Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/174

158 she announced her intention of travelling incognito, and that she would not demand hospitality of the court of the Tuileries.

Whilst waiting for the time for leaving, the august traveller visited the quay. She was accompanied by M. Martin Castillo, her minister for foreign affairs, by her high chamberlains, the Count de Bombelles, and other officers who had followed her. Her face bore the impress of painful cares, increased by her extreme fatigue; her eyes already shone with all the brilliancy of fever. The voyage had sorely tried the young empress. At her own desire, in order to be more retired, she had been placed at the stern of the ship, and had been unable to enjoy quiet sleep on account of the continual motion of the screw. The next day the empress arrived in Paris, and proceeded to the Grand Hôtel. As the end of her journey drew near, her excitement seemed to increase. The imperial family being then staying at the palace of Saint-Cloud, the empress, having asked that one of the court-carriages should be placed at her disposal, demanded an immediate interview with Napoleon III. In the meantime she received a visit from M. Drouyn de Lhuys, and spent a portion of the day in conversation with this minister. Although the emperor had replied that he felt indisposed, and that he regretted that he was unable to give her an audience, the Empress Charlotte, allowing no postponement, proceeded to the palace.

Her entreaties were so passionate that Napoleon at last consented to receive her. She then set forth Maximilian's demands, who still required from France fresh assistance, both financial and military. The conversation was long and vehement, replete on both sides with recriminations, which ended in altering the friendly tone of the explanations exchanged. The