told Josephine his decision, Napoleon at first tried to get his intimates to
break the unwelcome news to her. He tried to enlist Hortense, then
Eugene, even Cambaceres, but all declined the task. He finally broke the
logjam by moving back to Paris and then brusquely announcing his
decision to divorce after dinner on 30 November. The Palace Prefect
Baron de Bausset later related the events of that traumatic evening. He
heard screams coming from the imperial salon, and was then summoned
to find Josephine stretched out on the carpet, moaning and shrieking; he
then helped the Emperor to carry the prostrate Josephine down to her
apartments.
She recovered quickly and displayed admirable stoicism. Nothing in
her career as Empress became her like the leaving of it. For a fortnight
she attended a round of official receptions and dinners as if nothing had
happened, waiting for the final thunderclap to sound. Once he had taken
the irrevocable step, Napoleon's sentimental fondness for Josephine
reasserted itself and he was often to be found by his intimates in tears of
regretful expostulation, especially when he learned that Hortense and
Eugene were determined to resist the blandishments of the imperial
world to follow their mother into internal exile. Once again Napoleon
engaged in a favourite fantasy - that of being the victim of circumstance
and the plaything of destiny; all his decisions always had to take on the
hues of Hegelian necessity, he could never admit that the so-called
'necessity' was simply what he himself had decided. But he tried to soften
the blow for Josephine by showering her with rewards and perquisites.
He promised her she would keep the title of Empress, her chateau at
Malmaison, her jewels and an annual income of three million francs in
gold, as well as acquiring the honorary title 'Duchess of Navarre'.
On 14 December came the fo rmal public announcement that the
marriage was to be dissolved. In the Throne Room of the Tuileries, in
what was presented as a glittering imperial occasion, Napoleon told his
courtiers that he was acting against the dictates of his heart for the best
interests of France. After expressing gratitude to Josephine for thirteen
memorable years, he sat down in tears. Josephine replied by saying she
was proud to show this ultimate proof of devotion, but then broke down
and could not continue; the rest of her statement was read out by an aide.
There were many crocodile tears from those courtiers who loved not
Josephine, but the Bonaparte clan were almost publicly exultant -
'gloating' was the word used by the heartbroken Hortense. There was
more emotion to come. Eugene fainted once he had left the Throne
Room, while Josephine burst like a crazy woman into Napoleon's
apartments that night and began kissing him wildly. Sobbing and tears
marcin
(Marcin)
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