This was heard in the midst of profound silence, and the deepest concern was depicted on every face.  The Empress appeared calmer than any one else in the assemblage, although tears incessantly flowed from her eyes.  She was seated in an armchair in the midst of the saloon, resting her elbow on a table, while Queen Hortense stood sobbing behind her.  The reading of the act ended, the Empress rose, dried her eyes, and in a voice which was almost firm, pronounced the words of assent, then seated herself in a chair, took a pen from the hand of M. Regnaud de Saint-Jean d’Angely, and signed the act.  She then withdrew, leaning on the arm of Queen Hortense; and Prince Eugene endeavored to retire at the same moment through the cabinet, but his strength failed, and he fell insensible between the two doors.  The cabinet usher immediately raised him up, and committed him to the care of his aide-de-camp, who lavished on him every attention which his sad condition demanded.

During this terrible ceremony the Emperor uttered not a word, made not a gesture, but stood immovable as a statue, his gaze fixed and almost wild, and remained silent and gloomy all day.  In the evening, when he had just retired, as I was awaiting his last orders, the door opened, and the Empress entered, her hair in disorder, and her countenance showing great agitation.  This sight terrified me.  Josephine (for she was now no more than Josephine) advanced towards the Emperor with a trembling step, and when she reached him, paused, and weeping in the most heartrending manner, threw herself on the bed, placed her arms around the Emperor’s neck, and lavished on him most endearing caresses.  I cannot describe my emotions.  The Emperor wept also, sat up and pressed Josephine to his heart, saying to her, “Come, my good Josephine, be more reasonable!  Come, courage, courage; I will always be your friend.”  Stifled by her sobs, the Empress could not reply; and there followed a silent scene, in which their tears and sobs flowed together, and said more than the tenderest expressions could have done.  At last his Majesty, recovering from this momentary forgetfulness as from a dream, perceived that I was there, and said to me in a voice choked with tears, “Withdraw, Constant.”  I obeyed, and went into the adjoining saloon; and an hour after Josephine passed me, still sad and in tears, giving me a kind nod as she passed.  I then returned to the sleeping-room to remove the light as usual; the Emperor was silent as death, and so covered with the bedclothes that his face could not be seen.

The next morning when I entered the Emperor’s room he did not mention this visit of the Empress; but I found him suffering and dejected, and sighs which he could not repress issued from his breast.  He did not speak during the whole time his toilet lasted, and as soon as it was completed entered his cabinet.  This was the day on which Josephine was to leave the Tuileries for Malmaison, and all persons