；　I　surrender　myself　to
what　is　inevitable。　The　First　Consul　may　send　me　as　a　conspirator　to
the　scaffold。　I　am　prepared　to　die。　I　shall　find　that　peace　in　death
at　least　that　life　so　cruelly　denies　me。　I　will　not　flyI　will
remain。　The　example　of　my　parents　will　teach　me　how　to　die。〃

〃Oh；　speak　not　so！〃　exclaimed　Josephine。　〃Have　pity　on　me；　have　pity
on　yourself。　You　are　still　so　young；　life　has　so　much　for　you　yet；
there　remains　so　much　to　you　yet　to　hope　for。　You　must　live；　not　to
avenge　the　death　of　your　illustrious　parents；　but　to　make　its　memory
less　poignant。　Son　of　kings；　you　have　received　life　from　God；　and
from　your　parents；　you　may　not　lightly　throw　it　away；　but　must
defend　it；　for　the　blessing　of　your　mother　rests　upon　your　head；
which　you　must　save　from　the　scaffold。〃

〃You　must　live；〃　said　Fouche；　〃for　your　death　would　bring　joy　to
those　who　were　the　bitter　enemies　of　Queen　Marie　Antoinette；　and　who
would　be　yo