Page:History of the Empress Josephine (3).pdf/18

 returned the cup to the page, and by a sign indicated his wish to be alone, shutting with his own hand the door of the saloon.

We know, from Josephine's own words, what passed during this secret interview. “I watched in the changing expression of his countenance, that struggle which was in his soul. At length, his features settled into stern resolve. I saw that my hour was come. His whole frame trembled; he approached, and I felt a shuddering horror come over me. He took my hand, placed it upon his heart, gazed upon me for a moment, then pronounced these fearful words-“Josephine! my excellent Josephine! thou knowest if I have loved thee! To thee-to thee alone do I owe the only moments of happiness which I have enjoyed in this world, Josephine! my destiny overmasters my will. My dearest affections must be silent before the interests of France! 'Say no more,' I had still strength sufficient to reply; 'I was prepared for this, but the blow is not less mortal.' More I could not utter; I cannot tell what passed within me. I believed my screams were loud. I thought reason had fled. I became unconscious of every thing; and, on returning to my senses, found I had been carried to my chamber.

When Josephine thus fainted, Napoleon hastily opened the door of the saloon, and called to the two individuals who remained in the dining room. The opening of the door allowed them to see the empress on the floor, insensible, yet still speaking in broken murmurs-"Oh, no! you cannot surely do it!-you would not kill me!" M. de Beaumont entered, and litted in his arms the hapless Josephine. The emperor himself, taking a taper from the chimneypiece, lighted a way through a dark passage, whence there was a private staircase to the empress's sleeping-room.