supreme power, the first consul,
as seems to me, ought rather to gain hearts than to be
exhibited as ruling slaves. Soften by your counsels whatever
may be too violent in his just resentment. Punish--alas!
that you must certainly do--but pardon still more. Be also
the support of those unfortunate men who, by frank avowal or
repentance, shall expiate a portion of their crime.

"Having myself narrowly escaped perishing in the Revolution,
you must regard as quite natural my interference on behalf
of those who can be saved without involving in new danger
the life of my husband, precious to me and to France. On
this account, do, I entreat you, make a wide distinction
between the authors of the crime and those who, through
weakness or fear, have consented to take a part therein.
As a woman, a wife, and a mother, I must feel the
heart-rendings of those who will apply to me. Act, citizen
minister, in such a manner that the number of these may be
lessened. This will spare me much grief. Never will I turn
away from the supplications of misfortune. But in the
present instance you can do infinitely more than I, and you
will, on this account, excuse my importunity. Rely on my
gratitude and esteem."

Hortense was now eighteen years of age. Louis Napoleon, brother of
the first consul, was twenty-four. The plan was formed by Napoleon
and Josephine of uniting them in marriage. Louis was a studious,
imaginative, pensive man, with no taste for the glitter and pomp of
fashion, and with a decided aversion to earth's noisy ambition. He loved
communing with his own thoughts, the falling leaf, the sighing wind--the
fireside with its books, its solitude, its sacred society of one or two
congenial friends. He belonged to that class of men, always imbued with
deep feeling, whose happiness is only found in those hallowed affections
which bind kindred hearts in congenial pursuits and joys. As Napoleon
was riding triumphantly upon his war-horse over the Austrian squadrons
in Italy, achieving those brilliant victories which paved his way to the
throne of France, Louis, then a young man but nineteen years of age, met
in Paris a young lady, the daughter of an emigrant noble, for whom he
formed a strong attachment, and his whole soul became absorbed in the
passion of love. Napoleon was informed of this attachment, and,
apprehensive that the allia