what that is which pierces the heart most deeply? | It is the ingratitude of man. I am weary of life. Death is repose. What I have suffered for the last twenty days can not be comprehended." At that moment the clock struck five. The cloudless sun of a beautiful spring morning, shining through the damask curtains, colored with the rosy tint of health and vigor, the serene and expressive features of Napoleon. He pressed his hand upon his expansive brow, and said, "Caulaincourt, there have been moments in these last days when I thought I should go mad -when I have felt such a devouring heat here. Madness is the last stage of human degradation. It is the abdication of humanity. Better to die a thousand times. In resigning myself to life, I accept tortures which are nameless. It matters not-I will support them." After a moment's pause, in which his whole soul seemed concentrated in intense thought, he resumed with emphasis, "I will sign the treaty to-day. Now I am well, my friend. Go and rest yourself." Caulaincourt retired. Napoleon immediately rose and dressed. At ten o'clock he sent again for Caulaincourt; and, with entire composure and self-possession, as if it were the ordinary business of the day, entered into conversation upon the conditions of the treaty. "These pecuniary clauses," said he, humiliating. They must be canceled. now nothing beyond a soldier. A Louis will be sufficient for me." "are I am a day Caulaincourt, appreciating this refinement of sensibility, urged that the necessities of his friends and attendants who would be dependent upon the means at Napoleon's disposal, would not permit the stipulations in question to be suppressed. Napoleon yielded to these considerations, and added, "Hasten the conclusion of the whole. Place the treaty in the hands of the allied sovereigns. Tell them, in my name, that I treat with a conquering enemy, not with this provisional government, in which I see nothing but a committee of factious men and traitors." He requested the two plenipotentiaries, Macdonald and Ney, to come to his cabinet. As they entered, he slowly passed his hand over his forehead, then took the pen and signed the treaty. Rising from his chair, he turned to the noble Macdonald, and said, "I am no longer rich enough to recompense your last and faithful services. I wish, however, to leave you a souvenir, which shall remind you of what you were to me in these days of trial. Caulaincourt," said he, turning to his confidential officer, "ask for the sabre that was given to me in Egypt by Mourad Bey, and which I wore at the battle of Mount Tabor." Napoleon took the Oriental weapon, and handing it to the Marshal, said, "There is the only reward of your attachment which I am now able to give you. You are my friend." Sire," replied Macdonald, pressing the weapon to his heart, "I shall preserve it all my life. And if I should ever have a son, it will be his most precious inheritance." Napoleon clasped the hands of the Marshal, threw his arms around his neck, and tears filled the eyes of both as they thus parted. Mindful of his soldiers more than of himself in this hour, he said to his plenipotentiaries as they left the room, "My abdication and my ratification of the treaty can not be obligatory unless the Allies keep the promises made to the army. Do not let the documents go out of your possession until that be done." The plenipotentiaries immediately returned to Paris. The sovereigns and the members of the provisional government were assembled in council. The treaty, as ratified by the Emperor, was presented. There were various points to be established, which occupied several days, during which great rewards were held out to the prominent and influential men of the Empire, who would give in their cordial adherence to the new government. Their support was of essential importance to its stability. The situation in which they were placed was peculiarly trying. They could do nothing more for Napoleon. Their refusal to accept office under the new regime, consigned them to suspicion, poverty and obscurity. Still many, from love to the Emperor, refused to enroll themselves under the banners of the Bourbons. But the great majority were eager to make peace with the new government. Under these circumstances, Napoleon was exceedingly impatient for the hour of his departure. He sent courier after courier to Caulaincourt, urging expedition. In one of his short notes he wrote, "I wish to depart. Who would have ever supposed that the air of France would become suffocating to me? The ingratitude of mankind kills more surely than steel or poison. It has rendered my existence a burden. Hasten, hasten my departure." The four great powers, Russia, Prussia, England, and Austria, appointed each a commissioner to conduct the Emperor to Elba. The sovereigns deemed the escort of an imposing armed force to be necessary. It was feared that the enthusiastic love of the inhabitants of the middle and eastern departments of France for Napoleon, might upon his appearance break out into an insurrection which would blaze through the whole empire. In some of the southern departments the royalists predominated. It was feared that in those sections conspiracies might lead to his assassination. It was therefore deemed necessary that commissioners should accompany Napoleon, with a force sufficiently strong to crush the populace, should they attempt to rise, and also to protect him from insult and violence. His death would have left an irreparable stain upon the Allies, and a renewal of the war would have been a fearful calamity. Bernadotte, who had foolishly hoped to obtain the crown of France, was deeply chagrined at the result of his infamy. Notwithstanding the presence of the allied armies, he could appear nowhere in the streets of Paris without encountering insult. Crowds daily greeted him with loud cries, "Down with the traitor, the perjurer!" They besieged his residence, until Bernadotte, unable to endure this universal detestation of his countrymen, left Paris and returned to Sweden. He was greatly surprised," says his friend and confidant, Bourrienne, "that the French people could yield so readily to receive back the Bourbons. And I, on my part, felt equally astonished, that, with his experience, Bernadotte should have been simple enough to imagine, that. in changes of government, the inclinations of the people are consulted." Caulaincourt returned to Fontainebleau early in the morning of the 16th of April. A small number of grief-stricken soldiers surrounded the palace, still clinging to the beloved Emperor with unswerving fidelity. As soon as they saw Caulaincourt, they testified to their appreciation of his services by prolonged shouts of " Vive l'Empereur." The galleries and saloons of the palace were deserted. The brilliant court which once thronged those halls had passed away before the blast of adversity. Napoleon's heart had just been rent by a desertion more bitter than all the rest. Berthier, the companion of his campaigns, who had slept in his tent, and dined at his table, and who had been for many years the confidant of all his thoughts, departed silently, and by stealth, and in the night, without even saying adieu. "Berthier," says Lamartine, "had nourished for fifteen years in his heart one of those passions, at once simple and chivalrous, which formed the guiding-star and the fatality of a whole life. He loved a beautiful Italian, who had formerly fascinated him at Milan, and whom neither war, nor ambition, nor glory, nor the friendship of the Emperor, could for a moment detach from his thoughts and his eyes. In his tent, on the eve of battle, the portrait of this beauty, deified by his worship, was suspended by the side of his arms, rivaling his duty and consoling the pains of absence by the imaginary presence of her he adored. The idea of forever quitting this beloved object, should the Emperor require from his gratitude his attendance in exile, had led astray the mind of Berthier! He trembled every instant since the abdication, lest his master should put his attachment to too cruel a test by telling him to choose between his duty and his love. This proof he evaded by deserting in the night his companion in arms and benefactor. Unfaithful to the exiled Napoleon, through fidelity to love, he fled, as if to bind himself in closer chains, by offering his infidelity to the Bourbons." This unexpected desertion of a long-tried friend, without even one kind word at parting, lacerated anew the already bleeding heart of the Emperor. Caulaincourt found him walking alone, with measured steps, in the alleys of a little garden, which was almost overshadowed by the chapel of the castle. The young buds of early spring were just bursting into foliage upon the shrubbery of the parterre, and on the oaks of the dense forest of Fontainebleau, which formed the background of the picture. The Emperor was so absorbed in reverie, that for a moment he did not perceive the approaching footsteps of the Duke. Caulaincourt spoke. Napoleon turned quickly around, and a gleam of gratitude and joy beamed from his countenance as he recognized his faithful friend. He immediately took Caulaincourt's arm, and said, as he continued his walk, "Is all ready for my departure?" "Yes, Sire," the Duke replied, with emotion he could not repress. ""Tis well, Caulaincourt," Napoleon added. You exercise for the last time the functions of grand equerry near my person." the common soldiers. Almost overcome with emotion he convulsively pressed Caulaincourt's arm, and said, I can only take with me four hundred men, and yet the whole of my brave guard wish to follow me. Among those faithful soldiers the question is which shall be the most ingenious in finding, in the antiquity of his services and the number | of his armorial bearings, claims to share with me my exile. Brave, brave men, why can I not take you all with me!" While these scenes were transpiring, the Empress with her son was at Blois, about one hundred miles southeast from Paris, and seventy miles from Fontainebleau. She was in the deepest distress, and her face was continually bathed in tears. She was but twenty-two years of age, quite inexperienced, had never been trained to any self-reliance, and was placed in circumstances of the greatest possible embarrassment. When informed of the Emperor's abdication, she could not believe it possible that the Allies could contemplate his dethronement. "My father," she said, Then in mournful tones he continued: "Can you believe it, Caulaincourt? Berthier has departed-departed without even wishing me farewell. Berthier was born a courtier. You will see him begging employment of the Bourbons. I am mortified to see men whom I had raised so high bringing themselves so low. What has be-"would never consent to it. He repeated to me come of the halo of glory that encircled them? What must the allied sovereigns think of men whom I made the ornaments of my reign? Caulaincourt, this France is mine. Every thing by which it is dishonored is to me a personal injury, I am so identified with it. But I must go in and sit down. I feel fatigued. Hasten, hasten my departure. It is too long delayed." over and over again, when he placed me on the French throne, that he would always maintain me in that station; and my father is rigidly true to his word." The Emperor wrote to Maria Louisa daily, and often two or three times a day, keeping her informed of the progress of events. It was, however, with great difficulty that any courier could leav-pass between Fontainebleau and Blois, as bands of Cossacks were prowling in all directions. Napoleon was afraid to request Maria Louisa to join him, since he had no means of affording her protection, and she would be imminently exposed on the way to insult and captivity. Just as the Emperor and the Duke were ing the garden, a cuirassier of the guard, who had been watching an opportunity of speaking to the Emperor, came running in great agitation to ward them. "Please your Majesty," said he, in a trembling, supplicating voice, “I demand justice. An odious act of injustice has been done me. I am thirtysix years old. Twenty-two years I have been in the service. I have my decoration," said he, striking roughly his broad breast, "and yet I am not in the list of those who are to go with your Majesty. If I am thus sent to the right-about blood shall flow for it. I will make a vacancy among the privileged. This affair shall not pass thus." 66 You have then a strong desire to go with me," said Napoleon, deeply touched with the man's fidelity. Have you well considered this, that you must quit France, your family, your promotion? You are a quarter-master." "It is not merely a desire, my Emperor," the man replied; "it is my right, my honor, which I claim. I relinquish my promotion. I have my cross; that will suffice. As to my family, you have been my family these two-and-twenty years." Very well," said the Emperor, "you shall go with me, my good friend. I will arrange it." "Thanks, thanks to your Majesty," the poor fellow replied, and he retired elated with pride and happiness. All the affections of the Emperor were deeply moved by these tokens of devotion on the part of On the 7th of April the Emperor wrote her a letter, by Colonel Galbois. With great difficulty the courier succeeded in reaching the Empress. She read the letter in a state of great excitement, and then said, "My proper place is near the Emperor, particularly now when he is so truly unhappy. I insist upon going to him. I should be contented any where, provided I can but be in his company.” The Colonel represented to her that the peril of the journey was so extreme that it was not to be thought of. With great reluctance she yielded, and wrote a letter to the Emperor, which gratified him exceedingly. He immediately wrote to her to advance to Orleans, which was about half-way between Blois and Fontainebleau. She reached Orleans without any personal molestation, though her escort was robbed by the way. She remained in Orleans several days, in the deepest distress and alarm. Her eyes were swollen with continual weeping, and she exhibited an aspect of woe which moved the sympathy of every heart. Maria Louisa, though possessing but little native force of character, was an amiable woman, and by her gentle spirit won Napoleon's tender attachment. It would be impossible for any woman to have been placed in circumstances of will not recall what I have done. Let destiny be accomplished." On the morning of the 19th, the preparations were nearly completed for the departure. As the hour approached in which Napoleon was to bid adieu to all which he had known and loved, though calm and resigned, there were many indications that he was struggling to smother the most excruciating sorrow. His heart yearned for sym greater perplexity. What can I do," she said in anguish to the Duke of Rovigo. "I write to the Emperor for advice, and he tells me to write to my father. But what can my father say, after the injuries he has allowed to be inflicted upon me? Shall I go to the Emperor with my son But if an attempt is made upon the Emperor's life, and he should be compelled to fly, we should but embarrass him, and add to his danger. I know not what to do. I live but to weep." pathy in this hour of desertion. And yet many Maria Louisa was now entirely helpless. A of his old companions in arms, whom he had Russian escort was sent from allied sover- loved and cherished, were now dancing at the eigns, and conducted her without resistance to balls of the Allies, and wearing the white cockade Rambouillet, an ancient hunting-seat of the kings of the Bourbons. It is not strange that they of France, about thirty miles from Paris. Here wished to avoid a parting interview with the forshe joined her father, and became with her son saken Emperor. Still Napoleon hoped that some the captive of the Allies. Guarded by the sol- of them would come. He uttered not one word diers who had overthrown her husband, she was of reproach, but was overheard repeating sadly to conveyed to Vienna. How far her subsequent himself the names, Molé, Fontanes, Berthier, inglorious career was influenced by inclination Ney. Every time the sound of a carriage broke or by force, it is impossible now to determine. upon the silence of the deserted halls of the palace, expectation and anxiety were visible in his looks. Still no one came. The 20th of April was fixed for the departure of the Emperor. During the few intervening days he appeared calm, tranquil, and decided. He still clung to the hope that Maria Louisa and his adored child would be permitted to rejoin him at Elba. "The air there is healthy," he observed, and the disposition of the inhabitants excellent. I shall feel tolerably comfortable there, and I hope that Maria Louisa will do so too." A few days before his departure his old prefect of the palace, Beausset, in conversation, ventured to state: " It is now to be regretted that we had not concluded peace at Chatillon." Napoleon, with remarkable composure, replied, "I never believed in the good faith of our enemies. Every day there were new demands, new conditions. They did not want peace. And then I had declared to France that I never would accede to any terms that I thought humiliating, even though the enemy were on the heights of Montmartre." During this same interview, which lasted above two hours, he said, "What a thing is destiny. At the battle of Arcis-sur-Aube, I did all I could to meet a glorious death in defending, foot by foot, the soil of the country. I exposed myself without reserve. It rained bullets around nie. My clothes were pierced, and yet not one of them could reach me. A death which I should owe to an act of despair would be a baseness. Suicide neither accords with my principles nor with the rank which I have filled on the stage of the world. I am a man condemned to live." General Montholon, who had been on a military reconnoissance, returned from the banks of the Loire. He spoke with enthusiasm of the feeling which animated the soldiers and the people. By rallying the troops of the south, a formidable force might be assembled,” said he. 66 me." 66 "No, Caulaincourt," the Emperor rejoined, 'you must not quit France with me. You may still be useful to me here. Who is to look to the interests of my family and of my faithful servants? Who is to defend the cause of those brave and devoted Poles, of whom the nineteenth article of the treaty guarantees the rights acquired by honorable services.* Think well! It would be a shame for France, for me, for all of us, Caulaincourt, if the interests of the Poles were not irrevocably secured. In conformity with the rights which the nineteenth article gives me, I have caused a statement to be prepared. I have fixed the sums which I wish to be paid to my guard, my civil and military household, and to my attendants. Fidelity can not be recompensed with money; but at present it is all I have to give. Tell them it is a remembrance which I leave to each individually, as an attestation of their good services. Be on the watch, Caulaincourt, till these arrangements are fulfilled.” * The nineteenth article of the treaty was as follows: "The Polish troops of all arms shall have the liberty of returning to their own country, preserving their arms and baggage as a testimonial of their honorable services. The officers, sub-officers, and soldiers shall preserve the deco rations which have been granted to them, and the pensions attached to these decorations." "Between the old Bourbons," said he, "and the present generation of Frenchmen, there is an incompatibility of feeling. The future is big with events. Caulaincourt, write often to me. Your letters will make some amends for your absence. The remembrance of your conduct will reconcile me to the human race. You are the most faithful of my friends." After a moment's pause, he added, "In a few | impossible. days I shall be established in my sovereignty of the Isle of Elba. I am in haste to get there. I have dreamed of great things for France. Time failed me. I told you, Caulaincourt, at Dubeu, the French nation knows not how to support reverses. This people, the bravest and most intelligent in the world, has no pertinacity but in flying to the combat. Defeat demoralizes them. Then cordially grasping the hand of the Duke, During sixteen years, the French have marched the Emperor added, "My friend, we must sepawith me from victory to victory. A single year rate. To-morrow I shall have occasion for all of disasters has made them forget every thing." my fortitude, in bidding adieu to my soldiers. He sighed deeply, and continued, The way My brave guard! faithful and devoted in my good I have been treated is infamous. They separate and in my bad fortune! To-morrow I take my me violently from my wife and child. In what last farewell. This is the final struggle that rebarbarous code do they find the article which de- mains for me to make." His voice became tremprives a sovereign of his rights as a father and a ulous, his lip quivered, and he added, “Caulainhusband? By what savage law do they arrogate court, my friend, we shall one day meet again." the power to separate those whom God has joined Entirely overcome with emotion, he hastily left History will avenge me. It will say, Napoleon, the cabinet. Such was the final parting of Nathe soldier, the conqueror, was clement and gen-poleon with the Duke of Vicenza. erous in victory. Napoleon, when conquered, was treated with indignity by the monarchs of Europe. He paused a moment, and then added with bitterness, "It is a planned thing. Do you not see, that because they dare not blow my brains out with a pistol, they assassinate me by slow degrees? There are a thousand means of causing death." Caulaincourt adds, "I was a league from Fontainebleau before I felt conscious as to how or why I was there. On quitting the Emperor's cabinet, scarcely knowing what I did, I threw myself into my carriage, which was waiting at the entrance to the grand staircase. All was now over. It seemed to me as if I had never before measured the full depth of the abyss. Certainly I had never before so highly appreciated the personal merits of Napoleon. He had never As Napoleon uttered these words, large drops of perspiration oozed from his brow, and he paced the floor in intense agitation. In reading the re-appeared to me more great than at the moment cord of his anguish, the mind instinctively recurs to the divorce of Josephine. We perhaps perceive in it the retributive hand of God, who, in his providential government, does not permit even sins of ignorance to pass away unpunished. when he was about to depart in exile from France. I was independent in my fortune. I was tired of men and things. I wished for repose. But repose without him!-it was the ruin of all the delightful illusions which gave a value him.-to life. I did not comprehend how henceforth I I should drag out my colorless existence. I dreamed of travels into remote lands, of mental occupations, which should fill the measureless void of my days to come. I questioned the future, and in the future was written, in letters of blood-WATERLOO." Caulaincourt endeavored to soothe "Sire," he said, "all my zeal, all my efforts shall be exerted to put an end to this impious separation. Your Majesty may rely on me. I will see the Emperor of Austria, on his arrival at Paris. The Empress will second me. She will wish to rejoin you. Have hope, Sire, have hope." You are right, Caulaincourt, you are right," the Emperor more calmly rejoined. "My wife loves me. I believe it. She has never had cause to complain of me. It is impossible that I have become indifferent to her. Louisa is amiable in her disposition, and simple in her tastes. She will prefer her husband's house to a duchy granted in charity. And in the Isle of Elba I can yet be happy with my wife and son." Caulaincourt, as he narrates these events, adds, "This hope, which for a moment soothed his grief, I shared not in. I tried the negotiation. I pressed it. I supplicated. I was not seconded or aided by any one. Who knows, if Napoleon had been united to his wife and son, that France would have had to deplore the misfortune of the hundred days, and subsequently the captivity and death of the hero?" Napoleon soon regained his wonted compos He spoke without asperity of the rest the Bourbons, and of the difficul render the stability of the The high sense of honor with which Napoleon was disposed to discharge his part of the obligations of this treaty, compulsory as it was, is manifest from the magnanimous language with which he released his officers from all further obligations to him, and exhorted them to be faithful to their country under the new government. He assem bled in his room the officers still devoted to him, who remained at Fontainebleau, and, affectionately looking around upon the group, said, in his farewell words, "Gentlemen! when I remain no lon n |