he ocean in so frail a skiff.
The young man entreated Napoleon to ascertain whether he was in earnest
by granting him permission to carry his design into execution. "You must
doubtless, then," said the emperor, "have some mistress to revisit,
since you are so desirous to return to your country?" "No!" replied the
sailor, "I wish to see my mother. She is aged and infirm." The heart of
the emperor was touched. "You shall see her," he energetically and
promptly replied. He immediately gave orders that the young man should
be thoroughly furnished with all comforts, and sent in a cruiser, with a
flag of truce, to the first British vessel which could be found. He also
gave the young man a purse for his mother, saying, "She must be no
common parent who can have trained up so affectionate and dutiful a
son."

CHAPTER XII.

THE DIVORCE AND LAST DAYS.

A.D. 1807-A.D. 1814

Napoleon's prospective heir.--Death of the child.--Grandeur of Napoleon.
--Struggle in his bosom.--Dejection of Napoleon.--His energy.--Grief of
Josephine.--Her forebodings.--Napoleon absents himself from her
society.--Anguish of Napoleon.--Difficulty in selecting a bride.--A
silent dinner at Fontainebleau.--The communication to Josephine.--
Effects thereof.--Agitation of Napoleon.--A night of anguish.--
Anniversary of the victory at Austerlitz.--Eugene summoned from Italy.
--Interview with Napoleon.--He is not without feeling.--The council
assembled.--Address of Napoleon.--He is still the friend of
Josephine.--Her response.--The council again assembled.--Consummation
of the divorce.--Entrance of Josephine.--Emotion of Hortense.--Josephine
signs the divorce.--Anguish of Eugene.--Last private interview between
Josephine and Napoleon.--The final adieu.--Mental anguish of
Napoleon.--Malmaison assigned to Josephine as her future residence.--
Josephine leaves the Tuilleries.--Madame de Rochefoucault.--Josephine
submissive to her lot.--Morning parties.--Social habits.--Daily routine
at Malmaison.--The airing.--The dinner hour.--Mirthful evenings.--
Marriage of Napoleon and Maria Louisa.--Birth of the King of Rome.
--Letter from Josephine.--Josephine's interest in the son of Napoleon.
--Her joy at his birth.--Her desire for information.--A letter from
Napoleon.--Deep emotion of Josephine.--Amiability of Napoleon.--He
presents his son to Josephine.--Generous conduct of Josephine.--Letter
to her superintendent.--Refined taste of Josephine.--Continued grief of