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agitation: he scarcely spoke to any one, but, with arms folded, continued at intervals to pace his library alone; at table, when he raised his eye, it was only to look by stealth upon the empress with an expression of the deepest regret. The dinner was removed untouched-neither tasted a morsel; and the only use to which Napoleon turned his knife was to strike mechanically upon the edge of his glass, which he appeared to do unconsciously, and like one whose thoughts were painfully preoccupied. Every thing during this sad repast seemed to presage the impending catastrophe. The officers of the court, even, who were in attendance, stood in motionless expectancy, like men who look upon a sight they feel portends evil, though what they know not; not a sound was heard beyond the noise of placing and removing the untasted viands, and the monotonous tinkling already noticed; for the emperor spoke only once to ask a question, without giving any attention to the reply. “We dined together as usual," says Josephine; "I struggled with my tears, which, notwithstanding very effort, overflowed from my eyes; I uttered not a single word during that sorrowful meal, and he broke silence but once to ask an attendant about the weather. My sunshine, I saw, had passed away; the storm burst quickly. Directly after coffee, Bonaparte dismissed every one, and I remained alone with him. She rose as usual from the table with Napoleon, whom she slowly followed into the saloon, and with a handkerchief pressed upon her month, to restrain the sobbing which, though inaudible, shook her whole frame. Recovering, by an effort, her self-command, Josephine prepared to pour out the coffee, when Napoleon advancing to the page, performed the office for himself, casting upon her a regard remarked even by the attendants, and which seemed to fall with stunning import for she remained as if stupified. The emperor having drunk
