Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/291

 26G CHARACTER OF JOSEPHINE.

last been reading was there, with the page doubled down. The pen which he had last used was there, with the ink dried on its point. When death drew nigh, she wished to sell all her jewels, that she might send the fallen Emperor money. She died before his return from Elba ; but her last thoughts were of him and France ; her last words expressed the hope and belief, that she had never caused a single tear to flow. Her body was followed to the grave, in the village church of Ruel, not alone by princes and generals, but by two thousand poor, whose hearts had been made glad by her bounty.&quot;

It is well known that Napoleon felt his fortunes had declined after his divorce from Josephine. He assert ed that the star of destiny was never favorable to him after that event. This he repeated more than once, during his humiliation at St. Helena, with a bitterness if not of remorse, at least of deep desolation, which it would have been the joy of her affectionate nature to have soothed and comforted.

He must surely have been master of many attrac tions, thus to create an affection so strong in a heart so pure ; and touching is this instance of woman s con stancy, that could thus &quot; love through all things.&quot;

��She, who o er earth s most polished clime The empress-crown did wear,

Who touched the zenith-point of power, The nadir of despair,

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