CHAPTER V.
To conclude the solemnities of the day, a public banquet was offered to the Emperor and Empress by the city of Alexandria, in the Town Hall, which was splendidly decorated for the occasion; after which, their majesties, wearied by their exertions, retired to pass the evening in one of the private apartments allotted to their use. The Emperor and Empress were now together, attended only by the secretary of the former; and, while dictating his despatches, Napoleon continued to pace the room, rubbing his hands with an air of satisfaction. Josephine, meanwhile, stood beguiling the time allotted by her lord to the duties of empire, by admiring, in one of the lofty mirrors of the saloon, the elegant coquetry of her own dress, and the splendour of the jewels in which she was arrayed.
After the departure of the secretary, the Emperor took his seat; and, while resting his elbow on a table covered with crimson velvet, richly fringed with gold, he fell into a train of reflection, announced by the expression of his countenance, of a highly agreeable nature. But the silence in which he was absorbed was far from satisfactory to Josephine. She felt that he had deported himself harshly towards her that morning, in the affair of the Fenestrella memorial. But she was beginning to perceive that she had been precipitate in pressing her request at an inauspicious moment; and promised herself to repair the injury she might have done herprotégé, by referring, at a more convenient season, his petition to the Emperor. The happy moment, she fancied, was now arrived!
Seating herself at the table, exactly opposite to Napoleon, and resting, like himself, her chin upon her hand, she met his inquiring looks with a smile, and demanded the subject of his cogitations.
“Of what am I thinking?†replied the Emperor, in a cheerful tone—“that the imperial diadem is a very becoming ornament; and that I should have been much to blame if I had not added such a trinket to your majesty’s casket.â€
The smiles of Josephine subsided as he spoke, while those of the Emperor brightened. He was fond of repressing those nervous tremors and evil auguries on the part of the Empress, naturally excited by the extraordinary change of condition which had elevated a simple subject to the imperial throne.
“Are you not better pleased to salute me Emperor than general?†he persisted, without noticing her serious looks.
“I am—for the higher title endows you with the prerogative of mercy,†she replied; “and I have an appeal to make to your clemency.â€
It was now Napoleon’s turn to relapse into gravity. Knitting his brows, he prepared himself sternly for resistance—ever on the watch lest the influence of Josephine over his mind should beguile him into some culpable weakness in matters of state.
“How often have you promised me,†said he in a tone of severity, “to interfere no more with the course of public justice? Do you suppose that the privilege of according pardon is assigned to sovereigns, that they may gratify the caprices of their private feelings? Mercy should be exercised only to soften the too rigorous justice of the laws, or rectify the errors of public tribunals. To extend one’s hand in continual acts of forgiveness, is wantonly to multiply and strengthen the ranks of the enemies of government.â€
“Nevertheless, sire,†remonstrated Josephine, concealing with her handkerchief the tendency to mirth which she could scarcely repress, “you will certainly comply with the request I am about to make.â€
“I doubt it.â€
“And I persist in my opinion; for it is an act of justice rather than of clemency, I implore at your hands. I demand that two oppressors should be removed from the post they hold! Yes, sire—let them be dismissed with ignominy—let them be condemned, and discarded for ever from the service of your majesty!â€
“How, Josephine!†cried Napoleon, “it is byyourlips that for once I am instigated to severity? Haveyoubecome the advocate of punishment? Upon whom, pray, are you thus desirous to call down vengeance?â€
“Upon two flagstones, sire, which are superfluous in the pavement of a courtyard!†replied the Empress, indulging, unrestrained, in the merriment she had so long found it difficult to repress.
“Two flagstones! are you making a jest of me?†cried Napoleon, in a severe tone, piqued at supposing himself treated with levity by his wife.
“Never was I more truly in earnest,†replied Josephine, “for on the removal of these two stones depends the happiness of a suffering human being. Let me entreat your majesty’s attention to a history that requires your utmost indulgence, both towards myself and its unfortunate object.†And without farther circumlocution, she proceeded to acquainthim with the particulars of her singular interview with Teresa Girardi, and the devoted services of the poor girl towards a friendless prisoner, whose name she studiously kept concealed. While enlarging on the sufferings of the captive, on his passion for his plant, and the disinterestedness of his young and lovely advocate—all the natural eloquence of a humane and truly feminine heart flowed from her lips, and irradiated her speaking countenance.
Impressed by the animation of her gestures, a respondent smile played upon the lips of the Emperor; but that smile, alas! was an exclusive tribute to the attractions and excellencies of his wife!