ady once informed her through M. de Houdetot that her
departure was absolutely necessary and must take place at once, and he
had only been moved to consent to her further sojourn by the condition
of the prince, whose inflammation of the throat had rendered a second
application of leeches necessary.

They were now, however, on the eve of a great and dangerous day, of the
5th of May[68]. The people of Paris were strangely moved, and the new
government saw with much apprehension the dawn of this day of such great
memories for France. There seemed to be some justification for this
apprehension. Since the break of day, thousands of people had flocked to
the column on the _Place Vendome_. Silently and gravely they approached
the monument, in order to adorn with wreaths of flowers the eagles, or
to lay them at the foot of the column, and then to retire mournfully.

[Footnote 68: The anniversary of Napoleon's death.]

Hortense stood at the window of her apartment, looking on with folded
hands and tears of bliss at the impressive and solemn scene that was
taking place on the _Place Vendome_ beneath, when suddenly a violent
knocking was heard at her door, and M. de Houdetot rushed in, a pale and
sorrowful expression on his countenance.

"Duchess," said he breathlessly, "you must depart immediately, without
an hour's delay! I am ordered to inform you of this. Unless the life of
your son is to be seriously endangered, you must leave at once!"

Hortense listened to him tranquilly. She almost pitied the king--the
government--to whom a weak woman and an invalid youth could cause such
fear. How great must this fear be, when it caused them to disregard all
the laws of hospitality and of decency! What had she done to justify
this fear? She had not addressed herself to the people of France, in
order to obtain help and protection for her son--for the nephew of the
emperor; cautiously and timidly she had concealed herself from the
people, and, far from being disposed to arouse or agitate her country,
she had only made herself known to the King of France in order to
solicit protection and toleration at his hands.

She was distrusted, in spite of this candor; and her presence, although
known to no one, awakened apprehensions in those in authority. Hortense
pitied them; not a word of complaint or regret escaped her lips. She
sent for her physician at once; and, after informing him that she must
necessarily depart for London, she asked him