293

X. LETTER FROM LOUIS NAPOLEON TO HIS MOTHER 322

XI. DEATH OF HORTENSE, AND THE ENTHRONEMENT OF HER SON 358

ENGRAVINGS.

PAGE

HORTENSE _Frontispiece._

JOSEPHINE TAKING LEAVE OF HER CHILDREN 38

THE RECONCILIATION 76

THE LOVE-LETTER 104

THE LITTLE PRINCE NAPOLEON 129

THE DIVORCE ANNOUNCED 165

THE DEATH OF MADAME BROC 194

HORTENSE AND HER CHILDREN 218

HORTENSE AT ARENEMBERG 248

INTERVIEW IN THE COLISEUM 271

THE STUDY OF LOUIS NAPOLEON 307

THE ARREST 336

HORTENSE.

CHAPTER I.

PARENTAGE AND BIRTH.

1776-1794

Josephine's voyage to France.--Viscount de Beauharnais.--Josephine's
reluctance.--Marriage.--Birth of Eugene.--Birth of Hortense.--Separation
from Beauharnais.--Return to Martinique.--Revisits France.--The jewel
caskets.--The old pair of shoes.--Commencement of the Reign of
Terror.--Arrest of Beauharnais.--Domiciliary visit.--Beauharnais in
prison.--Affecting interview.--Scene in prison.--Trial of
Beauharnais.--Anguish of Josephine.--Arrest of Josephine.--Impulsiveness
of Hortense.--Letter from Josephine.--Letter from Beauharnais.--Execution
of Beauharnais.--Josephine to her children.

In the year 1776 a very beautiful young lady, by the name of Josephine
Rose Tascher, was crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the island of
Martinique to France. She was but fifteen years of age; and, having been
left an orphan in infancy, had been tenderly reared by an uncle and
aunt, who were wealthy, being proprietors of one of the finest
plantations upon the island. Josephine was accompanied upon the voyage
by her uncle. She was the betrothed of a young French nobleman by the
name of Viscount Alexander de Beauharnais, who had recently visited
Martinique, and who owned several large estates adjoining the property
which Josephine would probably inherit.