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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Napoleon's Young Neighbor, by Helen Leah Reed
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Napoleon's Young Neighbor
+
+Author: Helen Leah Reed
+
+Release Date: January 22, 2011 [EBook #35037]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                      NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR
+
+                         BY HELEN LEAH REED
+
+
+AUTHOR OF "BRENDA; HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB," "BRENDA'S COUSIN AT
+RADCLIFFE," "BRENDA'S WARD," "AMY IN ACADIA," ETC.
+
+
+    _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+    BOSTON:
+    LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY
+    1907
+
+    Copyright, 1907,
+    By Little, Brown, and Company.
+
+    _All rights reserved_
+
+    Published October, 1907
+
+    Alfred Mudge & Son, Inc., Printers,
+    Boston, Mass., U. S. A.
+
+    TO
+    DOROTHY E. B.
+    WHOSE LOVE OF HISTORY BESPEAKS
+    A WELCOME
+    FOR THIS LITTLE VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA. From the painting by Delaroche]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+This book, chronicling some little known passages in the last few years
+of Napoleon, is based on the "Recollections of Napoleon at St. Helena,"
+by Mrs. Abell (Elizabeth Balcombe), published in 1844 by John Murray.
+
+Her little book is written in an old-fashioned and quiet style, and the
+present writer, without altering any words of Napoleon's, has, so far as
+possible, given a vivid form to conversations and incidents related
+undramatically and has rearranged incidents that Mrs. Abell told without
+great attention to chronology. The writer has also added many pages of
+matter (with close reference to the best authorities) in order to make
+the whole story of Napoleon clear to those who are not familiar with it.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+I. GREAT NEWS
+
+II. A DISTINGUISHED TENANT
+
+III. FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA
+
+IV. NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS
+
+V. BETSY'S BALL-GOWN
+
+VI. A HORSE TAMER
+
+VII. OFF FOR LONGWOOD
+
+VIII. THE GOVERNOR'S RULES
+
+IX. ALL KINDS OF FUN
+
+X. THE SERIOUS SIDE
+
+XI. THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS
+
+XII. THOUGHTLESS BETSY
+
+XIII. LONGWOOD DAYS
+
+XIV. THE PARTING
+
+XV. THE PANORAMA
+
+XVI. THE LAST PICTURES
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA
+
+JAMESTOWN
+
+THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE _BELLEROPHON_
+
+NAPOLEON
+
+THE BRIARS
+
+LONGWOOD
+
+
+
+
+NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+GREAT NEWS
+
+
+Far south in the Atlantic there is an island that at first sight from
+the deck of a ship seems little more than a great rock. In shape it is
+oblong, with perpendicular sides several hundred feet high. It is called
+St. Helena because the Portuguese, who discovered it in 1502, came upon
+it on the birthday of St. Helena, Constantine's mother. To describe it
+as the geographies might, we may say that it lies in latitude 15° 55'
+South, and in longitude 5° 46' West. It is about ten and a half miles
+long, six and three-quarters miles broad, and its circumference is about
+twenty-eight miles. The nearest land is Ascension Island, about six
+hundred miles away, and St. Helena is eleven hundred miles from the Cape
+of Good Hope.
+
+From the sea St. Helena is gloomy and forbidding. Masses of volcanic
+rock, with sharp and jagged peaks, tower up above the coast, an iron
+girdle barring all access to the interior. A hundred years ago its sides
+were without foliage or verdure and its few points of landing bristled
+with cannon. Jamestown, the only town, named for the Duke of York, lies
+in a narrow valley, the bottom of a deep ravine. Precipices overhang it
+on every side; the one on the left, rising directly from the sea, is
+known as Rupert's Hill, that on the right as Ladder Hill. A steep and
+narrow path cuts along the former, and a really good road winds zigzag
+along the other to the Governor's House. Opposite the town is James's
+Bay, the principal anchorage, where the largest ships are perfectly
+safe.
+
+The town really consists of a small street along the beach, called the
+Marina, which extends about three hundred yards to a spot where it
+branches off into two narrower roads, one of which is now called
+Napoleon Street. In 1815 there were about one hundred and sixty houses,
+chiefly of stone cemented with mud, for lime is scarce on the island.
+Among its larger buildings were a church, a botanical garden, a tavern,
+barracks, and, high on the left, the castle, the Governor's town
+residence.
+
+About a mile and a half from the town there stood in the early part of
+the past century a cottage built in the style of an Indian bungalow. It
+was placed rather low, with rooms mainly on one floor. A fine avenue of
+banyan trees led up to the house, and around it were tall evergreens and
+laces, pomegranates and myrtles, and other tropical trees. Better than
+these, however, in the eyes of the dwellers at The Briars were the great
+white-rose bushes, like the sweetbriar of old England. From these the
+house took its name, and thus the family in it seemed less far away from
+their old home.
+
+In a grove near the house were trees of every description, grapes of all
+kinds and citron, orange, shaddoc, guava, and mango trees in the
+greatest abundance. The surplus raised in the garden beyond what the
+family could use brought its owner several hundred pounds a year. The
+little cottage was shut in on one side by a hedge of aloes and prickly
+pear and on the other by high cliffs and precipices. From one of these
+cliffs, not far from the house, fell a waterfall, not only beautiful to
+the eye but on a hot day refreshing to the mind with its cool splash and
+tinkle.
+
+The owner of The Briars at this time was an Englishman named Balcombe,
+who was in the service of the government. Besides his servants his
+household consisted of his wife, his daughters Jane and Betsy, in their
+early teens, and two little boys much younger. They formed a happy,
+contented household, living a simple, quiet life, and though the parents
+were sometimes homesick, the children were very fond of their island
+abode.
+
+One evening in the middle of October, 1815, the Balcombe children were
+having a merry time with their parents, when a servant, entering,
+announced the arrival of two visitors.
+
+"It is the captain of the _Icarus_," said Mr. Balcombe, turning to his
+wife, "and another naval officer."
+
+"The man-of-war that came in to-day?" asked one of the children. "We
+heard the alarm sound from Ladder Hill."
+
+"Yes, yes, my dear." Then, turning to a servant, "Show them in."
+
+As the gentlemen entered the room, it was plain that they had something
+of importance to communicate.
+
+"Sir," said the senior officer to Mr. Balcombe, after the first
+greetings, "I come to tell you that the _Icarus_ is sent ahead of the
+_Northumberland_ to announce that the _Northumberland_ is but a few
+days' sail from St. Helena."
+
+"Yes," responded Mr. Balcombe politely, wondering why this announcement
+should be made so seriously.
+
+"Sir George Cockburn," continued the other, "commands the
+_Northumberland_, and in his care is Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he brings
+to St. Helena as a prisoner of state."
+
+Mr. Balcombe started to speak; his expression was one of annoyance. He
+was not fond of practical jokes. His wife leaned back in her chair,
+gazing incredulously at the speaker. The children laughed. The officer's
+story was too absurd. Then one of the little boys began to cry. In their
+play the older children were in the habit of frightening the others with
+the name of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was alarming to hear that the
+terrible Napoleon was to come to live on their peaceful island.
+
+Before Mr. Balcombe could express his surprise, the officer repeated:
+
+"Yes, Napoleon Bonaparte, the enemy of England."
+
+"But how can that be?" asked Mr. Balcombe, hardly understanding.
+"Bonaparte was on Elba months ago; what has England to do with him now?"
+
+"Surely--" began the captain; then recalling himself, "but I forgot how
+far St. Helena is from the rest of the world. After Napoleon escaped
+from Elba in February, he gathered a great army. But the Allies, with
+our Iron Duke at the head, met him near Brussels, and there in June was
+fought the great battle of Waterloo. Thousands were killed, brave
+English as well as French. That battle marked the downfall of Napoleon,
+and soon he was England's prisoner."
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe, as well as their children, listened eagerly,
+absorbed in a story they now heard for the first time.
+
+"So they send him here?" It was Mr. Balcombe who first spoke.
+
+"Yes; no spot in Europe can hold him. Even on Elba he had begun to
+establish a kingdom. He reached beyond that little island, and now he
+has had his Waterloo."
+
+"It is clear, then," said Mr. Balcombe, "why they have sent him here.
+This is a natural fortress and it belongs to England."
+
+"Yes," said the officer; "England knows that here, in her keeping,
+Bonaparte will never again escape to torment the world."
+
+After a few more words of explanation on the one hand and of surprise on
+the other, the visitors withdrew.
+
+Of those who had listened to the officer young Elizabeth, or Betsy as
+she was commonly called, was the most disturbed. She shivered and turned
+pale, and her mother, noticing her agitation, soon sent her to bed.
+There she silently wept herself to sleep and her dreams were filled with
+visions of that dreadful ogre, Bonaparte. It was not a very long time
+since she had really believed Napoleon to be a huge monster, a kind of
+Polyphemus with one large, flaming eye in the middle of his forehead and
+with long teeth protruding from his mouth, with which he devoured bad
+little girls.
+
+Although Betsy had outgrown this first idea of Napoleon, implanted in
+her young brain by careless servants, she was still afraid of the
+Conqueror. It is true that she realized he was not an ogre, but a human
+being; that is to say, the very worst human being that had ever lived.
+She knew this must be so, for she had heard sensible grown-up persons
+speak of him in this way, even her own father and mother. What wonder,
+then, that her dreams should be disturbed by thoughts of the misery that
+must come to St. Helena with such a man as Napoleon living on the
+island?
+
+The next morning after the visit of the officer from the _Icarus_, the
+little girl rose early. She was far from cheerful as she looked about
+her on the lovely garden and grove. A wave of hot anger passed over her.
+Why should that terrible man be permitted to land and destroy all this
+beauty, as he would, of course, on the first opportunity?
+
+From the garden she looked toward the rugged mountain, known as Peak's
+Hill, which shut off the valley from the south. Her father had spoken of
+the island as a natural fortress. Except for the mountains the
+Government would never have thought of sending the dreadful Napoleon to
+St. Helena. So she hated the mountains and cliffs.
+
+Perhaps, however, even at that moment when she dreaded the coming of the
+exiled Emperor, Betsy may have recalled her own first impressions of St.
+Helena and cast a half-pitying thought toward the great man who now saw
+in its rocky heights only his prison wall.
+
+One day Betsy's mother had reminded the young girl of the bitter tears
+she shed when she had first seen the island.
+
+"You were a silly girl to cry when you first came in sight of land,"
+said her mother, recalling the circumstance.
+
+"Yes, but some had told me that the island was really the head of a
+great negro that was only waiting for the breakfast bell; then it would
+devour me first, and later the rest of the passengers and crew."
+
+"Well, I am glad you told me your fears."
+
+"So am I, for you showed me that these things could not be true."
+
+"Yet I remember," responded Betsy's mother, "that you would not take
+your head from my lap until eight bells had sounded. For some reason the
+nearness of breakfast made you believe that danger was over."
+
+"But you can't say that I made much fuss when I really was in the power
+of a negro," rejoined Betsy; "for I can well remember how strange it
+seemed when I was lifted in a basket, and told that a big negro was to
+carry me out to The Briars. At first I was a little frightened, for I
+had never seen a black man before, but he spoke so pleasantly when he
+put me down to rest, even though grinning from ear to ear, that I
+decided he would not harm me."
+
+"You saw at once that he was good natured."
+
+"Yes, and he asked me so kindly if I were comfortable in my little nest,
+that I trusted him. I was as proud as a peacock when he said he was
+honored in being allowed to carry me, because usually he had nothing but
+vegetables in his basket. When we reached The Briars I told father I had
+had a delightful ride, and so he gave the negro a little present that
+made him grin more than ever, and he went off singing merrily at the top
+of his voice."
+
+Thus Betsy recalled her first impression of St. Helena.
+
+If Mr. Balcombe and the rest of the family at The Briars were surprised
+at the news of Napoleon's approach, people on the island in general were
+equally astonished. No communication had reached Governor Wilks, no
+letter of instructions as to what should be done with the illustrious
+prisoner.
+
+The captain of the _Icarus_ could only tell the residents of St. Helena
+that Napoleon was near and that the Second Battalion of the Fifty-third
+Regiment had embarked with the squadron. Even in those days, when there
+were no cables to flash the news of coming events, when there were no
+swift steamboats to act as heralds, it seems strange that in more than
+seven months no news of the escape from Elba had reached the little
+island.
+
+Now, when the people of St. Helena heard the news, they were greatly
+disturbed. They were afraid that the coming of Napoleon might cause
+changes in their government, and they were so fond of the Governor that
+they did not wish to lose him.
+
+Their fears were well grounded, for when Sir George Cockburn landed it
+was found that he had received an appointment that gave him the chief
+civil and military power on the island, while Governor Wilks took
+secondary rank. Later it was learned that on account of the distinction
+of the prisoner, a governor of higher rank than Colonel Wilks would be
+sent from England to supersede him, a governor who held his appointment
+directly from the Crown.
+
+Two or three days after the visit of the officer to The Briars, Betsy
+and her brothers and sister were in a state of great excitement.
+
+"Ah, I hope papa will not be killed," cried little Alexander.
+
+"How silly you are!" responded the older Jane. "Why should he be
+killed?"
+
+"Because Napoleon is such a monster. If he should suddenly take out his
+sword--"
+
+"Yes, or open his mouth and swallow papa, how terrible it would be!"
+added Betsy mockingly.
+
+"Of course Bonaparte is a monster, but he would never dare hurt any one
+on this island, especially an Englishman. Don't worry. Papa will come
+home safely enough, but I wish he would hurry, so we could hear all
+about the wretch."
+
+Later in the day the children gathered eagerly around their father, who
+had returned from his visit to the ships.
+
+"Oh, papa, what was he like?" asked each in turn.
+
+"Who, Napoleon?"
+
+"Of course. We wish to hear about him. Didn't you see him? Didn't you
+see anybody there?"
+
+"I could hardly visit a fleet without seeing some one."
+
+"Is it a large fleet?"
+
+"Yes, it would be called large in any part of the world."
+
+"How large is it?"
+
+"Besides the _Northumberland_ there are several other men-of-war, and
+the transports with the Fifty-third Regiment."
+
+"But did you see Napoleon?" asked one of the children, returning to the
+subject of greatest interest.
+
+"I did not see General Bonaparte," replied the father, pausing to see
+the effect of his words on the children. Then, as he noted their
+expression of disappointment, he quickly added: "But I saw some of the
+others,--some of his suite."
+
+"Oh, tell us about it!"
+
+"There is little to tell. After paying my respects to Sir George
+Cockburn, I was introduced to Madame Bertrand and Madame Montholon, and
+then to the rest of Napoleon's suite."
+
+"What were they like?" asked one of the girls eagerly, as if she
+expected her father to describe a group of strange beings.
+
+"Like any travellers, my child, who had had a long voyage, from the
+effects of which they were anxious to rest."
+
+"Oh, I wish you had seen Napoleon!"
+
+"I am likely to see him soon, and you may, also, as he is to land
+to-night."
+
+At this news the children were silent. To have Napoleon on the island
+was not a pleasant prospect. They were not so sure now that they cared
+to see him.
+
+"But where will he live, papa, when he comes ashore?" ventured Jane at
+last. "Will they put him in a dungeon?"
+
+"Certainly not, my child. He is to live at Longwood, but as the house
+needs to be put in repair, he will stay for a while with Mr. Porteous."
+
+"When will he come ashore?" asked Betsy timidly. Now that her father had
+spoken so reassuringly of Napoleon, she was curious to see him, at least
+from a safe distance.
+
+"He will land to-night,--after dark, I imagine, to escape the gaze of
+the crowd;" and their father, turning from the children, went toward the
+house.
+
+As he left them, the young people began an animated discussion of
+Napoleon. They were already getting used to the idea that he was to live
+on St. Helena and that he was an ordinary human being, not unlike the
+British officials of high rank sent out by the Crown.
+
+"As he cannot possibly hurt us, why shouldn't we go to the valley to see
+him land?" asked Betsy.
+
+"Why shouldn't we?" echoed Jane. So it happened, when they had asked
+their parents, that the older children were permitted to go to Jamestown
+to see Napoleon land. When they reached the wharf it was dusk and crowds
+of people were gathered on every side.
+
+"I did not know there were so many people on the island," whispered
+Betsy, as she pressed closer to her sister. "Do you suppose he will be
+in the first boat?"
+
+"I don't know. But see, it is coming!"
+
+"Yes, little ladies," said a bystander, "Bonaparte will surely be in the
+first boat."
+
+"Here it is, here it is," cried Betsy. "Look, Jane, look!"
+
+Even as she spoke, the passengers from the longboat were coming ashore,
+and although it was seven o'clock in the evening, there was still enough
+light to enable the watchers to see the figures of those who were
+landing.
+
+The girls strained their eyes. Three men marched slowly up from the
+ship's boat. "See," cried Betsy, "probably Napoleon is in the middle."
+
+"That little man, and in an overcoat!"
+
+"Yes, for there is something flashing, probably a diamond."
+
+"A man with a diamond! How foolish!" objected Jane.
+
+[Illustration: JAMESTOWN]
+
+"But it is, indeed it is!"
+
+"I wish people wouldn't crowd so."
+
+"They've got to move back. I'm glad of it. The sentries are standing
+with fixed bayonets to keep more people from rushing down from the
+town."
+
+If Napoleon had landed earlier in the day, he would have been greeted by
+an even greater crowd, for people had been gathering on the Marina from
+the earliest hours; but disappointed that he was not to land until after
+sunset, most of them had gone home. Still, however, a large enough crowd
+had gathered to make it necessary for the sentries to use some force to
+keep them in order.
+
+In spite of the crowd, the sisters felt that they had been rewarded for
+their trouble, for when they reached home they learned that the little
+man in the green coat was indeed the dreaded monster.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A DISTINGUISHED TENANT
+
+
+The next morning Betsy rose early. The night before the family had sat
+up later than their custom, talking about the arrival of the ship and
+the distinguished prisoners.
+
+"Are General Bertrand and Count Montholon prisoners too?" asked one of
+the girls.
+
+"No, my dear; I understand that they are at liberty to leave St. Helena
+whenever they wish. Of course while they are here they must obey
+whatever rules are made for them, but they would not be here if they had
+not chosen to share the fate of Napoleon."
+
+"That is very noble," said Jane, "to leave one's home for the sake of
+such a man as Napoleon;" and the conversation changed into a discussion
+of the reasons that had induced those Frenchmen to follow their leader.
+The next morning Betsy awoke feeling that something unusual had
+happened.
+
+Her little brothers plied her and Jane with questions about the landing
+of the Frenchmen.
+
+"I wish we lived close to the town," complained Alexander, "that we
+might hear more about Napoleon."
+
+"Look, look!" cried Betsy, before the little fellow had finished
+speaking. "What is that on the side of the mountain?"
+
+Following the direction of her finger, the other children broke into
+excited cries. "The French, it must be the French! There are horses with
+men on them. There, see the swords flash! They must be guarding a
+prisoner."
+
+"Oh, I suppose it is a prisoner. But what is that white thing?"
+
+"It is a plume; you can see that for yourself. Let us get a spyglass."
+
+For some time the children watched the little procession curving around
+the mountain-side, high above them.
+
+"It makes me think of a great serpent winding along," said Betsy.
+
+"It doesn't look like a serpent, through the glass. There are five men
+on horseback. One of them has a cocked hat. It must be Napoleon, though
+he wears no greatcoat."
+
+"They're going to Longwood. That's what it is. Papa says he's to live
+there. I wonder how he'll like it after all his palaces in Europe."
+
+"I'm glad he won't live near us. I should never dare leave the house, if
+he lived near."
+
+"Who's he?"
+
+"Napoleon, of course."
+
+The morning passed. The children thought of little but Napoleon. They
+talked to each other of his victories and were proud that Englishmen had
+overthrown him.
+
+Early in the afternoon two gentlemen called, Dr. Warden of the
+_Northumberland_ and Dr. O'Meara of the garrison.
+
+"Oh, have you seen him?"
+
+"Seen whom?"
+
+"Why, Napoleon; don't tease us,--Napoleon Bonaparte."
+
+"Well, then, since you are so curious, yes, we have seen him." Dr.
+Warden smiled, for he was surgeon of the ship that had brought Napoleon.
+
+"Oh, was he perfectly awful? Weren't you frightened?"
+
+"If we were frightened, I tried not to show it. Napoleon seemed
+harmless. He did not even try to bayonet us," replied Dr. O'Meara.
+
+"But how did he look?"
+
+"He hadn't horns or hoofs; at least, we didn't see them, and on the
+whole he was charming, though he seemed tired. You girls will like him."
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Betsy. "I shake and shiver whenever I think of him. If
+ever I look at him it will be only at a distance, but I could never,
+never speak to him."
+
+"Mark my words, you will change your mind, Miss Betsy," cried one of the
+two as he turned away.
+
+About four o'clock that same afternoon, when it was approaching dusk in
+the little valley, one of the children reported that the same horsemen
+they had seen in the morning were again winding around the mountain.
+
+Soon the whole family gathered outside, and as they looked, to their
+great astonishment they observed the procession halt at the mountain
+pass above the house, and then, after a few minutes' pause, begin to
+descend the mountain toward the cottage.
+
+"Oh, mamma, do you suppose they are coming here? I must go and hide
+myself," cried the excitable Betsy.
+
+"No, my dear, you will do nothing of the kind. I am surprised that a
+great girl should be so foolish."
+
+"But Napoleon is coming, don't you understand, Napoleon. I could not
+bear to look at him."
+
+"You will look at him and speak to him, if he comes here. It will be a
+good chance for you to put your French to use."
+
+Poor Betsy! Up to this time she had been proud of the French acquired
+during a visit to England a few years before, which she had
+conscientiously kept up by conversation with a French servant.
+
+It seemed hard that she was now to be called on to do a disagreeable
+thing just because of this accomplishment. Of course she could not
+disobey her mother, and in spite of her fright she really had some
+curiosity to see the distinguished guest.
+
+Not long after the party first came in sight, the French and their
+escort were at the gate of The Briars. As there was no carriage road to
+the house, all, except Napoleon, got off their horses. He rode over the
+grass, while his horse's feet cut into the turf. His horse was jet
+black, with arched neck, and as he pranced along he seemed to feel
+conscious of his own importance in carrying so distinguished a man as
+the Emperor.
+
+"He's handsome," whispered Jane to Betsy.
+
+"The horse?"
+
+"No, Napoleon; just look at those jewels and ribbons on his coat--and I
+never saw so beautiful a saddlecloth. It is embroidered with gold."
+
+Before more could be said, Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe were moving forward to
+meet Sir George Cockburn and his distinguished companion. The sisters
+closely followed their parents, and after the older people had been
+presented to Napoleon the turn of the girls came. Betsy, looking up, was
+impressed by the charm of Napoleon's smile. She saw that his hair was
+brown and silky fine; his eyes were a brilliant hazel. She also noticed
+one slight defect,--that his even teeth were dark, the result, she
+afterwards learned, of his habit of using much licorice.
+
+The children at first were surprised to find Napoleon neither as tall
+nor as impressive as he had appeared on horseback. When they looked in
+his face they decided that he was very attractive, and when he spoke his
+smile and kindly manner at once won their hearts. From that moment Betsy
+forgot that she had ever considered him an ogre. To herself she called
+him the handsomest man she had ever seen.
+
+"This is a most beautiful situation," he said to Betsy's mother. "One
+could be almost happy here!" he added with a sigh.
+
+"Then perhaps you will honor us with a visit until Longwood is ready,"
+interposed Mr. Balcombe. "I understand that you prefer this to the town,
+and I have already put some rooms at Sir George Cockburn's disposal."
+
+"I do prefer it."
+
+"Then the rooms are at your service."
+
+Strange language this to a prisoner,--the children may have thought as
+they listened,--to give him a choice of abode. Later they learned why
+their father had put the matter in this way. They heard how wretched it
+made the Emperor to think of returning to the small house where he had
+lodged in the town and where people stared into the windows, as if he
+were some kind of wild animal. When he found that Longwood would not be
+ready for him for several weeks, he had at once declared his
+unwillingness to return to Jamestown. The glimpse of The Briars that he
+had had from a distance pleased him greatly, and he had asked if it
+might not be possible to lodge him there. Mr. Balcombe, as an official
+of the Government, having placed some rooms at the disposal of the
+Admiral, Sir George Cockburn, was now anxious to put Napoleon at his
+ease about occupying them.
+
+The Balcombe children were greatly stirred up when they found that
+Napoleon was to be their neighbor, for the rooms to be assigned him were
+near, but not in, the main house. Their fear of the Emperor had almost
+wholly disappeared.
+
+Continuing to praise the view, Napoleon asked that some chairs be
+brought out on the lawn.
+
+"Come, Mademoiselle," he said to Betsy in French, "sit by me and talk.
+You speak French?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Betsy with apparent calmness, though her heart was
+beating violently.
+
+"Who taught you?"
+
+"I learned in England, when I was at school."
+
+"That is well, and what else did you study? Geography, I hope."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then you can tell me what is the capital of France?"
+
+"Paris, monsieur."
+
+"Of Italy?"
+
+"Rome."
+
+"Of Russia?"
+
+"St. Petersburg."
+
+He looked up quickly. "St. Petersburg now; it was Moscow."
+
+Then he asked, sternly and abruptly, "_Qui l'a brulé?_" ["Who burned
+it?"]
+
+Betsy trembled. There was something terrifying now in his expression, as
+well as in the tones of his voice. She could not find words to reply as
+she recalled what she had heard about the burning of the great Russian
+city and the question as to whether the French or the Russians had set
+it on fire.
+
+"_Qui l'a brulé?_" repeated Napoleon.
+
+But there was a twinkle in his eye and a smile in his voice that
+encouraged Betsy to venture a stammering "I don't know, sir."
+
+"_Oui, oui_," he responded, laughing heartily. "_Vous savez très bien.
+C'est moi qui l'a brulé._" ["Yes, yes, you understand well. It is I who
+burned it."]
+
+Then Betsy ventured further:
+
+"I believe, sir, the Russians burned it to get rid of the French."
+
+Again Napoleon laughed and, instead of being angry, seemed pleased that
+the little girl knew something about the Russian campaign.
+
+Now while Napoleon was sitting in the garden or walking about the
+beautiful grounds, all was confusion and excitement within The Briars.
+Betsy's mother, like any other good English housewife, was naturally
+somewhat taken aback at having suddenly to make plans to entertain
+Napoleon and part of his suite. Even though the English Government might
+pay for his board, she must still regard him as her guest, and in the
+small time at her disposal do all that she could to make him
+comfortable.
+
+Rooms, therefore, must be rearranged and what furniture could be spared
+from the rest of the house must be put into Napoleon's apartments. So,
+in the short space of a few hours, the dreaded Emperor of the French,
+the ogre feared by the children, had become the neighbor, almost the
+inmate of a happy English household--English, in spite of its distance,
+many thousands of miles away, from the islands of Great Britain.
+
+It was evening when Napoleon came back to the house with the family.
+Here again his conversation was chiefly with Betsy, as her fluent French
+pleased him. Her parents could use the language only with difficulty.
+
+"Do you like music?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"But I suppose that you are too young to play."
+
+This rather piqued Betsy.
+
+"I can both sing and play."
+
+"Then sing to me."
+
+Thereupon Betsy, seating herself at the little harpsichord, sang in a
+sweet, full voice "Ye Banks and Braes."
+
+"That is the prettiest English air I have ever heard."
+
+"It is a Scotch air," said Betsy timidly.
+
+"I thought it too pretty to be English. Their music is vile,--the worst
+in the world. Do you know any French songs? Ah, I wish you could sing
+_Vive Henri Quatre_."
+
+"No, sir; I know no French songs."
+
+Upon this the Emperor began to hum the air, and in a fit of abstraction,
+rising from his chair, marched around the room, keeping time to the tune
+he was singing.
+
+"Now what do you think of that, Miss Betsy?" he asked abruptly. Betsy
+hesitated between her love of truth and her desire to please the
+Emperor.
+
+"I do not think I like it," she said at last, rather gently. "I cannot
+make out the air."
+
+She might also have added that the great Emperor's voice was far from
+musical. Neither then nor at other times when he tried to sing could she
+tell just what tune he thought he was rendering.
+
+When he discussed music she understood him better and she saw that he
+was a good critic. "French music," he said, "is almost as bad as
+English. Only Italians know how to produce an opera properly;" and he
+sighed heavily, remembering perhaps that his own opera days were over.
+
+Not long after Betsy had finished "Ye Banks and Braes," word was brought
+to Napoleon that his rooms were ready, and with a kindly word or two he
+bade good night to his young friend.
+
+The little girl's dreams that night were, we can well imagine, quite
+unlike any she had ever had before. But if she dreamed of the Emperor it
+is certain that she did not regard him as an ogre. His wonderful
+personality had gained her heart. Henceforth she was to be his loyal
+friend as well as his neighbor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA
+
+
+The events that ended in the voyage of the fallen Emperor to St. Helena,
+if told in full, would make a long story. The battle of Waterloo,
+however, is a good starting place, the battle that decided the peace of
+Europe after its long years of war, when the Allied Powers, led by the
+Duke of Wellington, defeated the French, who had rallied around Napoleon
+for a last stand.
+
+Napoleon, when he saw that the day was lost for him and the French,
+fought desperately, hoping perhaps to meet death. But he seemed to have
+a charmed life, and, though he plunged into the thick of the fight, he
+was not even wounded.
+
+Some of his friends advised him to continue the struggle, but he saw
+that this might mean civil war for France as well as a long contest
+against the Allies. He cared too much for France to drag her into
+further wars. Some say that in giving up he could not help
+himself,--that what he did he had to do. Be that as it may, for a second
+time he signed the Act of Abdication, and after proclaiming his son
+Napoleon II, he left Paris. First he went to Malmaison, once the
+beautiful home of Josephine, where a few friends joined him.
+
+When the Allies were approaching Paris, Napoleon offered his services to
+the Provisional Government, promising to retire when the enemy was
+driven away. But the men now at the head of affairs at Paris were afraid
+to give authority of any kind to Napoleon, even for a limited time. He
+had broken one promise, he might break another, and they refused his
+offer.
+
+Napoleon now thought of America. Certain Americans in Paris had offered
+him help. One shipping merchant, a Massachusetts man, had an excellent
+plan, which, had Napoleon followed it, might have resulted in his
+reaching America safely. But Napoleon delayed, and although he did not
+know it at the time, when he left Malmaison for Rochefort on June 29 he
+was too late. Up to the last he hoped to reach a vessel that would carry
+him safely to the United States. It is said that he gave up the plan
+proposed by the American shipping merchant because he would not desert
+his friends, and for the time there seemed to be no way of providing for
+them.
+
+It takes strength of mind for a man to decide to live out his destiny
+rather than run away from life. Napoleon now decided to make the best of
+things. With British ships practically blockading the coast, he saw that
+to try to escape was hopeless. He heard with dismay that Paris had
+surrendered to the Allies, and that the Provisional Government, that
+might have helped him, had dissolved. His last effort was to suggest
+sending a flag of truce by Generals Savary and Las Cases to Captain
+Maitland, commander of the British squadron, asking to be allowed to
+pass out of the harbor. He gave his word of honor that he would then go
+directly to America. Captain Maitland replied that even if he himself
+could grant this request, Napoleon's vessel would be attacked as soon as
+it had left the harbor. Napoleon at last had to admit that the end had
+come when the report was brought him that Louis XVIII was again seated
+on the throne of France. He therefore again sent two officers to Captain
+Maitland, offering to surrender on condition that no harm should come to
+his person or property. Another condition was that he should be allowed
+to live where he pleased in England as a private individual. The officer
+replied that he could not make terms, but that he would probably take
+Napoleon and his suite to England as soon as he should receive word from
+the Prince Regent. This answer was disappointing to Napoleon, but there
+was nothing now for him to do except to set out for the _Bellerophon_,
+Captain Maitland's ship, with the flag of truce.
+
+"I come to claim the protection of your prince and your laws," he said
+in French, as he advanced on the quarter-deck to meet Captain Maitland.
+
+Soon after this he wrote the following letter in French to the Prince
+Regent:
+
+     ROYAL HIGHNESS:
+
+     Exposed to the factions which divide my country and to the
+     enmity of the great Powers of Europe, I have terminated my
+     political career, and I come like Themistocles to throw myself
+     on the hospitality of the British nation. I place myself under
+     the safeguard of their laws and claim protection of your Royal
+     Highness, the most powerful, the most constant, and the most
+     generous of my enemies.
+
+     NAPOLEON.
+
+It is not to be supposed that all this time Napoleon's friends were
+indifferent to his fate. Those who were near enough to communicate with
+him made various suggestions.
+
+[Illustration: THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE _BELLEROPHON_]
+
+At Rochefort his brother Joseph offered to disguise himself and change
+places with him, so that the Emperor might get away in the same vessel
+in which he himself was preparing to escape. Had Napoleon agreed to this
+plan, he would probably have been as successful as Joseph in reaching
+America.
+
+Some young and brave French officers are said to have offered themselves
+as the crew of a rowing boat to carry Napoleon safely through the
+blockading fleet. There would have been some risk in carrying out this
+proposal of stealing through the blockade, but it had a fair chance of
+success.
+
+There were also swift neutral vessels not far away, on more than one of
+which he had friends. But although, with three of his suite, he did
+embark on a Danish ship, on second thoughts he decided not to venture
+farther, and returned to shore. He might have accepted the suggestion of
+the captain of a French frigate then at the Ile d'Aix, who begged
+Napoleon to take the chance of intrusting himself to him. He would, he
+said, attack a British ship near by, and while the attention of other
+vessels was fixed on the encounter, a second French frigate with
+Napoleon on board would carry him far outside the harbor to safety. But
+this offer, too, was put aside. The admirers of Napoleon, who look back
+on his days of indecision at Rochefort, wonder at the change in the man,
+who by his policy of delay brought on himself his sad exile on the
+barren island.
+
+Yet it is easy to see that even though half willing to try flight,
+Napoleon really could not bring himself to the position of a fugitive,
+afraid to face his enemies. It was nobler to confront danger, as he had
+confronted it often on the battlefield. It was not strange that he
+should hope to find appreciation of his courage, even in the hearts of
+his enemies.
+
+It was the fifteenth of July when Napoleon embarked on the
+_Bellerophon_, and a week afterwards he was in Plymouth Harbor. Too
+late, to his great consternation, he found that the British regarded him
+as a prisoner. He was helpless; he had no weapons but words, for armed
+vessels surrounded him and the few friends who followed him counted for
+nothing against his foes.
+
+On the thirtieth of July, General Bonaparte--the British refused him the
+title of Emperor--was notified that the British Government had chosen
+St. Helena as his future residence, whither a limited number of his
+friends might accompany him. On receiving this word, Napoleon's
+indignation was loudly expressed. He replied, that he was not the
+prisoner, but the guest of England, and that it was an outrage against
+him to condemn him to exile into which he would not willingly go. It was
+at once evident, however, that, willing or unwilling, he must embark for
+his distant prison. From Plymouth he was taken to Torbay, where, on the
+eleventh of August, the _Bellerophon_ met the _Northumberland_, on which
+the illustrious prisoner was to be taken to St. Helena.
+
+When Napoleon received Lord Keith and Sir George Cockburn on the deck of
+the _Bellerophon_ he wore a green coat with red facings, epaulets, white
+waistcoat and breeches, silk stockings, the star of the Legion of Honor,
+and a _chapeau gris_ with the tricolored cockade. At first the Emperor
+spoke bitterly of the action of the British Government, but at last he
+abruptly asked Lord Keith for his advice. The latter replied it would be
+best for Napoleon to submit with good grace. Napoleon then agreed to go
+on board the _Northumberland_ at ten the next morning. Later he recalled
+his consent and again talked bitterly of his fate, but at last he
+controlled himself and agreed to submit.
+
+The next day, after all the stores and provisions and the personal
+belongings of Napoleon and his suite were on board, the
+_Northumberland_, with its distinguished prisoner, set sail for St.
+Helena.
+
+With Napoleon went a fairly large suite, consisting of the following
+persons:
+
+Grand Mareschal Comte de Bertrand, Madame de Bertrand and three
+children, one woman servant and her child, one man servant; General
+Comte de Montholon, Madame de Montholon and a child, one woman servant;
+Comte de las Cases and his son of thirteen; General Gorgaud; three
+_valets de chambre_ and three footmen, a cook, a _lampiste_, an usher, a
+steward, _chef d'office_.
+
+Among the things that made up the rather large store of baggage that
+Napoleon took with him to St. Helena, besides his clothing and more
+personal belongings, were two table services of silver, a number of
+articles of gold, a beautiful toilet service of silver, including water
+basin and ewer, cases of books, and his special beds. Although money
+could do little for him in his new home, since all his expenses would be
+met by the British Government, it is known that he had with him a large
+amount of money.
+
+It is useless now to discuss what would have been the result had his
+enemies been kinder to Napoleon. If he had been permitted to settle down
+in England as he wished, as a country gentleman, would this have
+satisfied him? Even if he had made no attempt to recover the throne of
+France for himself, might he not have put forth efforts to have his son
+acknowledged Emperor? At the time of his father's downfall, the little
+King of Rome was hardly more than a baby, but as years passed on he
+could never have lived contentedly with his grandfather, the Austrian
+Emperor, knowing that his father was as near as England. In the name of
+the young Napoleon, Europe might again have been plunged into a great
+war.
+
+Yet, without looking toward the future, Great Britain was only too sure
+that the time had come to punish one who had always been the avowed
+enemy of England. It is true that England had suffered less than any
+other of the Powers at the hands of Napoleon, because he had never
+invaded her territory, but in no country was Napoleon so hated.
+Thousands of Englishmen had shed their blood in the wars carried on
+against him by the Allies, and by the mass of the English people he was
+regarded as a monster. Although the so-called Napoleonic wars had their
+origin in causes that Napoleon could not have controlled, he was
+regarded as the one being responsible for the twenty years' upheaval in
+Europe.
+
+When it was announced that the British Cabinet had decided to send him
+into exile, many, perhaps the majority, thought the punishment too
+light. They would have had him treated as a rebel and immediately hanged
+or beheaded. Yet while the mass of the English people hated Napoleon,
+Englishmen who had ever met him were apt to be his firm friends, or at
+least his admirers.
+
+Captain Maitland, of the _Bellerophon_, said that he had inquiries made
+of the crew as to their opinion of him, and this was the result: "They
+may abuse that man as much as they please, but if the people of England
+knew him as well as we do, they would not touch a hair of his head."
+
+Though Napoleon had surrendered to Great Britain alone, the Allied
+Powers, desiring Great Britain to be responsible for him, approved her
+course.
+
+During the voyage of ten weeks toward St. Helena, Napoleon suffered
+little from sea-sickness after the first few days. He breakfasted in his
+own cabin at ten or eleven o'clock. Before he dined he generally played
+a game of chess, and remained at dinner, in compliment to the Admiral,
+about an hour. After he had his coffee he left the others to walk with
+Count Bertrand or Count Las Cases on the quarter-deck. He often spoke to
+those officers who could understand French. At first he showed little
+interest in the occupations of those about him, but in time he engaged
+in more general conversation and was especially inclined to talk to Mr.
+Warden, the _Northumberland_ surgeon, about the prevailing complaints on
+board the ship and his methods of treating the sick. After a while he
+turned to his own books and spent most of the day reading or in
+dictating to Las Cases. On the twenty-third of August the
+_Northumberland_ crossed the equator. Before this the Admiral had amused
+himself trying to frighten the French, telling them of the rough
+ceremony practised by the sailors, who always undertook to present to
+Neptune all persons on board who had never before crossed the line. It
+happened, however, that in this instance all made a special effort to be
+courteous. While the sailors presented to Neptune were shaved with huge
+razors and a lather of pitch, the French were introduced politely with
+compliments, and the Emperor was treated especially well.
+
+Napoleon seemed amused by this novel performance, and later he wished to
+have one hundred napoleons divided among the sailors. He was made,
+however, to feel his altered position when, after some discussion, the
+Admiral courteously but decidedly refused his request.
+
+There were probably few on the _Northumberland_ who did not deeply
+sympathize with the fallen Emperor. On this long, monotonous voyage,
+when his only amusements were conversation and an occasional evening
+game of whist with his friends, he seemed to be trying to make the best
+of the situation.
+
+On the morning when the _Northumberland_ approached St. Helena, the
+Emperor dressed early, and going up on deck stepped forward on the
+gangway. It was the fifteenth of October when the ship, after its long
+voyage, lay at anchor. The Emperor, standing on the gangway with Las
+Cases behind him, looked through his glass at the shore. Directly in
+front he saw a little village, surrounded by barren and naked hills,
+reaching toward the clouds. Wherever he looked, on every platform, at
+every aperture, on every hill, was a cannon. Las Cases, watching his
+face intently, could perceive no change of expression, for Napoleon now
+had full control of himself. Unmoved he could look on the island that
+was to be his prison, perhaps his grave. He did not stay long on deck,
+but, turning about, asked Las Cases to lead the way to his cabin. There
+they went on with their usual occupation, waiting until they should be
+told that the time for landing had come.
+
+During the long voyage Napoleon had won the regard of most persons on
+the ship. The _Northumberland_ was terribly crowded, but while others
+grumbled, he made no complaint of the great discomfort, although he,
+like the others, was affected by it. Already he had begun to practise
+that stoicism which, on the whole, was the keynote of his life at St.
+Helena.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS
+
+
+Napoleon quickly fitted himself into his place in his new surroundings.
+So adaptable was he that the children soon ceased to regard him as a
+stranger, nor were they inclined to criticise his habits, although in
+most respects his ways were quite unlike those of the Balcombe family.
+For example, he did not breakfast as they did. After rising at eight
+o'clock, he satisfied himself with a cup of coffee and had his first
+hearty meal, breakfast or luncheon as they variously called it, at one.
+It was nine o'clock in the evening before he dined, and eleven when he
+withdrew to his own room.
+
+The Pavilion, the building that chiefly formed his new abode, was a
+short distance from the main building of The Briars. It had one good
+room on the ground floor, and two garrets. Napoleon selected this
+Pavilion, not because it was really more convenient for him, but because
+by occupying it he would less disturb the Balcombe family than by taking
+quarters in the main house.
+
+Las Cases and his son were in one of the garrets, and Napoleon's chief
+_valet de chambre_ and others of his household were in the second. The
+rooms were so crowded that some of the party had to sleep on the floor
+of the little hall. The Pavilion had been built by Betsy's father as a
+ballroom, and had a certain stateliness. The large room opened on a
+lawn, neatly fenced around, and in the centre of the lawn was a marquee,
+connected with the house by a covered way. The marquee had two
+compartments. The inner one was Napoleon's bedroom, and in the other
+General Gorgaud slept. There was little but the beds in the marquee.
+General Gorgaud slept on a small tent bed with green silk hangings,
+which Napoleon had had with him in all his campaigns.
+
+Between the two divisions of the marquee some of the servants of
+Napoleon had carved a huge crown in the green turf, on which the Emperor
+was obliged to step as he passed through.
+
+At first Count Bertrand and Count Montholon with their families were
+lodged at Mr. Porteous's house in the town, where a suitable table was
+prepared for them in the French style. They could go to The Briars
+whenever they wished, accompanied by a British officer or Dr. O'Meara,
+who was appointed physician to Napoleon; or, followed by a soldier, they
+were permitted to visit any part of the island except the forts and
+batteries.
+
+A captain of artillery resided at The Briars, and at first a sergeant
+and soldiers were also stationed there. But the presence of the soldiers
+was evidently needless, as well as so disagreeable to the family that,
+on hearing various remonstrances, Sir George Cockburn ordered them away.
+
+But for the presence of the artillery officer, Napoleon during his stay
+at The Briars might almost have forgotten that he was a prisoner. He and
+his suite appreciated the unfailing kindness of Mr. Balcombe and his
+family, who from the first left nothing undone for the comfort of the
+exiles. During the early days of his stay the dinner for the French
+people at The Briars was sent out from town, but soon Mr. Balcombe
+fitted up a little kitchen, connected with the Pavilion, where
+Napoleon's accomplished cook had every opportunity to display his skill.
+Very often after dinner Napoleon obligingly went outside for a walk,
+that his attendants might finish their dinner in the room that he had
+left.
+
+Soon after his arrival Napoleon was visited by Colonel Wilks, Governor
+of St. Helena, Mrs. Wilks, and other officials of the island, and some
+of the leading citizens and their families. He had not yet begun to
+seclude himself, and he and his companions seemed to be trying to make
+the best of their situation. Then and later evening parties were
+occasionally given by the French without much appearance of restraint.
+Napoleon accepted no invitations except those given by his friends at
+The Briars, and in one or two unusual cases, but the others went
+sometimes to the well-attended balls given by Sir George Cockburn.
+
+Madames Bertrand and Montholon and the rest of Napoleon's suite, for
+whom there was not room at The Briars, often came to see him there, and
+remained during the day. To them he was still _le grand empereur_. His
+every look was watched, every wish was anticipated, and they showed him
+great reverence. Some have thought that in dealing with them he insisted
+too much on the etiquette of a court, but certainly none of the suite
+complained of formality.
+
+Napoleon was always polite to guests at The Briars, and once went to a
+large party given by Mr. Balcombe, pleasing every one by his urbanity.
+When guests were introduced he always asked their profession, and then
+turned the conversation in that direction. People were always surprised
+at the extent of his information. Officers and others on the way from
+China sought introductions and were seldom refused.
+
+Indeed in those first months his attitude to people was very different
+from what it was later. Not infrequently he himself invited people to
+dine with him.
+
+Most of Napoleon's suite shared with him a feeling of friendliness for
+the Balcombe family. Las Cases, however, was always ready to criticise
+Miss Betsy, whose hoydenish ways he could never understand. One evening,
+when she was turning over the leaves of Estille's "Floriant," seeing
+that Gaston de Foix was called General, she asked Napoleon whether he
+was satisfied with him and whether he had escaped or was still living.
+This question shocked Las Cases, for it seemed to him extraordinary that
+a girl should imagine that the famous Gaston de Foix had been a general
+under Napoleon.
+
+But this was not a very strange mistake for a little English girl to
+make. It is to be feared that Las Cases always took a certain pleasure
+in correcting the faults of the young Balcombes, or in reporting them to
+their parents.
+
+From the first Napoleon claimed more of the society of Betsy than of the
+other members of the family, and so agreeable were his manners toward
+her that the little girl soon began to regard him as a companion of her
+own, with whom she could be perfectly at ease, rather than as one much
+older.
+
+"His spirits were very good, and he was at times almost boyish in his
+love of mirth and glee, not unmixed sometimes with a tinge of malice,"
+wrote Betsy years later.
+
+"Jane," said Betsy to her sister, not long after Napoleon's arrival,
+"the Emperor has invited us to dine with him. What fun it will be!"
+
+"I don't know. I am afraid it will be terribly solemn."
+
+"Oh, no; I am not afraid of that. The Emperor isn't solemn. You ought to
+get acquainted with him, and you wouldn't think so."
+
+Jane shook her head dubiously.
+
+"I am half afraid of him. I don't see how you can dare to trifle so with
+him. What were you laughing at yesterday when Lucy was here? I thought
+the Emperor looked rather silly."
+
+"Well, perhaps he did, if you put it that way," responded the blunt
+Betsy. "Only Lucy was sillier. I thought she would drag me to the ground
+when I told her the Emperor was coming across the lawn."
+
+"Then why did you run and bring him up to her? I saw you do it."
+
+"I needn't have done that. I did more harm than good. I told her he
+wasn't the cruel creature she thought him. But I oughtn't to have told
+the Emperor she was afraid of him. At least, I wouldn't have done so had
+I known how he would act, for he brushed up his hair so it stood out
+like a savage's, and when he came up to Lucy he gave a queer growl so
+that she screamed until mamma thought she might have hysterics and
+hurried her out into the house."
+
+"It was ridiculous for a man to act like a child," responded the sedate
+Jane, who had not acquired Betsy's admiration for Napoleon.
+
+"It was more ridiculous for her to scream. Napoleon laughed so at her
+that I had to take her part. 'I thought you a kind of an ogre, too,' I
+said, 'before I knew you.' 'Perhaps you think I couldn't frighten you
+now,' he answered, 'but see;' and then he brushed his hair up higher and
+made faces, and he looked so queer that I could only laugh at him. 'So I
+can't frighten you!' he said, and then he howled and howled, and at last
+seemed disappointed that I wasn't alarmed. 'It's a Cossack howl,' he
+explained, 'and ought to terrify you!' To tell you the truth, it was
+something terrible, but though I didn't like it I wouldn't flinch. Of
+course it was all in fun, for he is really very kind-hearted," concluded
+Betsy.
+
+"All the same I don't enjoy the thought of having dinner with him,"
+responded the practical Jane. "I've half a mind not to go."
+
+"Oh, Jane, that would never do! What would the Emperor think? After you
+have been invited, too. Besides, mother wouldn't let you stay away. An
+invitation from royalty is a command."
+
+"But Napoleon isn't--"
+
+"Hush," cried Betsy, not wishing to hear her new friend belittled. She
+always took offence if any one called him prisoner.
+
+In spite of her professed distaste for the dinner, Jane would have been
+disappointed had she been obliged to stay at home. She set out gayly
+enough, proud in her secret heart that she was to have the honor of
+being in the company of the great man.
+
+Nine o'clock, Napoleon's dinner hour, was late for the little girls. As
+they entered his apartment the Emperor greeted them cordially, meeting
+them with extended hands, and a moment after, Cipriani, his _maître
+d'hôtel_, stood at the door.
+
+"_Le diner de votre Majesté est servi._" Whereupon Napoleon, with a girl
+on each side, led the way after Cipriani, who walked backward, followed
+by the rest of his suite, who were dining with him.
+
+Hardly had they taken their places when Napoleon began to quiz Betsy on
+the fondness of the English for "rosbif and plum pudding."
+
+"It is better than eating frogs."
+
+"Oh, my dear Mees, how you wrong us!"
+
+"Ah, but see here!" cried Betsy, and she brought him a caricature of a
+long, lean Frenchman with his mouth open, his tongue out, and a frog on
+the tip of it, ready to jump down his throat. Under it was written, "A
+Frenchman's Dinner."
+
+The Emperor laughed loudly at this. "You are impertinent," he cried,
+pinching Betsy's ear. "I must show this to the petit Las Cases. He will
+not love you so much for laughing at his countrymen."
+
+Upon this Betsy turned very red. The Emperor had touched a vulnerable
+point. The young Las Cases, a boy of fourteen, was now at dinner with
+them, and Napoleon had found that he could easily tease Betsy about him.
+
+"He will not want a wife," continued Napoleon, "who makes fun of him;"
+and Betsy, inwardly enraged, could only maintain a dignified silence.
+
+The Emperor gazed intently at his young friend, and later, when they
+rose from the table, he called young Las Cases.
+
+"Come, kiss her; this is your revenge."
+
+Betsy looked about vainly for a means of escape. But the Emperor had
+already closed his hands over hers, holding them so that she had no
+chance to get away, while young Las Cases, with a mischievous smile,
+approached and kissed her.
+
+As soon as her hands were at liberty, Betsy boxed the boy's ears and
+awaited her chance to pay Napoleon off.
+
+There was no inside hall to go from Napoleon's apartments to the rest of
+the house, and it was necessary to pass outside along a steep, narrow
+path, wide enough for only one at a time.
+
+An idea flashed into the mind of mischievous Betsy as Napoleon led the
+way, followed by Count Las Cases, his son, and last by Jane.
+
+Betsy let the others get ahead of her, and waited when they were about
+ten yards distant. Then with might and main she dashed ahead, running
+with full force against the luckless Jane, who fell with extended hand
+upon young Las Cases. He in turn struck against his father, and the
+latter, to his dismay, against Napoleon.
+
+The latter could hardly hold his footing, while Betsy in the rear,
+delighted with the success of her plan, jumped and screamed with
+pleasure.
+
+The Emperor said nothing, but Las Cases, horror-struck at the insult
+offered his master, became furiously angry as Betsy's laughter fell on
+his ear.
+
+Turning back, he caught her roughly by the shoulder and pushed her
+against the rocky bank. It was now Betsy's turn to be angry.
+
+"Oh, sir, he has hurt me!"
+
+"Never mind," replied Napoleon; "to please you, I will hold him while
+you punish him."
+
+Thereupon it was young Las Cases's place to tremble. While the great man
+held him by the hands, Betsy gleefully boxed his ears until he begged
+for mercy.
+
+"Stop, stop!" he cried.
+
+"No, I will not. This has all been your fault. If you hadn't kissed
+me--"
+
+"There, there," at last called the Emperor to the boy, "I will let you
+go, but you must run as fast as you can. If you cannot run faster than
+Betsy, you deserve to be beaten again."
+
+The young French page did not wait for a second warning, but starting
+off at a run travelled as fast as he could, with Betsy in full pursuit.
+Napoleon, watching them, laughed heartily and clapped his hands as the
+two raced around the grounds. The little encounter amused him, but Las
+Cases the elder took the matter more seriously.
+
+Betsy wrote, "From that moment Las Cases never liked me, after this
+adventure, and used to call me a little rude hoyden."
+
+The next afternoon Betsy and Jane joined the Emperor, accompanied by
+General Gorgaud, in a walk in a meadow.
+
+"Look, Betsy!" cried Jane, "there are the cows I saw the other day. I am
+half afraid of them."
+
+"Nonsense! How silly!" cried the intrepid Betsy. "Afraid of a cow!" and
+she repeated her sister's fear to Napoleon. The latter, professing to be
+surprised and amused at Jane's fears, joined with Betsy in a laugh at
+her sister's expense. But even the dread of ridicule had little effect
+on Jane.
+
+"Oh, Betsy," she cried, "I am sure one of those cows is coming at us!"
+
+Looking up, Betsy had to admit that her sister might be right. One of
+the cows was rushing toward them with her head down, as if ready to
+attack the party. It was no time for words, and Napoleon, feeling it no
+disgrace to retreat in the presence of such an enemy, jumped nimbly over
+a wall and, standing behind it, was thus protected against the enemy.
+
+General Gorgaud did not run, but standing with drawn sword exclaimed,
+"This is the second time I have saved the Emperor's life."
+
+From behind his wall Napoleon laughed loudly at Gorgaud's boast.
+
+"You ought to have put yourself in the position to repel cavalry," he
+cried.
+
+"But really, Monsieur," said Betsy, "it was you who terrified the cows,
+for the moment you disappeared over the wall the animal became calm and
+tranquil."
+
+"Well, well," cried Napoleon, again laughing, "it is a pity she could
+not carry out her good intentions. Evidently she wished to save the
+English Government the expense and trouble of keeping me."
+
+"Betsy," said the sedate Jane a little later, when she had a chance to
+talk to her sister alone, "you ought not to speak so to the Emperor. You
+treat him like a child."
+
+"Well, he seems like one of us, doesn't he, Jane? I always feel as if he
+were one of us, a brother of our own age, and I am sure he is much
+happier than if we acted as if we were afraid of him. But still, if you
+like, I will walk very solemnly now."
+
+So Betsy walked along beside her sister with a slow and mincing step,
+her face as long as if she had lost her best friend. As she approached
+the Emperor he noticed the change.
+
+"_Eh, bien! qu'as tu, Mademoiselle Betsee?_" he asked. "Has le petit Las
+Cases proved inconstant? If he have, bring him to me."
+
+Instantly Betsy's new resolves melted away and for the rest of the walk
+she and Napoleon were in their usual mood of good comradeship.
+
+The next morning, when Napoleon joined the family circle at The Briars,
+one of Betsy's little brothers, hardly more than a baby, sat on
+Napoleon's knee, and began to amuse himself as usual by playing with the
+glittering decorations and orders that Napoleon wore.
+
+"Come, Mees Betsee," he cried, "there is no pleasing this child. You
+must come and cut off these jewels to satisfy him."
+
+"Oh, I have something better to do now!" cried little Alexander, jumping
+from Napoleon's knee and picking up a pack of cards. "Look!" he
+continued, pointing to the figure of a Grand Mogul on the back of each
+card, "look, Bony, this is you."
+
+At first the Emperor, with his imperfect knowledge of English, did not
+exactly understand the child's meaning. When he did, instead of taking
+offence, he only smiled as he turned to Betsy, saying, "But what does he
+mean by calling me 'Bony'?"
+
+"Ah," replied Betsy in French, "it is short for Bonaparte." Las Cases,
+however, trying to improve on the little girl's definition, interpreted
+the word literally, "a bony person."
+
+Napoleon laughed at this reply, adding, "_Je ne suis pas osseux_," and
+this was all. Alexander was not reproved for his familiarity.
+
+It was true that Bonaparte was far from thin or bony, and Betsy had
+often admired his plump hand, which she had more than once called the
+prettiest in the world. Its knuckles were dimpled like a baby's, the
+fingers taper and beautifully formed, and the nails perfect.
+
+"Your hand does not look large and strong enough to hold a sword," she
+said to him one day.
+
+"Ah, but it is," said one of his suite, who was present. Drawing his own
+sabre from its scabbard, he pointed to a stain on it, saying, "This is
+the blood of an Englishman."
+
+"Sheathe your sword," cried the Emperor. "It is bad taste to boast,
+particularly before ladies. But if you will pardon me," and he looked
+toward the others in the room, "I will show you a sword of mine."
+
+Then from its embossed sheath Napoleon drew a wonderful sword with a
+handle in the shape of a golden fleur-de-lis. The sheath itself was
+hardly less remarkable, made of a single piece of tortoise shell,
+studded with golden bees.
+
+The children were delighted when the Emperor permitted them to touch the
+wonderful weapon. It was the most beautiful sword they had ever seen.
+
+As Betsy held the sword in her hands, unluckily she remembered a recent
+incident in which she had been at a great disadvantage under the
+Emperor's teasing. Now was her chance to get even with her tormentor.
+
+With her usual heedlessness of consequences she drew out the sword and
+began to make passes at Napoleon until she had driven him into a corner.
+
+"You must say your prayers," she said, "for I am going to kill you."
+
+"Oh, Betsy, how can you!" remonstrated the more prudent Jane, rushing to
+the Emperor's assistance. "I will go and tell father."
+
+But Betsy only laughed at her.
+
+"I don't care," she cried. "People tease me when they like. Now it is my
+turn;" and she continued to thrust the sword dangerously near Napoleon's
+face, until her strength was exhausted, and her arm fell at her side.
+Count Las Cases, the dignified chamberlain, who had entered the room
+during the encounter, looked on indignantly. He did not quite dare to
+interfere, although his indignation was plainly expressed in his face.
+Already he had taken a deep dislike to the little girl, and to him the
+sword incident seemed the climax of her misbehavior. If looks could
+kill, she would have perished on the spot.
+
+Although the Frenchman's expression had not the power to annihilate
+Betsy, something in his look warned her that she had gone far enough.
+Daring though she was, she decided that her wisest course was to give up
+the weapon. As she handed the sword back to him, Napoleon playfully
+pinched her ear.
+
+It happened, unluckily, however, that Betsy's ear had been bored only
+the day before. The pinch consequently caused her some pain. Without
+venturing to resist the Emperor's touch, she gave a sharp exclamation.
+She knew that he had not intended to hurt her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+BETSY'S BALL-GOWN
+
+
+When the little flurry over the sword had ended, Napoleon seemed lost in
+thought, and the children wondered what he was thinking of. Perhaps the
+laughing ways of these young people reminded him of his little son,
+whose growth from babyhood to youth he was destined never to see. Some
+such thought must have been in his mind when he turned to one of his
+attendants, saying:
+
+"I believe that these children would like to see some of my
+_bijouterie_. Go bring me those miniatures of the King of Rome."
+
+In a short time the messenger returned, laden with little boxes, while
+the children loudly expressed their delight. They knew the story of the
+young Napoleon, once the pride of the French nation, on whom had been
+conferred the title King of Rome. They knew that he had gone to live
+with the Austrian Emperor, father of his mother, Maria Louisa, and
+perhaps some of them had heard of his stout resistance to those who came
+to take him away from his beautiful home, the Tuileries. Already they
+had seen some of the portraits of the little boy, brought by Napoleon to
+St. Helena, and they were pleased by the idea of seeing others of the
+collection.
+
+So they gathered around the Emperor as children will when something
+interesting is to be shown them.
+
+"How lovely!" cried Jane, gazing at the miniature she was first allowed
+to hold in her hand.
+
+It was indeed a beautiful picture, showing a baby asleep in his cradle,
+which was in the shape of a helmet of Mars. Above his head the banner of
+France was waving and in his tiny right hand was a small globe.
+
+"What does it mean?" asked Betsy, a little timidly now, as she noted the
+expression of mingled pride and sadness in Napoleon's face.
+
+"Ah, those are the symbols of greatness. He is to be a great warrior and
+rule the world."
+
+"Yes--in a minute," murmured Betsy, as one of the boys whispered to her
+to translate "_Je prie le bon Dieu pour mon père, ma mère, et ma
+patrie_," inscribed beneath a picture of the child on a snuffbox cover,
+which showed the little fellow in prayer before a crucifix. Then they
+both looked at another miniature portraying him riding one lamb, while
+he was decking another with ribbons.
+
+"Ah!" mused the Emperor again sadly. "Those were real lambs. They were
+given him by the inhabitants of Paris,--a hint, I suppose, that they
+would rather have peace than war."
+
+"And this is his mother," continued the Emperor, as a woman, far less
+handsome than Josephine, was shown in the miniature with the boy,
+surrounded by a halo of roses and clouds.
+
+"She is beautiful," exclaimed Napoleon; "but I will show you the most
+beautiful woman in the world."
+
+The girls echoed his words. "I never saw any one so beautiful in my
+life," cried Betsy, gazing on the portrait of a young, charming woman.
+
+"And you never will," avowed Napoleon.
+
+"The Princess of--" queried one of the French.
+
+"My sister Pauline," said Napoleon, "and you show good taste in admiring
+her. She is probably one of the loveliest women ever created."
+
+"But now," he continued, when they had seen all the pictures, "let us go
+down to the cottage and play whist."
+
+Turning reluctantly from the miniatures, the children walked down to the
+cottage and soon were ready to play.
+
+But the cards did not deal smoothly enough. "Go off there by yourself,"
+said Napoleon to young Las Cases, "and deal until the cards run better.
+And now, Mees Betsy, tell me about your _robe de bal_."
+
+Betsy's face flushed with pleasure. "Do you really want to see it? I
+will go upstairs and get it."
+
+To Betsy the ball to be given soon by Sir George Cockburn was a
+wonderful affair. It was considered a great event by all the people of
+the island, but for Betsy it had a special significance, because it
+would be her very first ball. In England, at her age, her parents would
+not have thought of letting her go to a ball, but amusements were so few
+at St. Helena that to keep her home would have seemed cruel.
+
+At first her parents had objected to her going, but when Napoleon saw
+her in tears one day and learned why, he asked her father to let her go,
+and thus she gained her father's consent.
+
+It is not strange then that the little girl took a great interest in her
+gown for the ball, and since she felt indebted to the Emperor for his
+intercession, she was pleased that he expressed an interest in her
+costume.
+
+So she ran upstairs light-heartedly to get the new gown, and in a few
+minutes returned with it on her arm.
+
+"It is very pretty," cried the Emperor, examining the gown critically;
+and all the others, except the stern Las Cases, had a word of
+commendation for it.
+
+It was a delicately pretty gown, trimmed with soft roses. Even if it had
+not been her first ball-gown, Betsy's pride in it would have been
+justified; but as things were, no cynical person could have found fault
+with her for picturing to herself what a fine impression she would make
+at this first appearance at a grown-up function.
+
+The Emperor's praises were particularly gratifying, because he had a way
+of ridiculing any detail of dress that he did not like.
+
+"Oh, Mees Betsee," he would cry, "why do you wear trousers? You look
+just like a boy;" and any one who has seen pictures of girls in
+pantalets will admit that they merited criticism. Or again he would say:
+
+"If I were governor I would make a law against ladies wearing those
+ugly, short waists. Why do you wear them, Mees Betsee?"
+
+It was, therefore, delightful to the young girl that he approved her
+ball-gown.
+
+After sufficient praise had been given the dress, the four sat down to
+play, Napoleon and Jane against Las Cases and Betsy.
+
+"Mademoiselle Betsee," said the Emperor, "I tire of sugar-plums. I bet
+you a napoleon on the game. What will you put against it?"
+
+"I have no money," replied Betsy, a little shyly for her. "I have
+nothing worth a napoleon except--oh, yes--my little pagoda. Will that
+do?"
+
+The Emperor laughed. "Yes, that will do, and I will try to get it."
+
+So they began in merry spirits.
+
+"There, there," cried Betsy after a minute or two, "that isn't fair. You
+mustn't show your cards to Jane."
+
+"But this is such a good one." Napoleon's eye twinkled.
+
+"Well, it isn't fair," added Betsy with the excitement in her tone often
+observable in vivacious natures. As the cards were shuffled she
+repeated, "Remember, you mustn't look at your cards until they are all
+dealt."
+
+"But it seems so long to wait."
+
+"Then I won't play. You revoked on purpose."
+
+"Did I? Then I must hide my guilt;" and Napoleon mixed all the cards
+indiscriminately together, while Betsy tried to hold his hands to
+prevent further mischief, as she pointed out what he had done.
+
+Napoleon, amused by Betsy's indignation, laughed until the tears came.
+
+"Mees Betsy, Mees Betsy, I am surprised. I played so fair, and you have
+cheated so; you must pay me the forfeit, the pagoda."
+
+"No, Monsieur, you revoked."
+
+"Oh, but Mees Betsy, but you are _méchante_ and a cheat. Ah, but I will
+keep you from going to the ball!"
+
+While they were playing Betsy had quite forgotten the pretty gown that
+she had laid carefully on the sofa. Now, all too late, she realized its
+danger, for the Emperor, suddenly turning toward the sofa, seized it,
+and before she could stop him ran out of the room with it, toward the
+Pavilion.
+
+Betsy in alarm quickly followed, but though she went fast, Napoleon went
+faster, and had locked himself in his room before she reached him.
+
+Poor Betsy was now thoroughly frightened. She was sure that her pretty
+gown, with its trimmings of soft roses, would be destroyed.
+
+"Oh, give it to me, please!" she cried in English, as she knocked upon
+his door. But the Emperor made no reply. Then she made her appeal in
+French, using every beseeching word she knew to get him to return it.
+Still his only answer was a mocking laugh, repeated several times, and
+an occasional word of refusal. Nor did any one else come to Betsy's
+assistance. As short a time as the French had lived at The Briars there
+was hardly one of them on whom Betsy had not played some trick, and even
+the members of her own family were unsympathetic when a message was
+brought her from Napoleon that he intended to keep her dress and that
+she might as well make up her mind she could not go to the ball.
+
+Poor Betsy! At night, after many wakeful hours, she cried herself to
+sleep. When morning came things did not seem so black. She felt sure
+that the Emperor would not do what he had no right to do, keep her
+pretty dress. He would surely send it back to her. But the morning wore
+away, and, contrary to his habit, Napoleon did not come near his
+neighbors of The Briars. Betsy sent several strongly appealing messages,
+but to them all came only one reply:
+
+"The Emperor is sleeping, and cannot be disturbed."
+
+So strong indeed was the dignity with which Napoleon had hedged himself,
+that even the daring Betsy did not venture to intrude upon him when he
+was resting.
+
+Afternoon came, and at last it was almost time to start for the valley.
+The family were to ride there on horseback, carrying their ball-dresses
+in tin cases, and they were to dress at the house of a friend.
+
+The horses were brought around, the black boys came up with the tin
+cases that held the dresses--the dresses of the rest of the party--but
+nothing of poor Betsy's. The little girl's cup was full to overflowing;
+she, the courageous, began to cry.
+
+She turned to one of the servants:
+
+"Has my dress been packed?"
+
+"Of course not; we didn't have it to pack."
+
+"Then I cannot go."
+
+Her tears had ceased. She was now too angry to cry longer.
+
+"I will go anyway," she said on second thought. "I will dance in my
+morning frock, and then you will all feel sorry, for I will tell every
+one how I have been treated."
+
+At this moment a figure was seen running down the lawn. It was Napoleon,
+and Betsy gave a scream of delight as she saw that in his arms he
+carried her dress.
+
+Her face brightened and she hastened to meet him.
+
+"Here, Mees Betsy," he cried; "I have brought your dress. I hope you are
+a good girl now, and that you will like the ball; and mind you dance
+with Gorgaud."
+
+"Yes, yes!" said Betsy, too happy to get her dress to oppose any
+suggestion, although General Gorgaud was no favorite of hers and she had
+a long-standing feud with him.
+
+"You will find your roses still fresh," said the Emperor. "I ordered
+them arranged and pulled out, in case any were crushed."
+
+To the little girl's delight, when she examined her gown she found that
+no harm had been done it, in spite of the rough treatment it had
+received at Napoleon's hands.
+
+"I wish you were going, sire," she said politely, as he walked beside
+the horses to the end of the bridle path.
+
+"Ah, balls are not for me," he replied, shaking his head. Then he
+stopped.
+
+"Whose house is that?" he asked, pointing to a house in the valley far
+beneath. "It is beautifully situated," he continued; "some time I shall
+visit it. Come, Las Cases, we must not detain the party."
+
+"We must hurry on," whispered one of those on horseback.
+
+"Good-bye, good-bye," and Napoleon and the elder Las Cases went down the
+mountain toward the house that he had seen in the distance, while Betsy
+and the others rode on toward the ball.
+
+Next day Napoleon said that he had been charmed with the beautiful place
+in the valley that he and Las Cases had visited after he had seen the
+others ride away to the ball. He had found the owner of the place, Mr.
+Hodgdon, very agreeable, and at last he had ridden home on an Arab horse
+that the latter had lent him.
+
+Before Napoleon withdrew within his shell he was not only inclined to
+receive visitors but to pay visits. Betsy and Jane were riding gayly
+along one day when they came unexpectedly upon Napoleon, also on
+horseback.
+
+"Where have you been?" asked the venturesome Betsy.
+
+"To Candy Bay," replied Napoleon, without resenting her inquisitiveness.
+
+"Oh, didn't you think Fairyland just the most perfect place?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I was delighted with it and with its venerable host, Mr.
+D. He is a typical Englishman of the highest type."
+
+"Yes, and only think, he is over seventy years old and yet has never
+left the island. I don't know what St. Helena would do without him,"
+said Jane.
+
+"I call him the good genius of the valley," added Betsy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A HORSE TAMER
+
+
+One morning, not long after the ball, Betsy took a slight revenge on the
+Emperor. She had a certain favor to ask of him, and she had gone to look
+for him in his favorite retreat in his garden, the Grapery, near a large
+pond of clear water, full of gold and silver fish. Though called a
+grapery, vines of many different kinds twined over the trellis-work,
+while the grapevines were chiefly over an arbor at the end.
+
+In the sultriest weather this little arbor was cool and pleasant, and
+here Napoleon was in the habit of taking his books and papers when he
+wished to work out of doors.
+
+He had no regular hour for rising, and sometimes he would go there as
+early as four o'clock and write until breakfast, or dictate to Las
+Cases. No one was permitted to intrude on him there, no one but Betsy
+occasionally, and then it could hardly be called intruding, for she
+usually went at the Emperor's request, or, as it might be said, she had
+a general invitation. When Betsy said, "Come and unlock the garden
+door," Napoleon stopped, even in the middle of the sentence he might be
+dictating, and she was always admitted. This general invitation,
+however, might have been withdrawn if Betsy had not been too sensible to
+interrupt the Emperor often. She was careful not to abuse what was for
+her a special privilege.
+
+On this particular morning she went to the arbor door with some
+hesitation. One of her friends from the valley, a very charming girl,
+had come to pass the morning with her.
+
+"Now, Betsy," she had said, "I hear that you are a great favorite with
+Napoleon and you must introduce me, for I am just dying to see him."
+
+"I do not think I can," replied Betsy. "It is a very hot morning and I
+saw him go early to the arbor. I do not like to disturb him when he is
+busy."
+
+"Busy! How can a prisoner be busy? It cannot matter whether he is idle
+or busy."
+
+"He is not a prisoner, at least we don't call him so," retorted Betsy
+indignantly, "and he is writing books."
+
+"Oh, I suppose you know best, but if you cannot be obliging, I shall be
+mortified when I go home to say that I did not see him. I heard you knew
+him so well, that I supposed you wouldn't mind introducing me."
+
+Thus put on her mettle, Betsy yielded against her better judgment and
+went down to the arbor.
+
+At first there was no answer to her knock. Napoleon had fallen asleep
+over his papers. At last she succeeded in arousing him. "What do you
+want?" he asked rather gruffly as he came to the little door.
+
+"Let me in, and you will know."
+
+"No, tell me first what you want and then I will let you in."
+
+Betsy was not so sure of this, but since she could not help it, she had
+to explain her errand.
+
+"I wish to introduce a young lady to you."
+
+"Oh, no, indeed; I am not well."
+
+"But she will be so disappointed,--and she is so pretty."
+
+"Not like the lady I was obliged to say agreeable things to yesterday?"
+
+"Oh, no, she is very different. She is really young and handsome."
+
+"Very well, then, since you have promised, I suppose I must go, but come
+in for a minute,"--this not very politely, it must be admitted. As Betsy
+entered the little enclosure she rushed to the table and rather rudely
+snatched up some of the papers on which Napoleon had been at work.
+
+"Now," she said, "for your ill-nature in making me stand so long at the
+door, I shall keep these and find out all your secrets."
+
+The Emperor looked at Betsy with some alarm. He did not like to see his
+papers in her hands.
+
+"Put them down instantly," he cried.
+
+"No, no," rejoined Betsy, running around the garden with the papers held
+high above her head. The Emperor looked at her sternly.
+
+"Very well! Unless you obey me at once, I shall no longer be your
+friend."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Hardly ever before had Betsy heard Napoleon speak so severely. She saw
+that he was in earnest and that she must obey. She saw, too, that she
+was in danger of losing his regard, and even without looking far ahead
+she realized that he might not go to her friend, if her own foolishness
+continued longer. So, giving up her trophies, she seized the Emperor's
+hand and led him to the house.
+
+Now that he had yielded to Betsy's wishes, Napoleon was most courteous
+to her guest. He talked graciously to the young lady, complimented her
+on her beauty, and when she was ready to go home helped her on her
+horse.
+
+"She is a very pretty girl," he said later to Betsy, "but she has the
+airs of a _marchande de modes_."
+
+In thus intruding on Napoleon in his arbor study, Betsy had shown a
+rashness that no one else in the family would have ventured to imitate.
+One day, however, Betsy aided an intruder, whose behavior the Emperor
+could not resent although he was disturbed by it.
+
+It happened in this way. One morning while Napoleon was busy in his
+outdoor study making notes, Betsy was romping about in the garden near
+by.
+
+"Come, Tom Pipes!" she called loudly; and a second later a beautiful
+Newfoundland dog rushed to her side. Tom Pipes belonged to Sir George
+Cockburn, the Admiral, and was well known to every one at The Briars, as
+he was in the habit of accompanying his master on his occasional visits
+to Mr. Balcombe's house. After his long run up the mountainous road
+under the hot sun, Tom Pipes was always delighted to reach The Briars,
+for the place had many ponds and little streams, into which the
+intelligent dog would plunge for a swim.
+
+On this particular day, Tom needed no second word from Betsy to make him
+accept her invitation to take a dip in the pond, stocked with gold and
+silver fish, that was near Napoleon's arbor. The dog bathed and swam and
+amused himself in the water, and at last clambered up the bank. A moment
+later, as if tired from his exertions, he lay down by Napoleon's side.
+Napoleon, like every one else at The Briars, knew and admired the dog,
+and if he noticed Tom Pipes's approach had no objection to it. He was so
+absorbed in his work, however, that he probably was hardly aware of the
+nearness of the creature. After a few minutes' rest, Tom Pipes realized
+that he had not completed his toilet. So, rising to his feet, he began
+to shake himself vigorously. Instantly a shower of water bespattered
+Napoleon's face and clothing, and drenched the papers on the table. The
+sheet on which he was writing was entirely spoiled, and he himself
+looked rather ridiculous, as he tried to brush off the drops of water.
+In spite of his annoyance, Napoleon could not help laughing, for
+although he scolded and did his best to drive Tom Pipes away, the dog
+could not understand him. The two had been shipmates on the
+_Northumberland_, and the dog was so delighted to see Napoleon again
+that instead of running away, he kept jumping on him, leaving on the
+Emperor's clothing repeated imprints of his wet and muddy paws.
+
+While all this was happening, Betsy, looking on, was convulsed with
+laughter. She had not had this particular ending in mind when she had
+called Tom Pipes to play with her, but no deliberate practical joke of
+hers had ever been more amusing to her; and the best part of it was that
+the Emperor could not really blame her nor punish Tom Pipes.
+
+Very often, however, it was not Betsy who got the best of a practical
+joke. Not infrequently she lost her temper over little things that were
+not worth minding, and Napoleon, to whom she was a constant source of
+amusement, could not forbear teasing her, just to see how she would take
+his fun. One day, looking over Betsy's shoulder, Napoleon discovered
+that her translation was not finished. Her father required this bit of
+work from her every day, and now Napoleon saw a way to pay her back in
+some of her own coin.
+
+Taking the paper from Betsy, and holding it aloft, the Emperor
+approached Mr. Balcombe, who was now mounting his horse for a ride.
+
+"Balcombe," he cried, "_voilà le thème de Mdlle. Betsee. Qu'elle a bien
+travaillé!_" he concluded sarcastically.
+
+Betsy's father looked at the sheet of paper which was quite blank, and,
+entering into the spirit of the thing with Napoleon, he professed to be
+very angry. Calling Betsy to him, he reproved her severely.
+
+"If your translation is not ready when I return home to dinner, I will
+punish you severely." Mortified by this reproof, Betsy cherished plans
+of retaliation against the Emperor, which she carried out when she
+pinioned him in the corner with her sword.
+
+Yet after all she deserved the reproof, since her father had made a
+rigid rule that his daughters should have a translation from English
+into French ready every morning before the hour when Napoleon visited
+The Briars. He rightly considered it a great privilege for the young
+girls that the great man should be willing to look at their French
+themes, with a view to improving their use of his language.
+
+One morning the sisters observed Archambaud, Napoleon's groom, leading a
+beautiful horse in front of the house.
+
+"That is the Arab they have bought for him to ride."
+
+"I shouldn't think he'd care to ride that horse," responded the timid
+Jane. "See how he rears and plunges."
+
+"He's afraid of that white cloth on the lawn."
+
+"Yes, but they've put it there on purpose, to break him of the habit of
+shying."
+
+While they were speaking, Napoleon approached.
+
+"Sir," said the confident Betsy, "I don't believe you can ride that
+horse."
+
+"I! Don't you think me a good rider?"
+
+"Yes; I think you look better on horseback than any one I have ever
+seen."
+
+"Only _look_!" Napoleon was trying to draw her out.
+
+"But you really ride better than anyone else, as I told you the other
+day when you rode around the lawn. I didn't suppose any one could make a
+horse wheel in such a narrow circle."
+
+"Yet you think this Arab could conquer me!"
+
+"But it looks so ugly,--I mean its disposition."
+
+The Emperor, without replying directly, called Archambaud to him and
+bade him dismount, while he took his seat on the fiery horse. The girls
+looked on in horror, but Napoleon only smiled the more, as he compelled
+the horse to pass the cloth and continued his discipline until he made
+the creature put his foot on it.
+
+Archambaud gazed open-mouthed, hardly knowing whether to laugh or to
+cry. The Emperor persevered, and in a short time the horse was
+absolutely obedient to him, and the groom, though chagrined at his own
+failure, was pleased by the Emperor's success.
+
+"Ah," said Napoleon, dismounting, "it would be a strange horse that did
+not understand me. There was one that I rode once one hundred and
+twenty-nine miles in one day. My mother was ill, and I had to do it; but
+the horse, poor thing, died in the course of the night."
+
+"And you?" asked Betsy.
+
+"Ah, I was fatigued, but in or out of the saddle makes little difference
+to me. I could almost sleep in the saddle. But, come, young ladies," he
+continued, "I came here to invite you to see my china. It is all
+unpacked."
+
+The girls followed the Emperor toward the house, and "Oh!" and "Ah!"
+they exclaimed loudly as they looked at the beautiful dishes lately
+arrived from France. Among them there were plates that had cost
+twenty-five napoleons, each of them painted by a great artist. It was a
+beautiful set, given to the Emperor by the people of Paris, and the
+pictures were chiefly battle scenes commemorating his great victories.
+
+Before one of these paintings, Betsy stood enraptured. It represented a
+slim youth, who looked almost tall, standing on a bridge and evidently
+cheering others on, while nearer him were the dead and dying.
+
+"And this was really you?" exclaimed Betsy, for she recognized the
+standing figure.
+
+"Yes," replied Napoleon, sighing, as if for his dead youth. "I was that
+boy. That was almost the beginning. I was more slender then than now."
+
+"This is the ibis?" asked Betsy, pointing to a bird that appeared on
+many plates.
+
+"Yes; these are mostly pictures of Egypt;" and the ibis led him to a
+long discourse on the Egyptian campaign.
+
+"But don't go to Egypt, Miss Betsy," he concluded. "You will catch
+ophthalmia and spoil your eyes."
+
+"_Pourquoi avez-vous tourné turque?_" ["Why did you turn Turk?"]
+interposed Betsy abruptly.
+
+"What is that to you?" he asked, laughing. The question referred to his
+having become a Mahometan, but at first it was not clear to Napoleon
+what she meant.
+
+"I mean, why did you change your religion?" Betsy explained.
+
+"Fighting is a soldier's religion," he replied. "I never changed that.
+The other is the affair of women and priests. _Quant à moi_, I always
+adopt the religion of the country I am in. And now," he said at last,
+"you have seen all the plates, and there are your little brothers coming
+up to find out what our Santini has made for them."
+
+Santini was Napoleon's lamplighter, a clever little fellow, who could
+make all kinds of toys and was always ready to play amusing tricks to
+entertain the children.
+
+"What has he now?" the little boys asked as the man approached with a
+box under his arm.
+
+The children jumped about excitedly. Even the girls were curious, as,
+taking the box from under his arm, Santini displayed a tiny carriage to
+which were harnessed two pairs of mice. In spite of Santini's efforts,
+they did not at once start off, as he had expected, to draw the
+carriage, and the boys appealed to the Emperor.
+
+"Pinch the tails of the leaders, and then they will go," commanded
+Napoleon.
+
+The boys obeyed, and to the great delight of the children the mice
+started off at full speed. As they watched the carriage and the
+scampering steeds, the children shouted and clapped their hands.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+One morning Betsy stood before Napoleon with an expression of
+disappointment on her pretty face.
+
+"Of course I thought you meant it."
+
+"But you are a foolish child."
+
+"Why shouldn't you give a ball before you leave The Briars? Not a very
+great one, but just large enough for me to dance at. Soon you will be
+away, at Longwood. I thought you promised."
+
+"You must have known I was in fun."
+
+At last Betsy noted a tone in the Emperor's voice that warned her to go
+no further.
+
+"But since you are so disappointed," said Napoleon kindly, "you may have
+whatever you wish to ask of me. _Dites-moi, que veux-tu que je fosse
+Mdlle. Betsee pour te consoler?_" ["Tell me, what do you wish me to do
+to console you?"]
+
+Betsy's face brightened.
+
+"Let us play the game of blindman's buff you have so often promised.
+Then I will forgive you for not having the ball, and never speak of it
+again."
+
+"Blindman's buff, as you describe it, did not seem to be just the game
+for me. Can't you think of something else?"
+
+"But you promised, and your room is splendid for it, and it wouldn't be
+any fun without you."
+
+Seeing that resistance was useless, the Emperor at last consented to
+play. He began by binding his fine white handkerchief over Betsy's eyes.
+
+"Can you see?"
+
+"I cannot see you."
+
+But Betsy, although she spoke truly in saying that she could not see the
+Emperor, could yet detect a glimmer of light. Napoleon waved his hands
+before her eyes, and the shadows and rush of air made her start.
+
+"Ah, leetle monkey, you can see me!" he exclaimed, and he put another
+handkerchief over her eyes.
+
+Then, with Betsy in the middle of the room, the game began. Soon the
+young girl felt some one pull her nose roughly. She knew who had touched
+her, for, as he crept toward her, she recognized Napoleon's footsteps.
+As she darted forward, he bounded away just as her hand touched his.
+Then, as she groped about, Napoleon pulled her ear. She was sure that
+she had recognized him and putting out her hand she cried triumphantly:
+
+"I have you, I have you! Now it is your turn."
+
+When Betsy uncovered her eyes she was mortified to find that it was her
+sister she had captured. Napoleon, it was true, had pulled her ear, but
+he had accomplished this by reaching his hand over Jane's head. Every
+one now laughed at Betsy.
+
+"Come," said Napoleon, "as you have made such a great mistake, you must
+pay the penalty and remain blindfolded."
+
+The Emperor continued to tease and quiz, pulling Betsy's ear or her
+dress, and always managing to escape being caught.
+
+At last, when the fun was at its height, a servant, entering, announced
+that some one had called to see the Emperor. So the young people were
+left to themselves for a while. The game was at an end.
+
+"Now, Mees Betsy," exclaimed the Emperor, when he returned to the room,
+"you and all the other players must come and dine with me."
+
+"But we have already dined."
+
+"Yet you must come. Now, Navarre," said the Emperor, when they had
+reached the marquee, "Mees Betsy is very fond of creams. Bring some for
+her."
+
+"I cannot eat them," protested Betsy.
+
+"But you told me you were so fond of them. Come, it is not kind to
+refuse."
+
+"But really I cannot eat."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!"
+
+Betsy made the effort, and ate half of a delicious cream.
+
+"That is not enough. I will feed you, little _bambino_, I will feed
+you;" and with spoon in hand Napoleon actually began to feed the little
+girl, laughing steadily at her as he did so.
+
+Only by running away did Betsy at last escape, and even then the Emperor
+called after her:
+
+"Stop, Mees Betsy, do stay and eat another. You know you told me you
+liked them."
+
+The next day Marchand brought to the sisters a box of bonbons with the
+Emperor's compliments, and with them came some of the famous creams for
+"Mdlle. Betsee."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+OFF FOR LONGWOOD
+
+
+New Year's Day was approaching, the day which French people love to
+celebrate by making gifts to their friends and paying compliments.
+
+On this first New Year's morning of Napoleon's exile on St. Helena,
+Betsy, looking from her window, saw young Tristram Montholon and Henri
+Bertrand approaching.
+
+"Look, Jane," she cried excitedly, "they are carrying something; do you
+suppose--"
+
+But without finishing her question or waiting for Jane to answer, Betsy
+had taken the shortest way to gratify her curiosity by running to greet
+the boys. Immediately the two little fellows saluted her with New Year
+wishes and before she could ask a question had presented each
+sister--for Jane had followed her--with a beautiful crystal basket.
+
+"Something Piron made for you," the boys explained; and the fingers of
+the two girls trembled with excitement as they began to uncover the
+contents of the baskets. Piron, Napoleon's _confiseur_, could do the
+most remarkable things. There was nothing he could not reproduce in
+sugar--palaces, triumphal arches, all kinds of curious structures--all
+looking too good to eat. Already Betsy and Jane had received presents
+from the Emperor, products of Piron's skill, accompanied usually by some
+pleasant message. But this New Year's gift surpassed their expectations,
+for when they tore off the white satin napkin, inside the baskets they
+saw that delicious bonbons were heaped within them on Sèvres plates, a
+plate for each girl.
+
+"Cupidons for the Graces," was Napoleon's message accompanying the
+kindly gift.
+
+The first of the new year brought a certain regret to the family at The
+Briars and to Napoleon as well. His new home at Longwood was nearly
+ready for him, and this meant that he should see much less of the
+charming family to which he had become attached. Longwood was several
+miles away, and the chance was that there he would be guarded more
+closely and that it might be harder for the girls to see him.
+
+For the two months before New Year's, Longwood was as busy a place as a
+dock-yard in war. The Admiral was often there, hurrying lazy workmen.
+Every day two or three hundred seamen carried timber and other building
+materials and furniture to Longwood. Although Napoleon was in no hurry
+to go there--indeed, he did not wish to go there at all--he watched the
+workmen with great interest, as he observed them climbing up the heights
+between Longwood and The Briars. He would really have preferred to make
+The Briars his home, and he tried to get the Government to buy it for
+him, but for reasons, perhaps political, this could not be accomplished.
+Longwood, in situation, was bleak and unshaded, and so exposed that it
+was not likely he could ever have a garden such as that at The Briars.
+Water had to be brought from a distance of three miles, and the houses
+that were to be remodelled for the French were known to be damp and
+unhealthy. The farmhouses which Napoleon was to occupy were very plain
+and have even been called a collection of huts. The expenditure of much
+money could not make the place really comfortable.
+
+Napoleon had now been on the island nearly three months. No longer was
+he regarded by any one with dread, at least by any one who had come
+under his immediate influence. By the Balcombe family he was esteemed an
+amiable friend. They had had the chance to see him under all kinds of
+conditions, and if they did not regard him as exactly perfect, their
+feeling for him was one not only of great sympathy but respect.
+
+As the time for his departure approached he came more often to the
+drawing-room at The Briars.
+
+"Ah," he said, half sadly, to the family, "I would rather stay here than
+go to Longwood. I could never have imagined it possible to be happy on
+such a horrible rock as St. Helena."
+
+One day General Bertrand, coming over from Longwood, told Napoleon the
+house smelled so of paint that it was not fit for him at present. All
+Napoleon's friends knew his great dislike for unpleasant odors, and that
+paint was especially disagreeable to him.
+
+When the Emperor heard this report of the condition of Longwood, his
+rage almost choked him. He walked up and down the lawn, gesticulating
+wildly.
+
+"I will not live in a house that smells of paint. It is most horrible. I
+will send to the Admiral and refuse to go."
+
+Betsy had hardly ever seen him display such temper as he now showed,
+declaiming against the lack of consideration shown by the Governor. This
+excitement was a result probably of his general dislike for his new
+home. Although first interested in the workmen, toward the end he began
+to complain of the fifes and drums with which the soldier workmen urged
+themselves on as they wound their way up the hill. He had disliked
+Longwood from the day when he had first seen it, just after his arrival
+on the island, and what he heard about it had not changed his opinion.
+No family, it was said, had ever lived there longer than a few months,
+so unwholesome was its climate. This came from the situation of the
+place--a plain on the top of a mountain, eighteen hundred feet high. It
+was on the windward side of the island, and only for a month or six
+weeks in the year was the weather pleasant. For three or four weeks it
+had the sun directly overhead; the rest of the year was wet and
+disagreeable. In the course of a single day there could be extreme
+changes of heat and cold.
+
+At last the day of departure came. Sir George Cockburn and all the
+Emperor's suite, some of whom lived at a distance from The Briars, came
+over to escort him. The younger members of the family stood around the
+house, showing their sadness very plainly.
+
+"You must not cry, Mdlle. Betsee," said Napoleon kindly. "You must come
+to see me next week, and very often."
+
+"Oh, yes, I want to, but that will depend on my father."
+
+Then Napoleon turned to Mr. Balcombe. "Balcombe, you must bring Misses
+Jane and Betsee next week to see me, eh? When will you ride up to
+Longwood?"
+
+"Indeed, I will bring them soon," responded Mr. Balcombe.
+
+"But where is your mother?" added the Emperor, casting his eye over the
+group that had gathered to bid him good-bye.
+
+"She sent her kind regards to you," replied Betsy, "but is sorry that
+she is not well enough to come down."
+
+"Then I will go up to her;" and Napoleon impulsively ran upstairs before
+word could be given of his approach.
+
+When Napoleon entered her room, Mrs. Balcombe was lying down. The girls,
+who had followed him, saw him sit down on the edge of her bed as he
+thanked her very warmly for all her attention to him.
+
+"I should have preferred to stay at The Briars. I am sorry to go to
+Longwood," he said; and then he handed a little package to her, saying,
+"Now please give this to your husband as a mark of my friendship."
+"This" proved to be a beautiful gold snuffbox.
+
+As he turned to leave the room, Napoleon saw the red-eyed Betsy standing
+near the door.
+
+"Here, my dear," he said, putting something in her hand, "you can give
+this as a _gage d'amour_ to petit Las Cases."
+
+Betsy had no heart now to reply to a jest that ordinarily would have
+brought out a spirited reply. But with the beautiful bon-bonnière in her
+hand, she ran out of the room and took a post at a window where she
+could see Napoleon. Her tears continued to flow and she found that she
+could not bear to look longer at the departing Emperor. At last she had
+to run to her own room, where, throwing herself on a bed, she wept
+bitterly for a long time.
+
+It was true, as Betsy knew, that Longwood was not so very far from The
+Briars, and that it was not likely that she would be restrained from
+going there sometimes. Yet in spite of this knowledge the little girl
+realized that she had lost a great deal by the departure of the Emperor
+from her father's house.
+
+Friends, and enemies too, of Napoleon in Europe would have been amazed
+at that moment to know that the man who so short a time before had been
+dreaded as the commander of one of the world's greatest armies, was now
+bewailed by a little girl as a lost playmate, for as playmate and friend
+Betsy had certainly come to regard him, and she regretted his removal to
+Longwood, not only because it was farther away, but because he was
+likely to be hedged in with a greater ceremony that might prevent her
+from seeing much of him.
+
+Mr. Balcombe went with Napoleon to Longwood, and when he returned the
+girls asked eagerly how the Emperor liked the new residence.
+
+"He seemed out of spirits. He went soon to his own room and shut himself
+in;" and at this report they sympathized with his loneliness.
+
+Betsy and Jane, fortunately, were not to be shut off altogether from
+their friend. Their father was purveyor to the Emperor, and this meant
+that he had a general order to visit Longwood and could take his
+daughters with him. Thus it happened that hardly a week passed without
+their going there to call, to their own great delight as well as to the
+satisfaction of Napoleon, who never tired of them.
+
+Usually their visits were so timed that they could breakfast with the
+Emperor at one, and for the most part they found him much the same as he
+had been at The Briars. After a while, however, they could not help
+noticing that he was less cheerful than formerly.
+
+About a week after his departure, Betsy and her mother and sister made
+their first visit to Longwood to call on the Emperor.
+
+"Ah, there he is," Betsy cried; and looking ahead, they saw him seated
+on the steps of the billiard-room, talking to little Tristram Montholon.
+The moment Napoleon caught sight of them, he hastened toward them.
+Saluting them pleasantly, he kissed Mrs. Balcombe and Jane on each
+cheek, while he pinched Betsy's ear, as he said: "Ah, Mdlle. Betsee,
+_etes-vous sage_, eh, eh?"
+
+Then, with the eagerness of a boy anxious to display a new toy, he
+added, "What do you think of the place? I must show you over it. Come,
+follow me!"
+
+So the Emperor walked ahead of Mrs. Balcombe and her daughters, leading
+them first to his bedroom. Betsy thought this room small and cheerless,
+though she did not say so to Napoleon.
+
+As she looked about she observed that the walls were covered with fluted
+nankeen, that on the wall were many family pictures that she recognized,
+while the bed was the well-known camp bed with the green silk hangings,
+the bed Napoleon had used in his Marengo and Austerlitz campaigns.
+There, on one side, was the silver wash-hand basin and ewer, and on the
+mantelpiece over the bed was a portrait of Maria Louisa, so placed as to
+be the first thing to meet Napoleon's eye when he awoke in the morning.
+Off the bedroom was a small chamber with a bath that he showed to them.
+A dressing-room, dining-room, billiard and drawing room made up the
+Emperor's own special suite. The billiard-room, which had been built
+according to Sir George Cockburn's orders, was large and well
+proportioned. It was the best apartment in the house, and the girls
+expressed their admiration for it, although Betsy, when her eye fell on
+the billiard table and balls, thought the game a foolish one for men to
+play.
+
+"Now to the kitchen!" Napoleon exclaimed, at last. "M. Piron will be so
+pleased. Aha, Piron, here is Mees Betsee; you know how she loves creams.
+Send her some and some bonbons. See, _regardez, mademoiselle, voilà un
+mouton pour mon diner, dont on fait une lanterne_," pointing to the lean
+carcass of a sheep hanging up in the kitchen, in which the French
+servants had placed a candle which shone through. "But I know," he
+continued, "you are dying to see the baby;" and the sisters went with
+him to Madame Montholon's apartment to see her six-weeks-old girl.
+
+Napoleon took his little god-daughter in his arms.
+
+"Oh, you will let it fall!" cried Betsy as he dandled it clumsily.
+
+"No, no! See, it will let me do anything with it;" and he pinched little
+Lili's nose and chin until she cried.
+
+"You do not know how to hold a baby," protested Betsy.
+
+"But I ought to know," responded Napoleon with a twinkle of amusement in
+his eye. "Often and often I have nursed the King of Rome when he was
+younger than Lili."
+
+After leaving the baby and Madame Montholon, the little girls went with
+Napoleon to the garden outside.
+
+"It is not like The Briars," the Emperor said, shaking his head sadly.
+
+"I should say not;" and Betsy looked from the bare surroundings of the
+house to the rugged mountain near by with its scraggly vegetation of
+wild samphire, prickly pears and aloes, its iron-covered rocks, with
+sharp cliffs and mysterious caves overshadowing the house.
+
+Napoleon's momentary sadness may have come from his casual allusion to
+his son, the little King of Rome, the child whom he was never to see
+again. Those who observed him when any allusion was made to his child
+were always sure that Napoleon's heart held great fatherly affection.
+Once when he had been a trifle downcast, Dr. O'Meara told him an
+anecdote he had heard about the child. Immediately Napoleon smiled with
+great animation and his face brightened. At other times when the
+conversation turned on the child, he grew perceptibly sadder.
+
+His love for his own child made Napoleon undoubtedly more interested in
+all children, and he was never ashamed, as some men are, to show this
+interest in the children of his friends.
+
+This first visit to Longwood was in every way delightful to the sisters,
+not only because there was much to see that was new to them in the
+arrangement of the house and grounds, but because they found the Emperor
+in one of his most boyish moods.
+
+"Now, ladies," he said, as the time for their return approached, "send
+your horses off. They can meet you at Hutsgate, and I will take a drive
+with you, if you will honor my jaunting car."
+
+Hutsgate was the residence of Madame Bertrand, where Mrs. Balcombe and
+her daughters intended to call before returning to The Briars.
+
+"Yes," answered Betsy after a moment's hesitation, "we will drive with
+you." She was not fond of driving, but did not dare to expose her
+timidity to the ridicule of the Emperor.
+
+Hardly, however, had they started off when she felt that her fears were
+justified. The daring Archambaud was their charioteer, and he drove
+three unbroken Cape horses abreast.
+
+"This is the most dangerous road for driving on the island. No wonder
+they call it the Devil's Punchbowl," cried poor Betsy. As she spoke, the
+carriage seemed to be tipping over the edge of the declivity. Those
+nearer the edge were in mortal terror, and the others looked as if they
+would be crushed against the huge rock.
+
+"You are not frightened, are you, Mees Betsee?" asked Napoleon
+mischievously. "Of course it is a narrow road; I only hope the horses
+are not running away. They seem rather wild."
+
+Thankful enough was Betsy to arrive at Madame Bertrand's without
+accident, and when she started for home she was more than eager to mount
+her own quiet pony, Tom. She was not fond of driving over the dangerous
+roads, and for a jaunting car she had a special dislike. Napoleon,
+knowing this, could not resist the opportunity to tease her. Betsy,
+indeed, was not the only one whom he liked to terrify by getting
+Archambaud to display his reckless driving. It seemed, indeed, as if his
+guest, as well as the Emperor, always took his life in his hands when
+driving in the jaunting car.
+
+On a second visit not long after the first, when Betsy and Jane arrived
+at Longwood, they found the Emperor firing at a target. He put the
+pistol in Betsy's hands, saying, "Ah, _la Petite Tirailleuse_, I will
+form a company of sharpshooters and you shall be captain."
+
+A little later he took her to the billiard-room and showed her the
+billiard table.
+
+"It is a silly game for men," she said in her positive way, "too much
+like marbles. I wouldn't play it."
+
+"Oh, do try," urged the Emperor; but wilful Betsy replied only by aiming
+the ball at his fingers, as he rested his hand on the board.
+
+Later, however, the sisters learned to play the game, and at the
+billiard table they passed many an hour.
+
+Napoleon himself taught Betsy how to handle a cue, but, when tired of
+the lesson, she would often aim at his fingers, and she was always
+delighted when a well-directed shot made him cry out.
+
+The visits of Betsy and her sisters gave pleasure to the fallen great
+man; still, as time went on, they could not help noticing that he was
+less and less buoyant. In their presence he tried to lay aside his
+troubles, and continued unfailingly kind.
+
+He and the new Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe, were always at swords' points,
+and this wore on his spirits. Moreover, the health of Napoleon was
+impaired, and as he realized this he grew more and more gloomy.
+
+Sir Hudson Lowe was very particular that the passes issued for visitors
+should be used only as they had been made out.
+
+One day Betsy went to Longwood with a pass that prescribed a visit to
+General Bertrand. But when Betsy, wandering about, caught sight of
+Napoleon in the billiard-room, she could not resist the temptation of
+playing a game with him. Her father vainly tried to remonstrate with
+her. Far from listening to him, she bounded off.
+
+Instead of playing billiards, however, Napoleon asked her to read to him
+from a book that he had lately received from England. It was by Dr.
+Warden, surgeon of the _Northumberland_, describing in English
+Napoleon's voyage to St. Helena. Napoleon had not made great headway in
+reading English, and Betsy went through several chapters with him,
+turning them into her French that he might better understand.
+
+Napoleon listened attentively to her reading. "Dr. Warden's word is a
+very true one," he said.
+
+Betsy finished her stay at Longwood this day by remaining awhile with
+Madame Bertrand.
+
+The news of Betsy's visit to Napoleon without the requisite permission
+reached the Governor's ears; and Mr. Balcombe was severely reproved. In
+fact, he nearly lost his position. The Governor from the first insisted
+that Mr. Balcombe always acted in the interest of Napoleon, and hence,
+as he viewed it in his narrow-mindedness, against the interests of the
+English Government. Thus we can see that Napoleon's young neighbor was
+wrong in doing things that drew on her father the Governor's reproof.
+
+"My dears," said Mr. Balcombe one morning, "I am going to Longwood
+to-morrow, and the Emperor has expressly asked me to bring you. He has
+something curious to show you."
+
+"What can it be?" the girls asked each other. This special invitation,
+promising a special pleasure, made them eager to start when the next
+morning came.
+
+When they reached Longwood with their father they found Napoleon
+examining a machine whose use they could guess.
+
+"Come, come, young ladies," the great man cried, when he caught sight of
+them, "come see me make ice. You have not been here for a long time,
+Mees Betsy, what is the matter?"
+
+"I have been ill,--a sunstroke."
+
+"Oh, I am sorry! What foolish thing did you do?"
+
+"Oh, Jane and I walked with Captain M. to call on Mrs. Wilks. We went
+over the mountain, two thousand feet, and also across Francis Plain, and
+down into the valley, up the mountain ridges."
+
+Napoleon expressed his astonishment at the extent of their walk.
+
+"Yes, we were nearly dead when we reached Plantation House, but the Lady
+Governess and her daughter there were so kind, and at noon we went to
+Fairyland."
+
+When Betsy had told her story, Napoleon explained the air-pumps and the
+process of ice-making. He was evidently proud of his own proficiency.
+
+"Now, Mr. Balcombe, get an elementary chemistry for Miss Betsy and make
+her study every day, and the good O'Meara shall be her examiner."
+
+While he talked Napoleon was watching the machine.
+
+"Do try my ice," he exclaimed at last, when he had a cupful.
+
+"Here, Mees Betsee, take this!" and he put a large piece in her mouth.
+
+"Oh, Mees Betsee, why make such faces?"
+
+This was the first ice that had ever been seen on the island, and those
+who had never been off St. Helena were naturally amazed when it was
+shown to them.
+
+"It can't be frozen water," exclaimed Miss de F., a young St. Helena
+lady who had accompanied the Balcombes on this visit to Longwood; and
+she had to hold a piece in her hand before she believed it. Then she
+gave a little scream. The glassy substance was so cold at first that she
+was ready to drop it. A moment later when it began to melt and the water
+streamed down her fingers, she realized that she had actually seen a
+very strange thing, the turning of water into ice by artificial means.
+
+Betsy long remembered the day when she had first seen the wonderful ice
+machine, and perhaps her remembrance of it was intensified because on
+that same morning Napoleon permitted her to cut from his coat an
+embroidered bugle, and the coat was the one he had worn at Waterloo.
+Napoleon himself was as pleased as a child with the ice machine, and to
+more than one person expressed his regret that he had not had it in
+Egypt, where its use would have saved the lives of many suffering
+soldiers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE GOVERNOR'S RULES
+
+
+After Napoleon had been at St. Helena a few months, newspapers from
+England began to arrive with narratives of many of the happenings at The
+Briars.
+
+One journal contained a letter from the Marquis de Montchenu, describing
+all the romping games at The Briars, such as the game of blindman's
+buff, the sword scare, and other things in which the children had taken
+part.
+
+Special comments were made on the manners of Betsy, and the writer said,
+"She is the wildest little girl I have ever met; she seems _folle_."
+This letter had been translated into French and German journals, so that
+Betsy Balcombe's name was now widely known.
+
+Mr. Balcombe was greatly enraged by this letter, and wished to call the
+Marquis to account for his ill nature, but Mrs. Balcombe persuaded him
+to desist from extreme measures, and in the end the Marquis himself made
+an apology.
+
+Napoleon found some amusement in Betsy's fierce anger against the
+critical Frenchman. One day Dr. O'Meara called at The Briars, on the way
+to St. James Valley, with a message from Napoleon to tell Betsy how she
+could revenge herself on the tale-bearer.
+
+The Marquis, a noble of the old school, was in the habit of wearing an
+elaborate wig with a long cue.
+
+"Mees Betsy, if you will burn off the cue with caustic, I will reward
+you with the prettiest fan in Solomon's shop, if you will send the
+pigtail to me," suggested Napoleon to Betsy as a plan of revenge.
+
+"_Eh, bien_," said the Emperor, when next he saw Betsy, "Mdlle. Betsy,
+_as tu obei mes ordres et gagné l'éventail_?" ["Have you obeyed my
+orders and won the fan?"]
+
+"Oh, sire, how I wanted to do it, but my brother would not let me!"
+
+"Ah, Mees Betsy," and Napoleon pinched her ear, "_tu commences à etre
+sage_. Here, O'Meara, have you brought the fan I promised Miss Betsy?"
+
+"No, sire, there were none pretty enough for her in Solomon's shop."
+
+Betsy's face grew serious.
+
+"Do not look sad," expostulated Napoleon. "You shall have something
+prettier than a fan;" and Betsy, comprehending, wondered what the
+present would be that he evidently intended to give her.
+
+In a few days a package came to The Briars, addressed to Betsy. Opening
+it, she saw a ring of brilliants, forming the letter N, surmounted by a
+small eagle.
+
+This was a wonderful gift for a little girl, and at first she could
+hardly believe that it was for her. Later she found there was no
+mistake. It was really hers, and she kept it always.
+
+Although Betsy was not permitted to carry out Napoleon's proposed plan
+of revenge on the tale-telling Marquis, she expressed her feelings in a
+way of her own by relating to Napoleon an anecdote about him.
+
+"The Marquis," she said, "is extremely fond of cauliflower, a vegetable
+that is very hard to get here on the island. Well, the other day, he
+dined with us and we had the most delicious cauliflower. Somehow he
+didn't see it until it was being removed and then he cried to his
+aide-de-camp, who had neglected to point it out, '_Bête, pourquoi-ne m'a
+tu pas dit qu'il-y-avait des choux fleurs?_' ['Idiot, why didn't you
+tell me that there was cauliflower?'] Now, wasn't he greedy?" asked
+Betsy, glad enough to have a story to tell that placed the Marquis at a
+disadvantage.
+
+The Marquis de Montchenu, for whom Betsy had professed this dislike, was
+one of the three Commissioners sent by the Allied Powers to keep watch
+on Napoleon. The other two were the Baron Sturmer, representing Austria,
+and Count Balmain, sent by Russia. While England provided the prison and
+jailer for Napoleon, these Commissioners were asked to observe
+everything and report to their respective countries. France and Austria
+had ordered their Commissioners to see Napoleon in their official
+capacity every day in order to assure themselves that he was actually
+alive. Baron Balmain was instructed by Russia neither to seek nor avoid
+an occasion to see him. To describe the vain efforts of the French and
+Austrian Commissioners to see Napoleon would make an entertaining story.
+Napoleon's orders to his household were not to admit any one presenting
+a pass from the British authorities. But as Sir Hudson Lowe would permit
+no one to go to Longwood without a pass from him, those who wished to
+see Napoleon were in a dilemma.
+
+Things were not bettered when Napoleon wrote Sir Hudson Lowe, desiring
+him not to present any one to him, as in future he would receive no
+visitors. He acted as if he thought it his duty to shut himself up, in
+order that public opinion might be turned against the narrow-mindedness
+of the Governor. After this few of the people of St. Helena tried to
+call on him. From delicacy of feeling, or because they feared his anger,
+civilians and military residents avoided Longwood. Only the two
+Commissioners and the resident English officer made an effort to see him
+daily, and their efforts, merely to get a glance at him through window
+or door, were most absurd. The officer sometimes saw him, but the
+Commissioners never had the privilege. The Marquis de Montchenu beheld
+him at last only when he lay dead. Baron Sturmer and Baron Balmain left
+St. Helena while Napoleon was still alive without having met him.
+
+As to Betsy Balcombe, though she had her own opinion, on account of her
+father's position she could not express herself strongly about Sir
+Hudson Lowe.
+
+"Has any one run away with a favorite _robe de bal_, or is the pet black
+nurse, old Sarah, dead?" asked Napoleon one day, detecting a serious
+look on Betsy's face. "What can have occurred?"
+
+Betsy's face did not brighten.
+
+"I am feeling very sad," she said, "because Mrs. Wilks, our kind
+Lady-Governess, has gone away. Every one was at the boat to see her go,
+and at the castle. It was like a funeral, no one with a dry eye, and all
+saying, 'God bless you, and a safe and happy voyage home.'"
+
+Betsy paused for a moment, then continued: "Then they all followed the
+Governor and his family to the barge that was to take them to Havana,
+and groups of grief-stricken ladies wandered under the peepul trees of
+Sisters' Walk, watching the vessel."
+
+"Did you cry too?" asked Napoleon.
+
+"Indeed I did."
+
+"I regret," added Napoleon, "that I had not known the Lady-Governess;
+she must have been so amiable."
+
+Napoleon, as well as Betsy, probably realized that but for his coming
+the people of St. Helena might have retained their popular Governor,
+Mark Wilks. Before the arrival of Napoleon, the Governor of St. Helena
+was paid by the East India Company, though appointed by the Crown; but
+with so important a personage as Napoleon held there in captivity, it
+seemed wisest that full responsibility for him should be laid on the
+English Government. It was therefore decided, as we have before seen,
+that as soon as possible a Governor of higher rank should be sent out in
+place of Governor Wilks. The change at this time seemed unfortunate for
+the people of St. Helena. In Governor Wilks they had found an officer
+who had their interests more at heart than any preceding Governor. Could
+he have been Napoleon's custodian, the Emperor's exile would have been
+very much happier than it was with Sir Hudson Lowe in charge.
+
+Betsy, like all who came in contact with Napoleon, sympathized deeply
+with his annoyance at the restrictions imposed on him by Sir Hudson
+Lowe. The story of the discussion between Napoleon's friends and the
+supporters of the Governor would be a long one to tell, but the fact
+remains, when all is said in Sir Hudson Lowe's favor, that he was far
+too narrow-minded for the important position that he held. Sir Hudson
+Lowe was a brave man and had served honorably in many wars, but the
+responsibility of guarding the fallen Emperor was too great for him, and
+his behavior toward the exile was in every way unfortunate.
+
+Napoleon had been on the island just six months when Sir Hudson Lowe
+arrived. From the first he seemed possessed by the idea that Napoleon
+was constantly watching for some chance to escape. To those nearest
+Napoleon at St. Helena, the Governor's fears that he might escape seemed
+absurd. From the island posts approaching ships were seen twenty-four
+leagues off. Two ships of war were always cruising to windward and
+leeward. Only guard-boats were allowed out at night. All fishing boats
+were numbered and had to anchor every evening at sunset under the
+supervision of a lieutenant of the navy. No foreign vessels were
+permitted to anchor unless under great distress, and then no one from
+them could land until an officer and a party from the British ships went
+on board to take charge while they stayed. If he had cared to try
+flight, Napoleon could hardly have made his escape.
+
+In the very beginning, when Lord Bathurst issued instructions for the
+custody of Napoleon, he expressed the earnest desire of the Prince
+Regent that no greater personal restraint might be employed than was
+necessary to make sure that Napoleon was securely held on the island.
+
+Sir Hudson Lowe, however, in carrying out the instructions of the
+British Government, interpreted them as meaning that he should have
+constant information about all Napoleon's doings. To accomplish this
+was, of course, impossible, and his vain efforts made him the
+laughing-stock of the English as well as the French. In his very first
+interview with Napoleon the new Governor managed to offend him
+seriously, and Napoleon after this was so unwilling to see him that the
+two met only five times more during the five years that intervened until
+Napoleon's death; and these five interviews were all within the first
+three months after Sir Hudson Lowe's arrival.
+
+Under the most favorable conditions Sir Hudson Lowe could hardly have
+been popular with the islanders themselves. Governor Wilks, his
+predecessor, had been unusually loved, and his charming wife and
+daughter had a firm hold on the affections of all the people of St.
+Helena. Betsy, as we have seen, was extremely fond of Mrs. Wilks, whom
+she called the "Lady-Governess," and she had a young girl's admiration
+for the beautiful Miss Wilks, whose praises she continually sang to
+Napoleon. One day, not long before Miss Wilks left the island, Napoleon
+showed Betsy a portrait that General Gorgaud had drawn from memory of
+Miss Wilks, saying, "You think Miss Wilks beautiful. Gorgaud thinks so
+too, and this is his portrait from memory."
+
+"Ah," replied Betsy, gazing at the portrait, "she is far more beautiful;
+and she is so clever and amiable."
+
+"You are certainly enthusiastic, and I quite long to see her," responded
+Napoleon, evidently appreciative of Betsy's enthusiasm for her friend.
+
+During the first months of Napoleon's exile, Colonel Wilks continued to
+act as Governor, but the direct custody of Napoleon was the business of
+Sir George Cockburn, who had brought the illustrious prisoner on the
+_Northumberland_ from England. Not long after Napoleon went to Longwood
+an amusing incident happened, resulting from the panic of Captain
+Poppleton, the orderly officer whose duty it was to guard Napoleon on
+his rides.
+
+The two sisters were sitting at dinner, with their father and Admiral
+Cockburn.
+
+"See," cried Betsy to Jane, "here comes Captain Poppleton, looking as if
+he had lost his wits. Why is he alone? Don't you remember that he set
+out with the Emperor and Generals Bertrand, Montholon, and Gorgaud?"
+
+"But you wouldn't expect them all to march in, when we have company,
+too," whispered Jane, looking toward the end of the table where her
+father was talking with his especial guest, the Admiral, Sir George
+Cockburn.
+
+Before the girls could speculate further, Captain Poppleton broke out
+excitedly:
+
+"Oh, sir, I have lost the Emperor."
+
+All looked up, but the Admiral, whom Captain Poppleton addressed, did
+not change expression as the officer continued:
+
+"We were riding along one of the paths on the side of the mountain, when
+suddenly the Emperor turned short around to the left and almost flew up
+the mountain. None of the generals accompanied him. I started, but I
+could not follow. My horse would not take the steep ascent. So I came
+back to you. If there is a plot--"
+
+"Nonsense!" cried the Admiral, and his tone was echoed by Mr. Balcombe.
+It was natural that Captain Poppleton should feel alarm at the sudden
+disappearance. But the Admiral was made of sterner stuff. "Go back to
+Longwood," he said quietly to the officer. "You will find Napoleon
+there."
+
+This proved to be the case, for when he reached Longwood the Emperor was
+at dinner, and he laughed at poor Captain Poppleton for his fears.
+
+If Betsy had ventured to express herself regarding the trouble between
+Sir Hudson Lowe and the Emperor in this, she certainly would not have
+favored the former.
+
+"What do you really think," she asked her father one day, "about this
+quarrel between the Governor and the Emperor?"
+
+Mr. Balcombe very properly, as an officer of the Government, was not
+inclined to give a direct reply. But Betsy understood him, when he said:
+
+"Their disputes are generally on subjects so trivial that they hardly
+seem worth quarrelling about."
+
+But she realized that to Napoleon these disputes were not trivial when
+she came upon him one day reading an English book. Looking at it, as he
+held it before her, she saw that it was a copy of "Æsop's Fables," a
+book that in a translation children often use to improve their knowledge
+of French.
+
+The page was open at "The Sick Lion." This is the famous account of the
+lion that, when lying sick, receives visits from many other animals who,
+instead of sympathizing, exult over his downfall. The lion makes no
+complaint until a donkey kicks him in the face. "I could have borne
+anything but this," he said.
+
+As Betsy looked at the open page, Napoleon, pointing to the woodcut,
+said, "It is myself and your Governor." His expression showed the depth
+of his feeling on the subject.
+
+In little ways Betsy was disappointed by the regulations made for
+Napoleon by Sir Hudson Lowe. She was exceedingly anxious, for example,
+that Napoleon should see a huge boa constrictor that a captain of an
+incoming vessel had brought to the island.
+
+"It is a most wonderful creature," she said, as she described it to the
+Emperor. "They put a live goat into its cage, and I really believe that
+it swallowed it whole, for I could see the poor thing's horns poking
+almost through the boa constrictor's skin."
+
+The Emperor smiled as Betsy told her tale. "Your boa constrictor sounds
+like the Marquis de Montchenu, or, rather, the latter, from the amount
+of food I have heard he consumes, must resemble a boa constrictor."
+
+"He really does," responded Betsy. "Oh, I wish you could see him--not
+the Marquis, but the boa constrictor."
+
+"I should like to see it; I will ask them to have it brought here to
+me."
+
+As Betsy herself also desired this, she was naturally disappointed when
+those in authority decided that the boa constrictor could not be shown
+to Napoleon.
+
+Napoleon was not the only one on the island affected by the many
+regulations made for his safety in the matter of sentries. The question
+of passes, always troublesome to visitors, and the fact that after the
+sunset gun had been fired no one could pass the sentries without giving
+the countersign, were annoyances to all on the island. Once Betsy
+herself had an experience that was far from agreeable, although she was
+not the only one to suffer, as the incident concerned many others.
+
+As might be supposed, picnics were a favorite form of diversion with the
+people of St. Helena, and they were particularly delightful when, as
+usually happened, young and old took part in them. One day there was a
+large picnic near the celebrated Friar's Valley. The Balcombes and all
+their friends were to go to it.
+
+The day proved pleasant fortunately, for the journey was difficult.
+After amusing themselves for hours, the party was at last surprised to
+hear the sunset gun from Ladder Hill. They found that none of the party
+had the countersign for the night, and they knew that if they ventured
+forth without it they would be made prisoners. This was one of the many
+strict rules made by the Governor to prevent the mishap of helpers
+coming to Napoleon after dark.
+
+At last some of them decided that it was better to make an effort to
+reach home rather than spend the night outdoors. Betsy and her parents
+were among those who ventured to go toward home.
+
+It was a starlight night, but the road was bad. Mr. Balcombe at last
+hailed a light.
+
+"Who goes there?" cried the sentry.
+
+"A friend."
+
+"Advance, friend, and give the countersign."
+
+Now this was just what none of the party could do, and as protests were
+useless, they all had to spend the night in the guard-room, where they
+were half eaten by fleas, mosquitoes, and other insects.
+
+Those who had stayed on the picnic grounds laughed well at the more
+venturous who had gone ahead. Napoleon, when he heard the story, was
+highly diverted, pleased to have so good a chance to blame the
+Government.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ALL KINDS OF FUN
+
+
+Any one who had looked in on the sisters one day would have seen that
+they were greatly excited. Just at this time they were visiting Madame
+Bertrand, and during their stay a ball was to be given.
+
+Plans that promised much pleasure for them had been made. They were to
+dine with the Emperor, and then go on to Deadwood in his carriage.
+
+"Don't jerk so, please," cried Betsy, while the maid was arranging her
+hair.
+
+"But you must have this Chinese coiffure, if you are going to the ball.
+You would not wish to go looking like a little girl."
+
+"Oh, no," responded Betsy faintly, inwardly rebellious, as her hair was
+jerked and strained on top of her head. She was willing to bear pain for
+the sake of appearing well, but when she looked in the glass she thought
+that she had never seen anything so hideous as the coiffure that the
+maid had arranged with such care. She no longer desired to appear like a
+young lady. Her hair had been drawn back so tight that her eyes were
+fairly starting from the socket. Had there been time she would have
+pulled the coiffure down, and indeed she was ready to cry with vexation,
+but she did not really dare to disarrange it now, for she dreaded the
+Emperor's ridicule. How he would laugh at the funny Chinese coiffure! In
+a few minutes she was to appear before him.
+
+To her great surprise, when she and her sister entered the dining-room,
+the Emperor spared her, saying only:
+
+"Mees Betsy, this is the only time I have ever seen you look really
+neat; but I don't like your frock. What is the matter?"
+
+Poor Betsy! She was almost upset by the Emperor's tone. She looked at
+him closely, and decided that he meant just what he said. She had
+thought her little frock so pretty. Now, what could be the matter with
+it?
+
+The Emperor understood her look of inquiry and answered in words.
+
+"It is too short," he said. "You must have it made long before the
+ball."
+
+He was certainly in earnest, and the young girl was really troubled.
+"But I cannot do anything to it," she protested; "there is not time."
+
+"Oh, but no one will wish to dance with you."
+
+"It isn't as bad as that!"
+
+"But it is."
+
+Betsy knew that Napoleon meant what he said. He knew more about balls
+and ball-gowns than any young girl on the island. Indeed, if his
+criticism had not been based on his knowledge of the customs of the
+modish world, Betsy would still have been inclined to trust to his
+judgment; for though at times she seemed to trifle with his wishes, in
+her heart she was always ready to please him.
+
+So now, as sensitive as any more conventional girl to the impression she
+might make at a ball, Betsy ran off to find Josephine, the maid.
+
+Josephine shook her head when Betsy first told her tale of woe, but at
+last she consented to remedy the defect by lengthening the frock. There
+was but one thing to do, and consequently some of the tucks were let
+down.
+
+Neither Betsy nor the maid was proud of the result of their efforts. The
+effect was not good, and Betsy had to take what consolation she could
+from the fact that she had obeyed Napoleon.
+
+A dinner with the Emperor was always delightful to Betsy and Jane, and
+this one was no exception. When it was over the Emperor rose abruptly
+and all went with him to the drawing-room. There the delectable coffee
+for which Le Page was famous was brought in, and Betsy, feeling more
+grown up than ever, drank a cup into which, disdaining tongs, she
+dropped a lump of sugar.
+
+Soon the carriage was announced, and all set out, Madame Bertrand ahead,
+carrying her baby, next little Arthur, then Mrs. Balcombe, and finally
+Betsy and Jane and General Gorgaud.
+
+When the signal was given, the spirited Cape steeds tore away, dashing
+from side to side, while Madame Bertrand screamed loudly to Archambaud
+to stop, though without avail, until the carriage ran into a gumwood
+tree.
+
+Except for the shaking up and the fright, none of the party was injured,
+and when the door was opened all scrambled hastily out. Nothing would
+induce them to intrust themselves again to the carriage and the reckless
+Archambaud, and though the rain was falling heavily they preferred to
+walk over the muddy road to Deadwood. They had nearly a mile to go, and
+it was especially hard for Madame Bertrand, whose baby would not be
+carried.
+
+Betsy, though she knew that she herself probably looked equally absurd,
+could not help laughing when she saw Madame Bertrand arrayed in one of
+Mrs. Balcombe's dresses, half a yard too short and small in every way,
+which she had to borrow while her own clothes were drying.
+
+But the ball itself was pleasant and all felt repaid for going, even
+though they had to walk home in the mist.
+
+The next morning, as ever, Betsy was the victim of Napoleon's raillery.
+
+"So you had a good time last evening, Mees Betsy. I hear you danced very
+well and looked well, and might have been Baroness Sturmer's younger
+sister, you looked so much like her."
+
+This compliment pleased Betsy mightily, as doubtless Napoleon realized,
+for the little English girl thought Baroness Sturmer, wife of the
+Austrian Commissioner, the prettiest woman she had ever seen.
+
+Not long after breakfast the visitors from The Briars and several from
+Longwood went to the town and to the _Newcastle_ in the bay, on board of
+which Sir Pultney and Lady Malcom were to give a breakfast in honor of
+Lord Amherst.
+
+When next the sisters visited Longwood, "Ah, Mees Betsee," cried
+Napoleon, "I have heard great stories of you. You locked up little Miss
+P. the other day, while the other ladies were being shipped over the
+side of the frigate to return to shore. When they missed her Captain G.
+had to go back to rescue her."
+
+As Betsy did not deny this charge, Napoleon, turning to her father,
+exclaimed:
+
+"Balcombe, you must set her a task."
+
+"Indeed I must," responded Betsy's father gravely.
+
+"But I have been punished enough," protested Betsy. "Lady Lowe scolded
+me, too, and desired me to use my reason and not to be childish. I
+wondered at her lack of perception in giving me credit for what I never
+possessed. But I did admire Lord Amherst," she added, a few minutes
+later.
+
+"He must be a very fascinating man," responded Napoleon, "so to have
+impressed your youthful fancy."
+
+The kindness that Madame Montholon showed Betsy in allowing her maid to
+arrange the young girl's hair in a style suitable for a ball, an
+undoubted kindness in spite of the discomfort it produced, was in a line
+with many other things that she and Madame Bertrand did for the Balcombe
+girls. Madame Bertrand was particularly fond of Betsy and often invited
+her to her house. She advised her about her studies and, to a certain
+extent, supervised some of them. Madame Bertrand had many
+accomplishments, some of which she tried to impart to Betsy. Singing was
+one of them, and under her instruction Betsy made considerable progress.
+Napoleon sometimes listened to their little concerts in the drawing-room
+at Longwood. One evening when Betsy was to sing a part from "Les
+Styriens," the piano was so out of tune that Napoleon was greatly
+distressed. He at once sent for Mr. Guiness, the bandmaster of the
+_General Kid_, then in St. James's Harbor, the only man at hand who
+could properly tune it, and was naturally annoyed when the Governor
+expressed his unwillingness to have Mr. Guiness come.
+
+Of all those who accompanied Napoleon to St. Helena, Madame Bertrand had
+made, perhaps, the greatest sacrifices. She was born in Martinique and
+was partly of Irish descent, through her father, whose name was Dillon.
+In spite of her warm devotion to Napoleon, she almost went out of her
+mind when she heard that he was doomed to imprisonment in St. Helena and
+that her husband would follow him. Later, however, she became resigned
+and did not try to dissuade her husband from accompanying the fallen
+Emperor. Undoubtedly she thought of her children and all that they would
+lose in living so far from France, but when they were at last in their
+new home she bore inconveniences patiently and tried in every way to
+make life pleasant for those around her.
+
+"Come," said Napoleon one day when Betsy was wandering around the
+Longwood grounds, "come, and I will show you some pretty toys."
+
+Following the Emperor to the billiard-room, she saw upon the table some
+gorgeously carved chessmen sent to him by Mr. Elphinstone. Each piece
+was perfect. The castles, surmounting lifelike elephants, were filled
+with warriors discharging arrows. The knights, cased in armor, were on
+beautifully caparisoned horses. The mitred bishops were in flowing
+robes, and the pawns each represented a man of a different nation. The
+carving was wonderful. Such work had never before left China, and Betsy
+saw that Napoleon was as pleased as a child with a new plaything.
+
+"I have just finished a game of chess with Lady Malcom," he said, "and
+she has beaten me because I paid more attention to the men than the
+game."
+
+Besides the chessmen Mr. Elphinstone had sent workboxes and card
+counters with the various tradespeople of China minutely carved on them.
+
+Betsy's interest in these beautiful things was increased by hearing how
+Mr. Elphinstone happened to think of sending gifts to Napoleon. He
+wished to show his gratitude for Napoleon's kindness to his brother,
+severely wounded on the field of Waterloo. Napoleon, it seems,
+perceiving the wounded man and hearing that he was faint from loss of
+blood, sent to him a goblet of wine from his own canteen.
+
+"The chessmen are too pretty for St. Helena," said Napoleon; "I must
+send them to the King of Rome."
+
+Among Mr. Elphinstone's presents, Napoleon showed Betsy a superb ivory
+tea-chest, which when opened showed a perfect model of the city of
+Canton. Beneath it were packages of fine tea, done up in fantastic
+shapes.
+
+"Ah," said Napoleon, turning to Betsy, "this reminds me that when I was
+Emperor I did not permit any tea in my dominion, except that grown in
+Switzerland. No one could tell the difference from the Chinese tea. I
+also cultivated the beet-root to make sugar, instead of depending on
+foreign goods."
+
+Napoleon was probably no less pleased with the chessmen because each
+piece had a small eagle carved on it. When Sir Hudson Lowe heard of the
+eagles he regretted that they had escaped his notice, and that he had
+given permission for the gifts to be received at Longwood.
+
+Among the Emperor's treasures were many rare coins and seals which he
+often permitted his little neighbor to handle and examine. Yet even
+while she appreciated this special privilege, Betsy could not let her
+sense of obligation entirely suppress her love of mischief.
+
+Once, for instance, when Betsy approached a table at which Napoleon was
+seated, the little girl, unperceived by him, saw that he was in the act
+of sealing a letter with one of his precious seals. The temptation was
+too strong to resist, and she surprised Napoleon by joggling his arm.
+This sudden movement caused a drop of hot sealing wax to fall on his
+hand, and as a blister was the result, the pain for the moment must have
+been extreme. Nevertheless, Napoleon said hardly a word of reproof, and
+his patience was so remarkable that Betsy immediately apologized for her
+mischief.
+
+Yet it was not unusual for Napoleon to show patience when teased. In all
+his sports with the children, even when they took liberties that their
+parents would have disapproved, Betsy never saw him show any temper. He
+never fell back on his rank or age, but always professed to be one of
+themselves, a good comrade, claiming only for his own part the right to
+tease them when he chose.
+
+What wonder that Las Cases, the dignified Chamberlain, sometimes stood
+aghast at the merry pranks shared by his illustrious master and his
+young friends; but even with the eyes of the disapproving Las Cases upon
+her, Betsy always enjoyed her visits to Longwood. Often some pleasant
+surprise awaited her on her arrival there.
+
+Napoleon was interested in the various legends of St. Helena, and these
+legends are very numerous. Nearly every rock and valley and bit of water
+has some story connected with it. The Friar's Valley, for example, takes
+its name from a huge rock fashioned by nature into the figure of a monk
+with his cowl thrown back, wearing a flowing robe and a rosary.
+Immediately around are sterile rocks, some many hundred feet high, some
+with aloes growing from the fissures.
+
+Napoleon sometimes rode into this valley, and one day he turned to
+Betsy:
+
+"Mees Betsee, have you ever seen 'Will-o'-the-Wisp' that they say lights
+the friar's lantern?"
+
+"Oh, yes; my mother used to send me over there for purer air, and my old
+nurse had a cottage overlooking the vale. She was teaching me the
+alphabet, and when I did not arrange my letters properly she would
+threaten me with the friar."
+
+The story, as Betsy had often heard it, was that the friar had been a
+good Franciscan monk, but he fell in love with a girl in a mountain
+cottage, whom he met while she was tending goats. She asked him to help
+her find something that she had lost, and thus attracted his attention.
+Later he made love to her and she promised to marry him if he would give
+up his faith. So the man broke his vows to the Church; but, when he was
+to be married, as he was clasping the bride's hand, there was a fearful
+crash: the chapel disappeared and with it all those who were taking part
+in the unholy wedding.
+
+"Have you noticed," asked Betsy of Napoleon, coming on him when out
+riding, "those three queer sugar-loaf rocks that they call 'Lot's Wife
+and Daughters'?"
+
+"Yes," responded Napoleon, "I have seen them."
+
+"Well," persisted Betsy, "do you know the story about them?"
+
+"No, I do not."
+
+"Then I must tell you. More than fifty years ago there were two slaves
+on the island who hated to work and to obey their masters, so they hid
+themselves in a cave, halfway up the cliff on the top of which we now
+see Lot's wife. Every night they used to go down and steal whatever they
+could lay their hands on. For a long time people could not find out
+where they lived, but at last they were tracked to their cave. No one
+could reach them, however, because they rolled stones down toward all
+who tried to climb up the cliff."
+
+Napoleon listened attentively, and Betsy continued:
+
+"At last it was thought necessary to send a party of soldiers to fire on
+them, if they refused to surrender, but before this was done one of the
+besiegers managed to climb the cliff on the other side. He reached a
+point opposite the cave and higher up, so that he could roll down stones
+toward the slaves. When one of these wretched creatures was standing on
+the edge of the cliff he was killed by one of the rocks rolled from
+above, and the other who was with him was severely injured; and now,"
+concluded Betsy solemnly, "if you go there at the right time, the
+islanders say that you will see the murdered slave rushing around at
+night just as he used to when alive."
+
+Napoleon, after hearing Betsy's legend, said: "When I ride that way
+again I shall certainly look at the sugar-loaf mountain with much
+greater interest than ever before."
+
+Undoubtedly these various legends, which Betsy had heard from her
+earliest childhood, tended to make her superstitious. Napoleon soon
+found that she was easily frightened, and took advantage of this fact
+sometimes to tease her unmercifully. When he arrived at The Briars, one
+of Betsy's little brothers had as tutor an elderly man named Huff. The
+coming of Napoleon had a strange effect on the tutor's brain. Among
+other delusions, he believed that it was to fall on him to free the
+Emperor from his imprisonment and restore him to his throne again. Old
+Huff, as they called him, talked constantly on this subject and no one
+could reason with him. It was evident that the poor fellow was mad, but
+before it was decided to put him under guardianship he found a chance to
+kill himself, although he was closely watched. According to custom, he
+was buried at a spot where three crossroads meet. This happened to be a
+place near The Briars, and, in consequence, poor Betsy was far from
+happy. Napoleon, aware of her fears, would call out, just before she
+said good night to the household, "Mees Betsee, ole Huff, ole Huff."
+
+Poor Betsy! She was indeed unhappy, and after these words lay long awake
+at night, and in the end often scrambled into her mother's room and
+stayed there until morning.
+
+One evening, when Betsy and her mother and her sister Jane were sitting
+on the cottage porch enjoying the refreshing evening breeze, a strange
+noise made Betsy turn her head, and in an instant she had risen to her
+feet with a loud scream. In front of them now walked a figure dressed in
+white, not a very terrifying sight, except to one of Betsy's nervous
+temperament.
+
+[Illustration: THE BRIARS. From an old print]
+
+Mrs. Balcombe at once understood the situation, for at the moment of the
+figure's appearance she had heard a smothered laugh that she recognized
+as Napoleon's. Advancing to the white figure, she turned back the
+covering, and underneath appeared the black face of a little slave,
+grinning from ear to ear.
+
+"What brought you here?" asked Mrs. Balcombe sternly.
+
+"To frighten Miss Betsy;" and the black girl pointed toward Napoleon,
+who had now come forward to see what effect his trick had had upon his
+young neighbor.
+
+This little ghost scene had a wider effect than Napoleon intended, for
+it put the idea of playing ghost into the heads of other servants. One
+of the Balcombe slaves had lately run away and could not be found. The
+family suspected that he was hiding not far off, because every night
+pigs, poultry, bread, and other provisions were stolen in quantities, by
+whom nobody could tell. After a while Napoleon began to complain of
+thefts, but when the various black servants were questioned they all
+said that the thief must be a ghostly white figure that they saw
+skipping around the valley from rock to rock. That they believed what
+they said was shown by the alarm they showed, for none of them would go
+out alone by night.
+
+"I believe that it really and truly is old Huff's ghost," insisted
+Betsy.
+
+"You can't believe such a foolish thing; indeed, I should think you
+would know better after what happened the other evening, when you
+allowed yourself to be terrified by a little black girl," said her
+mother reprovingly. She added, "You look pale, Betsy. What is the
+trouble?"
+
+"I can't help it. I may be foolish," responded poor Betsy, "but for
+nights and nights I have been afraid to close my eyes."
+
+"All on account of the ghost," thought Mrs. Balcombe, wishing that Betsy
+were less nervous.
+
+Mr. Balcombe and some friends now undertook to catch the thief, feeling
+sure that he would prove to be a substantial individual. After long
+watching, one night they saw a figure move stealthily across the valley
+toward the house. They called upon it to stop, but when it neither
+obeyed nor answered, they felt obliged to shoot. A loud scream followed
+the report of the gun, and when they came upon the fallen figure they
+discovered the runaway slave Alley. He was badly hurt, although not
+fatally, and they did what they could for him. The next morning the
+whole party went to the cave to which Alley directed them. Napoleon
+accompanied them and was much interested in what he saw.
+
+It reminded him of the catacombs of Paris, he exclaimed, as he looked
+about at the heaps of bones which the slave had placed in neatly
+arranged piles after he had gorged himself with food.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE SERIOUS SIDE
+
+
+As Betsy grew to know Napoleon better, she sometimes observed in his
+conversation and manner a sadness that she had not noticed earlier. This
+slight melancholy was especially evident when the conversation touched
+on Josephine or the little King of Rome. Often Napoleon gazed intently
+at Mrs. Balcombe, explaining as he did so that it was because she
+reminded him strongly of Josephine. He loved to talk of Josephine,
+especially with Madame Bertrand, who was a native of Martinique and was
+said also to be a distant relative of the Empress.
+
+One day, for example, Madame Bertrand, in Betsy's presence, brought out
+a miniature of Josephine. The Emperor seemed deeply moved as he gazed at
+it.
+
+"It is the most perfect likeness of her that I have ever seen."
+
+"It is for you, sir," said Madame Bertrand simply.
+
+Thanking her warmly, Napoleon added, "I will keep it until my death."
+
+On this occasion the Emperor was especially inclined to talk about his
+first wife, and Betsy, hearing him, wondered that he had been willing to
+separate himself from her.
+
+"Josephine," he said, "was the most feminine woman I have ever
+known--all charm and sweetness and grace. _Era la dama la piu graziosa
+in Francia._" Then he continued: "Josephine was the goddess of the
+toilet. All fashions came from her. Besides this she was humane and
+always thoughtful of others. She was the best of women. Although the
+English and the Bourbons allow that I did some good, yet they generally
+qualify it by saying that it was chiefly through the instrumentality of
+Josephine. But the fact is that she never interfered in politics. Great
+as my veneration was for her, I could not bear to have it thought that
+she in any way ruled my public actions."
+
+Napoleon's praises of Josephine continued to flow on.
+
+"She was the greatest patroness of the arts known in France for years;
+but though I loved to attend to her whims, yet I always acted to please
+the nation, and whenever I obtained a fine statue or valuable picture I
+sent it to the Museum for the people's benefit. Josephine was grace
+personified. She never acted inelegantly during the whole time we lived
+together. Her toilet was perfection, and she resisted the inroads of
+time, to all appearances, by exquisite taste."
+
+Napoleon spoke with deep emotion, "She was the best of women!"
+
+Then, as if in answer to Betsy's unspoken question, he said:
+
+"It was only political motives that led me to give her up. Nothing else
+would have separated me from a wife so tenderly loved. Thank God, she
+died without witnessing my last misfortune!"
+
+From Josephine Napoleon turned to Maria Louisa, his second wife, the
+mother of his son, of whom he spoke tenderly and affectionately:
+
+"She was an amiable and good wife. She would have followed me here, but
+they would not let her."
+
+Napoleon next called Betsy's attention to one or two portraits of Maria
+Louisa, but Betsy, though she made no criticism, thought then, as she
+had thought at other times when studying the face of Maria Louisa, that
+the Austrian Princess was at a disadvantage when contrasted with the
+members of Napoleon's family, all of whom were handsome and looked
+intellectual.
+
+This conversation about Josephine and Maria Louisa was interrupted by
+the arrival of a visitor, Count Piontkowski, lately arrived from Europe.
+He was a Pole who had fought under Napoleon, and his love for his fallen
+leader had led him to follow into exile.
+
+Napoleon himself had no clear remembrance of the Pole as an individual,
+and he was therefore the more deeply gratified by the spirit of devotion
+that had induced Piontkowski to make the long voyage to St. Helena for
+the sake of being near his old commander.
+
+The long interview with the newcomer undoubtedly brought before
+Napoleon's mind many sad memories, and when he returned to them Betsy
+and the others noticed that he was in unusually low spirits. As he
+looked again at the portraits of Josephine and Maria Louisa he grew more
+and more dejected, and at last, excusing himself, he went to bed much
+earlier than usual, leaving the rest of the party under the influence of
+his melancholy.
+
+When the second New Year came around, Napoleon was in less than his
+usual good spirits. It was not to Betsy, however, but to Dr. O'Meara
+that he said in reply to the physician's "Happy New Year":
+
+"Perhaps the next one will find me better situated. Perhaps I shall be
+dead, which will be better still. Worse than this cannot be."
+
+It was not the Emperor's habit to show his sadness for any great length
+of time. On this second New Year's the sisters were to go over to
+Longwood to carry their New Year greeting and to dine with Madame
+Bertrand.
+
+When they first arrived at the house Betsy was disappointed that
+Napoleon was nowhere in sight and she wondered that no message or
+present came from him, for she knew that the French made a special
+festival of New Year's and recalled the generosity of the Emperor just a
+year before.
+
+Still there was much to see and enjoy in Madame Bertrand's apartment,
+and she and Jane were examining with admiration the presents of Madame
+Bertrand and her family, when Napoleon himself entered the room. In each
+hand he was carefully carrying a beautiful Sèvres cup. As the girls drew
+near to look at them, they saw that on one was a portrait of Napoleon
+himself, representing him in Turkish costume, and on the other the
+figure of an Egyptian woman drawing water.
+
+"Here, Mdlles. Betsee and Jane," he exclaimed, "are two cups for you.
+Accept them as a mark of the friendship I entertain for you both and for
+your kindness to Madame Bertrand."
+
+Charmed with his beautiful presents, the girls thanked Napoleon warmly.
+Betsy, indeed, was so delighted with her cup that she would not let it
+go out of her hands, and when at last the time for her departure came
+she wrapped it in many folds of cotton to carry it home--at considerable
+risk even then, as the journey was made on horseback.
+
+Betsy was a keen observer, and although she was fond of paying Napoleon
+back in his own coin when he teased her, she appreciated the depth of
+his feelings in his more serious moments.
+
+One beautiful day, when she went over to Longwood, she was impressed by
+the brilliancy of the atmosphere, which is, indeed, one of the charms of
+St. Helena. Standing on the rocks she watched the waves breaking and
+sparkling at their base and noted the sea beyond, glistening like a
+sheet of quicksilver. With her spirits especially buoyant under the
+influence of the wonderful day, she went up to St. Denis, one of the
+Emperor's suite.
+
+"Where is the Emperor?" she asked gayly. "I want to see him."
+
+The Frenchman shook his head so gravely that for the moment the smile
+left Betsy's face and she wondered if any misfortune had happened. After
+a moment of silence, St. Denis replied:
+
+"The Emperor is watching the _Conqueror_, which is now coming in." The
+_Conqueror_ was the vessel bearing the flag of Admiral Pamplin, who was
+to succeed Admiral Malcom. "You will find the Emperor," continued St.
+Denis, "near Madame Bertrand's, but he is in no mood for badinage
+to-day."
+
+If the Frenchman had meant to keep Betsy away from Napoleon, he was not
+successful. In spite of his warning Betsy went on toward the cottage. As
+soon as she saw the Emperor, she herself came under the influence of his
+mood. He was standing on a cliff with General Bertrand, looking out
+toward sea, where the _Conqueror_ was still but a speck on the horizon.
+Betsy was impressed by the intense melancholy of the exiled Emperor's
+expression, as he stood there stern and silent. His eyes were bent sadly
+upon the vessel as it came in, beating up proudly to windward.
+
+For some time not a word was uttered by any of the three. Even the
+talkative Betsy was silent. At last Napoleon spoke:
+
+"They manage the vessel beautifully; the English are certainly kings
+upon the sea," he said. Then his melancholy tone changed to one of
+sarcasm. "I wonder what they think of our beautiful island! They cannot
+be much elated by the sight of my gigantic walls."
+
+At this moment Betsy did not venture a retort, as was generally the case
+when Napoleon railed at her beloved St. Helena. Betsy was alive to all
+the beauties of the place, while Napoleon, naturally, saw only its
+faults. When Betsy defended the island and waxed eloquent over its
+beauties, sometimes he would simply laugh at her impertinence, while at
+others, pinching her ear in his favorite fashion, he would say:
+
+"Mees Betsee, how can you possibly dare to have an opinion on the
+subject?"
+
+This glimpse of Napoleon, sadly watching the _Conqueror_, was not the
+only occasion when Betsy had an opportunity to see the more serious side
+of the man whom she admired. Although she was only a young girl, she was
+able sometimes by her intelligent questions to draw from him an
+explanation of much discussed things in his past. There was, for
+example, the oft-repeated story that Napoleon had sanctioned the
+butchery of Turkish troops at Jaffa and the poisoning of the sick in the
+hospitals.
+
+If the Emperor was vexed with Betsy for touching on forbidden ground, he
+did not show his feeling, but entered into an explanation that his young
+neighbor was able long afterwards to repeat in his own words. "Before
+leaving Jaffa," said Napoleon, "and when many of the sick had been
+embarked, I was informed that there were some in the hospital severely
+wounded, dangerously ill, and unfit to be moved at any risk. I desired
+my medical men to hold a consultation as to what steps had best be taken
+with regard to the unfortunate sufferers and to send in their opinions
+to me. The result of this consultation was that seven-eighths of the
+soldiers were considered past recovery, and that in all probability few
+would be alive at the expiration of twenty hours."
+
+Betsy listened attentively, as Napoleon showed how difficult it was to
+decide whether it was not more cruel to leave these helpless men to the
+mercy of the Turks than to end their misery by a dose of opium: "I
+should have desired such a relief for myself under the same
+circumstances and I considered it would be an act of mercy to anticipate
+their fate by only a few hours. My physician did not enter into my views
+of the case, and disapproved of the proposal, saying it was his business
+to cure, not to kill. Accordingly I left a rear-guard to protect these
+unhappy men from the enemy. They remained until Nature had paid her last
+debt and released the expiring soldiers from their agony."
+
+As his auditors did not look convinced of the correctness of his views,
+Napoleon turned to Dr. O'Meara, who was of the party.
+
+"I ask you, O'Meara, to place yourself in the situation of one of these
+men. Were it demanded of you which fate you would select, either to be
+left to suffer the tortures of those miscreants or to have opium
+administered to you, which fate would you rather choose? If my own
+son--and I believe I love my son as well as any father loves his
+child--were in a similar situation, I should advise it to be done. If so
+situated myself I should insist upon it, if I had sense enough and
+strength to demand it."
+
+Without waiting for comment from the others, Napoleon added that if he
+had been capable of secretly poisoning his soldiers or of the barbarity
+ascribed to him of driving his carriage over the mutilated bodies of the
+wounded, his troops would never have fought under him with the
+enthusiasm and reverence they uniformly displayed. "No, no, I should have
+been shot long ago. Even my wounded would have tried to pull a trigger
+to despatch me."
+
+The Emperor spoke so earnestly that no one could doubt he meant what he
+said. Even though they believed that the Turkish prisoners had been
+treated with great cruelty, his hearers saw that ambition or a feeling
+of necessity had been the impelling motive of the officers who
+sanctioned or ordered the cruelty.
+
+Napoleon's conversations with Betsy were of course carried on largely in
+French, and but for the little girl's fluency in this language she would
+probably have seen much less of the great man. Napoleon himself made a
+real effort to learn English. Not only did he study with Las Cases, but
+he tried to practise the language with Betsy and her sister. In
+conversation, however, he never became very proficient, his
+pronunciation was droll, and he was inclined to translate things very
+literally. Betsy was less patient than her sister with Napoleon's
+English. By his expressed desire she and Jane were always to correct his
+mistakes, yet often, in the midst of his efforts, she would run off
+without deigning to help him.
+
+"Ah, Mdlle. Betsee," he would then cry in French, "you are a stupid
+little creature; when will you become wise?"
+
+Although Napoleon persevered with his English lessons with Las Cases, he
+never proceeded much further than to read the newspapers. English books
+presented many difficulties, and yet much of the literature that came
+his way was in this language. Here again Betsy was able to make herself
+very useful by translating books or newspapers for him, and sometimes
+she went further and gave him in condensed form the contents of a great
+many pages. Even after he went to Longwood, when Betsy went over there
+to call on Madame Bertrand, Napoleon would summon her to help him
+understand some newly arrived English book.
+
+From Napoleon's own admission to one of his own suite, after he had been
+in St. Helena a year or two, we can judge that his progress in English
+had not been very rapid. One morning, after the arrival of a number of
+French books, he said:
+
+"What a pleasure I have enjoyed! I can read forty pages of French in the
+time that it would require to read two of English."
+
+The Emperor enjoyed talking with Betsy, for the little girl was a great
+reader herself, and he had the faculty of drawing from her whatever
+information she had on a given subject. Occasionally she thoughtlessly
+questioned Napoleon on topics that she might better have avoided.
+
+One Sunday, for example, at Madame Bertrand's, he found the girls poring
+over a book.
+
+"What are you doing?" he asked abruptly.
+
+"Learning the collect," replied Betsy. "My father is always very angry
+if I do not know it." Then she added, not very courteously, "I suppose
+you never learned a collect or anything religious in your life, for I
+know that you do not believe in the existence of a God."
+
+"You have been told an untruth," replied Napoleon impatiently, evidently
+displeased with Betsy. "When you are wiser you will understand that no
+one can doubt the existence of a God."
+
+"But you believe in predestination?"
+
+"Whatever a man's destiny calls him to do, that he must fulfil," was the
+Emperor's response.
+
+Young though she was, Betsy understood the seriousness that underlay the
+superficial gayety most in evidence when Napoleon met her. She decided
+that he was not the cold, calculating man that most people thought him,
+but rather a man of deep feeling, capable of strong attachments.
+
+One day, not long after he had left The Briars, a lady approached Betsy,
+who was in the grounds outside the house.
+
+As she dismounted from her horse Betsy had recognized her as a French
+woman of high position, whose husband was one of the diplomatists then
+at St. Helena.
+
+"Will you be so good," she said almost timidly to the little girl, "as
+to show me the part of the cottage occupied by the Emperor?"
+
+"With pleasure," responded Betsy, leading the way to the Pavilion. The
+lady looked about her with great interest.
+
+"Look!" said Betsy, pointing to the spot where the marquee had stood.
+"Look at this crown in the turf!"
+
+The lady gazed for some minutes at this empty symbol of the power once
+held by the Emperor. The thoughts that it brought up overpowered her.
+Losing all self-control, she sank to her knees, sobbing hysterically.
+Forgetful of Betsy, she continued to weep so bitterly that the little
+girl started for the cottage that she might get her mother, or some one
+else of the household, to bring restoratives.
+
+"Stop, stop!" cried the lady, as if realizing her purpose. "Do not call
+any one. I shall be myself in a moment." Then, in a voice still filled
+with emotion, she added, "Please do me the favor of never mentioning
+this to any one. All French people feel as I do. They all treasure
+Napoleon's memory as I do, and would willingly die for him."
+
+Betsy gave the required promise and waited patiently until the lady had
+recovered her self-possession. Then the latter asked innumerable
+questions of the little girl about the life of Napoleon and his suite at
+The Briars.
+
+Several times the visitor repeated, "How happy it must have made you to
+be with the Emperor!"
+
+When she rode away after her long interview, she put a thick veil over
+her face to hide the fact that she had been weeping.
+
+Betsy was true to her word, and although her family, one after another,
+asked her why the visitor had made so long a stay, she merely replied
+that she had been interested in the Pavilion. But the scene made a deep
+impression on the little girl, as showing the remarkable hold of
+Napoleon on the hearts of those who had been his subjects. Moreover she
+judged, and truly too, that a man for whom such deep feeling was shown
+must himself have been of a kind and sympathetic nature.
+
+It is true that she did not need the testimony of any outsider to assure
+her of Napoleon's amiability. She was well acquainted with his general
+kindliness; she knew of many of his gracious acts, and the charm of his
+manner toward all young people had made a deep impression upon her.
+
+Another thing that she noticed convinced Betsy of the softer qualities
+of Napoleon's nature. This was the firm devotion of the little band of
+Frenchmen and French women who had followed him to St. Helena. They had
+made great sacrifices in sharing the exile of Napoleon. There was so
+little to hope for, in the way of reward for this devotion, that no
+reasonable person could doubt their disinterestedness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS
+
+
+"Who danced the best at the Governor's ball?" Napoleon asked Betsy one
+day.
+
+"Mrs. Wilks, the Governor's lady."
+
+This was before the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe.
+
+"What sort of dances are in fashion there?"
+
+"Quadrilles, country dances. Mr. C. brought them to St. Helena."
+
+"Oh, he is a great dandy!"
+
+"Yes; he will sit with his feet above his head an hour before dressing,
+the more readily to squeeze them into tight shoes. He wore an epaulette
+nearly down to his elbow, and his sword hilt was embroidered with golden
+oak leaves. The same embroidery confined his stockings, on each knee,
+like the order of the garter. When he first arrived he was disgusted
+that St. Helena ladies knew only kitchen dances and reels, and finally
+he drilled quadrilles and other new dances into them."
+
+Betsy's description of the young dandy amused Napoleon. "Bring him to
+Longwood some day," he said.
+
+A pass was obtained for the young man and Napoleon received him most
+politely. "I hear from Mees Betsee that you are a great dandy,--and what
+a fine coat!"
+
+The young man, who had been in some fear of the Emperor, felt better.
+
+"You are more fortunate than myself," continued Napoleon, "for I have to
+wear my coat turned." Although this was true, it was only because there
+was no cloth his shade of green on the island.
+
+On the whole Napoleon liked the young dandy, especially as he spoke
+French fluently.
+
+But Napoleon was not always glad, or even willing, to receive visitors.
+In fact, after the first few months on the island, he practically
+refused to allow strangers to be presented to him, unless there was some
+special reason for his seeing them.
+
+One day, when Napoleon was still at The Briars, the girls were walking
+with him down Pomegranate Walk, which led to the garden, when he heard
+strangers' voices. He did not wish to meet them, and began to run away,
+but, unluckily, when he reached the garden gate he found it locked.
+Napoleon was not likely to turn aside from anything he had undertaken to
+do, and as the voices drew nearer, too impatient to wait, he insisted on
+jumping over the gate fence. There was a prickly pear on top, the thorns
+of which caught him so that at first he could not extricate himself.
+Then he had to descend rather ignominiously on the garden side, before
+the strangers appeared. The thorns had really done considerable damage,
+and it took no little skill on Dr. O'Meara's part to extract them.
+
+To Betsy's friends Napoleon was apt to be more obliging than to others,
+and tourists, many of whom stayed over at St. Helena on their way to or
+from Africa or India, frequently sought her services to effect an
+introduction.
+
+"Sir," said Betsy to Napoleon one day, "may I present a lady to you? She
+is just here from India. Her husband has high rank."
+
+Napoleon was not fond of women visitors, but he gave his consent to
+Betsy's request.
+
+At the appointed time the lady from India appeared, gowned in crimson
+velvet bordered with pearls. Her black hair was braided and adorned with
+pearls, and butterflies of diamonds and emeralds and rubies. She was one
+of the plainest women Betsy had ever seen, and she was fearful of the
+impression she would make on Napoleon.
+
+After Napoleon had asked the usual questions, "Are you married?" and
+"How many children have you?" he looked closely at her to see what
+compliment he could best pay her.
+
+At length, after a pause that might have embarrassed a less complacent
+woman, he said politely, "Madame, you have the most luxuriant hair."
+
+That the lady from India had fine hair was so evident a fact, that she
+need not have been so exceedingly pleased by Napoleon's compliment. Yet
+she was so overcome by it that when she returned to England she sent
+letters to the newspapers speaking of the Emperor's great admiration for
+her.
+
+Napoleon, in reality, did not at all like this visitor, and when she had
+gone he said severely to the young girl:
+
+"You shall introduce me to no more ladies." His tone was so unusually
+severe that Betsy did not dare confess what really was the case, that
+she had brought Mrs. S. to see Napoleon merely to tease him, knowing
+that it was positively disagreeable to him to meet very plain women.
+
+Betsy one day came to him full of excitement over a traveller whom she
+had just seen.
+
+"Oh, he is extraordinary; queerer than any one I have ever met here. His
+long black beard reaches to his waist, and he wears a regular mandarin's
+dress."
+
+"An Englishman dressed like a Chinaman?"
+
+"Yes! You know he has been there so long, and he has done the most
+wonderful things! Why, he has even travelled to Thibet and talked to the
+Grand Lama."
+
+The Emperor's interest was aroused.
+
+"I have always wished to hear something about the Grand Lama," he said,
+"especially about the way he is worshipped, for I believe that much I
+have read is fabulous. I should like to see this traveller."
+
+"I knew you would," cried Betsy, "and he is anxious to see you, too. He
+was a prisoner of war once in France, and he says you treated him very
+kindly; so he has brought you some presents, and if--"
+
+"Yes, and if he can get a pass--"
+
+The sentence was left unfinished. But Mr. Manning obtained a pass to see
+the Emperor and presented him with a number of curious things that he
+had collected in his travels.
+
+"The Lama," he said in answer to a question, "when I saw him, was a very
+intelligent boy of seven, and I went through the same form of worship as
+the others who were introduced into his presence."
+
+"Were you not afraid of being seized as a spy?" asked Napoleon.
+
+The traveller hesitated, as if not quite pleased by the question. Then,
+with a laugh, he pointed to his dress and beard, as if they were a
+sufficient answer.
+
+"Did you pass for an Englishman?" persisted the Emperor. "The shape of
+your nose is too good for a Tartar."
+
+"No," replied Mr. Manning; "I was generally taken for a Hindoo." The
+bystanders, looking at his fine eyes and regular features, could easily
+understand that in the rôle of a Hindoo he must certainly have been
+successful.
+
+The conversation between the two--the Emperor and the traveller--lasted
+for some time.
+
+"Travellers," said Napoleon, "are privileged to tell marvellous stories,
+but I hope you are not doing this in describing to me all the wonders of
+Thibet."
+
+Then he continued his questions, asking much about the Lama, and the
+customs and religion of his people. His queries showed that he already
+possessed a fund of information about this strange country, and Mr.
+Manning finally said, "You have as much information on Thibet as I have
+myself."
+
+Napoleon accepted the compliment, but the many questions that he
+continued to ask, especially concerning the Chinese and their language
+and habits, showed that he was quite willing to admit Mr. Manning's
+greater knowledge of the Orient.
+
+When the unusually long interview had ended, Napoleon turned to Betsy
+with an expression in which sadness was mingled with satisfaction.
+
+"This conversation," he cried, "has given me more pleasure than anything
+I have experienced for many long months."
+
+Betsy, realizing the Emperor's capacity for finding entertainment in
+hearing about the small things that made up the life of St. Helena,
+always gratified him by describing the little festivities in which she
+took part, or even the larger affairs of which she knew only by what
+others told her. Like all places garrisoned by British regiments, there
+was always much going on, as the phrase is, on the island, and the
+gossip of the place, usually harmless enough in itself, never failed to
+entertain him.
+
+Sometimes he tried to draw from the little girl information that for one
+reason or another she did not care to give him--sometimes merely to
+tease him, sometimes because she feared that what she said might disturb
+him.
+
+"So you have been calling on Lady Lowe at Plantation House," he said,
+after one of her visits to the wife of the Governor. "Tell me, does she
+ask about your visits to Longwood?"
+
+"There, that is just the kind of thing she asks me. I am sure to be
+questioned what we say and do in your presence;" and beyond this Betsy
+would give Napoleon little satisfaction.
+
+"Who is the most beautiful woman on the island?" he asked on another
+occasion.
+
+"Madame Bertrand," replied Betsy, never at a loss for an answer, "is
+more beautiful than any one I have ever seen. Every one else seems
+insignificant beside her. Why, when my father saw her on the
+_Northumberland_ he was very much struck by her. Her features may not be
+strictly beautiful, but her expression is intellectual. Besides, her
+bearing is so queenlike and dignified!"
+
+"But don't you think Madame Montholon pretty?"
+
+"No," responded Betsy unhesitatingly, in spite of the fact that she had
+much regard for Madame Montholon.
+
+"Marchand," cried Napoleon, apparently changing the subject, "bring me
+my snuffbox,--you know which."
+
+The faithful Marchand obeyed, and when he returned Napoleon took the
+snuffbox from his hands to show the girls--for Jane was with Betsy--a
+miniature on the lid.
+
+It was a portrait of Madame Montholon, taken many years earlier.
+
+"Yes, it is like her," Betsy admitted, "and beautiful, too."
+
+"She was just like that when she was young," responded the Emperor.
+
+Although Napoleon was fond of teasing Betsy, whenever he found that he
+could serve her in any way he never failed to show himself a true
+friend.
+
+Once Dr. O'Meara came upon Betsy alone in the garden with tears in her
+eyes. To his inquiry as to the cause of her sorrow, she pouted, and at
+first hesitated in her reply. On second thoughts she exclaimed, "It is
+too mean! Just because I didn't do my lessons yesterday, to keep me home
+from the races!"
+
+"Were you warned?"
+
+"Oh, yes, but I did not expect to be punished."
+
+"Probably this isn't the first time, and your parents are bound to make
+you remember."
+
+"Oh, it is my father, and it's the meanest thing! He has lent Tom to
+somebody. My pony is not in the stable. Who could have been so mean as
+to borrow the only pony that I can ride? All the others have ridden off,
+and there is no way for me to go."
+
+Dr. O'Meara listened sympathetically. Probably he did not exactly
+understand the situation or he would hardly have encouraged a young girl
+to disobey her parents. It was quite natural that to Betsy, the lover of
+gayety, her punishment seemed greater than she deserved. Every one that
+she knew was going to the races, for the Deadwood races, instituted by
+John Rous, were made a kind of festival by the people of the island.
+Since every one she knew had gone to Deadwood, there was no horse at
+hand that she could borrow. For the moment Napoleon's little neighbor
+was troubled by no sense of duty; the only question was how to reach
+Deadwood.
+
+Dr. O'Meara, after Betsy had poured out her soul to him, rode on towards
+Longwood at a rapid pace. Not long afterwards her heart leaped with joy
+when she saw Dr. O'Meara winding down the mountain, followed by a slave
+with a superb gray horse. At once she recognized Mameluke, one of
+Napoleon's stable, and, as the horses drew nearer, she saw that above
+his crimson saddlecloth Mameluke wore a lady's saddle. Even before Dr.
+O'Meara spoke, she understood what his quick return meant.
+
+"Here, Miss Betsy, cheer up," he cried when he drew near the little
+girl. "This horse is for you. When the Emperor heard of your
+disappointment, he ordered the quietest horse in his stable to be sent
+to you."
+
+Regardless of consequences to herself, pleased by the good-natured
+attention of the Emperor, light-hearted Betsy on Mameluke went to the
+races. Perhaps she would have hesitated had she known that her father,
+rather than she herself, was to be the sufferer by her heedless act, for
+afterwards it gave her great pain to learn that Mr. Balcombe had been
+severely reprimanded by Governor Lowe for having committed a breach of
+discipline in letting his daughter borrow a horse belonging to the
+Longwood establishment.
+
+But for the time Betsy had the fun of the races, and the next day she
+went over to Longwood to thank Napoleon.
+
+"Aha, Mees Betsee," he said after their first greeting, "perhaps you do
+not know that I too saw the races."
+
+"But I did not see you there."
+
+"Ah, where were your eyes? You were not thinking of me; but they were
+amusing."
+
+After a little more teasing, Betsy learned that Napoleon had seen the
+Deadwood races from an upper window of General Gorgaud's house.
+
+"You were so amused," he added, "that you forgot to be afraid. I have
+told your father you should never be encouraged in foolish fears."
+
+"I wish you had been really there!"
+
+"Ah, gayety is not for me." Napoleon's face became grave.
+
+Betsy, noticing this, added quickly, "But you are coming to my birthday
+fête."
+
+"Surely! It will not be far away at Rous Cottage."
+
+The day of the birthday was bright and fair, and as large numbers of
+guests had assembled, Rous Cottage, which had been chosen for this
+picnic fête, was named for the gallant flag officer of the
+_Northumberland_, whom Napoleon admired and called "a very brave man."
+
+In the earlier part of the celebration, Betsy, flying among her friends,
+was too much absorbed to notice that Napoleon had not come, but when she
+missed him she began to look eagerly in the direction in which she might
+expect to see him appear. He had said he would come to the party, and
+Betsy expected him to keep his promise, though it was an unheard-of
+thing for him to mingle in a gay crowd.
+
+After a while she was delighted to see him in the distance, riding along
+the hills. Soon she saw that he was no longer riding. His horse was at a
+standstill. What could this mean? Presently a messenger from the Emperor
+appeared to say that he would content himself by looking on.
+
+The young hostess was not satisfied with this. Rushing off to the hill
+where Napoleon waited, she stood before him.
+
+"This is not keeping your promise. You said you would come, indeed you
+did, and you should not disappoint me on my birthday."
+
+Napoleon smiled at his young friend, but he spoke with decision:
+
+"No; I won't come down to be stared at by a crowd who wish to gratify
+their curiosity by a sight of me."
+
+Betsy begged and pleaded, using every effort to make him change his
+mind, but he was firm. Nothing could change him.
+
+A friend in England had sent Betsy a huge birthday cake, ornamented with
+a large eagle. That she should have had a cake decorated with this
+imperial emblem occasioned much comment on the island. In fact, in the
+eyes of some, Mr. Balcombe and his family were under more or less of a
+cloud on account of their open admiration for the illustrious prisoner
+of St. Helena. When Betsy found that her words made no impression on
+Napoleon, she left him for a few moments, only to return with a slice of
+the cake.
+
+"You must eat this thick slice," she said, holding it out to him. "It is
+the least you can do for getting us into this disgrace. Some people
+think it almost treason when they see the eagle on the cake."
+
+Napoleon ate the cake with evident appreciation. Then he pinched Betsy's
+ear in his usual familiar fashion, saying as he did so, "Saucy
+simpleton!" As he galloped away Betsy could not help smiling, as she
+heard him singing, or rather trying to sing in his most unmusical voice,
+"_Vive, Henri Quatre_."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THOUGHTLESS BETSY
+
+
+Sometimes, without intending to hurt Napoleon's feelings, heedless Betsy
+must often have come near wounding him. One day, for example, she showed
+him a toy that had lately come to St. Helena from Europe. It represented
+a toy emperor climbing a ladder, each rung of which was a country. When
+he reached the top he sat for an instant astride the world, and then
+went headlong down the other side, until he landed at last on St.
+Helena.
+
+Napoleon himself did not reprove Betsy for her rudeness, but Mr.
+Balcombe was disturbed and angry when he heard of it. Betsy, he decided,
+was altogether too fond of playing foolish tricks, and he resolved to
+teach her a lesson that she could not forget.
+
+Calling her to him, after he had expressed his displeasure for what she
+had done, "Betsy," he said in his severest tone, "you are to spend the
+night in the cellar, and every night for a week you shall sleep there.
+You must be taught respect for your elders. It is to punish you for your
+rudeness to Napoleon that I am resolved to punish you in this way."
+
+Poor Betsy shivered at her father's words. Bold though she was in the
+face of danger by day, darkness always had great terrors for her, and to
+spend the night underground was a punishment she felt she could hardly
+bear. Her protests, however, were useless. Her father locked her in the
+dark cellar and left her there. Betsy's experiences that night were
+terrible. Rats made the cellar their home, and, as they jumped about in
+the darkness, they tumbled the bottles of wine about, making a terrible
+noise. Betsy was so frightened that to defend herself from them she
+picked up bottle after bottle to hurl against them. At last they were
+driven away, but there was no sleep for Betsy on the bed that had been
+prepared for her. At dawn a faint light came through the windows, just
+enough to show her what havoc she had made. Broken bottles lay about her
+everywhere and in every direction ran rivulets of wine.
+
+At last she fell into a heavy stupor, and in this condition a slave, who
+had been sent with her breakfast, found her. Alarmed at the sight of
+Betsy, apparently half dead, the slave ran to summon Mr. Balcombe. When
+he hurried to the cellar, Mr. Balcombe was naturally shocked by what he
+saw. He had not thought of rats, and he was only too thankful that Betsy
+had escaped serious injury. He not only did not reprove her for the
+destruction of the claret, but forgave her for her offence against
+Napoleon.
+
+As to Napoleon, "It was too great a punishment," he said, "for so little
+an offence." Then he laughed heartily as the lively Betsy, now quite
+herself again, gave a vivid account of her battle with the rats. "Ah,
+the rats!" he added; "a big one jumped out of my hat one day, as I was
+about to put it on. It startled me."
+
+Some time after this adventure in the cellar, Mr. Balcombe again had
+occasion to punish Betsy and again he thought of the cellar.
+
+"No, not the cellar!" remonstrated Napoleon. But Mr. Balcombe was
+obdurate. He had decided that Betsy should have a week's imprisonment
+there, staying by day but released at night that she might sleep in her
+own room.
+
+So Betsy went daily to her cell. She managed to vary the monotony of her
+prison life by sitting close to the grating of the open window, and
+while she sat there, the picture of dejection, Napoleon, approaching the
+window, daily expressed a half-mocking sympathy with her. For a time
+Betsy maintained an appearance of dignity and injured innocence, but in
+the end the Emperor, by mimicking her doleful expression, usually
+succeeded in making her laugh.
+
+"Sewing!" he exclaimed in surprise, when he visited Betsy on the third
+day of her imprisonment.
+
+"Yes," responded Betsy; "I am making a dress for myself."
+
+"Ah, they indeed are cruel--"
+
+Like all Betsy's acquaintances, Napoleon knew that she had no strong
+love for sewing and the ordinary domestic duties. She was at the age
+when boyish sports were much more fun than the occupations that older
+people prescribed for girls.
+
+"But no one required me to sew. I am sewing because I wish to."
+
+The Emperor expressed his surprise at this announcement.
+
+"Yes," continued Betsy; "I did not know what else to do. It is
+frightfully dull here, so I begged old black Sarah to find me some work,
+and this is what she brought." Betsy held up the partly made dress with
+considerable pride.
+
+It is to Betsy's credit that she finished the dress old Sarah had
+brought her, although her fit of industry did not outlast her week's
+imprisonment.
+
+"You should keep Mees Betsee's prison livery," said Napoleon to Mrs.
+Balcombe, "and show it to her occasionally, when you think that she is
+on the point of doing something foolish that ought to be punished."
+
+"Prison livery" was Napoleon's name for the dress that Betsy had made
+during her week in the cell.
+
+Betsy, however, was only one of many persons who had disagreeable
+experiences with the rats of St. Helena. A sleeping slave, for example,
+had a part of his leg bitten off. One of Count Bertrand's horses in the
+stable had been severely bitten, and Dr. O'Meara had once had to defend
+himself from the rodents by hurling his bootjack repeatedly at them.
+Other tales of fierce rats had been told, and in consequence Betsy, when
+she thought of her escape from real harm, had good cause for
+congratulation.
+
+The battle of the rats happened while Napoleon was still living at The
+Briars, and though Betsy long remembered it, it cannot be said that she
+altogether profited by the lesson that it should have conveyed to her.
+Later, when Napoleon was living at Longwood, Betsy, visiting at Madame
+Bertrand's, occupied herself with practising a song that was a favorite
+with one of the ladies of the garrison.
+
+Betsy sang and played very well, and Napoleon, hearing the new song,
+praised the air though he did not understand the words. Now it happened
+that the song was a monody on the death of the Duc d'Enghien, for whose
+death Napoleon had been greatly blamed by friends as well as by foes.
+
+"What is the song?" Napoleon asked.
+
+A tactful girl would have devised some answer to spare Napoleon's
+feelings. But thoughtless Betsy, without a word, turned to the front
+page of the sheet of music, on which was a picture of a man standing in
+a ditch, his eyes bandaged and a lantern hanging from his waist, while
+soldiers were aiming their muskets at him.
+
+"What is it?" asked Napoleon, to whom the picture conveyed no meaning.
+
+"It represents the murder of the Duc d'Enghien," replied Betsy.
+
+Napoleon examined the picture more closely. Then, turning to the young
+girl:
+
+"What do you know of the Duc d'Enghien?"
+
+"That you are considered the murderer of that illustrious prince,"
+replied Betsy, with great lack of consideration.
+
+"It is true," responded Napoleon, "that I ordered his execution, for he
+was a conspirator and had landed troops in the pay of the Bourbons to
+assassinate me. In the face of such a conspiracy, the most politic thing
+was to put a Bourbon prince to death so that the Bourbons would not
+again try to take my life. The prisoner was tried for having taken arms
+against the Republic, and was executed according to law. But he was not
+shot in a ditch nor at night. All was open and known to the public."
+
+This talk about the Duc d'Enghien led Napoleon to tell Betsy of many
+thrilling experiences of his own in escaping death at the hands of
+would-be assassins.
+
+At another time Betsy ran up to Napoleon, crying, "Why is your face so
+swollen and inflamed?"
+
+"Oh," replied Napoleon, assuming a doleful look, "Dr. O'Meara has just
+drawn a tooth and I have had much pain."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Betsy in the rôle of mentor. "You to complain of
+pain--the pain of so trifling an operation, though you have gone through
+battles innumerable with storms of bullets whizzing, some of which must
+have touched you. I am ashamed. But give me the tooth, and I will get
+Mr. Solomon to set it as an ear-ring."
+
+Napoleon, listening to Betsy, was evidently amused by her tone of
+assumed severity, and laughing heartily, replied: "See how I laugh, even
+while I suffer. Ah, Mees Betsee, I fear you will never cut your wisdom
+tooth."
+
+Although Betsy saw more of Napoleon than the other children, they were
+all fond of him; but it is to be feared that Betsy's example was not the
+best in the world for her little brothers, who were much younger than
+she. One day, for example, Napoleon had given little Alexander a pretty
+box made by Piron, filled with his delicious bonbons.
+
+"When my brother had eaten all his sugar-plums," said Betsy, "and was
+grieving over his exhausted store, he unluckily chanced to espy a
+pill-box. He thereupon took some pills from the box and offered them to
+the Emperor. Napoleon helped himself, thinking they were sugar-plums,
+and began eating. He soon ejected them with coughing and nausea."
+
+Las Cases, it is needless to say, reported this to Mr. Balcombe, who
+whipped Alexander soundly. Nobody can deny that the little boy merited
+the punishment.
+
+A favorite jest of Napoleon was to cry, "Now, Mdlle. Betsee, I hope you
+have been a good child and learned your lessons."
+
+Then Betsy would redden and toss her head, for, like most girls in their
+early teens, she wished to be thought older than she was. This habit of
+teasing was one that Napoleon had found time to indulge in even when he
+was at the height of his power. He was very fond of children, and some
+one has said that no case is known in which he refused to grant a favor
+when a child was asked to be the messenger. He was fond of his nieces
+and nephews, and devoted to his step-children. Few brothers have ever
+been kinder to their brothers and sisters than Napoleon to his. When he
+was only sixteen, he began to take a great interest in the education of
+his brother Lucien, who was six years younger. When he was a lieutenant
+in the army, he made real sacrifices for Louis, who was twelve years
+old. Yet, in spite of his love for them, he teased them just as he
+teased Betsy. Every one knows how he used to fondle the little King of
+Rome and carry him around in his arms while he was dictating to his
+secretaries. One who knew him writes:
+
+"It used to be a real holiday for the Emperor when Queen Hortense came
+to see her mother, bringing her two children. Napoleon would take them
+in his arms, caress them, often tease them, and burst into laughter as
+if he had been of their own age, when, according to his custom, he had
+smeared their faces with jam or cream."
+
+Sometimes, however, he went too far, even with his young relatives. Once
+when he had playfully pulled the ears of his nephew, little Achille
+Murat, the boy protested, "You are a naughty, wicked man," to the great
+amusement of his uncle.
+
+But if Napoleon was inclined to tease the young people at The Briars, he
+was also ready to do pleasant things for them. He certainly entered into
+the feelings of young people. With them he became a child, and an
+amusing one. Many were the games he played with Betsy and her brothers
+and sister, not only blindman's buff but puss in the corner and other
+quieter games.
+
+Betsy was not the only one of the Balcombe family whom Napoleon loved to
+tease. Jane, the elder sister, was the more dignified and it was
+therefore easier to embarrass her. Toward the end of her stay at St.
+Helena, an English surgeon, Dr. Stokoe, was sent to the island. He was
+much the senior of Jane, but, because the two were seen much together,
+the gossips of St. Helena thought that he wished to marry her.
+
+Napoleon himself occasionally teased Jane about Dr. Stokoe, and
+professed to think that Mr. Balcombe was a cruel father, standing in the
+way of his daughter's happiness. "Why have you refused your daughter to
+the surgeon of the flagship?" he would ask mischievously, adding,
+"_C'est un brave homme_."
+
+Napoleon's capacity for seeing the humorous side of things kept up his
+spirits wonderfully during his first year or two of exile. Betsy's
+enjoyment of a joke, even of a practical joke, was perhaps the strongest
+bond between the Emperor and his little neighbor.
+
+"Come," he would say, "come, Mees Betsee, sit down and sing like our
+dear departed friend." By this term Napoleon referred to a certain lady
+who believed herself to be the possessor of a very fine voice. To
+exhibit her prowess this lady would sit down and sing Italian airs in an
+affected style. At the end of a performance the lady expected, and
+received, the Emperor's compliments; but when at last she was away and
+out of hearing, he roared with laughter as Betsy, at the piano, imitated
+the lady's affectations.
+
+With his eyes closed he would pretend that he really believed he was
+listening to the operatic lady, and end by thanking Betsy gravely for
+the pleasure she had given.
+
+Napoleon himself was a good mimic. He amused the Balcombe family greatly
+by his imitation of London cockney street cries.
+
+"Mees Jane," he asked one evening, "have you ever heard the London
+cries?"
+
+"No, sir, never," she replied.
+
+"Then I must let you hear them;" and without waiting further, he began
+to make a series of shrill sounds. At first it was difficult to
+distinguish the words, for Napoleon's droll accent could hardly be
+called good English. His intonation, however, was perfect, and exactly
+represented the street venders crying their wares.
+
+"You must have been in London, unknown to any one," cried Jane; "for if
+you haven't been there, I don't see how you could have got those cries
+so perfectly."
+
+In suggesting that Napoleon might have been in London incognito, Jane
+was only repeating what then had wide currency--that Napoleon in the
+height of his power had slipped away from Paris, letting no one know
+that he was to cross the Channel, to spend a few days in London,
+studying the English and their ways.
+
+To the inquisitive Jane, however, Napoleon gave no information as to the
+truth of this belief.
+
+"I was much entertained," he said, "by one of my buffos, who introduced
+London street cries into a comedy that he got up in Paris."
+
+This mention of the theatre led Napoleon to speak of Talma. "He was the
+truest actor to nature that ever trod the boards," he said.
+
+"Talma?" repeated Betsy, catching the actor's name. "Oh, I remember;
+they used to say that you took lessons from him how to sit on the
+throne."
+
+"I have often heard that myself," responded Napoleon, "and I even
+mentioned it once to Talma himself as a sign that I was considered to
+hold myself well on it."
+
+Napoleon often displayed his powers of mimicry, to the great
+entertainment of the children.
+
+A large ball, given by Sir George Bingham in return for the civilities
+that had been shown the Fifty-third Regiment, took place not far from
+Longwood, and practically every one on the island was invited.
+
+"It was the very prettiest affair I ever saw," said Betsy, "and you
+ought to have seen it."
+
+Glancing at Napoleon, she thought she caught a certain meaning in the
+smile with which he greeted her remark. "I really believe you _were_
+there," she exclaimed. "Some one told us you were going to take a peep
+at us incognito, but I did not see you."
+
+Without deigning to reply, Napoleon began an ungraceful imitation of the
+saraband, a dance that had been seen at this ball for the first time in
+St. Helena. The young lady who waltzed in this dance had been very
+awkward, and Napoleon's imitation of her movements was so perfect that
+the girls were sure he had really seen her. Moreover he had so many
+accurate criticisms to make of the people at the ball, and of the ball
+in all its details, that no doubt was left in their minds that he had
+been an actual looker-on.
+
+Napoleon thoroughly appreciated the humor of others, and was much
+amused, for example, by a remark of Madame Bertrand's that he repeated
+to Betsy.
+
+Madame Bertrand's son, Arthur, was about a month old when Napoleon asked
+Betsy if she had seen the little fellow, adding, "You must hear the
+clever way in which Madame Bertrand introduced the baby to me: 'Allow me
+to present to your Majesty a subject who has dared to enter the gates of
+Longwood without a pass from Sir Hudson Lowe.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+LONGWOOD DAYS
+
+
+Many a time when in the company of Napoleon and the members of his
+suite, Betsy must have realized that this pleasant intercourse could not
+last always.
+
+Few people remained indefinitely long at St. Helena,--few people,
+indeed, besides the natives and the one life prisoner, the Emperor
+Napoleon. Betsy, however, had no desire to leave her beloved island. She
+loved its climate and its scenery, and she was happy with the many
+people who were her friends. It was a gay little place, with numerous
+officers quartered there with their families,--a much gayer place than
+it would have been had not the British Government thought it necessary
+to make it a great military stronghold for the safeguarding of the
+Emperor,--a much gayer place than it had been before Napoleon's arrival.
+
+[Illustration: LONGWOOD]
+
+Almost every day some form of amusement offered itself--races, balls,
+picnics, and sham fights. There was also a pretty little theatre on the
+island, established by the popular Commissary General, where amateur
+plays were performed by the officers, to the great entertainment of all
+who saw them.
+
+Madame Montholon and Madame Bertrand and, to a certain extent, the
+gentlemen of the Emperor's suite entered more or less into the
+festivities of the place. It was only Napoleon who always stayed at home
+alone. Betsy, who was an especial favorite of Madame Bertrand, was often
+at Longwood, and very often the latter was the young girl's chaperon at
+balls or other entertainments.
+
+Yet even when no special gayety was in view, Betsy enjoyed her visits to
+Longwood, and the ingenuous girl with her frank speech certainly
+brightened the lives of the exiles. As for Betsy herself it was a great
+advantage for her to be so much in the society of these French people,
+with their cultivation and gayety. On cool evenings chairs were brought
+out on the lawn leading to the billiard-room, and there the Countess of
+Montholon and Madame Bertrand, with their husbands and children, would
+spend the hour after sunset listening to the crickets, of which there
+were thousands. Sometimes they sat on the lawn in the moonlight, gazing
+long at the sky, which at St. Helena is of a peculiarly deep blue.
+
+Doubtless at such times the hearts of the poor exiles were far away
+among home scenes in France, and even lively Betsy for the time was
+quiet and subdued.
+
+One splendid starry night, as they were all on the lawn near the
+billiard-room steps after a very sultry day, they heard a sound as if
+heavy wagons were lumbering over the ground beneath. Those nearer the
+house thought that it was about to fall about their heads. Dr. O'Meara
+and Major Blakeney, Captain of the Guard, hastening from the room,
+expected to find the ladies half dead with fright. All the household,
+some from their beds, rushed out, looking wonderingly into the sky, and
+little Tristram Montholon ran to his mother, screaming that some one had
+tried to throw him out of his bed.
+
+This was in September, and the strange rumbling was caused by an
+earthquake, the first one in St. Helena for a long time. Many feared for
+their friends in the valleys with the sharp precipices, but fortunately
+in the end it was shown that there had been no loss of life.
+
+Napoleon was in bed at the time of the shock.
+
+"Ah Mees Betsee," he asked the next morning, "were you frightened by the
+_tremblement de terre_? You look pale and quiet."
+
+Betsy admitted that she had had a little fear at the earthquake.
+
+"I thought," said Napoleon, turning to General Bertrand, "that the
+_Conqueror_ had blown up in the harbor; but the second or third shock
+showed that it was an earthquake."
+
+The _Conqueror_ was the seventy-four gun ship whose arrival Betsy had
+seen Napoleon observe with great interest.
+
+Betsy, for several nights after the earthquake, was too frightened to go
+to bed, and in a day or two she was ill with a severe cold, caught while
+sitting on the veranda. In this case, as always in illness, Napoleon was
+sympathetic, blaming the climate and adding that the houses ought to
+have plenty of fireplaces to protect people from sudden changes.
+
+"What would be the use of fireplaces," asked Betsy, "when we have no
+coals?"
+
+"Then burn the orange trees," responded Napoleon.
+
+From this remark Betsy saw that for some reason the Emperor was not in
+good humor, for he was one of those who realized the need of more trees
+on St. Helena, and later--if he had not then begun--devoted much time
+and money to planting trees in the neighborhood of Longwood. Perhaps the
+presence of the _Conqueror_ in the harbor disturbed him, since this was
+the vessel that had brought Admiral Pamplin, who was to relieve Admiral
+Malcom. Sir Pultney Malcom had come to St. Helena with Napoleon, and the
+two had grown to be very good friends. The Admiral, a courteous old man,
+with exquisite, kindly manners, showed great consideration for the
+exile. He paid Napoleon many visits, sent him newspapers, and so far as
+he could tried to protect him from various annoying things said or done
+by Governor Lowe.
+
+It was not strange, then, that Napoleon should feel depressed at the
+thought of Admiral Malcom's departure, and, in consequence, seem a
+little more brusque than usual with Betsy in talking of her cold.
+
+Napoleon well understood the value of regular occupation and spent many
+hours daily in reading and writing. He had few of the works of reference
+that he needed for his historical work, yet he persevered in spite of
+all difficulties. In the end he really had something to show, volumes of
+military commentaries, essays on great generals and historical sketches,
+chiefly of the time of the French Republic. These writings may not all
+be perfectly accurate, but they show a wonderful memory and grasp of
+facts. The inaccuracies, indeed, are chiefly such as must result when a
+man writes without the proper documents and books to verify his
+statements.
+
+The Memoirs left by Napoleon, the many volumes of conversations
+collected by his friends on subjects of general interest, as well as
+those books that relate to the military profession, show the wonderful
+strength of his mind. His temperate habits were, of course, a great help
+in carrying out the broad plans that he made for hard work. He took
+little wine, and then only used it as a medicine.
+
+Napoleon's hours for rising and going to bed were very irregular. Often
+on moonlight nights he would rise at three o'clock, and when at The
+Briars he would go to the garden before Toby was up, getting the key
+from the place where the old slave had hidden it. He would then have an
+early breakfast of fresh fruits.
+
+Not infrequently, in those early days of his stay at St. Helena, Betsy
+would see him in the early morning riding around the lawn on his
+beautiful horse Hope, and when she talked with him she would learn that
+already he had that day dictated a number of letters. Hope was the first
+horse Napoleon rode on the island, and it pleased him to think that this
+name was an augury.
+
+When it came to his bed hour, Napoleon's habits were most uncertain.
+Frequently, when he was restless, he would have Marchand read him to
+sleep.
+
+At times when he was ill he resented the doctor's efforts to get him to
+take medicine. He had original ideas on the best treatment of the sick,
+and believed strongly in the efficacy of the salt-water bath.
+
+However heterodox his views on any subject, Napoleon seldom hesitated to
+express them, at least to those in whom he had confidence.
+
+"I have no faith whatever in medicine," said Napoleon one day to a very
+clever medical man who was on the island. "My own remedies are
+starvation and the warm bath. Churchmen," he added, "are often
+hypocrites, because too much is expected of them. Politicians must have
+a conventional conscience, and soldiers are cut-throats and robbers. But
+surgeons are neither too good nor too bad; their mission is to benefit
+mankind, and they have opportunities to study human nature as well as
+science. I have a higher opinion of the surgical profession than of any
+other. The practice of the law," he concluded, "is too severe for poor
+human nature, for he who distorts truth and exults at the success of
+injustice at last will hardly know right from wrong."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Napoleon liked sailors, and often talked with those who conducted
+fatigue parties around the island.
+
+One day he asked the girls if they had met one active young reefer, who
+happened to belong to a distinguished family.
+
+"He is one of the few combinations of high birth and intelligence I have
+ever seen."
+
+"We know him," was the reply, "and he is one of the most popular men in
+the ward-room. Oh, how funny he was when we first knew him!" added
+Betsy. "He was coming back from the Admiral's ball. We met an old cart,
+and he was surrounded by brother middies, all shouting, 'Lord W.'s
+carriage stops the way.' Well, we couldn't get past, as the cart had
+been dragged inside the arch through which we were to pass. Afterwards
+this same young man had a narrow escape. He was rowing guard when hailed
+by sentry. On account of the surf, the sentry could not hear him give
+the password, and so he fired among the crew."
+
+"Yes, he can do anything. Sir Pultney Malcom put him in charge of the
+government farm, and said he had never seen such vegetables produced on
+the sterile rocks of St. Helena."
+
+"Whatever British sailors take in hand," said Napoleon, "they never
+leave undone."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A marble bust of the King of Rome was sent to Napoleon, probably by
+Maria Louisa. Napoleon gazed on it with proud satisfaction and he seemed
+pleased with the praises of Betsy and her mother.
+
+"You ought to be proud to be the father of so beautiful a boy," said
+Mrs. Balcombe.
+
+Smiles lit Napoleon's face, and Betsy, child though she was, was
+impressed by his expression of paternal fondness.
+
+The bust was of white marble and executed by Caracci, and it bore the
+names Napoleon François Charles Joseph. The child was shown wearing the
+Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. It had been brought from Leghorn by
+the gunner of a ship bound to St. Helena, and although it had come so
+mysteriously, people generally understood that Maria Louisa herself had
+taken the trouble to have it sent in this way to Napoleon, her husband.
+
+"Now, come," said Madame Bertrand, after the sisters had spent some time
+admiring Napoleon's gifts, "let me show you my presents;" for the ship
+that had brought the bust brought things also to others of the French
+exiles. These were chiefly for Countess Bertrand and Countess Montholon
+from Lady Holland, who often remembered them in this way.
+
+"La bonne Lady Holland," as Napoleon called her, was one of the few
+English women not afraid to show her sympathy with Napoleon and those
+who had followed him to St. Helena. He was very grateful for her
+attentions to him now when he was abandoned by the world. "All members
+of the family of Fox," he said, "abound in liberal, generous sentiments.
+Fox was sincere in his intentions, and had he lived England would not
+have been devastated by war. He was the only minister who rightly
+understood the interests of his country." To show that he had always
+appreciated Fox, Napoleon told of a visit that the latter with his wife
+paid to St. Cloud. By mistake he opened the door of a private room, and
+he was surprised to see there his own statue among those of
+distinguished citizens of the world, Hampden, Washington, Cicero, Lord
+Chatham and his son.
+
+The regulation that an officer must accompany him on his rides was a
+continued annoyance to Napoleon. At first he submitted, and rode off,
+painfully realizing that a representative of his jailers constantly kept
+his eye on him. After a time he decided that he would not ride if he
+could not ride alone, and during the last four years of his life he was
+not on a horse. As he had depended on riding for exercise during the
+greater part of his life, he now suffered from giving it up. He not only
+began to grow extremely stout, but his general health became poorer.
+
+It disturbed Napoleon greatly that the English always addressed him as
+"General Bonaparte." The title "Emperor" would have been so barren on
+St. Helena that it is hard to understand why Napoleon should have cared
+much about it. He might easily have been as philosophic about this as he
+was about other things.
+
+Soon after his arrival Sir Hudson Lowe addressed a card of invitation to
+"General Bonaparte."
+
+"Send this card to General Bonaparte," said Napoleon to Count Bertrand.
+"The last I heard of him was at the Pyramids and Mt. Tabor." Yet
+Napoleon was never happier, never better loved by the French people,
+than when, as General Bonaparte, he was received with the greatest
+enthusiasm on his return from his Italian campaign.
+
+The English, on their part, were foolish in objecting to the use of a
+title to which he once had had a perfect right, with all its power and
+dignity. Now, deprived of the substance, there was no reason for
+forbidding him the pleasure of treasuring the shadow. Sir George
+Cockburn seems to have been almost childish in writing to Count
+Bertrand:
+
+"I have no cognizance of any Emperor being actually upon this island, or
+of any person possessing such dignity (as stated by you) having come
+here."
+
+Language like this was far more absurd than Napoleon's obstinacy on the
+subject. Even his good friend, Admiral Malcom, could not change his
+views. In the course of a conversation on the subject of letting him
+have the title "Emperor," Malcom said decidedly:
+
+"Still, it would be impossible to treat you as a sovereign."
+
+"Why, they might leave me my honors to amuse me. It would do no harm on
+this rock."
+
+"But you would have to be styled Emperor."
+
+"No; they could not do that. I have abdicated."
+
+"But you object to be called General."
+
+"That is because I am no longer a general,--not since I returned from
+Egypt,--but why not call me 'Napoleon'?"
+
+It was a long and painful discussion, and it did not end even with
+Napoleon's death. The British Government, since Napoleon was securely in
+its power, could have afforded to let him wear the title that had once
+been his by right, even though on St. Helena it would have shown itself
+an almost foolishly vain ornament. The foreign Commissioners were told
+by the countries that they represented to give him this title, but the
+Act of Parliament dealing with the distinguished prisoner had called him
+"Napoleon Bonaparte," and this, or "General Bonaparte," he was to be to
+all who had dealings with him at St. Helena.
+
+Within his own circle--and in this circle the Balcombe family may be
+included--he was ever "the Emperor."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Napoleon often showed great kindness to the sick. For example, when a
+certain officer, Captain Meynell, was ill under Mr. Balcombe's roof at
+The Briars, Napoleon sent Cipriani, his _maître d'hôtel_, daily to
+inquire about him, and seemed really concerned when he asked about him.
+
+Not long after he left The Briars, Betsy had a severe illness. When
+Napoleon heard of this he sent constantly to inquire for her, and the
+messenger usually brought her some delicacy made by Piron.
+
+Napoleon's kindness of heart was also shown by his attitude toward the
+Malay slave, named Toby, who had care of the beautiful garden at The
+Briars. When no one was in it the garden was kept locked and the key was
+left in Toby's hands. Toby and Napoleon speedily became friends, and the
+black man always spoke of the Emperor as "that good man, Bony." He
+always placed the key of the garden where Napoleon could reach it under
+the wicket. The black man was original and entertaining, and so
+autocratic that no one at The Briars ever disputed his authority. His
+story was rather pathetic.
+
+He had been enticed from his native place many years before, brought to
+St. Helena by the English, smuggled on shore and illegally sold as a
+slave, let out to whoever would hire him, and his earnings chiefly
+appropriated to his master. Napoleon perhaps recognized in Toby a
+kindred spirit, or at least felt a common bond in the fact that both had
+been brought unwillingly to the island. Certainly he liked him, and,
+when he had heard his story, wished to buy and free him. But for
+political reasons, when Mr. Balcombe made Napoleon's wishes known to Sir
+Hudson Lowe, he could not get his consent.
+
+Toby, however, was grateful to Napoleon for his wish to help him, and
+continued his devoted admirer. On going from The Briars, Napoleon
+presented Toby with twenty-nine napoleons and always inquired for his
+health. When Napoleon left The Briars, Toby often arranged bouquets and
+fruits to go to Longwood,--"to that good man, Bony."
+
+Toby, from all accounts, was an attractive fellow. His countenance had a
+frank and benevolent expression. His eyes were animated and sparkling,
+his aspect not abject, but prepossessing. So at least he appeared to
+Betsy, and one day she was interested to hear Napoleon reflecting upon
+him:
+
+"What, after all, is a poor prisoner but a machine? As for poor Toby, he
+endures his misfortunes very quietly; he stoops to his work, and spends
+his days in innocent tranquillity. This man, after all, had his family
+and his happiness and his liberty, and it was a horrible act of cruelty
+to bring him here to languish in the fetters of his slavery."
+
+Toby, however, was not the only slave on St. Helena. Not long after the
+first discovery of the island by the Portuguese, Juan Denova Castella, a
+nobleman, was exiled there for desertion and had to spend four years in
+complete solitude, except for a few slaves that he was allowed to have
+with him. The Portuguese did not colonize St. Helena, and after a time
+the Dutch held it for many years. When they had deserted it, the East
+India Company, with plenty of capital, took possession and naturally
+fell back on slave labor to cultivate the fields. When the Dutch saw
+that St. Helena was likely to prove profitable to the English they tried
+to get it back again, but the effort was unsuccessful, and since 1666 it
+has been counted an English possession. At one time a law was passed
+restricting the importation of slaves, for the colonists had begun to
+fear that they might outnumber the Europeans. There was, however, an old
+law that every Madagascar ship should leave one slave to work the
+company's plantations. The slaves were often troublesome, but the
+cruelty with which they were treated was inexcusable. Probably many a
+poor creature on the island had been stolen from his home, just as we
+know poor Toby had been stolen.
+
+After the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe, the new Governor reminded the
+people of St. Helena that their island was the last British possession
+to retain slavery. Various plans were proposed for doing away with it,
+and at last, at his suggestion, it was agreed that after Christmas Day,
+1818, all children born of slave women should be considered free. Thus
+the great evil gradually ceased.
+
+This good action on the part of Sir Hudson Lowe--that he helped gain
+freedom for the slaves--made him no better liked by Napoleon and his
+friends. From the first, indeed, the Governor was suspicious of
+Napoleon's friends, and the fear that they were plotting for Napoleon's
+escape was one of the reasons, probably, for the regulations that
+greatly annoyed Napoleon. It seemed as if he wished Napoleon to be
+surrounded entirely by English, for one of his early acts was to tell
+the French that they were at liberty to leave St. Helena whenever they
+wished. Every facility, he said, would be offered them to return to
+Europe. Had he known human nature better, Sir Hudson Lowe would have
+realized that persons who had given up so much to follow Napoleon would
+hardly desert him merely because conditions on the island did not suit
+them.
+
+At last, on one pretext or another, he contrived to have several of
+Napoleon's attendants sent away,--Santini, the clever little
+lamplighter, the jack-of-all-trades, who had so often amused Betsy's
+small brothers with his toys; Rousseau, his artificer; and Archambaud,
+his coachman, whose reckless driving of the jaunting car always struck
+terror to Betsy's heart. Most important of all, however, was the
+departure of Count Las Cases, who had never failed to frown on Betsy's
+hoydenish pranks. With Count Las Cases went his son, the boy about whom
+Napoleon had loved to tease Betsy. It was before the end of Napoleon's
+first year at Longwood that these two were sent away on the charge of
+bribing a young native of St. Helena to carry a letter to Europe for
+them. This would not have been a serious offence, except for the reason
+that the Governor had made a regulation that no letter should be sent to
+Europe without passing through his hands.
+
+For a time Las Cases and his son were in prison on the island. Later
+they were despatched to the Cape of Good Hope, where they were detained
+seven months and at last sent to England.
+
+"Let them take away all my Frenchmen," said Napoleon sadly, after the
+departure of Las Cases. "I do not want them." He especially missed Las
+Cases, since it was to him that he daily dictated the material for his
+Memoirs.
+
+Not long after the departure of Las Cases, Napoleon was greatly
+disturbed because the Governor would not let him receive a visit from a
+botanist just arrived from Europe, who was known lately to have seen
+Maria Louisa and the little King of Rome. Betsy sympathized with him in
+his indignation at this and other needless restrictions.
+
+Sometimes, however, she felt like laughing at him.
+
+"Where is the Emperor, where is the Emperor?" she asked one morning,
+when staying at Longwood after a ball.
+
+At first no one could inform her, but at last some one said, "Go over
+there; he is building a ditch."
+
+Going in the direction indicated, the young girl found Napoleon
+superintending the building of a trench that he was having constructed,
+so that he might have a place where he could walk unobserved.
+
+"Do not laugh!" he said, after Betsy had come upon him, standing with
+folded arms and downcast gaze. "Do not laugh! I must have a walk of my
+own, where no one can look at me when I go out."
+
+Even though she smiled, Betsy understood Napoleon's feeling. In his
+early days at The Briars, when he was permitted to walk out unattended,
+Napoleon was fond of strolling some distance from the cottage. Later
+when he could not go far without the watchful eye of an officer upon
+him, he almost gave up walking. At a certain hour of the afternoon, as
+it was known that he took a short walk along a straight path not far
+from the house, the curious often stationed themselves at a distance
+where they could observe him. On account of this annoying observation,
+Napoleon conceived the plan of digging a ditch or trench. The ditch
+served at least one purpose: while it was digging it gave Napoleon
+plenty of occupation in directing the workmen. When it was finished it
+is said that he never used it as a promenade.
+
+His unwillingness to take exercise resulted in a serious illness. During
+this time Betsy and her sister did not see him, but whenever they met
+Dr. O'Meara they eagerly questioned him about their friend. "I would
+rather die at once than walk, as you prescribe." These were the words of
+Napoleon that Dr. O'Meara reported to the sisters. "I have tried
+persuasion of every kind, but I cannot get him to take exercise," he
+said, "although I have told him that this is the only thing that can
+possibly cure him. I urged him to let me call in another surgeon, so
+that if he should grow no better, too much blame need not fall on me,
+and what was his reply?"
+
+Dr. O'Meara paused for a moment, and then repeated Napoleon's exact
+words: "If all the physicians in the world were collected, they would
+but repeat what you have already advised me--to take constant exercise
+on horseback. I am well aware of the truth of what you say, but if I
+were to call in another surgeon, it would be like sending a physician to
+a starving man instead of giving him a loaf of bread. I have no
+objection to your making known to him my state of health, if it be any
+satisfaction to you; but I know that he will say, 'Exercise.' As long as
+this strict surveillance is enforced, I will never stir."
+
+In vain Dr. O'Meara repeated his arguments. Napoleon had but one reply,
+"Would you have me render myself liable to insult from the sentries
+surrounding my house, as Madame Bertrand was, some days ago?"
+
+"Jane," said Betsy, who always saw the funny side of things, "what a
+fine caricature this would have made for the London print
+shops--Napoleon stopped at the gates by a sentinel, charging him with a
+fixed bayonet! How the Londoners would laugh! No, I don't blame Napoleon
+for staying indoors."
+
+But when Betsy saw the Emperor after this illness, her heart was filled
+with pity. His skin was a waxy yellow and his cheeks hung in deep
+pouches. His ankles were terribly swollen, and he could not stand
+without the support of a table on one side and the shoulder of an
+attendant on the other.
+
+As Betsy looked at him, tears fell from her eyes and she could hardly
+keep from sobbing aloud.
+
+"Ah!" said Napoleon kindly. "Do not cry, Mees Betsee. I am almost
+well--and the good O'Meara will surely cure me."
+
+Upon this Betsy became more cheerful, but later, when they were out of
+the Emperor's hearing, Mrs. Balcombe shook her head sorrowfully, as she
+turned to Betsy, saying, "He has the stamp of death on his brow."
+
+Had Napoleon been less obstinate, within the eight miles of enclosure
+allotted him he might certainly have taken enough exercise of various
+kinds to preserve his health.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE PARTING
+
+
+At last the time came when Napoleon and his young neighbor must part.
+The health of Betsy's mother, Mrs. Balcombe, was not good, and the
+family decided to go home to England. Mr. Balcombe obtained six months'
+leave, but, although the family professed to expect to return, in their
+secret hearts they felt that they were bidding good-bye to St. Helena.
+
+A day or two before sailing Betsy and Jane went over to Longwood to say
+farewell to Napoleon. They found him in the billiard-room, as usual,
+surrounded by books. There was sadness in his voice as he talked about
+their departure.
+
+"I hope your mother's health will soon be restored," he said. "Give her
+my kindest regards and best wishes for the journey. Soon you will be
+sailing away towards England, leaving me to die on this miserable rock.
+Look at those dreadful mountains--they are my prison walls. You will
+soon hear that the Emperor Napoleon is dead."
+
+At these melancholy words the emotional Betsy burst into tears and
+Jane's eyes grew moist. Betsy sobbed as if her heart would break, and
+Napoleon, greatly moved, tried to comfort her. Betsy felt for her
+handkerchief, only to find that she had left it in her side-saddle
+pocket. So Napoleon, holding his own toward her, said, "Take it, and
+keep it in remembrance of this sad day."
+
+The sisters went the rounds of Longwood, bidding good-bye to all that
+was dear to them. Later they dined with Napoleon, but Betsy was still so
+overcome with grief that she could hardly swallow.
+
+"Take some bonbons," said Napoleon kindly.
+
+"I cannot," she cried. "My throat has a swelling, and I cannot eat!"
+
+When at last they were ready to go, the Emperor embraced the two sisters
+with great affection.
+
+"Do not forget me!" he said. "I thank you for your kindness and
+friendship, and all my happy hours in your society."
+
+The two sisters could hardly reply.
+
+"Mees Betsee," he added, after a moment's pause, "what would you like to
+have in remembrance?"
+
+"A lock of your hair," sobbed the young girl, "better than anything
+else."
+
+"Marchand shall bring the scissors, then;" and the devoted Marchand,
+promptly obeying, severed four locks for the four older members of the
+Balcombe family.
+
+Not long before they left, Napoleon in a conversation with Mr. Balcombe
+said:
+
+"I fear that your resignation of your employment in this island is
+caused by the quarrels and annoyances drawn upon you by the relation
+established between your family and Longwood, in consequence of the
+hospitality which you showed on my first arrival in St. Helena. I would
+not wish you to regret having known me."
+
+Although Mr. Balcombe did not exactly confirm what Napoleon said about
+the reason for his withdrawal from St. Helena, he knew that to a great
+extent it was true. For a long time Sir Hudson Lowe had been
+dissatisfied with the intimacy existing between Napoleon and the
+Balcombes. While he admitted that he had no tangible cause for
+complaint, he was constantly watching for one, and was always ready to
+call Mr. Balcombe to account for what he considered partiality for the
+illustrious exile. As the Governor himself put it, he was not without
+suspicion that his relations with Longwood were not limited to the
+ostensible duties of his office. The Governor at this time was very
+suspicious of Dr. O'Meara, and as Mr. Balcombe and he were intimate
+friends, the former was naturally regarded also with disfavor.
+
+More than once had Betsy's careless behavior drawn a reprimand upon her
+father. But for the Governor's feeling against him, Mr. Balcombe and his
+family might have been on St. Helena during the last sad days of
+Napoleon.
+
+As it was, they went back to England the middle of March, 1818, little
+more than three years before Napoleon's death. Their ship was the
+Winchelsea store-ship, on its way from China, and on the same vessel
+went General Gorgaud, the bachelor of Napoleon's suite, a pompous,
+though brave man, for whom Betsy had no especial liking. General Gorgaud
+knew that he would never return to St. Helena. Mr. Balcombe had obtained
+a six months' leave from his official duties, but he, too, may have felt
+as the vessel sailed away that he was unlikely ever again to look upon
+its frowning walls.
+
+As to Betsy, Napoleon's young neighbor, the tears that fell from her
+eyes when she said her last good-bye to the Emperor were not the last
+that she shed for him. As the years went by she ever listened eagerly to
+all the news that came from St. Helena, until the final mournful tidings
+in the early summer of 1821, that Napoleon had died on the fifth of May.
+
+"I am sure," said Betsy long afterwards, "after seeing Napoleon in every
+possible mood and in his most unguarded moments, I know that the idea of
+acting a part never entered his head. I had the most complete conviction
+of his want of guile, and the thorough goodness and amiability of his
+heart."
+
+Betsy was a keen observer of human nature, and another of her judgments
+is worth remembering: "That this impression of his amiability and
+goodness was common to almost all who approached him is proved by the
+devotion of his followers at St. Helena. They had then nothing more to
+expect from him, and only entailed misery on themselves by adhering to
+his fortunes."
+
+It is indeed a fact worth remembering, that Napoleon's suite, in spite
+of the fact that to a great extent Napoleon obliged them to practise the
+rigid etiquette of a court, were all devoted to him. It is true that
+they had to stand in his presence and in certain ways keep up a ceremony
+that seemed absurd in an establishment as simple as that of Longwood;
+but there were many hours of relaxation. In these hours of relaxation
+Napoleon played cards with his friends, or chess, or--after he went to
+Longwood--billiards. He was fond of reading aloud, and not infrequently
+favored his friends with a long reading. Sometimes he indulged in
+declamation, for he was rather proud of the fact that he had learned
+something of this art from the great Talma. In his later years at
+Longwood he devised ways of getting his needed exercise indoors and
+worked almost too vigorously at gardening.
+
+An old St. Helena newspaper has an account of his exertions in his
+garden, not long before his death, which has a pathos of its own: "A few
+weeks before his death the Emperor labored with a spade in his garden so
+long and so severely as to be faint with fatigue. Some one suggested the
+probable injury to his health. 'No,' said he, 'it cannot injure my
+health; that is lost beyond all hope. It will but shorten my days.'"
+
+The disease from which Napoleon died was one that he had inherited from
+his father,--one, indeed, for which there is no cure. So it cannot be
+said with certainty that his life might have been prolonged if he had
+been more careful to get enough, and only enough, of the right kind of
+exercise. Yet though his life may have had to run in its natural course,
+his last years would have been much happier if there had been no
+friction between him and the Governor of St. Helena.
+
+The last three years of Napoleon's life were undoubtedly the loneliest
+he had known. He missed Las Cases, Gorgaud, the Balcombes, and O'Meara,
+whom the Governor was at last able to get out of the way. Napoleon kept
+himself busy with his gardening and his books, and when, in 1819, the
+Government began to build a new house for him, he spent much time
+watching its progress, although with true forebodings he often said that
+he should never live to occupy it.
+
+He still refused to take exercise, and once in a fit of depression
+stayed in the house for three months. Thus his health continued to
+suffer and he grew stout and clumsy. When he did go out he was apt to
+drive around the eight miles of his enclosure at breakneck speed, in a
+carriage drawn by six horses. In October, 1820, he sent word to Sir
+William Doveton that he would be glad to breakfast with him. Sir William
+was, of course, happy to receive his distinguished guest, and breakfast
+was served on the lawn to Napoleon and Generals Bertrand and Montholon.
+The breakfast in the society of Sir William Doveton and his family
+passed off pleasantly, and Napoleon started to walk home. Unluckily he
+had not the strength to carry out his good intentions, and on the way
+back to Longwood he had to stop at a cottage by the way to rest, while
+his carriage was sent for.
+
+Betsy would have been glad, if the fact had ever come to her ears, to
+learn that in his last year or two Napoleon had another little friend
+who to a certain degree could fill the place in his affections always
+ready for children. This was the young daughter of a soldier of the
+garrison, little Julia, nine years old, who was intelligent and
+companionable.
+
+When he knew that Julia was coming to see him, Napoleon always had
+fruits and sweetmeats ready for her. Not long before he died he hung a
+gold watch and chain around Julia's neck, saying, "Wear this for my
+sake." On the cover he had scratched an inscription with his penknife,
+"The Emperor to his little friend Julia." When she visited him they sat
+or walked in the garden, and Napoleon found some amusement in giving her
+drawing lessons from nature. One fine morning in April, when Julia
+appeared, Napoleon invited her inside the house where the breakfast
+table was laid. Standing by the table, he filled her little basket with
+fruit and sweet things, and at last put a bottle of wine in the basket,
+saying, "For your father to drink my health in."
+
+Alas! it was too late for any one to wish Napoleon good health. Not long
+after he had suggested the toast for Julia's father, he had to go to
+bed. Whatever others thought, he was sure that he would never rise. He
+probably knew that the end was near. The very end came suddenly, and
+many on St. Helena, who had not known of the seriousness of his
+condition, were greatly surprised to hear of his death on the fifth of
+May.
+
+Before the funeral Napoleon's body lay in state, and naval and military
+officers and many others were permitted to view it. When Sir Hudson Lowe
+looked at Napoleon immediately after his death, he was impressed by the
+nobility of the dead man's expression. "His face in death," he wrote to
+Lord Bathurst, "was the most beautiful I have ever seen." Yet even to
+the dead Napoleon the Governor maintained the same attitude as to the
+living, for when it came to the question of the inscription to be placed
+on the Emperor's coffin, he would not permit the simple "Napoleon" with
+dates and places of birth and death, but insisted that in addition it
+should bear the surname "Bonaparte."
+
+British soldiers carried Napoleon from the house to the car that was to
+bear him to the burial place; but the horses that drew the car were four
+that had belonged to the late Emperor. Orders had been issued to conduct
+his funeral as that of a general of the highest rank. In consequence the
+left side of the road from Longwood to the grave was lined with troops.
+It was a solemn and impressive procession that moved along as escort,
+paying the last earthly honors to Napoleon, on whose coffin lay his
+sword and the mantle of Marengo.
+
+Napoleon had always wished to be buried in France, but toward the end of
+his life, when it seemed unlikely that his wish could be gratified, he
+gave directions as to the spot in St. Helena that he preferred. This was
+a romantic and picturesque enclosure in a ravine not very far from
+Longwood. Often, when out walking, the Emperor had stopped there to
+quench his thirst at a small spring. The little valley was shaded with
+Norfolk pines, firs, and other trees, and here, near the spring, under
+the shade of two great willow trees, Napoleon's body was laid to rest.
+As it was lowered into the grave three discharges from eleven pieces of
+musketry were fired.
+
+As his sorrowing attendants turned away, how overwhelmingly sad must the
+reflections of the two of Napoleon's personal suite have been! Only
+Montholon and Bertrand were there at the last, though Marchand and other
+attendants still remained. Montholon, when a boy of ten, had known
+Napoleon in Corsica, and Bertrand had long been one of his
+officers,--"the best engineer officer I have ever known," said Napoleon.
+
+Now their years of faithful devotion were at an end. With heavy hearts
+they turned their backs on the lonely grave under the willow trees and
+soon they sailed away to the great world, their hearts filled with
+memories of Napoleon.
+
+Nineteen years after Napoleon's death a French frigate, _La Belle
+Poule_, commanded by the Prince of Joinville, arrived off Jamestown. The
+wheel had turned, and the friends and admirers of Napoleon were on top.
+
+Even Great Britain was not unwilling that the dead Napoleon should have
+the honor that was his due. The frigate had come for the body of
+Napoleon to give it proper honors in France. On _La Belle Poule_ were
+Count Bertrand, his son Arthur, born at St. Helena, General Gorgaud, the
+young Las Cases, and the faithful Marchand.
+
+The body of Napoleon was taken from the tomb under the willow trees and
+borne back to France. Every one knows of the magnificent funeral given
+their dead hero by the impulsive French. Every one has heard how
+countless throngs filled the streets of Paris, how the military display
+has seldom been equalled, as the catafalque, preceded by a riderless
+horse, went slowly along the tree-lined boulevards. The wonderful tomb
+of Napoleon in the Hotel des Invalides is known to many, but there are
+few in comparison who have visited the little enclosure at the bottom of
+the deep ravine where the Emperor's body lay for a score of years. Yet,
+in the days of wooden ships, when St. Helena was the place where
+captains had to call to re-provision their vessels, many a passenger on
+going ashore hastened to Napoleon's grave, and while the world stands
+the secluded valley will continue to claim the interest of Napoleon's
+admirers. The vault itself is now covered with a broad, flat stone,
+without inscription, and its cemented surface is cracked in places.
+There is a hedge around the fence and a sentry box at the entrance of
+the enclosure. Here there is a notice to the effect that the grave is
+now the property of the French Republic, and in the sentry box an
+attendant keeps a book and registers the names of all who visit the spot
+where once lay the body of Napoleon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE PANORAMA
+
+
+Who can blame Betsy for Being Heavy-hearted on that day in early spring
+when she sailed away from St. Helena, toward the colder country that was
+her real home? Even though her parents and her brothers and sister were
+with her, she felt that she was leaving behind much that was dear. She
+loved the lonely, mountainous island where she had lived so long. She
+believed that no other flowers or fruits could equal those produced on
+its tropical soil. She felt that no new friends could compare with those
+from whom she had just parted.
+
+More than this, although she tried to persuade herself that in the
+future she might revisit St. Helena, she could hardly believe that when
+that day arrived, Napoleon would still be there to receive her with his
+accustomed cordiality.
+
+Indeed, as a true friend of the Emperor's, Betsy could scarcely wish to
+find him there on that indefinite day of her return, since that would
+mean long-continued captivity for him. Rather, if she hoped to see him
+again, the young girl more probably imagined that after no very long
+time some change in the sentiments of those in power might result in
+freeing him from his galling bondage.
+
+Though we to-day may not be certain just what form Betsy's thoughts took
+on that monotonous homeward voyage, we can be sure that Napoleon had no
+small part in them. Already she knew the chief facts in his meteoric
+career; and her vivid fancy must have brought before her many scenes in
+which he had had part.
+
+Like Betsy, you and I may see the panorama of Napoleon's life unfold in
+a series of pictures melting into one another, some clearer than the
+others, yet all leaving an ineffaceable impression.
+
+First, there is the thin, pale, serious-eyed boy running half wild over
+the hills of his native Corsica. He is an affectionate brother--this
+young Napoleon--to the six younger brothers and sisters, and a close
+companion of Joseph, only a year older. He is devoted to his
+high-spirited and energetic mother, once the beautiful Letitia Ramolino,
+whose life, since her marriage, has been so hard. He is dutiful to his
+father, the improvident, though ambitious Charles Marié de Buonaparte.
+Yet, although dutiful, he resents his father's lack of patriotism in
+seeking favors from the Frenchmen in authority in Corsica, for the boy,
+born only a year after Corsica had passed under French rule, had small
+love for those outsiders who had made it impossible for his native
+island to gain independence.
+
+One of our pictures would show us Napoleon, a timid boy in the military
+school at Brienne, where his father had secured a place for him by
+showing he was of noble descent. The boy works hard at his tasks, his
+teachers commend his industry, while calling him reserved and obstinate.
+
+The young Napoleon is not happy in the society of his one hundred and
+twenty fellow-pupils, who, like himself, are supported by the Government
+at Brienne. They are largely the sons of poor nobles--vain and
+indolent--and they love to tease the timid boy.
+
+"I am tired of poverty and the jeers of insolent scholars. If fortune
+refuses to smile upon me, take me from Brienne, and make me if you will
+a mechanic." In spite of this letter, the father wisely keeps the little
+boy at Brienne, and gradually he makes friends, especially among the
+teachers.
+
+"I have seen a spark here which cannot be too carefully cultivated,"
+writes the aged Chevalier de Keralio, an inspector of the school, who is
+anxious to have Napoleon sent to the military school at Paris.
+
+Our pictures are now painted in somewhat brighter colors.
+
+For although at Paris the young Napoleon is not perfectly contented, he
+knows that he is on the way to a modest independence. He is surrounded
+by foolish young men with whose extravagance he cannot keep up. But only
+his sympathetic sister Elizabeth at St. Cyr hears him complain of the
+difficulties that beset him.
+
+Napoleon is naturally happier when at the early age of sixteen he finds
+himself a second lieutenant in the army. He rejoices at the prospect of
+helping his family out of his meagre income of less than two hundred and
+fifty dollars a year. But his responsibility is suddenly increased when
+Charles Bonaparte, his father, dies. The family is worse off than
+before, and when Joseph cannot straighten out their tangled affairs,
+Napoleon decides to undertake the task.
+
+After eight years of absence we see Napoleon on leave from his regiment,
+returning to Corsica. He has hard work before him. There are four little
+children under nine, Louis, Pauline, Caroline, and Jerome, at home with
+their widowed mother. There are two, Lucien and Elizabeth, away at
+school. Only Joseph and Napoleon are on their feet, and on Napoleon, the
+stronger character, falls the brunt of the burden.
+
+When the young lieutenant goes back to the army he takes Louis with him.
+He tutors him in mathematics, he shares his all with him. He deprives
+himself of many things really necessary to his position in order to help
+his family.
+
+"I breakfast on dry bread," he writes. He stints himself for his family,
+he stints himself still further to have a little money for the books
+that he needs.
+
+The claims of the family are pressing. Again Napoleon has leave of
+absence. In Corsica he tries in vain to get something for his mother
+from what is left of their property,--from salt works, from a mulberry
+plantation belonging to the estate.
+
+It is five or six years since the death of Charles Bonaparte. Napoleon
+has been away from his post too long. In 1792, after an absence from his
+regiment of fifteen months, he loses his place in the army.
+
+The picture now before us is a dark one. The young man is discouraged.
+Hardly knowing where to turn, he drifts toward Paris.
+
+For two or three years he has been uncertain which side to take in the
+Revolution on which France is entering. Many things incline him toward
+the King's party. He is in Paris on that memorable June 10 when the King
+is deposed. He sees the terrible events of the 10th of August. While he
+sympathizes with the King, he perceives that the great question is one
+of the nation rather than the individual.
+
+Intelligent young men are greatly needed in the army. Napoleon's ability
+is known. He receives a captain's commission, signed by the King, though
+really given by the Revolutionary Government. Soon he is at Toulon,
+where, by acting on his advice, the French drive the English from the
+harbor in December, 1793.
+
+The young man's prospects are brightening. There are only a few shadows
+on the picture. A revolution in Corsica drives his family to France, and
+while he feels his responsibility, Napoleon cannot yet do much for them.
+
+Napoleon's talents impress all who come in contact with him. The time
+approaches when he is to reap the reward for all his years of patient
+study. Young Robespierre calls attention to his transcendent merit.
+Though he is not a Terrorist, he has many friends in the party, and
+after the fall of Robespierre the young Corsican spends nearly a
+fortnight in prison. Once more he loses his place in the army, in which
+he has been commissioned General. Discouraged, with nothing to do in
+Paris, he thinks of accepting an office from the Sultan. But Fortune is
+soon to favor him again. Not so very long after his release from prison
+we gaze on a thrilling scene. It is the 13th Vendémiaire, year III, or
+October 15, 1795. The Directory under which the Government of France is
+now carried on has to face a revolt of the people and the National
+Guard. General Barras, who had observed Napoleon's great ability at
+Toulon, summons the young officer to help the Directory. Napoleon orders
+the artillery to sweep the Sections.
+
+By this use of cannon, with fearful slaughter, the smaller force of the
+Government conquers the uprising. Next day Napoleon is mentioned by the
+Commander-in-Chief for his distinguished services, and shortly he
+becomes General-in-Chief of the Army of the Interior.
+
+Picture after picture passes quickly before us, and always Napoleon is
+in the foreground. We see him now for the first time really enjoying
+society. The brusque and rather timid young officer is lionized in the
+drawing-room of Madame Tallien. There he meets the beautiful Josephine,
+widow of Alexandre de Beauharnais, and soon asks her to marry him.
+
+It is said that Napoleon first became interested in Josephine through
+her sending her son Eugène to ask him to secure for him the sword of his
+father who had been put to death during the Reign of Terror. But whether
+the story is true or not, certainly Napoleon always has the greatest
+affection for Eugène and his sister Hortense. Napoleon's family are now
+in Paris. They share equally in the prosperity that has come to him. He
+lavishes on his mother all that she will accept. It pains him that
+neither she nor his brothers and sisters are pleased with his marriage.
+
+Two days after the wedding, Napoleon leaves Josephine to cross the
+Apennines as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy. We see the
+Italians running before those whom they had contemptuously called the
+"rag heroes." The French win victory after victory. Arcola, Lodi,
+Milan--eighteen pitched battles, forty-seven smaller engagements.
+Everywhere Napoleon is the idol, not only of his own soldiers, but of a
+large number of Italians, who hope through him to gain political
+liberty.
+
+When, after the Treaty of Campo Formio, Napoleon returns to Paris in
+December, 1797, France is at his feet, rejoicing in the glory that comes
+to her through victories, rejoicing in the treasures of art that the
+young conqueror had brought back to adorn the Paris museums.
+
+The scene changes--Napoleon is setting out for Egypt. He hopes to weaken
+England by attacking her power in the East. He hopes to strengthen
+himself in the eyes of the French by winning new victories. For idolized
+though he is by the French people, he realizes their fickleness, and he
+knows that the Directory is jealous of him. This expedition has not the
+brilliancy of the Italian campaign. He does not succeed in disabling the
+British, the French fleet meets fearful disaster. On land the French
+army suffers terribly from pestilence. But Napoleon has many scientific
+men with him on this expedition, and science gains greatly by this
+Egyptian campaign. Then by chance he learns that there is the utmost
+political discontent in France. Almost secretly he sails away from
+Egypt. We see him in Paris by the middle of October, 1799. His enemies
+are astonished. But Napoleon's hour has come. The famous _coup d'état_
+follows, and in less than two months after his return from Egypt,
+Napoleon has become temporary Dictator of France. His title is First
+Consul, but many shake their heads and murmur that Napoleon, instead of
+serving the term prescribed by law, means to make himself Consul for
+life.
+
+Yet whatever Napoleon's ambitions may be, it is clear that France needs
+a strong man at the head of the Government. Then as we observe the clear
+eye and firm bearing of the young Corsican, it is evident that no one
+abler than he can be found to direct the work of upbuilding the country.
+
+Our picture of France shows no longer a scene of confusion, of chaos,
+although much must be done before the Republic can hold her own--except
+in war--with other great nations.
+
+Napoleon is tired of war, but those Powers to whom he suggests peace are
+not ready to accept his overtures. They are more willing to listen to
+him after his Austrian campaign, when Marengo and Lunéville are added to
+the French victories.
+
+The Peace of Amiens gives Europe a breathing spell--for no one believes
+that this peace will last forever.
+
+Perhaps among all our pictures of Napoleon there is hardly one more
+pleasing than this of his First Consulate, when we see him walking among
+his gorgeously attired officers, noticeable for the simplicity of his
+attire. For in spite of the example of extravagant dress set by others,
+he is content with the plain uniform of a colonel of grenadiers or of
+the light infantry.
+
+"His address is the finest I have ever seen," writes one who meets him
+at this time, "and said by those who have travelled to exceed not only
+every Prince and Potentate now in being, but even all those whose memory
+has come down to us.... While he speaks, his features are still more
+expressive than his words."
+
+This is the Napoleon whom Betsy knew--this man whose simple, pleasing
+manners drew every one to him--every one at least whom he wished to
+attract. Had he cared to make the effort he might even have won Sir
+Hudson Lowe.
+
+For in those earlier days, before his downfall, many an Englishman, with
+a deeply rooted prejudice against Napoleon, on visiting Paris, like the
+writer of the above, found his prejudices melt away like snow in summer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE LAST PICTURES
+
+
+Our pictures change little as they show the next stage of Napoleon's
+progress. For when in the summer of 1801 he is made Consul for life, he
+appears still to be the same ardent lover of liberty that he was when he
+became First Consul. He is still the idol of the French people--as well
+he may be--for what ruler has ever done so much for them? When once
+things are in his own hands he codifies the laws, gives security to all
+forms of religion, and organizes the educational system of France. He
+does everything possible for the rebuilding of the state. He regulates
+taxes, that the burden may fall equitably on all classes. He helps
+manufactures of every kind. He proves himself a masterly road-builder.
+He establishes museums, and orders the construction of great public
+buildings. In peace he seems to be greater even than he has shown
+himself in war. He encourages literature, art, and music, and makes
+Paris so beautiful that its citizens are justified in their pride.
+
+He surrounds himself with capable men. In no way does he more clearly
+show his own superiority than by letting it be seen that he is free from
+jealousy. He is always ready to reward publicly those who help him in
+any of his undertakings. Not all Napoleon's plans are carried out during
+his Consulship, but they are begun with such vigor that no one doubts
+that they will be completed. The country is the better for his firm
+hand. Yet in some ways we admired him more in his earlier years. His
+ambition now casts a shadow that should warn him that the middle way is
+the best.
+
+In one way at least Napoleon's ambitions do not get the better of him.
+As he advances in power he does not forget old friends. They share his
+prosperity, these schoolmates and associates of his earlier years. They
+are given honors that some of them find it hard to wear gracefully.
+
+"Here we are at the Tuileries," he exclaims to an old friend, when made
+Consul for life. "We must remain here."
+
+In the short breathing spell made possible by the Peace of Amiens,
+France accomplishes more in all directions than the other countries of
+Europe. Yet those whose sight is clearest may, perhaps, see a cloud
+likely to deepen and blur the picture. Does it come from England, now
+making great efforts to gather her strength for a long contest? Or does
+the growing ambition of Napoleon mean the overthrow of the very things
+he is working for?
+
+Though the gorgeous spectacle of the Imperial Coronation in the great
+Cathedral has seldom been surpassed, we incline to turn away from it. It
+had been better for Napoleon to remain First Consul rather than to make
+himself Emperor. His plain gray suit became him better than this
+trailing cloak of purple velvet embroidered in gold and trimmed with
+ermine. We recognize the golden bees, and the insignia of the Legion of
+Honor, but the diamond collar and the great Pitt diamond blazing in the
+pommel of his sword seem unsuited to the young Corsican who once
+delighted in simplicity. The laurel wreath that he first wears suits him
+better than the Imperial crown that he takes from the hands of the Pope
+and places on his own head. But the Pope has anointed him, and Napoleon
+is now Emperor of that shadowy Holy Roman Empire, for which in the past
+rivers of blood have been shed.
+
+Is Napoleon really happier now than when he roamed, a fearless boy, over
+the rough hills of Corsica? Is Josephine as contented wearing the crown
+of an Empress as she was wandering light-hearted in the forests of
+Martinique? Josephine is indeed fond of jewels and beautiful clothes,
+and nothing could be more splendid than her coronation robe of white
+satin and silver and gold, with its ornaments of pearls and diamonds.
+But Josephine has a long memory. She often recalls the poverty of her
+childhood, of her early married life. When Empress she tells one of the
+ladies in attendance on her that no present ever made her happier than a
+pair of shoes given her for Hortense, her little daughter, who otherwise
+would have had to go barefoot part of her voyage from Martinique to
+France.
+
+Josephine is a sensible woman. She is not ashamed of her early poverty.
+Like Napoleon she had suffered during the Revolution and had even for a
+time been thrown into prison. Like Napoleon she, too, had sometimes not
+known when she should get her next meal. She had even had to borrow
+money to pay her rent. She had suffered everything, when the execution
+of her first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais, during the Reign of
+Terror, had left her and her two children destitute.
+
+All the circumstances of her past life may not have flashed before
+Josephine's mind at the moment of the Coronation. Yet it is not
+improbable that wearing the crown and realizing the responsibilities of
+her new position, she may have sighed for a day of freedom from care,
+such as she had known in Martinique.
+
+On that December day in 1805 when Napoleon puts on the Imperial crown
+more than three years have passed since England signed the short-lived
+Peace of Amiens. The war that is now renewed between France and England
+is to continue until Waterloo. As Emperor, however, Napoleon seems to be
+master of Europe. All the European courts, except England, Russia, and
+Sweden, acknowledge his new title.
+
+So we turn to a new picture. It is the eve of Austerlitz. Napoleon walks
+among the soldiers, who are resting in camp, awaiting the struggle. When
+his men recognize him, they surround him, they rush ahead of him,
+holding aloft long poles on which are fastened burning wisps of straw.
+
+"It is the anniversary of the Coronation," they shout as they light his
+way. The next day when they measure their strength with Russia and
+Austria, the soldiers of the Empire are victorious. Another scene now
+stands out vividly. Alexander of Russia is coming to meet Napoleon. At
+Tilsit on a raft in the river Niemen the two Emperors greet each other
+with a kiss.
+
+"I hate the English as much as you," cries the impulsive Alexander. "I
+will be your second in all that you do against them."
+
+The next day we see the King of Prussia arriving half-heartedly at
+Tilsit. Friedland has done its work, and for the time Prussia is
+humbled.
+
+Brilliant though the panorama of Napoleon's life is after Tilsit, we
+view with wonder rather than approval the striking pictures as they
+present themselves one by one. We observe the wild enthusiasm of the
+French people for their Emperor after Ulm and Austerlitz and
+Hohenlinden. Even the battle of Trafalgar--a victory for England--does
+not dampen their ardor. But Napoleon himself grows careful, and tries to
+keep from the army the news of his loss on the sea.
+
+Prussia is humbled, Austria wishes to make terms, Napoleon has some
+successes in Spain, and he hopes to injure England. Though we may not
+discover this at first, his interference in the affairs of Spain hastens
+the Emperor's downfall. Although he succeeds in having his brother
+Joseph made King of Spain, he cannot keep him on the throne.
+
+His ambition increases. His family try to persuade him to divorce
+Josephine, that he may strengthen himself by a second marriage with some
+royal princess.
+
+We look at the family group of the Bonapartes. With Napoleon at the
+height of his power, we count the titles.
+
+Joseph, at first King of Naples, is King of Spain; Louis, King of
+Holland; Jerome, King of Westphalia; Lucien, a Prince of the Empire,
+later repudiates the title; Eliza, Grand Duchess of Tuscany; Pauline,
+Princess Borghese; and Caroline is Queen of Naples; Josephine's
+daughter, Hortense, is Queen of Holland; and Eugène, her son, is a
+Prince. Old Madame Bonaparte, the devoted mother, is not sure that the
+glory of the family will last forever. Of the treasures lavished on her
+by Napoleon, she puts aside a portion that may be of service when the
+possible rainy day comes.
+
+Josephine is the idol of the French people. But Bonaparte ambition
+extends even to them. In these uncertain days France might be stronger
+if its Emperor were free to marry into a Royal family.
+
+We note Josephine's anxiety as she studies Napoleon. But she sees no
+change in his love for her children. Eugène is his adopted heir.
+Hortense is married to Napoleon's brother Louis. Josephine hopes that
+those who advise the Royal Alliance may not prevail. Her tears are
+useless, and when Napoleon decides she has to yield.
+
+The first of April, 1810, less than five years from the date of the
+Coronation, Napoleon is the centre of another brilliant ceremony. This
+is the day of his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Emperor of
+Austria. A year later fickle Paris is in a state of feverish excitement
+over the birth of the King of Rome. Napoleon, rejoicing in his little
+son, seems at the height of his power.
+
+Looking at Napoleon now, we must admit that he has become an autocrat.
+Yet he is not a despot in the ordinary sense. Though he may like power
+in itself, for what it brings to him, he cares still for the prosperity
+of France. The country needs his strong guidance. Outside of France he
+has enemies on all sides. While he does not admit it, things are against
+him in Spain; and then, as if losing his head, he decides to march into
+Russia. The Emperor of Russia is now his bitter enemy. The kiss of
+Tilsit was soon wiped away.
+
+If we could, we would close our eyes to the next terrible scene. Before
+us marches the best of the young manhood of France--hundreds of
+thousands of men--to a certain death. Here is the greatest army of the
+time, and at Borodino we see "the bloodiest fight of the century." For
+the French the victory is almost worse than a defeat, since they are
+thus beguiled farther into Russia. No one can paint adequately the
+horrors of that bitter campaign. Of the hundreds of thousands who had
+crossed the Niemen a few months earlier, only twenty thousand
+frost-bitten spectres stagger again over the bridge in the middle of
+December.
+
+Napoleon's thoughts are gloomy enough as he rides desperately back to
+France, leaving his fragment of an army in charge of Murat. No one
+envies him now, with the world against him. Soon he hears that Joseph
+has been driven from Spain. Already he feels the strength of the
+coalition formed to overthrow him. Does he realize that Austria is no
+longer his friend--that Prussia is ready to fall upon him? All Germany
+is waking to new life, and to a great extent its energy is the result of
+the teachings of Napoleon himself. We see him struggling to hold his
+own, unwilling to admit that he has lost anything. There is likely to be
+discontent in France. The flower of French youth has gone with the army,
+and there are hardly men enough to till the ground. We glance hastily at
+the passing pictures. The victory at Dresden is more than balanced by
+the disasters at Kulm and Leipzig. The campaign of 1813 is fatal to
+Napoleon, who still trusts to his star.
+
+So we pass on to the last scenes of the panorama.
+
+It is a Sunday in January, 1814. Napoleon is in Paris, intending in a
+few days to go to the front. He and the Empress are holding a reception
+at the Tuileries, and there is a brilliant throng in the great salon.
+All eyes are on the Emperor and Empress as they enter the apartment.
+Napoleon holds by the hand a fair-haired boy of three, the little King
+of Rome. The child wears the uniform of the National Guard of Paris.
+Courtiers, crowding around the group, bow and smile. But as he scans
+their faces with his keen eye, Napoleon reads who are his enemies, who
+his friends. There are many officers of the National Guard present, and
+it is to them perhaps that the Emperor especially addresses himself.
+
+"Gentlemen," he cries, "I am about to set out for the army. I intrust to
+you what I hold dearest in the world--my wife and my son."
+
+Although those present do not dream that the end of Napoleon's reign is
+so near, they show great emotion. Tears fall and sobs are heard on all
+sides as his appeal reaches their hearts. Many of those present at the
+Tuileries this afternoon--even those nearest him--will never see
+Napoleon again.
+
+In less than two days the Emperor bids his last farewell to Maria Louisa
+and their little son. The Empress is to be Regent during his absence.
+Joseph is appointed Lieutenant of France.
+
+Then we look on the sad picture of Napoleon's last campaign, when he
+meets his match in the dogged Blucher. Before the end of February,
+Napoleon has to admit that he is conquered. He accepts the terms made by
+the Allies. They give him the island of Elba for a time, with money
+enough to keep up a certain small grandeur. Pensions are provided for
+Maria Louisa and the King of Rome, and even for the other Bonapartes.
+
+It is a curious spectacle--Napoleon amusing himself with Elba, as if it
+were a big toy. One day he increases his standing army, the next he
+annexes a neighboring island. His mother and some of his family are with
+him, but Maria Louisa has returned to her father with the little King of
+Rome.
+
+But Napoleon and his friends have been making their plans, and we are
+dazzled, as the world was then, by his rapid march across France, by the
+demonstrations of his soldiers and the vigor of the short, sharp
+campaign and the greatness of Wellington's victory. Yet Quatre Bras and
+Waterloo are soon overshadowed by the rock of St. Helena.
+
+Betsy Balcombe, Napoleon's young neighbor, well knew the story of
+Napoleon. She could see as plainly as we can to-day the pictures
+revealed in the panorama of his life. Perhaps she stood too near him,
+perhaps she was too young to draw the lesson that we of to-day draw from
+his meteoric career. Perhaps her sympathy for him in all that he had to
+bear at St. Helena blinded her to the fact that he was himself to a
+certain extent to blame for his own downfall. He reached too far, his
+ambition was too great. As First Consul, depending on the votes of the
+people, he might have been stronger than he was as Emperor. The good
+that he did France was fairly balanced by the fearful loss of life in
+his long wars.
+
+Napoleon's one thought was to carry out his own plans without counting
+the cost in men. Yet putting aside the question of the vast loss of life
+in his wars and the sorrow that resulted, we may see that his career was
+not wholly bad for Europe.
+
+Although ambition and selfishness may have prompted much that he did, he
+really wished to promote the welfare of France. To-day that country is
+farther ahead than would have been possible but for Napoleon. Many of
+the institutions that have most advanced her originated with the First
+Emperor. Other countries besides France benefited by Napoleon's energy.
+He showed several of them how to realize their ideals of independence.
+
+It is true that the constitutions he gave to various states of
+Europe--as well as to France--after his downfall were for a time
+cancelled. Still, in the end, his ideas prevailed, and except for
+Napoleon not only a French Republic would have been slower in
+establishing itself, but also a free Italy, and even a United Germany
+might have arrived less quickly.
+
+The sadness of Napoleon's last years modified the judgments of many who
+had been his bitter enemies. His personal charm made those who knew him
+forget the general selfishness of his whole career. Yet in weighing all
+that can be said for and against him, it would be unfair to have the
+balance against him. That Napoleon whom Betsy Balcombe knew at The
+Briars--fun-loving and considerate of those about him--was as truly
+Napoleon as the man before whom many had trembled--whom his enemies had
+so criticised--to look at him as his young neighbor looked at him is to
+understand a little the secret of his influence.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+HELEN LEAH REED'S "BRENDA" BOOKS
+
+
+     The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls
+     of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and
+     wholesome.--_The Outlook, New York._
+
+     Miss Reed's girls have all the impulses and likes of real girls
+     as their characters are developing, and her record of their
+     thoughts and actions reads like a chapter snatched from the
+     page of life.--_Boston Herald._
+
+BRENDA, HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB
+
+Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
+
+     One of the most natural books for girls. It is a careful study
+     of schoolgirl life in a large city, somewhat unique in its
+     way.--_Minneapolis Journal._
+
+BRENDA'S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY
+
+Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
+
+     It is a wholesome book, telling of a merry and healthy
+     vacation.--_Dial_, Chicago.
+
+BRENDA'S COUSIN AT RADCLIFFE
+
+_A College Story for Girls_
+
+Illustrated by Alice Barber Stephens.
+
+     No better college story has been written.--_Providence News._
+
+     Miss Reed is herself a Radcliffe woman, and she has made a
+     sympathetic and accurate study of the woman's college at
+     Cambridge.--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+     The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls
+     of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and
+     wholesome.--_The Outlook_, N. Y.
+
+     The book has the background of old Cambridge, a little of
+     Harvard, and Boston in the distance.... The heroine is a fine
+     girl, and the other characters are girls of many varieties and
+     from many places.--_New York Commercial Advertiser._
+
+     She brings out all sides of the life, and, while making much of
+     the fun and good fellowship, does not let it be forgotten that
+     work and growth are the end and object of it all.--_Chicago
+     Tribune._
+
+
+BRENDA'S BARGAIN
+
+Illustrated by Ellen Bernard Thompson.
+
+     The story deals with social settlement work, under conditions
+     with which the author is familiar.--_The Bookman_, New York.
+
+
+AMY IN ACADIA
+
+Illustrated by Katherine Pyle.
+
+     A splendid tale for girls, carefully written, interesting and
+     full of information concerning the romantic region made famous
+     by the vicissitudes of Evangeline.--_Toronto Globe._
+
+
+BRENDA'S WARD
+
+Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.
+
+     The story details the experience of a Chicago girl at school in
+     Boston, and very absorbing those experiences are--full of
+     action and diversity.--_Chicago Post._
+
+     Pictures a Western girl's school life in Boston, and the story
+     is told with spirit and fine sentiment.... The girls whose
+     lives are told of are merry and of wholesome
+     temperament.--_Portland_ (Ore.) _Oregonian_.
+
+     The story is full of seeing, doing, enjoying, and
+     accomplishing.--_Kansas City Star._
+
+     The tale throughout is sweet and wholesome.... The character
+     sketching is consistent and firm, and the dialogue
+     natural.--_Boston Transcript._
+
+     The young Western girl who enters Brenda's life is sweet and
+     charming, and will appeal to all.--_Philadelphia Ledger._
+
+     The characters are all brimful of wholesome human interest with
+     Brenda as a paramount attraction.--_Pittsburg Bulletin._
+
+     A new Brenda book is always sure of a welcome.... Of all the
+     stories for girls these books rank among the best. The movement
+     of these narratives is rapid, there is an abundance of natural
+     and entertaining incident, and the characters are sharply drawn
+     and developed with masterly skill and rare powers of
+     sympathetic analysis.--_Kennebec_ (Me.) _Journal_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+IRMA AND NAP
+
+_A Story for Younger Girls_
+
+Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood.
+
+     A brightly written story about children from eleven to thirteen
+     years of age, who live in a suburban town, and attend a public
+     grammar school. The book is full of incident of school and home
+     life.
+
+     The story deals with real life, and is told in the simple and
+     natural style which characterized Miss Reed's popular "Brenda"
+     stories.--_Washington Post._
+
+     There are little people in this sweetly written story with whom
+     all will feel at once that they have been long acquainted, so
+     real do they seem, as well as their plans, their play, and
+     their school and home and everyday life.--_Boston Courier._
+
+     Her children are real; her style also is natural and
+     pleasing.--_The Outlook_, New York.
+
+     Miss Reed's children are perfectly natural and act as real
+     girls would under the same circumstances. Nap is a lively
+     little dog, who takes an important part in the development of
+     the story.--_Christian Register_, Boston.
+
+     A clever story, not a bit preachy, but with much influence for
+     right living in evidence throughout.--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Napoleon's Young Neighbor, by Helen Leah Reed
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR ***
+
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Napoleon's Young Neighbor, by Helen Leah Reed
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Napoleon's Young Neighbor
+
+Author: Helen Leah Reed
+
+Release Date: January 22, 2011 [EBook #35037]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR</h1>
+
+<h2>BY HELEN LEAH REED</h2>
+
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Author of "Brenda; Her School and Her Club," "Brenda's Cousin at
+Radcliffe," "Brenda's Ward," "Amy in Acadia," etc.</span></h3>
+
+
+<h3><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></h3>
+
+<h3>BOSTON:<br />
+LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY<br />
+1907</h3>
+
+<h3>Copyright, 1907,<br />
+<span class="smcap">By Little, Brown, and Company.</span></h3>
+
+<h3><i>All rights reserved</i></h3>
+
+<h3>Published October, 1907</h3>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Alfred Mudge &amp; Son, Inc., Printers,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Boston, Mass., U. S. A.</span></h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h3>TO<br />
+DOROTHY E. B.<br />
+WHOSE LOVE OF HISTORY BESPEAKS<br />
+A WELCOME<br />
+FOR THIS LITTLE VOLUME.</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a>
+<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA. From the painting by Delaroche</h3>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2>
+
+
+<p>This book, chronicling some little known passages in the last few years
+of Napoleon, is based on the "Recollections of Napoleon at St. Helena,"
+by Mrs. Abell (Elizabeth Balcombe), published in 1844 by John Murray.</p>
+
+<p>Her little book is written in an old-fashioned and quiet style, and the
+present writer, without altering any words of Napoleon's, has, so far as
+possible, given a vivid form to conversations and incidents related
+undramatically and has rearranged incidents that Mrs. Abell told without
+great attention to chronology. The writer has also added many pages of
+matter (with close reference to the best authorities) in order to make
+the whole story of Napoleon clear to those who are not familiar with it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">Great News</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">A Distinguished Tenant</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">From Waterloo to St. Helena</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">Napoleon at The Briars</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. <span class="smcap">Betsy's Ball-Gown</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">A Horse Tamer</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">Off for Longwood</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">The Governor's Rules</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">All Kinds of Fun</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">The Serious Side</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">The Emperor's Visitors</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">Thoughtless Betsy</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">Longwood Days</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">The Parting</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">The Panorama</span></a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">The Last Pictures</span></a><br /><br />
+<a href="#HELEN_LEAH_REEDS_BRENDA_BOOKS">BOOKS BY HELEN LEAH REED</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+
+<p><a href="#illus1"><span class="smcap">Napoleon at St. Helena</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a href="#illus2"><span class="smcap">Jamestown</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a href="#illus3"><span class="smcap">The Embarkation on Board the <i>Bellerophon</i></span></a></p>
+
+<p><a href="#illus4"><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a href="#illus5"><span class="smcap">The Briars</span></a></p>
+
+<p><a href="#illus6"><span class="smcap">Longwood</span></a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>GREAT NEWS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Far south in the Atlantic there is an island that at first sight from
+the deck of a ship seems little more than a great rock. In shape it is
+oblong, with perpendicular sides several hundred feet high. It is called
+St. Helena because the Portuguese, who discovered it in 1502, came upon
+it on the birthday of St. Helena, Constantine's mother. To describe it
+as the geographies might, we may say that it lies in latitude 15° 55'
+South, and in longitude 5° 46' West. It is about ten and a half miles
+long, six and three-quarters miles broad, and its circumference is about
+twenty-eight miles. The nearest land is Ascension Island, about six
+hundred miles away, and St. Helena is eleven hundred miles from the Cape
+of Good Hope.</p>
+
+<p>From the sea St. Helena is gloomy and forbidding. Masses of volcanic
+rock, with sharp and jagged peaks, tower up above the coast, an iron
+girdle barring all access to the interior. A hundred years ago its sides
+were without foliage or verdure and its few points of landing bristled
+with cannon. Jamestown, the only town, named for the Duke of York, lies
+in a narrow valley, the bottom of a deep ravine. Precipices overhang it
+on every side; the one on the left, rising directly from the sea, is
+known as Rupert's Hill, that on the right as Ladder Hill. A steep and
+narrow path cuts along the former, and a really good road winds zigzag
+along the other to the Governor's House. Opposite the town is James's
+Bay, the principal anchorage, where the largest ships are perfectly
+safe.</p>
+
+<p>The town really consists of a small street along the beach, called the
+Marina, which extends about three hundred yards to a spot where it
+branches off into two narrower roads, one of which is now called
+Napoleon Street. In 1815 there were about one hundred and sixty houses,
+chiefly of stone cemented with mud, for lime is scarce on the island.
+Among its larger buildings were a church, a botanical garden, a tavern,
+barracks, and, high on the left, the castle, the Governor's town
+residence.</p>
+
+<p>About a mile and a half from the town there stood in the early part of
+the past century a cottage built in the style of an Indian bungalow. It
+was placed rather low, with rooms mainly on one floor. A fine avenue of
+banyan trees led up to the house, and around it were tall evergreens and
+laces, pomegranates and myrtles, and other tropical trees. Better than
+these, however, in the eyes of the dwellers at The Briars were the great
+white-rose bushes, like the sweetbriar of old England. From these the
+house took its name, and thus the family in it seemed less far away from
+their old home.</p>
+
+<p>In a grove near the house were trees of every description, grapes of all
+kinds and citron, orange, shaddoc, guava, and mango trees in the
+greatest abundance. The surplus raised in the garden beyond what the
+family could use brought its owner several hundred pounds a year. The
+little cottage was shut in on one side by a hedge of aloes and prickly
+pear and on the other by high cliffs and precipices. From one of these
+cliffs, not far from the house, fell a waterfall, not only beautiful to
+the eye but on a hot day refreshing to the mind with its cool splash and
+tinkle.</p>
+
+<p>The owner of The Briars at this time was an Englishman named Balcombe,
+who was in the service of the government. Besides his servants his
+household consisted of his wife, his daughters Jane and Betsy, in their
+early teens, and two little boys much younger. They formed a happy,
+contented household, living a simple, quiet life, and though the parents
+were sometimes homesick, the children were very fond of their island
+abode.</p>
+
+<p>One evening in the middle of October, 1815, the Balcombe children were
+having a merry time with their parents, when a servant, entering,
+announced the arrival of two visitors.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the captain of the <i>Icarus</i>," said Mr. Balcombe, turning to his
+wife, "and another naval officer."</p>
+
+<p>"The man-of-war that came in to-day?" asked one of the children. "We
+heard the alarm sound from Ladder Hill."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, my dear." Then, turning to a servant, "Show them in."</p>
+
+<p>As the gentlemen entered the room, it was plain that they had something
+of importance to communicate.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the senior officer to Mr. Balcombe, after the first
+greetings, "I come to tell you that the <i>Icarus</i> is sent ahead of the
+<i>Northumberland</i> to announce that the <i>Northumberland</i> is but a few
+days' sail from St. Helena."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Mr. Balcombe politely, wondering why this announcement
+should be made so seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir George Cockburn," continued the other, "commands the
+<i>Northumberland</i>, and in his care is Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he brings
+to St. Helena as a prisoner of state."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Balcombe started to speak; his expression was one of annoyance. He
+was not fond of practical jokes. His wife leaned back in her chair,
+gazing incredulously at the speaker. The children laughed. The officer's
+story was too absurd. Then one of the little boys began to cry. In their
+play the older children were in the habit of frightening the others with
+the name of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was alarming to hear that the
+terrible Napoleon was to come to live on their peaceful island.</p>
+
+<p>Before Mr. Balcombe could express his surprise, the officer repeated:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Napoleon Bonaparte, the enemy of England."</p>
+
+<p>"But how can that be?" asked Mr. Balcombe, hardly understanding.
+"Bonaparte was on Elba months ago; what has England to do with him now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely&mdash;" began the captain; then recalling himself, "but I forgot how
+far St. Helena is from the rest of the world. After Napoleon escaped
+from Elba in February, he gathered a great army. But the Allies, with
+our Iron Duke at the head, met him near Brussels, and there in June was
+fought the great battle of Waterloo. Thousands were killed, brave
+English as well as French. That battle marked the downfall of Napoleon,
+and soon he was England's prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe, as well as their children, listened eagerly,
+absorbed in a story they now heard for the first time.</p>
+
+<p>"So they send him here?" It was Mr. Balcombe who first spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; no spot in Europe can hold him. Even on Elba he had begun to
+establish a kingdom. He reached beyond that little island, and now he
+has had his Waterloo."</p>
+
+<p>"It is clear, then," said Mr. Balcombe, "why they have sent him here.
+This is a natural fortress and it belongs to England."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the officer; "England knows that here, in her keeping,
+Bonaparte will never again escape to torment the world."</p>
+
+<p>After a few more words of explanation on the one hand and of surprise on
+the other, the visitors withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>Of those who had listened to the officer young Elizabeth, or Betsy as
+she was commonly called, was the most disturbed. She shivered and turned
+pale, and her mother, noticing her agitation, soon sent her to bed.
+There she silently wept herself to sleep and her dreams were filled with
+visions of that dreadful ogre, Bonaparte. It was not a very long time
+since she had really believed Napoleon to be a huge monster, a kind of
+Polyphemus with one large, flaming eye in the middle of his forehead and
+with long teeth protruding from his mouth, with which he devoured bad
+little girls.</p>
+
+<p>Although Betsy had outgrown this first idea of Napoleon, implanted in
+her young brain by careless servants, she was still afraid of the
+Conqueror. It is true that she realized he was not an ogre, but a human
+being; that is to say, the very worst human being that had ever lived.
+She knew this must be so, for she had heard sensible grown-up persons
+speak of him in this way, even her own father and mother. What wonder,
+then, that her dreams should be disturbed by thoughts of the misery that
+must come to St. Helena with such a man as Napoleon living on the
+island?</p>
+
+<p>The next morning after the visit of the officer from the <i>Icarus</i>, the
+little girl rose early. She was far from cheerful as she looked about
+her on the lovely garden and grove. A wave of hot anger passed over her.
+Why should that terrible man be permitted to land and destroy all this
+beauty, as he would, of course, on the first opportunity?</p>
+
+<p>From the garden she looked toward the rugged mountain, known as Peak's
+Hill, which shut off the valley from the south. Her father had spoken of
+the island as a natural fortress. Except for the mountains the
+Government would never have thought of sending the dreadful Napoleon to
+St. Helena. So she hated the mountains and cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps, however, even at that moment when she dreaded the coming of the
+exiled Emperor, Betsy may have recalled her own first impressions of St.
+Helena and cast a half-pitying thought toward the great man who now saw
+in its rocky heights only his prison wall.</p>
+
+<p>One day Betsy's mother had reminded the young girl of the bitter tears
+she shed when she had first seen the island.</p>
+
+<p>"You were a silly girl to cry when you first came in sight of land,"
+said her mother, recalling the circumstance.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but some had told me that the island was really the head of a
+great negro that was only waiting for the breakfast bell; then it would
+devour me first, and later the rest of the passengers and crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am glad you told me your fears."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I, for you showed me that these things could not be true."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet I remember," responded Betsy's mother, "that you would not take
+your head from my lap until eight bells had sounded. For some reason the
+nearness of breakfast made you believe that danger was over."</p>
+
+<p>"But you can't say that I made much fuss when I really was in the power
+of a negro," rejoined Betsy; "for I can well remember how strange it
+seemed when I was lifted in a basket, and told that a big negro was to
+carry me out to The Briars. At first I was a little frightened, for I
+had never seen a black man before, but he spoke so pleasantly when he
+put me down to rest, even though grinning from ear to ear, that I
+decided he would not harm me."</p>
+
+<p>"You saw at once that he was good natured."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he asked me so kindly if I were comfortable in my little nest,
+that I trusted him. I was as proud as a peacock when he said he was
+honored in being allowed to carry me, because usually he had nothing but
+vegetables in his basket. When we reached The Briars I told father I had
+had a delightful ride, and so he gave the negro a little present that
+made him grin more than ever, and he went off singing merrily at the top
+of his voice."</p>
+
+<p>Thus Betsy recalled her first impression of St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>If Mr. Balcombe and the rest of the family at The Briars were surprised
+at the news of Napoleon's approach, people on the island in general were
+equally astonished. No communication had reached Governor Wilks, no
+letter of instructions as to what should be done with the illustrious
+prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>The captain of the <i>Icarus</i> could only tell the residents of St. Helena
+that Napoleon was near and that the Second Battalion of the Fifty-third
+Regiment had embarked with the squadron. Even in those days, when there
+were no cables to flash the news of coming events, when there were no
+swift steamboats to act as heralds, it seems strange that in more than
+seven months no news of the escape from Elba had reached the little
+island.</p>
+
+<p>Now, when the people of St. Helena heard the news, they were greatly
+disturbed. They were afraid that the coming of Napoleon might cause
+changes in their government, and they were so fond of the Governor that
+they did not wish to lose him.</p>
+
+<p>Their fears were well grounded, for when Sir George Cockburn landed it
+was found that he had received an appointment that gave him the chief
+civil and military power on the island, while Governor Wilks took
+secondary rank. Later it was learned that on account of the distinction
+of the prisoner, a governor of higher rank than Colonel Wilks would be
+sent from England to supersede him, a governor who held his appointment
+directly from the Crown.</p>
+
+<p>Two or three days after the visit of the officer to The Briars, Betsy
+and her brothers and sister were in a state of great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I hope papa will not be killed," cried little Alexander.</p>
+
+<p>"How silly you are!" responded the older Jane. "Why should he be
+killed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because Napoleon is such a monster. If he should suddenly take out his
+sword&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, or open his mouth and swallow papa, how terrible it would be!"
+added Betsy mockingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course Bonaparte is a monster, but he would never dare hurt any one
+on this island, especially an Englishman. Don't worry. Papa will come
+home safely enough, but I wish he would hurry, so we could hear all
+about the wretch."</p>
+
+<p>Later in the day the children gathered eagerly around their father, who
+had returned from his visit to the ships.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, papa, what was he like?" asked each in turn.</p>
+
+<p>"Who, Napoleon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. We wish to hear about him. Didn't you see him? Didn't you
+see anybody there?"</p>
+
+<p>"I could hardly visit a fleet without seeing some one."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it a large fleet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it would be called large in any part of the world."</p>
+
+<p>"How large is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Besides the <i>Northumberland</i> there are several other men-of-war, and
+the transports with the Fifty-third Regiment."</p>
+
+<p>"But did you see Napoleon?" asked one of the children, returning to the
+subject of greatest interest.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not see General Bonaparte," replied the father, pausing to see
+the effect of his words on the children. Then, as he noted their
+expression of disappointment, he quickly added: "But I saw some of the
+others,&mdash;some of his suite."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, tell us about it!"</p>
+
+<p>"There is little to tell. After paying my respects to Sir George
+Cockburn, I was introduced to Madame Bertrand and Madame Montholon, and
+then to the rest of Napoleon's suite."</p>
+
+<p>"What were they like?" asked one of the girls eagerly, as if she
+expected her father to describe a group of strange beings.</p>
+
+<p>"Like any travellers, my child, who had had a long voyage, from the
+effects of which they were anxious to rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I wish you had seen Napoleon!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am likely to see him soon, and you may, also, as he is to land
+to-night."</p>
+
+<p>At this news the children were silent. To have Napoleon on the island
+was not a pleasant prospect. They were not so sure now that they cared
+to see him.</p>
+
+<p>"But where will he live, papa, when he comes ashore?" ventured Jane at
+last. "Will they put him in a dungeon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, my child. He is to live at Longwood, but as the house
+needs to be put in repair, he will stay for a while with Mr. Porteous."</p>
+
+<p>"When will he come ashore?" asked Betsy timidly. Now that her father had
+spoken so reassuringly of Napoleon, she was curious to see him, at least
+from a safe distance.</p>
+
+<p>"He will land to-night,&mdash;after dark, I imagine, to escape the gaze of
+the crowd;" and their father, turning from the children, went toward the
+house.</p>
+
+<p>As he left them, the young people began an animated discussion of
+Napoleon. They were already getting used to the idea that he was to live
+on St. Helena and that he was an ordinary human being, not unlike the
+British officials of high rank sent out by the Crown.</p>
+
+<p>"As he cannot possibly hurt us, why shouldn't we go to the valley to see
+him land?" asked Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"Why shouldn't we?" echoed Jane. So it happened, when they had asked
+their parents, that the older children were permitted to go to Jamestown
+to see Napoleon land. When they reached the wharf it was dusk and crowds
+of people were gathered on every side.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know there were so many people on the island," whispered
+Betsy, as she pressed closer to her sister. "Do you suppose he will be
+in the first boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. But see, it is coming!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, little ladies," said a bystander, "Bonaparte will surely be in the
+first boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is, here it is," cried Betsy. "Look, Jane, look!"</p>
+
+<p>Even as she spoke, the passengers from the longboat were coming ashore,
+and although it was seven o'clock in the evening, there was still enough
+light to enable the watchers to see the figures of those who were
+landing.</p>
+
+<p>The girls strained their eyes. Three men marched slowly up from the
+ship's boat. "See," cried Betsy, "probably Napoleon is in the middle."</p>
+
+<p>"That little man, and in an overcoat!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, for there is something flashing, probably a diamond."</p>
+
+<p>"A man with a diamond! How foolish!" objected Jane.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a>
+<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>JAMESTOWN</h3>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p>"But it is, indeed it is!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish people wouldn't crowd so."</p>
+
+<p>"They've got to move back. I'm glad of it. The sentries are standing
+with fixed bayonets to keep more people from rushing down from the
+town."</p>
+
+<p>If Napoleon had landed earlier in the day, he would have been greeted by
+an even greater crowd, for people had been gathering on the Marina from
+the earliest hours; but disappointed that he was not to land until after
+sunset, most of them had gone home. Still, however, a large enough crowd
+had gathered to make it necessary for the sentries to use some force to
+keep them in order.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the crowd, the sisters felt that they had been rewarded for
+their trouble, for when they reached home they learned that the little
+man in the green coat was indeed the dreaded monster.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>A DISTINGUISHED TENANT</h3>
+
+
+<p>The next morning Betsy rose early. The night before the family had sat
+up later than their custom, talking about the arrival of the ship and
+the distinguished prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>"Are General Bertrand and Count Montholon prisoners too?" asked one of
+the girls.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear; I understand that they are at liberty to leave St. Helena
+whenever they wish. Of course while they are here they must obey
+whatever rules are made for them, but they would not be here if they had
+not chosen to share the fate of Napoleon."</p>
+
+<p>"That is very noble," said Jane, "to leave one's home for the sake of
+such a man as Napoleon;" and the conversation changed into a discussion
+of the reasons that had induced those Frenchmen to follow their leader.
+The next morning Betsy awoke feeling that something unusual had
+happened.</p>
+
+<p>Her little brothers plied her and Jane with questions about the landing
+of the Frenchmen.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we lived close to the town," complained Alexander, "that we
+might hear more about Napoleon."</p>
+
+<p>"Look, look!" cried Betsy, before the little fellow had finished
+speaking. "What is that on the side of the mountain?"</p>
+
+<p>Following the direction of her finger, the other children broke into
+excited cries. "The French, it must be the French! There are horses with
+men on them. There, see the swords flash! They must be guarding a
+prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I suppose it is a prisoner. But what is that white thing?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a plume; you can see that for yourself. Let us get a spyglass."</p>
+
+<p>For some time the children watched the little procession curving around
+the mountain-side, high above them.</p>
+
+<p>"It makes me think of a great serpent winding along," said Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't look like a serpent, through the glass. There are five men
+on horseback. One of them has a cocked hat. It must be Napoleon, though
+he wears no greatcoat."</p>
+
+<p>"They're going to Longwood. That's what it is. Papa says he's to live
+there. I wonder how he'll like it after all his palaces in Europe."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad he won't live near us. I should never dare leave the house, if
+he lived near."</p>
+
+<p>"Who's he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Napoleon, of course."</p>
+
+<p>The morning passed. The children thought of little but Napoleon. They
+talked to each other of his victories and were proud that Englishmen had
+overthrown him.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the afternoon two gentlemen called, Dr. Warden of the
+<i>Northumberland</i> and Dr. O'Meara of the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, have you seen him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Seen whom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Napoleon; don't tease us,&mdash;Napoleon Bonaparte."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, since you are so curious, yes, we have seen him." Dr.
+Warden smiled, for he was surgeon of the ship that had brought Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, was he perfectly awful? Weren't you frightened?"</p>
+
+<p>"If we were frightened, I tried not to show it. Napoleon seemed
+harmless. He did not even try to bayonet us," replied Dr. O'Meara.</p>
+
+<p>"But how did he look?"</p>
+
+<p>"He hadn't horns or hoofs; at least, we didn't see them, and on the
+whole he was charming, though he seemed tired. You girls will like him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no!" cried Betsy. "I shake and shiver whenever I think of him. If
+ever I look at him it will be only at a distance, but I could never,
+never speak to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Mark my words, you will change your mind, Miss Betsy," cried one of the
+two as he turned away.</p>
+
+<p>About four o'clock that same afternoon, when it was approaching dusk in
+the little valley, one of the children reported that the same horsemen
+they had seen in the morning were again winding around the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the whole family gathered outside, and as they looked, to their
+great astonishment they observed the procession halt at the mountain
+pass above the house, and then, after a few minutes' pause, begin to
+descend the mountain toward the cottage.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mamma, do you suppose they are coming here? I must go and hide
+myself," cried the excitable Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear, you will do nothing of the kind. I am surprised that a
+great girl should be so foolish."</p>
+
+<p>"But Napoleon is coming, don't you understand, Napoleon. I could not
+bear to look at him."</p>
+
+<p>"You will look at him and speak to him, if he comes here. It will be a
+good chance for you to put your French to use."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Betsy! Up to this time she had been proud of the French acquired
+during a visit to England a few years before, which she had
+conscientiously kept up by conversation with a French servant.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed hard that she was now to be called on to do a disagreeable
+thing just because of this accomplishment. Of course she could not
+disobey her mother, and in spite of her fright she really had some
+curiosity to see the distinguished guest.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after the party first came in sight, the French and their
+escort were at the gate of The Briars. As there was no carriage road to
+the house, all, except Napoleon, got off their horses. He rode over the
+grass, while his horse's feet cut into the turf. His horse was jet
+black, with arched neck, and as he pranced along he seemed to feel
+conscious of his own importance in carrying so distinguished a man as
+the Emperor.</p>
+
+<p>"He's handsome," whispered Jane to Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"The horse?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Napoleon; just look at those jewels and ribbons on his coat&mdash;and I
+never saw so beautiful a saddlecloth. It is embroidered with gold."</p>
+
+<p>Before more could be said, Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe were moving forward to
+meet Sir George Cockburn and his distinguished companion. The sisters
+closely followed their parents, and after the older people had been
+presented to Napoleon the turn of the girls came. Betsy, looking up, was
+impressed by the charm of Napoleon's smile. She saw that his hair was
+brown and silky fine; his eyes were a brilliant hazel. She also noticed
+one slight defect,&mdash;that his even teeth were dark, the result, she
+afterwards learned, of his habit of using much licorice.</p>
+
+<p>The children at first were surprised to find Napoleon neither as tall
+nor as impressive as he had appeared on horseback. When they looked in
+his face they decided that he was very attractive, and when he spoke his
+smile and kindly manner at once won their hearts. From that moment Betsy
+forgot that she had ever considered him an ogre. To herself she called
+him the handsomest man she had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a most beautiful situation," he said to Betsy's mother. "One
+could be almost happy here!" he added with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Then perhaps you will honor us with a visit until Longwood is ready,"
+interposed Mr. Balcombe. "I understand that you prefer this to the town,
+and I have already put some rooms at Sir George Cockburn's disposal."</p>
+
+<p>"I do prefer it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the rooms are at your service."</p>
+
+<p>Strange language this to a prisoner,&mdash;the children may have thought as
+they listened,&mdash;to give him a choice of abode. Later they learned why
+their father had put the matter in this way. They heard how wretched it
+made the Emperor to think of returning to the small house where he had
+lodged in the town and where people stared into the windows, as if he
+were some kind of wild animal. When he found that Longwood would not be
+ready for him for several weeks, he had at once declared his
+unwillingness to return to Jamestown. The glimpse of The Briars that he
+had had from a distance pleased him greatly, and he had asked if it
+might not be possible to lodge him there. Mr. Balcombe, as an official
+of the Government, having placed some rooms at the disposal of the
+Admiral, Sir George Cockburn, was now anxious to put Napoleon at his
+ease about occupying them.</p>
+
+<p>The Balcombe children were greatly stirred up when they found that
+Napoleon was to be their neighbor, for the rooms to be assigned him were
+near, but not in, the main house. Their fear of the Emperor had almost
+wholly disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>Continuing to praise the view, Napoleon asked that some chairs be
+brought out on the lawn.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Mademoiselle," he said to Betsy in French, "sit by me and talk.
+You speak French?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," replied Betsy with apparent calmness, though her heart was
+beating violently.</p>
+
+<p>"Who taught you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I learned in England, when I was at school."</p>
+
+<p>"That is well, and what else did you study? Geography, I hope."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can tell me what is the capital of France?"</p>
+
+<p>"Paris, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>"Of Italy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rome."</p>
+
+<p>"Of Russia?"</p>
+
+<p>"St. Petersburg."</p>
+
+<p>He looked up quickly. "St. Petersburg now; it was Moscow."</p>
+
+<p>Then he asked, sternly and abruptly, "<i>Qui l'a brulé?</i>" ["Who burned
+it?"]</p>
+
+<p>Betsy trembled. There was something terrifying now in his expression, as
+well as in the tones of his voice. She could not find words to reply as
+she recalled what she had heard about the burning of the great Russian
+city and the question as to whether the French or the Russians had set
+it on fire.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Qui l'a brulé?</i>" repeated Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>But there was a twinkle in his eye and a smile in his voice that
+encouraged Betsy to venture a stammering "I don't know, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Oui, oui</i>," he responded, laughing heartily. "<i>Vous savez très bien.
+C'est moi qui l'a brulé.</i>" ["Yes, yes, you understand well. It is I who
+burned it."]</p>
+
+<p>Then Betsy ventured further:</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, sir, the Russians burned it to get rid of the French."</p>
+
+<p>Again Napoleon laughed and, instead of being angry, seemed pleased that
+the little girl knew something about the Russian campaign.</p>
+
+<p>Now while Napoleon was sitting in the garden or walking about the
+beautiful grounds, all was confusion and excitement within The Briars.
+Betsy's mother, like any other good English housewife, was naturally
+somewhat taken aback at having suddenly to make plans to entertain
+Napoleon and part of his suite. Even though the English Government might
+pay for his board, she must still regard him as her guest, and in the
+small time at her disposal do all that she could to make him
+comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>Rooms, therefore, must be rearranged and what furniture could be spared
+from the rest of the house must be put into Napoleon's apartments. So,
+in the short space of a few hours, the dreaded Emperor of the French,
+the ogre feared by the children, had become the neighbor, almost the
+inmate of a happy English household&mdash;English, in spite of its distance,
+many thousands of miles away, from the islands of Great Britain.</p>
+
+<p>It was evening when Napoleon came back to the house with the family.
+Here again his conversation was chiefly with Betsy, as her fluent French
+pleased him. Her parents could use the language only with difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you like music?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"But I suppose that you are too young to play."</p>
+
+<p>This rather piqued Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"I can both sing and play."</p>
+
+<p>"Then sing to me."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon Betsy, seating herself at the little harpsichord, sang in a
+sweet, full voice "Ye Banks and Braes."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the prettiest English air I have ever heard."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a Scotch air," said Betsy timidly.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought it too pretty to be English. Their music is vile,&mdash;the worst
+in the world. Do you know any French songs? Ah, I wish you could sing
+<i>Vive Henri Quatre</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I know no French songs."</p>
+
+<p>Upon this the Emperor began to hum the air, and in a fit of abstraction,
+rising from his chair, marched around the room, keeping time to the tune
+he was singing.</p>
+
+<p>"Now what do you think of that, Miss Betsy?" he asked abruptly. Betsy
+hesitated between her love of truth and her desire to please the
+Emperor.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think I like it," she said at last, rather gently. "I cannot
+make out the air."</p>
+
+<p>She might also have added that the great Emperor's voice was far from
+musical. Neither then nor at other times when he tried to sing could she
+tell just what tune he thought he was rendering.</p>
+
+<p>When he discussed music she understood him better and she saw that he
+was a good critic. "French music," he said, "is almost as bad as
+English. Only Italians know how to produce an opera properly;" and he
+sighed heavily, remembering perhaps that his own opera days were over.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after Betsy had finished "Ye Banks and Braes," word was brought
+to Napoleon that his rooms were ready, and with a kindly word or two he
+bade good night to his young friend.</p>
+
+<p>The little girl's dreams that night were, we can well imagine, quite
+unlike any she had ever had before. But if she dreamed of the Emperor it
+is certain that she did not regard him as an ogre. His wonderful
+personality had gained her heart. Henceforth she was to be his loyal
+friend as well as his neighbor.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA</h3>
+
+
+<p>The events that ended in the voyage of the fallen Emperor to St. Helena,
+if told in full, would make a long story. The battle of Waterloo,
+however, is a good starting place, the battle that decided the peace of
+Europe after its long years of war, when the Allied Powers, led by the
+Duke of Wellington, defeated the French, who had rallied around Napoleon
+for a last stand.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon, when he saw that the day was lost for him and the French,
+fought desperately, hoping perhaps to meet death. But he seemed to have
+a charmed life, and, though he plunged into the thick of the fight, he
+was not even wounded.</p>
+
+<p>Some of his friends advised him to continue the struggle, but he saw
+that this might mean civil war for France as well as a long contest
+against the Allies. He cared too much for France to drag her into
+further wars. Some say that in giving up he could not help
+himself,&mdash;that what he did he had to do. Be that as it may, for a second
+time he signed the Act of Abdication, and after proclaiming his son
+Napoleon II, he left Paris. First he went to Malmaison, once the
+beautiful home of Josephine, where a few friends joined him.</p>
+
+<p>When the Allies were approaching Paris, Napoleon offered his services to
+the Provisional Government, promising to retire when the enemy was
+driven away. But the men now at the head of affairs at Paris were afraid
+to give authority of any kind to Napoleon, even for a limited time. He
+had broken one promise, he might break another, and they refused his
+offer.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon now thought of America. Certain Americans in Paris had offered
+him help. One shipping merchant, a Massachusetts man, had an excellent
+plan, which, had Napoleon followed it, might have resulted in his
+reaching America safely. But Napoleon delayed, and although he did not
+know it at the time, when he left Malmaison for Rochefort on June 29 he
+was too late. Up to the last he hoped to reach a vessel that would carry
+him safely to the United States. It is said that he gave up the plan
+proposed by the American shipping merchant because he would not desert
+his friends, and for the time there seemed to be no way of providing for
+them.</p>
+
+<p>It takes strength of mind for a man to decide to live out his destiny
+rather than run away from life. Napoleon now decided to make the best of
+things. With British ships practically blockading the coast, he saw that
+to try to escape was hopeless. He heard with dismay that Paris had
+surrendered to the Allies, and that the Provisional Government, that
+might have helped him, had dissolved. His last effort was to suggest
+sending a flag of truce by Generals Savary and Las Cases to Captain
+Maitland, commander of the British squadron, asking to be allowed to
+pass out of the harbor. He gave his word of honor that he would then go
+directly to America. Captain Maitland replied that even if he himself
+could grant this request, Napoleon's vessel would be attacked as soon as
+it had left the harbor. Napoleon at last had to admit that the end had
+come when the report was brought him that Louis XVIII was again seated
+on the throne of France. He therefore again sent two officers to Captain
+Maitland, offering to surrender on condition that no harm should come to
+his person or property. Another condition was that he should be allowed
+to live where he pleased in England as a private individual. The officer
+replied that he could not make terms, but that he would probably take
+Napoleon and his suite to England as soon as he should receive word from
+the Prince Regent. This answer was disappointing to Napoleon, but there
+was nothing now for him to do except to set out for the <i>Bellerophon</i>,
+Captain Maitland's ship, with the flag of truce.</p>
+
+<p>"I come to claim the protection of your prince and your laws," he said
+in French, as he advanced on the quarter-deck to meet Captain Maitland.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this he wrote the following letter in French to the Prince
+Regent:</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Royal Highness</span>:</p>
+
+<p>Exposed to the factions which divide my country and to the
+enmity of the great Powers of Europe, I have terminated my
+political career, and I come like Themistocles to throw myself
+on the hospitality of the British nation. I place myself under
+the safeguard of their laws and claim protection of your Royal
+Highness, the most powerful, the most constant, and the most
+generous of my enemies.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon.</span></p></blockquote>
+
+<p>It is not to be supposed that all this time Napoleon's friends were
+indifferent to his fate. Those who were near enough to communicate with
+him made various suggestions.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a>
+<img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE <i>BELLEROPHON</i></h3>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p>At Rochefort his brother Joseph offered to disguise himself and change
+places with him, so that the Emperor might get away in the same vessel
+in which he himself was preparing to escape. Had Napoleon agreed to this
+plan, he would probably have been as successful as Joseph in reaching
+America.</p>
+
+<p>Some young and brave French officers are said to have offered themselves
+as the crew of a rowing boat to carry Napoleon safely through the
+blockading fleet. There would have been some risk in carrying out this
+proposal of stealing through the blockade, but it had a fair chance of
+success.</p>
+
+<p>There were also swift neutral vessels not far away, on more than one of
+which he had friends. But although, with three of his suite, he did
+embark on a Danish ship, on second thoughts he decided not to venture
+farther, and returned to shore. He might have accepted the suggestion of
+the captain of a French frigate then at the Ile d'Aix, who begged
+Napoleon to take the chance of intrusting himself to him. He would, he
+said, attack a British ship near by, and while the attention of other
+vessels was fixed on the encounter, a second French frigate with
+Napoleon on board would carry him far outside the harbor to safety. But
+this offer, too, was put aside. The admirers of Napoleon, who look back
+on his days of indecision at Rochefort, wonder at the change in the man,
+who by his policy of delay brought on himself his sad exile on the
+barren island.</p>
+
+<p>Yet it is easy to see that even though half willing to try flight,
+Napoleon really could not bring himself to the position of a fugitive,
+afraid to face his enemies. It was nobler to confront danger, as he had
+confronted it often on the battlefield. It was not strange that he
+should hope to find appreciation of his courage, even in the hearts of
+his enemies.</p>
+
+<p>It was the fifteenth of July when Napoleon embarked on the
+<i>Bellerophon</i>, and a week afterwards he was in Plymouth Harbor. Too
+late, to his great consternation, he found that the British regarded him
+as a prisoner. He was helpless; he had no weapons but words, for armed
+vessels surrounded him and the few friends who followed him counted for
+nothing against his foes.</p>
+
+<p>On the thirtieth of July, General Bonaparte&mdash;the British refused him the
+title of Emperor&mdash;was notified that the British Government had chosen
+St. Helena as his future residence, whither a limited number of his
+friends might accompany him. On receiving this word, Napoleon's
+indignation was loudly expressed. He replied, that he was not the
+prisoner, but the guest of England, and that it was an outrage against
+him to condemn him to exile into which he would not willingly go. It was
+at once evident, however, that, willing or unwilling, he must embark for
+his distant prison. From Plymouth he was taken to Torbay, where, on the
+eleventh of August, the <i>Bellerophon</i> met the <i>Northumberland</i>, on which
+the illustrious prisoner was to be taken to St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>When Napoleon received Lord Keith and Sir George Cockburn on the deck of
+the <i>Bellerophon</i> he wore a green coat with red facings, epaulets, white
+waistcoat and breeches, silk stockings, the star of the Legion of Honor,
+and a <i>chapeau gris</i> with the tricolored cockade. At first the Emperor
+spoke bitterly of the action of the British Government, but at last he
+abruptly asked Lord Keith for his advice. The latter replied it would be
+best for Napoleon to submit with good grace. Napoleon then agreed to go
+on board the <i>Northumberland</i> at ten the next morning. Later he recalled
+his consent and again talked bitterly of his fate, but at last he
+controlled himself and agreed to submit.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, after all the stores and provisions and the personal
+belongings of Napoleon and his suite were on board, the
+<i>Northumberland</i>, with its distinguished prisoner, set sail for St.
+Helena.</p>
+
+<p>With Napoleon went a fairly large suite, consisting of the following
+persons:</p>
+
+<p>Grand Mareschal Comte de Bertrand, Madame de Bertrand and three
+children, one woman servant and her child, one man servant; General
+Comte de Montholon, Madame de Montholon and a child, one woman servant;
+Comte de las Cases and his son of thirteen; General Gorgaud; three
+<i>valets de chambre</i> and three footmen, a cook, a <i>lampiste</i>, an usher, a
+steward, <i>chef d'office</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Among the things that made up the rather large store of baggage that
+Napoleon took with him to St. Helena, besides his clothing and more
+personal belongings, were two table services of silver, a number of
+articles of gold, a beautiful toilet service of silver, including water
+basin and ewer, cases of books, and his special beds. Although money
+could do little for him in his new home, since all his expenses would be
+met by the British Government, it is known that he had with him a large
+amount of money.</p>
+
+<p>It is useless now to discuss what would have been the result had his
+enemies been kinder to Napoleon. If he had been permitted to settle down
+in England as he wished, as a country gentleman, would this have
+satisfied him? Even if he had made no attempt to recover the throne of
+France for himself, might he not have put forth efforts to have his son
+acknowledged Emperor? At the time of his father's downfall, the little
+King of Rome was hardly more than a baby, but as years passed on he
+could never have lived contentedly with his grandfather, the Austrian
+Emperor, knowing that his father was as near as England. In the name of
+the young Napoleon, Europe might again have been plunged into a great
+war.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, without looking toward the future, Great Britain was only too sure
+that the time had come to punish one who had always been the avowed
+enemy of England. It is true that England had suffered less than any
+other of the Powers at the hands of Napoleon, because he had never
+invaded her territory, but in no country was Napoleon so hated.
+Thousands of Englishmen had shed their blood in the wars carried on
+against him by the Allies, and by the mass of the English people he was
+regarded as a monster. Although the so-called Napoleonic wars had their
+origin in causes that Napoleon could not have controlled, he was
+regarded as the one being responsible for the twenty years' upheaval in
+Europe.</p>
+
+<p>When it was announced that the British Cabinet had decided to send him
+into exile, many, perhaps the majority, thought the punishment too
+light. They would have had him treated as a rebel and immediately hanged
+or beheaded. Yet while the mass of the English people hated Napoleon,
+Englishmen who had ever met him were apt to be his firm friends, or at
+least his admirers.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Maitland, of the <i>Bellerophon</i>, said that he had inquiries made
+of the crew as to their opinion of him, and this was the result: "They
+may abuse that man as much as they please, but if the people of England
+knew him as well as we do, they would not touch a hair of his head."</p>
+
+<p>Though Napoleon had surrendered to Great Britain alone, the Allied
+Powers, desiring Great Britain to be responsible for him, approved her
+course.</p>
+
+<p>During the voyage of ten weeks toward St. Helena, Napoleon suffered
+little from sea-sickness after the first few days. He breakfasted in his
+own cabin at ten or eleven o'clock. Before he dined he generally played
+a game of chess, and remained at dinner, in compliment to the Admiral,
+about an hour. After he had his coffee he left the others to walk with
+Count Bertrand or Count Las Cases on the quarter-deck. He often spoke to
+those officers who could understand French. At first he showed little
+interest in the occupations of those about him, but in time he engaged
+in more general conversation and was especially inclined to talk to Mr.
+Warden, the <i>Northumberland</i> surgeon, about the prevailing complaints on
+board the ship and his methods of treating the sick. After a while he
+turned to his own books and spent most of the day reading or in
+dictating to Las Cases. On the twenty-third of August the
+<i>Northumberland</i> crossed the equator. Before this the Admiral had amused
+himself trying to frighten the French, telling them of the rough
+ceremony practised by the sailors, who always undertook to present to
+Neptune all persons on board who had never before crossed the line. It
+happened, however, that in this instance all made a special effort to be
+courteous. While the sailors presented to Neptune were shaved with huge
+razors and a lather of pitch, the French were introduced politely with
+compliments, and the Emperor was treated especially well.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon seemed amused by this novel performance, and later he wished to
+have one hundred napoleons divided among the sailors. He was made,
+however, to feel his altered position when, after some discussion, the
+Admiral courteously but decidedly refused his request.</p>
+
+<p>There were probably few on the <i>Northumberland</i> who did not deeply
+sympathize with the fallen Emperor. On this long, monotonous voyage,
+when his only amusements were conversation and an occasional evening
+game of whist with his friends, he seemed to be trying to make the best
+of the situation.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning when the <i>Northumberland</i> approached St. Helena, the
+Emperor dressed early, and going up on deck stepped forward on the
+gangway. It was the fifteenth of October when the ship, after its long
+voyage, lay at anchor. The Emperor, standing on the gangway with Las
+Cases behind him, looked through his glass at the shore. Directly in
+front he saw a little village, surrounded by barren and naked hills,
+reaching toward the clouds. Wherever he looked, on every platform, at
+every aperture, on every hill, was a cannon. Las Cases, watching his
+face intently, could perceive no change of expression, for Napoleon now
+had full control of himself. Unmoved he could look on the island that
+was to be his prison, perhaps his grave. He did not stay long on deck,
+but, turning about, asked Las Cases to lead the way to his cabin. There
+they went on with their usual occupation, waiting until they should be
+told that the time for landing had come.</p>
+
+<p>During the long voyage Napoleon had won the regard of most persons on
+the ship. The <i>Northumberland</i> was terribly crowded, but while others
+grumbled, he made no complaint of the great discomfort, although he,
+like the others, was affected by it. Already he had begun to practise
+that stoicism which, on the whole, was the keynote of his life at St.
+Helena.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Napoleon quickly fitted himself into his place in his new surroundings.
+So adaptable was he that the children soon ceased to regard him as a
+stranger, nor were they inclined to criticise his habits, although in
+most respects his ways were quite unlike those of the Balcombe family.
+For example, he did not breakfast as they did. After rising at eight
+o'clock, he satisfied himself with a cup of coffee and had his first
+hearty meal, breakfast or luncheon as they variously called it, at one.
+It was nine o'clock in the evening before he dined, and eleven when he
+withdrew to his own room.</p>
+
+<p>The Pavilion, the building that chiefly formed his new abode, was a
+short distance from the main building of The Briars. It had one good
+room on the ground floor, and two garrets. Napoleon selected this
+Pavilion, not because it was really more convenient for him, but because
+by occupying it he would less disturb the Balcombe family than by taking
+quarters in the main house.</p>
+
+<p>Las Cases and his son were in one of the garrets, and Napoleon's chief
+<i>valet de chambre</i> and others of his household were in the second. The
+rooms were so crowded that some of the party had to sleep on the floor
+of the little hall. The Pavilion had been built by Betsy's father as a
+ballroom, and had a certain stateliness. The large room opened on a
+lawn, neatly fenced around, and in the centre of the lawn was a marquee,
+connected with the house by a covered way. The marquee had two
+compartments. The inner one was Napoleon's bedroom, and in the other
+General Gorgaud slept. There was little but the beds in the marquee.
+General Gorgaud slept on a small tent bed with green silk hangings,
+which Napoleon had had with him in all his campaigns.</p>
+
+<p>Between the two divisions of the marquee some of the servants of
+Napoleon had carved a huge crown in the green turf, on which the Emperor
+was obliged to step as he passed through.</p>
+
+<p>At first Count Bertrand and Count Montholon with their families were
+lodged at Mr. Porteous's house in the town, where a suitable table was
+prepared for them in the French style. They could go to The Briars
+whenever they wished, accompanied by a British officer or Dr. O'Meara,
+who was appointed physician to Napoleon; or, followed by a soldier, they
+were permitted to visit any part of the island except the forts and
+batteries.</p>
+
+<p>A captain of artillery resided at The Briars, and at first a sergeant
+and soldiers were also stationed there. But the presence of the soldiers
+was evidently needless, as well as so disagreeable to the family that,
+on hearing various remonstrances, Sir George Cockburn ordered them away.</p>
+
+<p>But for the presence of the artillery officer, Napoleon during his stay
+at The Briars might almost have forgotten that he was a prisoner. He and
+his suite appreciated the unfailing kindness of Mr. Balcombe and his
+family, who from the first left nothing undone for the comfort of the
+exiles. During the early days of his stay the dinner for the French
+people at The Briars was sent out from town, but soon Mr. Balcombe
+fitted up a little kitchen, connected with the Pavilion, where
+Napoleon's accomplished cook had every opportunity to display his skill.
+Very often after dinner Napoleon obligingly went outside for a walk,
+that his attendants might finish their dinner in the room that he had
+left.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after his arrival Napoleon was visited by Colonel Wilks, Governor
+of St. Helena, Mrs. Wilks, and other officials of the island, and some
+of the leading citizens and their families. He had not yet begun to
+seclude himself, and he and his companions seemed to be trying to make
+the best of their situation. Then and later evening parties were
+occasionally given by the French without much appearance of restraint.
+Napoleon accepted no invitations except those given by his friends at
+The Briars, and in one or two unusual cases, but the others went
+sometimes to the well-attended balls given by Sir George Cockburn.</p>
+
+<p>Madames Bertrand and Montholon and the rest of Napoleon's suite, for
+whom there was not room at The Briars, often came to see him there, and
+remained during the day. To them he was still <i>le grand empereur</i>. His
+every look was watched, every wish was anticipated, and they showed him
+great reverence. Some have thought that in dealing with them he insisted
+too much on the etiquette of a court, but certainly none of the suite
+complained of formality.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon was always polite to guests at The Briars, and once went to a
+large party given by Mr. Balcombe, pleasing every one by his urbanity.
+When guests were introduced he always asked their profession, and then
+turned the conversation in that direction. People were always surprised
+at the extent of his information. Officers and others on the way from
+China sought introductions and were seldom refused.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed in those first months his attitude to people was very different
+from what it was later. Not infrequently he himself invited people to
+dine with him.</p>
+
+<p>Most of Napoleon's suite shared with him a feeling of friendliness for
+the Balcombe family. Las Cases, however, was always ready to criticise
+Miss Betsy, whose hoydenish ways he could never understand. One evening,
+when she was turning over the leaves of Estille's "Floriant," seeing
+that Gaston de Foix was called General, she asked Napoleon whether he
+was satisfied with him and whether he had escaped or was still living.
+This question shocked Las Cases, for it seemed to him extraordinary that
+a girl should imagine that the famous Gaston de Foix had been a general
+under Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>But this was not a very strange mistake for a little English girl to
+make. It is to be feared that Las Cases always took a certain pleasure
+in correcting the faults of the young Balcombes, or in reporting them to
+their parents.</p>
+
+<p>From the first Napoleon claimed more of the society of Betsy than of the
+other members of the family, and so agreeable were his manners toward
+her that the little girl soon began to regard him as a companion of her
+own, with whom she could be perfectly at ease, rather than as one much
+older.</p>
+
+<p>"His spirits were very good, and he was at times almost boyish in his
+love of mirth and glee, not unmixed sometimes with a tinge of malice,"
+wrote Betsy years later.</p>
+
+<p>"Jane," said Betsy to her sister, not long after Napoleon's arrival,
+"the Emperor has invited us to dine with him. What fun it will be!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I am afraid it will be terribly solemn."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no; I am not afraid of that. The Emperor isn't solemn. You ought to
+get acquainted with him, and you wouldn't think so."</p>
+
+<p>Jane shook her head dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I am half afraid of him. I don't see how you can dare to trifle so with
+him. What were you laughing at yesterday when Lucy was here? I thought
+the Emperor looked rather silly."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, perhaps he did, if you put it that way," responded the blunt
+Betsy. "Only Lucy was sillier. I thought she would drag me to the ground
+when I told her the Emperor was coming across the lawn."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why did you run and bring him up to her? I saw you do it."</p>
+
+<p>"I needn't have done that. I did more harm than good. I told her he
+wasn't the cruel creature she thought him. But I oughtn't to have told
+the Emperor she was afraid of him. At least, I wouldn't have done so had
+I known how he would act, for he brushed up his hair so it stood out
+like a savage's, and when he came up to Lucy he gave a queer growl so
+that she screamed until mamma thought she might have hysterics and
+hurried her out into the house."</p>
+
+<p>"It was ridiculous for a man to act like a child," responded the sedate
+Jane, who had not acquired Betsy's admiration for Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>"It was more ridiculous for her to scream. Napoleon laughed so at her
+that I had to take her part. 'I thought you a kind of an ogre, too,' I
+said, 'before I knew you.' 'Perhaps you think I couldn't frighten you
+now,' he answered, 'but see;' and then he brushed his hair up higher and
+made faces, and he looked so queer that I could only laugh at him. 'So I
+can't frighten you!' he said, and then he howled and howled, and at last
+seemed disappointed that I wasn't alarmed. 'It's a Cossack howl,' he
+explained, 'and ought to terrify you!' To tell you the truth, it was
+something terrible, but though I didn't like it I wouldn't flinch. Of
+course it was all in fun, for he is really very kind-hearted," concluded
+Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"All the same I don't enjoy the thought of having dinner with him,"
+responded the practical Jane. "I've half a mind not to go."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jane, that would never do! What would the Emperor think? After you
+have been invited, too. Besides, mother wouldn't let you stay away. An
+invitation from royalty is a command."</p>
+
+<p>"But Napoleon isn't&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Hush," cried Betsy, not wishing to hear her new friend belittled. She
+always took offence if any one called him prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of her professed distaste for the dinner, Jane would have been
+disappointed had she been obliged to stay at home. She set out gayly
+enough, proud in her secret heart that she was to have the honor of
+being in the company of the great man.</p>
+
+<p>Nine o'clock, Napoleon's dinner hour, was late for the little girls. As
+they entered his apartment the Emperor greeted them cordially, meeting
+them with extended hands, and a moment after, Cipriani, his <i>maître
+d'hôtel</i>, stood at the door.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Le diner de votre Majesté est servi.</i>" Whereupon Napoleon, with a girl
+on each side, led the way after Cipriani, who walked backward, followed
+by the rest of his suite, who were dining with him.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had they taken their places when Napoleon began to quiz Betsy on
+the fondness of the English for "rosbif and plum pudding."</p>
+
+<p>"It is better than eating frogs."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my dear Mees, how you wrong us!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but see here!" cried Betsy, and she brought him a caricature of a
+long, lean Frenchman with his mouth open, his tongue out, and a frog on
+the tip of it, ready to jump down his throat. Under it was written, "A
+Frenchman's Dinner."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor laughed loudly at this. "You are impertinent," he cried,
+pinching Betsy's ear. "I must show this to the petit Las Cases. He will
+not love you so much for laughing at his countrymen."</p>
+
+<p>Upon this Betsy turned very red. The Emperor had touched a vulnerable
+point. The young Las Cases, a boy of fourteen, was now at dinner with
+them, and Napoleon had found that he could easily tease Betsy about him.</p>
+
+<p>"He will not want a wife," continued Napoleon, "who makes fun of him;"
+and Betsy, inwardly enraged, could only maintain a dignified silence.</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor gazed intently at his young friend, and later, when they
+rose from the table, he called young Las Cases.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, kiss her; this is your revenge."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy looked about vainly for a means of escape. But the Emperor had
+already closed his hands over hers, holding them so that she had no
+chance to get away, while young Las Cases, with a mischievous smile,
+approached and kissed her.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as her hands were at liberty, Betsy boxed the boy's ears and
+awaited her chance to pay Napoleon off.</p>
+
+<p>There was no inside hall to go from Napoleon's apartments to the rest of
+the house, and it was necessary to pass outside along a steep, narrow
+path, wide enough for only one at a time.</p>
+
+<p>An idea flashed into the mind of mischievous Betsy as Napoleon led the
+way, followed by Count Las Cases, his son, and last by Jane.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy let the others get ahead of her, and waited when they were about
+ten yards distant. Then with might and main she dashed ahead, running
+with full force against the luckless Jane, who fell with extended hand
+upon young Las Cases. He in turn struck against his father, and the
+latter, to his dismay, against Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>The latter could hardly hold his footing, while Betsy in the rear,
+delighted with the success of her plan, jumped and screamed with
+pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor said nothing, but Las Cases, horror-struck at the insult
+offered his master, became furiously angry as Betsy's laughter fell on
+his ear.</p>
+
+<p>Turning back, he caught her roughly by the shoulder and pushed her
+against the rocky bank. It was now Betsy's turn to be angry.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sir, he has hurt me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind," replied Napoleon; "to please you, I will hold him while
+you punish him."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon it was young Las Cases's place to tremble. While the great man
+held him by the hands, Betsy gleefully boxed his ears until he begged
+for mercy.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, stop!" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I will not. This has all been your fault. If you hadn't kissed
+me&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"There, there," at last called the Emperor to the boy, "I will let you
+go, but you must run as fast as you can. If you cannot run faster than
+Betsy, you deserve to be beaten again."</p>
+
+<p>The young French page did not wait for a second warning, but starting
+off at a run travelled as fast as he could, with Betsy in full pursuit.
+Napoleon, watching them, laughed heartily and clapped his hands as the
+two raced around the grounds. The little encounter amused him, but Las
+Cases the elder took the matter more seriously.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy wrote, "From that moment Las Cases never liked me, after this
+adventure, and used to call me a little rude hoyden."</p>
+
+<p>The next afternoon Betsy and Jane joined the Emperor, accompanied by
+General Gorgaud, in a walk in a meadow.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, Betsy!" cried Jane, "there are the cows I saw the other day. I am
+half afraid of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! How silly!" cried the intrepid Betsy. "Afraid of a cow!" and
+she repeated her sister's fear to Napoleon. The latter, professing to be
+surprised and amused at Jane's fears, joined with Betsy in a laugh at
+her sister's expense. But even the dread of ridicule had little effect
+on Jane.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Betsy," she cried, "I am sure one of those cows is coming at us!"</p>
+
+<p>Looking up, Betsy had to admit that her sister might be right. One of
+the cows was rushing toward them with her head down, as if ready to
+attack the party. It was no time for words, and Napoleon, feeling it no
+disgrace to retreat in the presence of such an enemy, jumped nimbly over
+a wall and, standing behind it, was thus protected against the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>General Gorgaud did not run, but standing with drawn sword exclaimed,
+"This is the second time I have saved the Emperor's life."</p>
+
+<p>From behind his wall Napoleon laughed loudly at Gorgaud's boast.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to have put yourself in the position to repel cavalry," he
+cried.</p>
+
+<p>"But really, Monsieur," said Betsy, "it was you who terrified the cows,
+for the moment you disappeared over the wall the animal became calm and
+tranquil."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well," cried Napoleon, again laughing, "it is a pity she could
+not carry out her good intentions. Evidently she wished to save the
+English Government the expense and trouble of keeping me."</p>
+
+<p>"Betsy," said the sedate Jane a little later, when she had a chance to
+talk to her sister alone, "you ought not to speak so to the Emperor. You
+treat him like a child."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he seems like one of us, doesn't he, Jane? I always feel as if he
+were one of us, a brother of our own age, and I am sure he is much
+happier than if we acted as if we were afraid of him. But still, if you
+like, I will walk very solemnly now."</p>
+
+<p>So Betsy walked along beside her sister with a slow and mincing step,
+her face as long as if she had lost her best friend. As she approached
+the Emperor he noticed the change.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Eh, bien! qu'as tu, Mademoiselle Betsee?</i>" he asked. "Has le petit Las
+Cases proved inconstant? If he have, bring him to me."</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Betsy's new resolves melted away and for the rest of the walk
+she and Napoleon were in their usual mood of good comradeship.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, when Napoleon joined the family circle at The Briars,
+one of Betsy's little brothers, hardly more than a baby, sat on
+Napoleon's knee, and began to amuse himself as usual by playing with the
+glittering decorations and orders that Napoleon wore.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Mees Betsee," he cried, "there is no pleasing this child. You
+must come and cut off these jewels to satisfy him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I have something better to do now!" cried little Alexander, jumping
+from Napoleon's knee and picking up a pack of cards. "Look!" he
+continued, pointing to the figure of a Grand Mogul on the back of each
+card, "look, Bony, this is you."</p>
+
+<p>At first the Emperor, with his imperfect knowledge of English, did not
+exactly understand the child's meaning. When he did, instead of taking
+offence, he only smiled as he turned to Betsy, saying, "But what does he
+mean by calling me 'Bony'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," replied Betsy in French, "it is short for Bonaparte." Las Cases,
+however, trying to improve on the little girl's definition, interpreted
+the word literally, "a bony person."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon laughed at this reply, adding, "<i>Je ne suis pas osseux</i>," and
+this was all. Alexander was not reproved for his familiarity.</p>
+
+<p>It was true that Bonaparte was far from thin or bony, and Betsy had
+often admired his plump hand, which she had more than once called the
+prettiest in the world. Its knuckles were dimpled like a baby's, the
+fingers taper and beautifully formed, and the nails perfect.</p>
+
+<p>"Your hand does not look large and strong enough to hold a sword," she
+said to him one day.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but it is," said one of his suite, who was present. Drawing his own
+sabre from its scabbard, he pointed to a stain on it, saying, "This is
+the blood of an Englishman."</p>
+
+<p>"Sheathe your sword," cried the Emperor. "It is bad taste to boast,
+particularly before ladies. But if you will pardon me," and he looked
+toward the others in the room, "I will show you a sword of mine."</p>
+
+<p>Then from its embossed sheath Napoleon drew a wonderful sword with a
+handle in the shape of a golden fleur-de-lis. The sheath itself was
+hardly less remarkable, made of a single piece of tortoise shell,
+studded with golden bees.</p>
+
+<p>The children were delighted when the Emperor permitted them to touch the
+wonderful weapon. It was the most beautiful sword they had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>As Betsy held the sword in her hands, unluckily she remembered a recent
+incident in which she had been at a great disadvantage under the
+Emperor's teasing. Now was her chance to get even with her tormentor.</p>
+
+<p>With her usual heedlessness of consequences she drew out the sword and
+began to make passes at Napoleon until she had driven him into a corner.</p>
+
+<p>"You must say your prayers," she said, "for I am going to kill you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Betsy, how can you!" remonstrated the more prudent Jane, rushing to
+the Emperor's assistance. "I will go and tell father."</p>
+
+<p>But Betsy only laughed at her.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," she cried. "People tease me when they like. Now it is my
+turn;" and she continued to thrust the sword dangerously near Napoleon's
+face, until her strength was exhausted, and her arm fell at her side.
+Count Las Cases, the dignified chamberlain, who had entered the room
+during the encounter, looked on indignantly. He did not quite dare to
+interfere, although his indignation was plainly expressed in his face.
+Already he had taken a deep dislike to the little girl, and to him the
+sword incident seemed the climax of her misbehavior. If looks could
+kill, she would have perished on the spot.</p>
+
+<p>Although the Frenchman's expression had not the power to annihilate
+Betsy, something in his look warned her that she had gone far enough.
+Daring though she was, she decided that her wisest course was to give up
+the weapon. As she handed the sword back to him, Napoleon playfully
+pinched her ear.</p>
+
+<p>It happened, unluckily, however, that Betsy's ear had been bored only
+the day before. The pinch consequently caused her some pain. Without
+venturing to resist the Emperor's touch, she gave a sharp exclamation.
+She knew that he had not intended to hurt her.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>BETSY'S BALL-GOWN</h3>
+
+
+<p>When the little flurry over the sword had ended, Napoleon seemed lost in
+thought, and the children wondered what he was thinking of. Perhaps the
+laughing ways of these young people reminded him of his little son,
+whose growth from babyhood to youth he was destined never to see. Some
+such thought must have been in his mind when he turned to one of his
+attendants, saying:</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that these children would like to see some of my
+<i>bijouterie</i>. Go bring me those miniatures of the King of Rome."</p>
+
+<p>In a short time the messenger returned, laden with little boxes, while
+the children loudly expressed their delight. They knew the story of the
+young Napoleon, once the pride of the French nation, on whom had been
+conferred the title King of Rome. They knew that he had gone to live
+with the Austrian Emperor, father of his mother, Maria Louisa, and
+perhaps some of them had heard of his stout resistance to those who came
+to take him away from his beautiful home, the Tuileries. Already they
+had seen some of the portraits of the little boy, brought by Napoleon to
+St. Helena, and they were pleased by the idea of seeing others of the
+collection.</p>
+
+<p>So they gathered around the Emperor as children will when something
+interesting is to be shown them.</p>
+
+<p>"How lovely!" cried Jane, gazing at the miniature she was first allowed
+to hold in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed a beautiful picture, showing a baby asleep in his cradle,
+which was in the shape of a helmet of Mars. Above his head the banner of
+France was waving and in his tiny right hand was a small globe.</p>
+
+<p>"What does it mean?" asked Betsy, a little timidly now, as she noted the
+expression of mingled pride and sadness in Napoleon's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, those are the symbols of greatness. He is to be a great warrior and
+rule the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;in a minute," murmured Betsy, as one of the boys whispered to her
+to translate "<i>Je prie le bon Dieu pour mon père, ma mère, et ma
+patrie</i>," inscribed beneath a picture of the child on a snuffbox cover,
+which showed the little fellow in prayer before a crucifix. Then they
+both looked at another miniature portraying him riding one lamb, while
+he was decking another with ribbons.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" mused the Emperor again sadly. "Those were real lambs. They were
+given him by the inhabitants of Paris,&mdash;a hint, I suppose, that they
+would rather have peace than war."</p>
+
+<p>"And this is his mother," continued the Emperor, as a woman, far less
+handsome than Josephine, was shown in the miniature with the boy,
+surrounded by a halo of roses and clouds.</p>
+
+<p>"She is beautiful," exclaimed Napoleon; "but I will show you the most
+beautiful woman in the world."</p>
+
+<p>The girls echoed his words. "I never saw any one so beautiful in my
+life," cried Betsy, gazing on the portrait of a young, charming woman.</p>
+
+<p>"And you never will," avowed Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>"The Princess of&mdash;" queried one of the French.</p>
+
+<p>"My sister Pauline," said Napoleon, "and you show good taste in admiring
+her. She is probably one of the loveliest women ever created."</p>
+
+<p>"But now," he continued, when they had seen all the pictures, "let us go
+down to the cottage and play whist."</p>
+
+<p>Turning reluctantly from the miniatures, the children walked down to the
+cottage and soon were ready to play.</p>
+
+<p>But the cards did not deal smoothly enough. "Go off there by yourself,"
+said Napoleon to young Las Cases, "and deal until the cards run better.
+And now, Mees Betsy, tell me about your <i>robe de bal</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's face flushed with pleasure. "Do you really want to see it? I
+will go upstairs and get it."</p>
+
+<p>To Betsy the ball to be given soon by Sir George Cockburn was a
+wonderful affair. It was considered a great event by all the people of
+the island, but for Betsy it had a special significance, because it
+would be her very first ball. In England, at her age, her parents would
+not have thought of letting her go to a ball, but amusements were so few
+at St. Helena that to keep her home would have seemed cruel.</p>
+
+<p>At first her parents had objected to her going, but when Napoleon saw
+her in tears one day and learned why, he asked her father to let her go,
+and thus she gained her father's consent.</p>
+
+<p>It is not strange then that the little girl took a great interest in her
+gown for the ball, and since she felt indebted to the Emperor for his
+intercession, she was pleased that he expressed an interest in her
+costume.</p>
+
+<p>So she ran upstairs light-heartedly to get the new gown, and in a few
+minutes returned with it on her arm.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very pretty," cried the Emperor, examining the gown critically;
+and all the others, except the stern Las Cases, had a word of
+commendation for it.</p>
+
+<p>It was a delicately pretty gown, trimmed with soft roses. Even if it had
+not been her first ball-gown, Betsy's pride in it would have been
+justified; but as things were, no cynical person could have found fault
+with her for picturing to herself what a fine impression she would make
+at this first appearance at a grown-up function.</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor's praises were particularly gratifying, because he had a way
+of ridiculing any detail of dress that he did not like.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mees Betsee," he would cry, "why do you wear trousers? You look
+just like a boy;" and any one who has seen pictures of girls in
+pantalets will admit that they merited criticism. Or again he would say:</p>
+
+<p>"If I were governor I would make a law against ladies wearing those
+ugly, short waists. Why do you wear them, Mees Betsee?"</p>
+
+<p>It was, therefore, delightful to the young girl that he approved her
+ball-gown.</p>
+
+<p>After sufficient praise had been given the dress, the four sat down to
+play, Napoleon and Jane against Las Cases and Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle Betsee," said the Emperor, "I tire of sugar-plums. I bet
+you a napoleon on the game. What will you put against it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have no money," replied Betsy, a little shyly for her. "I have
+nothing worth a napoleon except&mdash;oh, yes&mdash;my little pagoda. Will that
+do?"</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor laughed. "Yes, that will do, and I will try to get it."</p>
+
+<p>So they began in merry spirits.</p>
+
+<p>"There, there," cried Betsy after a minute or two, "that isn't fair. You
+mustn't show your cards to Jane."</p>
+
+<p>"But this is such a good one." Napoleon's eye twinkled.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it isn't fair," added Betsy with the excitement in her tone often
+observable in vivacious natures. As the cards were shuffled she
+repeated, "Remember, you mustn't look at your cards until they are all
+dealt."</p>
+
+<p>"But it seems so long to wait."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I won't play. You revoked on purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"Did I? Then I must hide my guilt;" and Napoleon mixed all the cards
+indiscriminately together, while Betsy tried to hold his hands to
+prevent further mischief, as she pointed out what he had done.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon, amused by Betsy's indignation, laughed until the tears came.</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Betsy, Mees Betsy, I am surprised. I played so fair, and you have
+cheated so; you must pay me the forfeit, the pagoda."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Monsieur, you revoked."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but Mees Betsy, but you are <i>méchante</i> and a cheat. Ah, but I will
+keep you from going to the ball!"</p>
+
+<p>While they were playing Betsy had quite forgotten the pretty gown that
+she had laid carefully on the sofa. Now, all too late, she realized its
+danger, for the Emperor, suddenly turning toward the sofa, seized it,
+and before she could stop him ran out of the room with it, toward the
+Pavilion.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy in alarm quickly followed, but though she went fast, Napoleon went
+faster, and had locked himself in his room before she reached him.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Betsy was now thoroughly frightened. She was sure that her pretty
+gown, with its trimmings of soft roses, would be destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, give it to me, please!" she cried in English, as she knocked upon
+his door. But the Emperor made no reply. Then she made her appeal in
+French, using every beseeching word she knew to get him to return it.
+Still his only answer was a mocking laugh, repeated several times, and
+an occasional word of refusal. Nor did any one else come to Betsy's
+assistance. As short a time as the French had lived at The Briars there
+was hardly one of them on whom Betsy had not played some trick, and even
+the members of her own family were unsympathetic when a message was
+brought her from Napoleon that he intended to keep her dress and that
+she might as well make up her mind she could not go to the ball.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Betsy! At night, after many wakeful hours, she cried herself to
+sleep. When morning came things did not seem so black. She felt sure
+that the Emperor would not do what he had no right to do, keep her
+pretty dress. He would surely send it back to her. But the morning wore
+away, and, contrary to his habit, Napoleon did not come near his
+neighbors of The Briars. Betsy sent several strongly appealing messages,
+but to them all came only one reply:</p>
+
+<p>"The Emperor is sleeping, and cannot be disturbed."</p>
+
+<p>So strong indeed was the dignity with which Napoleon had hedged himself,
+that even the daring Betsy did not venture to intrude upon him when he
+was resting.</p>
+
+<p>Afternoon came, and at last it was almost time to start for the valley.
+The family were to ride there on horseback, carrying their ball-dresses
+in tin cases, and they were to dress at the house of a friend.</p>
+
+<p>The horses were brought around, the black boys came up with the tin
+cases that held the dresses&mdash;the dresses of the rest of the party&mdash;but
+nothing of poor Betsy's. The little girl's cup was full to overflowing;
+she, the courageous, began to cry.</p>
+
+<p>She turned to one of the servants:</p>
+
+<p>"Has my dress been packed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not; we didn't have it to pack."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I cannot go."</p>
+
+<p>Her tears had ceased. She was now too angry to cry longer.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go anyway," she said on second thought. "I will dance in my
+morning frock, and then you will all feel sorry, for I will tell every
+one how I have been treated."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment a figure was seen running down the lawn. It was Napoleon,
+and Betsy gave a scream of delight as she saw that in his arms he
+carried her dress.</p>
+
+<p>Her face brightened and she hastened to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Mees Betsy," he cried; "I have brought your dress. I hope you are
+a good girl now, and that you will like the ball; and mind you dance
+with Gorgaud."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes!" said Betsy, too happy to get her dress to oppose any
+suggestion, although General Gorgaud was no favorite of hers and she had
+a long-standing feud with him.</p>
+
+<p>"You will find your roses still fresh," said the Emperor. "I ordered
+them arranged and pulled out, in case any were crushed."</p>
+
+<p>To the little girl's delight, when she examined her gown she found that
+no harm had been done it, in spite of the rough treatment it had
+received at Napoleon's hands.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you were going, sire," she said politely, as he walked beside
+the horses to the end of the bridle path.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, balls are not for me," he replied, shaking his head. Then he
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Whose house is that?" he asked, pointing to a house in the valley far
+beneath. "It is beautifully situated," he continued; "some time I shall
+visit it. Come, Las Cases, we must not detain the party."</p>
+
+<p>"We must hurry on," whispered one of those on horseback.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye, good-bye," and Napoleon and the elder Las Cases went down the
+mountain toward the house that he had seen in the distance, while Betsy
+and the others rode on toward the ball.</p>
+
+<p>Next day Napoleon said that he had been charmed with the beautiful place
+in the valley that he and Las Cases had visited after he had seen the
+others ride away to the ball. He had found the owner of the place, Mr.
+Hodgdon, very agreeable, and at last he had ridden home on an Arab horse
+that the latter had lent him.</p>
+
+<p>Before Napoleon withdrew within his shell he was not only inclined to
+receive visitors but to pay visits. Betsy and Jane were riding gayly
+along one day when they came unexpectedly upon Napoleon, also on
+horseback.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been?" asked the venturesome Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"To Candy Bay," replied Napoleon, without resenting her inquisitiveness.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, didn't you think Fairyland just the most perfect place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, I was delighted with it and with its venerable host, Mr.
+D. He is a typical Englishman of the highest type."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and only think, he is over seventy years old and yet has never
+left the island. I don't know what St. Helena would do without him,"
+said Jane.</p>
+
+<p>"I call him the good genius of the valley," added Betsy.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>A HORSE TAMER</h3>
+
+
+<p>One morning, not long after the ball, Betsy took a slight revenge on the
+Emperor. She had a certain favor to ask of him, and she had gone to look
+for him in his favorite retreat in his garden, the Grapery, near a large
+pond of clear water, full of gold and silver fish. Though called a
+grapery, vines of many different kinds twined over the trellis-work,
+while the grapevines were chiefly over an arbor at the end.</p>
+
+<p>In the sultriest weather this little arbor was cool and pleasant, and
+here Napoleon was in the habit of taking his books and papers when he
+wished to work out of doors.</p>
+
+<p>He had no regular hour for rising, and sometimes he would go there as
+early as four o'clock and write until breakfast, or dictate to Las
+Cases. No one was permitted to intrude on him there, no one but Betsy
+occasionally, and then it could hardly be called intruding, for she
+usually went at the Emperor's request, or, as it might be said, she had
+a general invitation. When Betsy said, "Come and unlock the garden
+door," Napoleon stopped, even in the middle of the sentence he might be
+dictating, and she was always admitted. This general invitation,
+however, might have been withdrawn if Betsy had not been too sensible to
+interrupt the Emperor often. She was careful not to abuse what was for
+her a special privilege.</p>
+
+<p>On this particular morning she went to the arbor door with some
+hesitation. One of her friends from the valley, a very charming girl,
+had come to pass the morning with her.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Betsy," she had said, "I hear that you are a great favorite with
+Napoleon and you must introduce me, for I am just dying to see him."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think I can," replied Betsy. "It is a very hot morning and I
+saw him go early to the arbor. I do not like to disturb him when he is
+busy."</p>
+
+<p>"Busy! How can a prisoner be busy? It cannot matter whether he is idle
+or busy."</p>
+
+<p>"He is not a prisoner, at least we don't call him so," retorted Betsy
+indignantly, "and he is writing books."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I suppose you know best, but if you cannot be obliging, I shall be
+mortified when I go home to say that I did not see him. I heard you knew
+him so well, that I supposed you wouldn't mind introducing me."</p>
+
+<p>Thus put on her mettle, Betsy yielded against her better judgment and
+went down to the arbor.</p>
+
+<p>At first there was no answer to her knock. Napoleon had fallen asleep
+over his papers. At last she succeeded in arousing him. "What do you
+want?" he asked rather gruffly as he came to the little door.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me in, and you will know."</p>
+
+<p>"No, tell me first what you want and then I will let you in."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy was not so sure of this, but since she could not help it, she had
+to explain her errand.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to introduce a young lady to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, indeed; I am not well."</p>
+
+<p>"But she will be so disappointed,&mdash;and she is so pretty."</p>
+
+<p>"Not like the lady I was obliged to say agreeable things to yesterday?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, she is very different. She is really young and handsome."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then, since you have promised, I suppose I must go, but come
+in for a minute,"&mdash;this not very politely, it must be admitted. As Betsy
+entered the little enclosure she rushed to the table and rather rudely
+snatched up some of the papers on which Napoleon had been at work.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," she said, "for your ill-nature in making me stand so long at the
+door, I shall keep these and find out all your secrets."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor looked at Betsy with some alarm. He did not like to see his
+papers in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Put them down instantly," he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," rejoined Betsy, running around the garden with the papers held
+high above her head. The Emperor looked at her sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well! Unless you obey me at once, I shall no longer be your
+friend."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a>
+<img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>NAPOLEON</h3>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<p>Hardly ever before had Betsy heard Napoleon speak so severely. She saw
+that he was in earnest and that she must obey. She saw, too, that she
+was in danger of losing his regard, and even without looking far ahead
+she realized that he might not go to her friend, if her own foolishness
+continued longer. So, giving up her trophies, she seized the Emperor's
+hand and led him to the house.</p>
+
+<p>Now that he had yielded to Betsy's wishes, Napoleon was most courteous
+to her guest. He talked graciously to the young lady, complimented her
+on her beauty, and when she was ready to go home helped her on her
+horse.</p>
+
+<p>"She is a very pretty girl," he said later to Betsy, "but she has the
+airs of a <i>marchande de modes</i>."</p>
+
+<p>In thus intruding on Napoleon in his arbor study, Betsy had shown a
+rashness that no one else in the family would have ventured to imitate.
+One day, however, Betsy aided an intruder, whose behavior the Emperor
+could not resent although he was disturbed by it.</p>
+
+<p>It happened in this way. One morning while Napoleon was busy in his
+outdoor study making notes, Betsy was romping about in the garden near
+by.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Tom Pipes!" she called loudly; and a second later a beautiful
+Newfoundland dog rushed to her side. Tom Pipes belonged to Sir George
+Cockburn, the Admiral, and was well known to every one at The Briars, as
+he was in the habit of accompanying his master on his occasional visits
+to Mr. Balcombe's house. After his long run up the mountainous road
+under the hot sun, Tom Pipes was always delighted to reach The Briars,
+for the place had many ponds and little streams, into which the
+intelligent dog would plunge for a swim.</p>
+
+<p>On this particular day, Tom needed no second word from Betsy to make him
+accept her invitation to take a dip in the pond, stocked with gold and
+silver fish, that was near Napoleon's arbor. The dog bathed and swam and
+amused himself in the water, and at last clambered up the bank. A moment
+later, as if tired from his exertions, he lay down by Napoleon's side.
+Napoleon, like every one else at The Briars, knew and admired the dog,
+and if he noticed Tom Pipes's approach had no objection to it. He was so
+absorbed in his work, however, that he probably was hardly aware of the
+nearness of the creature. After a few minutes' rest, Tom Pipes realized
+that he had not completed his toilet. So, rising to his feet, he began
+to shake himself vigorously. Instantly a shower of water bespattered
+Napoleon's face and clothing, and drenched the papers on the table. The
+sheet on which he was writing was entirely spoiled, and he himself
+looked rather ridiculous, as he tried to brush off the drops of water.
+In spite of his annoyance, Napoleon could not help laughing, for
+although he scolded and did his best to drive Tom Pipes away, the dog
+could not understand him. The two had been shipmates on the
+<i>Northumberland</i>, and the dog was so delighted to see Napoleon again
+that instead of running away, he kept jumping on him, leaving on the
+Emperor's clothing repeated imprints of his wet and muddy paws.</p>
+
+<p>While all this was happening, Betsy, looking on, was convulsed with
+laughter. She had not had this particular ending in mind when she had
+called Tom Pipes to play with her, but no deliberate practical joke of
+hers had ever been more amusing to her; and the best part of it was that
+the Emperor could not really blame her nor punish Tom Pipes.</p>
+
+<p>Very often, however, it was not Betsy who got the best of a practical
+joke. Not infrequently she lost her temper over little things that were
+not worth minding, and Napoleon, to whom she was a constant source of
+amusement, could not forbear teasing her, just to see how she would take
+his fun. One day, looking over Betsy's shoulder, Napoleon discovered
+that her translation was not finished. Her father required this bit of
+work from her every day, and now Napoleon saw a way to pay her back in
+some of her own coin.</p>
+
+<p>Taking the paper from Betsy, and holding it aloft, the Emperor
+approached Mr. Balcombe, who was now mounting his horse for a ride.</p>
+
+<p>"Balcombe," he cried, "<i>voilà le thème de Mdlle. Betsee. Qu'elle a bien
+travaillé!</i>" he concluded sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's father looked at the sheet of paper which was quite blank, and,
+entering into the spirit of the thing with Napoleon, he professed to be
+very angry. Calling Betsy to him, he reproved her severely.</p>
+
+<p>"If your translation is not ready when I return home to dinner, I will
+punish you severely." Mortified by this reproof, Betsy cherished plans
+of retaliation against the Emperor, which she carried out when she
+pinioned him in the corner with her sword.</p>
+
+<p>Yet after all she deserved the reproof, since her father had made a
+rigid rule that his daughters should have a translation from English
+into French ready every morning before the hour when Napoleon visited
+The Briars. He rightly considered it a great privilege for the young
+girls that the great man should be willing to look at their French
+themes, with a view to improving their use of his language.</p>
+
+<p>One morning the sisters observed Archambaud, Napoleon's groom, leading a
+beautiful horse in front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>"That is the Arab they have bought for him to ride."</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't think he'd care to ride that horse," responded the timid
+Jane. "See how he rears and plunges."</p>
+
+<p>"He's afraid of that white cloth on the lawn."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but they've put it there on purpose, to break him of the habit of
+shying."</p>
+
+<p>While they were speaking, Napoleon approached.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said the confident Betsy, "I don't believe you can ride that
+horse."</p>
+
+<p>"I! Don't you think me a good rider?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I think you look better on horseback than any one I have ever
+seen."</p>
+
+<p>"Only <i>look</i>!" Napoleon was trying to draw her out.</p>
+
+<p>"But you really ride better than anyone else, as I told you the other
+day when you rode around the lawn. I didn't suppose any one could make a
+horse wheel in such a narrow circle."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you think this Arab could conquer me!"</p>
+
+<p>"But it looks so ugly,&mdash;I mean its disposition."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor, without replying directly, called Archambaud to him and
+bade him dismount, while he took his seat on the fiery horse. The girls
+looked on in horror, but Napoleon only smiled the more, as he compelled
+the horse to pass the cloth and continued his discipline until he made
+the creature put his foot on it.</p>
+
+<p>Archambaud gazed open-mouthed, hardly knowing whether to laugh or to
+cry. The Emperor persevered, and in a short time the horse was
+absolutely obedient to him, and the groom, though chagrined at his own
+failure, was pleased by the Emperor's success.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said Napoleon, dismounting, "it would be a strange horse that did
+not understand me. There was one that I rode once one hundred and
+twenty-nine miles in one day. My mother was ill, and I had to do it; but
+the horse, poor thing, died in the course of the night."</p>
+
+<p>"And you?" asked Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I was fatigued, but in or out of the saddle makes little difference
+to me. I could almost sleep in the saddle. But, come, young ladies," he
+continued, "I came here to invite you to see my china. It is all
+unpacked."</p>
+
+<p>The girls followed the Emperor toward the house, and "Oh!" and "Ah!"
+they exclaimed loudly as they looked at the beautiful dishes lately
+arrived from France. Among them there were plates that had cost
+twenty-five napoleons, each of them painted by a great artist. It was a
+beautiful set, given to the Emperor by the people of Paris, and the
+pictures were chiefly battle scenes commemorating his great victories.</p>
+
+<p>Before one of these paintings, Betsy stood enraptured. It represented a
+slim youth, who looked almost tall, standing on a bridge and evidently
+cheering others on, while nearer him were the dead and dying.</p>
+
+<p>"And this was really you?" exclaimed Betsy, for she recognized the
+standing figure.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Napoleon, sighing, as if for his dead youth. "I was that
+boy. That was almost the beginning. I was more slender then than now."</p>
+
+<p>"This is the ibis?" asked Betsy, pointing to a bird that appeared on
+many plates.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; these are mostly pictures of Egypt;" and the ibis led him to a
+long discourse on the Egyptian campaign.</p>
+
+<p>"But don't go to Egypt, Miss Betsy," he concluded. "You will catch
+ophthalmia and spoil your eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Pourquoi avez-vous tourné turque?</i>" ["Why did you turn Turk?"]
+interposed Betsy abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that to you?" he asked, laughing. The question referred to his
+having become a Mahometan, but at first it was not clear to Napoleon
+what she meant.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean, why did you change your religion?" Betsy explained.</p>
+
+<p>"Fighting is a soldier's religion," he replied. "I never changed that.
+The other is the affair of women and priests. <i>Quant à moi</i>, I always
+adopt the religion of the country I am in. And now," he said at last,
+"you have seen all the plates, and there are your little brothers coming
+up to find out what our Santini has made for them."</p>
+
+<p>Santini was Napoleon's lamplighter, a clever little fellow, who could
+make all kinds of toys and was always ready to play amusing tricks to
+entertain the children.</p>
+
+<p>"What has he now?" the little boys asked as the man approached with a
+box under his arm.</p>
+
+<p>The children jumped about excitedly. Even the girls were curious, as,
+taking the box from under his arm, Santini displayed a tiny carriage to
+which were harnessed two pairs of mice. In spite of Santini's efforts,
+they did not at once start off, as he had expected, to draw the
+carriage, and the boys appealed to the Emperor.</p>
+
+<p>"Pinch the tails of the leaders, and then they will go," commanded
+Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>The boys obeyed, and to the great delight of the children the mice
+started off at full speed. As they watched the carriage and the
+scampering steeds, the children shouted and clapped their hands.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>One morning Betsy stood before Napoleon with an expression of
+disappointment on her pretty face.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I thought you meant it."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are a foolish child."</p>
+
+<p>"Why shouldn't you give a ball before you leave The Briars? Not a very
+great one, but just large enough for me to dance at. Soon you will be
+away, at Longwood. I thought you promised."</p>
+
+<p>"You must have known I was in fun."</p>
+
+<p>At last Betsy noted a tone in the Emperor's voice that warned her to go
+no further.</p>
+
+<p>"But since you are so disappointed," said Napoleon kindly, "you may have
+whatever you wish to ask of me. <i>Dites-moi, que veux-tu que je fosse
+Mdlle. Betsee pour te consoler?</i>" ["Tell me, what do you wish me to do
+to console you?"]</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's face brightened.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us play the game of blindman's buff you have so often promised.
+Then I will forgive you for not having the ball, and never speak of it
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"Blindman's buff, as you describe it, did not seem to be just the game
+for me. Can't you think of something else?"</p>
+
+<p>"But you promised, and your room is splendid for it, and it wouldn't be
+any fun without you."</p>
+
+<p>Seeing that resistance was useless, the Emperor at last consented to
+play. He began by binding his fine white handkerchief over Betsy's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot see you."</p>
+
+<p>But Betsy, although she spoke truly in saying that she could not see the
+Emperor, could yet detect a glimmer of light. Napoleon waved his hands
+before her eyes, and the shadows and rush of air made her start.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, leetle monkey, you can see me!" he exclaimed, and he put another
+handkerchief over her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with Betsy in the middle of the room, the game began. Soon the
+young girl felt some one pull her nose roughly. She knew who had touched
+her, for, as he crept toward her, she recognized Napoleon's footsteps.
+As she darted forward, he bounded away just as her hand touched his.
+Then, as she groped about, Napoleon pulled her ear. She was sure that
+she had recognized him and putting out her hand she cried triumphantly:</p>
+
+<p>"I have you, I have you! Now it is your turn."</p>
+
+<p>When Betsy uncovered her eyes she was mortified to find that it was her
+sister she had captured. Napoleon, it was true, had pulled her ear, but
+he had accomplished this by reaching his hand over Jane's head. Every
+one now laughed at Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," said Napoleon, "as you have made such a great mistake, you must
+pay the penalty and remain blindfolded."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor continued to tease and quiz, pulling Betsy's ear or her
+dress, and always managing to escape being caught.</p>
+
+<p>At last, when the fun was at its height, a servant, entering, announced
+that some one had called to see the Emperor. So the young people were
+left to themselves for a while. The game was at an end.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Mees Betsy," exclaimed the Emperor, when he returned to the room,
+"you and all the other players must come and dine with me."</p>
+
+<p>"But we have already dined."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you must come. Now, Navarre," said the Emperor, when they had
+reached the marquee, "Mees Betsy is very fond of creams. Bring some for
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot eat them," protested Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"But you told me you were so fond of them. Come, it is not kind to
+refuse."</p>
+
+<p>"But really I cannot eat."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nonsense!"</p>
+
+<p>Betsy made the effort, and ate half of a delicious cream.</p>
+
+<p>"That is not enough. I will feed you, little <i>bambino</i>, I will feed
+you;" and with spoon in hand Napoleon actually began to feed the little
+girl, laughing steadily at her as he did so.</p>
+
+<p>Only by running away did Betsy at last escape, and even then the Emperor
+called after her:</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, Mees Betsy, do stay and eat another. You know you told me you
+liked them."</p>
+
+<p>The next day Marchand brought to the sisters a box of bonbons with the
+Emperor's compliments, and with them came some of the famous creams for
+"Mdlle. Betsee."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>OFF FOR LONGWOOD</h3>
+
+
+<p>New Year's Day was approaching, the day which French people love to
+celebrate by making gifts to their friends and paying compliments.</p>
+
+<p>On this first New Year's morning of Napoleon's exile on St. Helena,
+Betsy, looking from her window, saw young Tristram Montholon and Henri
+Bertrand approaching.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, Jane," she cried excitedly, "they are carrying something; do you
+suppose&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But without finishing her question or waiting for Jane to answer, Betsy
+had taken the shortest way to gratify her curiosity by running to greet
+the boys. Immediately the two little fellows saluted her with New Year
+wishes and before she could ask a question had presented each
+sister&mdash;for Jane had followed her&mdash;with a beautiful crystal basket.</p>
+
+<p>"Something Piron made for you," the boys explained; and the fingers of
+the two girls trembled with excitement as they began to uncover the
+contents of the baskets. Piron, Napoleon's <i>confiseur</i>, could do the
+most remarkable things. There was nothing he could not reproduce in
+sugar&mdash;palaces, triumphal arches, all kinds of curious structures&mdash;all
+looking too good to eat. Already Betsy and Jane had received presents
+from the Emperor, products of Piron's skill, accompanied usually by some
+pleasant message. But this New Year's gift surpassed their expectations,
+for when they tore off the white satin napkin, inside the baskets they
+saw that delicious bonbons were heaped within them on Sèvres plates, a
+plate for each girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Cupidons for the Graces," was Napoleon's message accompanying the
+kindly gift.</p>
+
+<p>The first of the new year brought a certain regret to the family at The
+Briars and to Napoleon as well. His new home at Longwood was nearly
+ready for him, and this meant that he should see much less of the
+charming family to which he had become attached. Longwood was several
+miles away, and the chance was that there he would be guarded more
+closely and that it might be harder for the girls to see him.</p>
+
+<p>For the two months before New Year's, Longwood was as busy a place as a
+dock-yard in war. The Admiral was often there, hurrying lazy workmen.
+Every day two or three hundred seamen carried timber and other building
+materials and furniture to Longwood. Although Napoleon was in no hurry
+to go there&mdash;indeed, he did not wish to go there at all&mdash;he watched the
+workmen with great interest, as he observed them climbing up the heights
+between Longwood and The Briars. He would really have preferred to make
+The Briars his home, and he tried to get the Government to buy it for
+him, but for reasons, perhaps political, this could not be accomplished.
+Longwood, in situation, was bleak and unshaded, and so exposed that it
+was not likely he could ever have a garden such as that at The Briars.
+Water had to be brought from a distance of three miles, and the houses
+that were to be remodelled for the French were known to be damp and
+unhealthy. The farmhouses which Napoleon was to occupy were very plain
+and have even been called a collection of huts. The expenditure of much
+money could not make the place really comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon had now been on the island nearly three months. No longer was
+he regarded by any one with dread, at least by any one who had come
+under his immediate influence. By the Balcombe family he was esteemed an
+amiable friend. They had had the chance to see him under all kinds of
+conditions, and if they did not regard him as exactly perfect, their
+feeling for him was one not only of great sympathy but respect.</p>
+
+<p>As the time for his departure approached he came more often to the
+drawing-room at The Briars.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," he said, half sadly, to the family, "I would rather stay here than
+go to Longwood. I could never have imagined it possible to be happy on
+such a horrible rock as St. Helena."</p>
+
+<p>One day General Bertrand, coming over from Longwood, told Napoleon the
+house smelled so of paint that it was not fit for him at present. All
+Napoleon's friends knew his great dislike for unpleasant odors, and that
+paint was especially disagreeable to him.</p>
+
+<p>When the Emperor heard this report of the condition of Longwood, his
+rage almost choked him. He walked up and down the lawn, gesticulating
+wildly.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not live in a house that smells of paint. It is most horrible. I
+will send to the Admiral and refuse to go."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy had hardly ever seen him display such temper as he now showed,
+declaiming against the lack of consideration shown by the Governor. This
+excitement was a result probably of his general dislike for his new
+home. Although first interested in the workmen, toward the end he began
+to complain of the fifes and drums with which the soldier workmen urged
+themselves on as they wound their way up the hill. He had disliked
+Longwood from the day when he had first seen it, just after his arrival
+on the island, and what he heard about it had not changed his opinion.
+No family, it was said, had ever lived there longer than a few months,
+so unwholesome was its climate. This came from the situation of the
+place&mdash;a plain on the top of a mountain, eighteen hundred feet high. It
+was on the windward side of the island, and only for a month or six
+weeks in the year was the weather pleasant. For three or four weeks it
+had the sun directly overhead; the rest of the year was wet and
+disagreeable. In the course of a single day there could be extreme
+changes of heat and cold.</p>
+
+<p>At last the day of departure came. Sir George Cockburn and all the
+Emperor's suite, some of whom lived at a distance from The Briars, came
+over to escort him. The younger members of the family stood around the
+house, showing their sadness very plainly.</p>
+
+<p>"You must not cry, Mdlle. Betsee," said Napoleon kindly. "You must come
+to see me next week, and very often."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I want to, but that will depend on my father."</p>
+
+<p>Then Napoleon turned to Mr. Balcombe. "Balcombe, you must bring Misses
+Jane and Betsee next week to see me, eh? When will you ride up to
+Longwood?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, I will bring them soon," responded Mr. Balcombe.</p>
+
+<p>"But where is your mother?" added the Emperor, casting his eye over the
+group that had gathered to bid him good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>"She sent her kind regards to you," replied Betsy, "but is sorry that
+she is not well enough to come down."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will go up to her;" and Napoleon impulsively ran upstairs before
+word could be given of his approach.</p>
+
+<p>When Napoleon entered her room, Mrs. Balcombe was lying down. The girls,
+who had followed him, saw him sit down on the edge of her bed as he
+thanked her very warmly for all her attention to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I should have preferred to stay at The Briars. I am sorry to go to
+Longwood," he said; and then he handed a little package to her, saying,
+"Now please give this to your husband as a mark of my friendship."
+"This" proved to be a beautiful gold snuffbox.</p>
+
+<p>As he turned to leave the room, Napoleon saw the red-eyed Betsy standing
+near the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, my dear," he said, putting something in her hand, "you can give
+this as a <i>gage d'amour</i> to petit Las Cases."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy had no heart now to reply to a jest that ordinarily would have
+brought out a spirited reply. But with the beautiful bon-bonnière in her
+hand, she ran out of the room and took a post at a window where she
+could see Napoleon. Her tears continued to flow and she found that she
+could not bear to look longer at the departing Emperor. At last she had
+to run to her own room, where, throwing herself on a bed, she wept
+bitterly for a long time.</p>
+
+<p>It was true, as Betsy knew, that Longwood was not so very far from The
+Briars, and that it was not likely that she would be restrained from
+going there sometimes. Yet in spite of this knowledge the little girl
+realized that she had lost a great deal by the departure of the Emperor
+from her father's house.</p>
+
+<p>Friends, and enemies too, of Napoleon in Europe would have been amazed
+at that moment to know that the man who so short a time before had been
+dreaded as the commander of one of the world's greatest armies, was now
+bewailed by a little girl as a lost playmate, for as playmate and friend
+Betsy had certainly come to regard him, and she regretted his removal to
+Longwood, not only because it was farther away, but because he was
+likely to be hedged in with a greater ceremony that might prevent her
+from seeing much of him.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Balcombe went with Napoleon to Longwood, and when he returned the
+girls asked eagerly how the Emperor liked the new residence.</p>
+
+<p>"He seemed out of spirits. He went soon to his own room and shut himself
+in;" and at this report they sympathized with his loneliness.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy and Jane, fortunately, were not to be shut off altogether from
+their friend. Their father was purveyor to the Emperor, and this meant
+that he had a general order to visit Longwood and could take his
+daughters with him. Thus it happened that hardly a week passed without
+their going there to call, to their own great delight as well as to the
+satisfaction of Napoleon, who never tired of them.</p>
+
+<p>Usually their visits were so timed that they could breakfast with the
+Emperor at one, and for the most part they found him much the same as he
+had been at The Briars. After a while, however, they could not help
+noticing that he was less cheerful than formerly.</p>
+
+<p>About a week after his departure, Betsy and her mother and sister made
+their first visit to Longwood to call on the Emperor.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, there he is," Betsy cried; and looking ahead, they saw him seated
+on the steps of the billiard-room, talking to little Tristram Montholon.
+The moment Napoleon caught sight of them, he hastened toward them.
+Saluting them pleasantly, he kissed Mrs. Balcombe and Jane on each
+cheek, while he pinched Betsy's ear, as he said: "Ah, Mdlle. Betsee,
+<i>etes-vous sage</i>, eh, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>Then, with the eagerness of a boy anxious to display a new toy, he
+added, "What do you think of the place? I must show you over it. Come,
+follow me!"</p>
+
+<p>So the Emperor walked ahead of Mrs. Balcombe and her daughters, leading
+them first to his bedroom. Betsy thought this room small and cheerless,
+though she did not say so to Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>As she looked about she observed that the walls were covered with fluted
+nankeen, that on the wall were many family pictures that she recognized,
+while the bed was the well-known camp bed with the green silk hangings,
+the bed Napoleon had used in his Marengo and Austerlitz campaigns.
+There, on one side, was the silver wash-hand basin and ewer, and on the
+mantelpiece over the bed was a portrait of Maria Louisa, so placed as to
+be the first thing to meet Napoleon's eye when he awoke in the morning.
+Off the bedroom was a small chamber with a bath that he showed to them.
+A dressing-room, dining-room, billiard and drawing room made up the
+Emperor's own special suite. The billiard-room, which had been built
+according to Sir George Cockburn's orders, was large and well
+proportioned. It was the best apartment in the house, and the girls
+expressed their admiration for it, although Betsy, when her eye fell on
+the billiard table and balls, thought the game a foolish one for men to
+play.</p>
+
+<p>"Now to the kitchen!" Napoleon exclaimed, at last. "M. Piron will be so
+pleased. Aha, Piron, here is Mees Betsee; you know how she loves creams.
+Send her some and some bonbons. See, <i>regardez, mademoiselle, voilà un
+mouton pour mon diner, dont on fait une lanterne</i>," pointing to the lean
+carcass of a sheep hanging up in the kitchen, in which the French
+servants had placed a candle which shone through. "But I know," he
+continued, "you are dying to see the baby;" and the sisters went with
+him to Madame Montholon's apartment to see her six-weeks-old girl.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon took his little god-daughter in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you will let it fall!" cried Betsy as he dandled it clumsily.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! See, it will let me do anything with it;" and he pinched little
+Lili's nose and chin until she cried.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not know how to hold a baby," protested Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"But I ought to know," responded Napoleon with a twinkle of amusement in
+his eye. "Often and often I have nursed the King of Rome when he was
+younger than Lili."</p>
+
+<p>After leaving the baby and Madame Montholon, the little girls went with
+Napoleon to the garden outside.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not like The Briars," the Emperor said, shaking his head sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say not;" and Betsy looked from the bare surroundings of the
+house to the rugged mountain near by with its scraggly vegetation of
+wild samphire, prickly pears and aloes, its iron-covered rocks, with
+sharp cliffs and mysterious caves overshadowing the house.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's momentary sadness may have come from his casual allusion to
+his son, the little King of Rome, the child whom he was never to see
+again. Those who observed him when any allusion was made to his child
+were always sure that Napoleon's heart held great fatherly affection.
+Once when he had been a trifle downcast, Dr. O'Meara told him an
+anecdote he had heard about the child. Immediately Napoleon smiled with
+great animation and his face brightened. At other times when the
+conversation turned on the child, he grew perceptibly sadder.</p>
+
+<p>His love for his own child made Napoleon undoubtedly more interested in
+all children, and he was never ashamed, as some men are, to show this
+interest in the children of his friends.</p>
+
+<p>This first visit to Longwood was in every way delightful to the sisters,
+not only because there was much to see that was new to them in the
+arrangement of the house and grounds, but because they found the Emperor
+in one of his most boyish moods.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, ladies," he said, as the time for their return approached, "send
+your horses off. They can meet you at Hutsgate, and I will take a drive
+with you, if you will honor my jaunting car."</p>
+
+<p>Hutsgate was the residence of Madame Bertrand, where Mrs. Balcombe and
+her daughters intended to call before returning to The Briars.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Betsy after a moment's hesitation, "we will drive with
+you." She was not fond of driving, but did not dare to expose her
+timidity to the ridicule of the Emperor.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly, however, had they started off when she felt that her fears were
+justified. The daring Archambaud was their charioteer, and he drove
+three unbroken Cape horses abreast.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the most dangerous road for driving on the island. No wonder
+they call it the Devil's Punchbowl," cried poor Betsy. As she spoke, the
+carriage seemed to be tipping over the edge of the declivity. Those
+nearer the edge were in mortal terror, and the others looked as if they
+would be crushed against the huge rock.</p>
+
+<p>"You are not frightened, are you, Mees Betsee?" asked Napoleon
+mischievously. "Of course it is a narrow road; I only hope the horses
+are not running away. They seem rather wild."</p>
+
+<p>Thankful enough was Betsy to arrive at Madame Bertrand's without
+accident, and when she started for home she was more than eager to mount
+her own quiet pony, Tom. She was not fond of driving over the dangerous
+roads, and for a jaunting car she had a special dislike. Napoleon,
+knowing this, could not resist the opportunity to tease her. Betsy,
+indeed, was not the only one whom he liked to terrify by getting
+Archambaud to display his reckless driving. It seemed, indeed, as if his
+guest, as well as the Emperor, always took his life in his hands when
+driving in the jaunting car.</p>
+
+<p>On a second visit not long after the first, when Betsy and Jane arrived
+at Longwood, they found the Emperor firing at a target. He put the
+pistol in Betsy's hands, saying, "Ah, <i>la Petite Tirailleuse</i>, I will
+form a company of sharpshooters and you shall be captain."</p>
+
+<p>A little later he took her to the billiard-room and showed her the
+billiard table.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a silly game for men," she said in her positive way, "too much
+like marbles. I wouldn't play it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do try," urged the Emperor; but wilful Betsy replied only by aiming
+the ball at his fingers, as he rested his hand on the board.</p>
+
+<p>Later, however, the sisters learned to play the game, and at the
+billiard table they passed many an hour.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon himself taught Betsy how to handle a cue, but, when tired of
+the lesson, she would often aim at his fingers, and she was always
+delighted when a well-directed shot made him cry out.</p>
+
+<p>The visits of Betsy and her sisters gave pleasure to the fallen great
+man; still, as time went on, they could not help noticing that he was
+less and less buoyant. In their presence he tried to lay aside his
+troubles, and continued unfailingly kind.</p>
+
+<p>He and the new Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe, were always at swords' points,
+and this wore on his spirits. Moreover, the health of Napoleon was
+impaired, and as he realized this he grew more and more gloomy.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hudson Lowe was very particular that the passes issued for visitors
+should be used only as they had been made out.</p>
+
+<p>One day Betsy went to Longwood with a pass that prescribed a visit to
+General Bertrand. But when Betsy, wandering about, caught sight of
+Napoleon in the billiard-room, she could not resist the temptation of
+playing a game with him. Her father vainly tried to remonstrate with
+her. Far from listening to him, she bounded off.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of playing billiards, however, Napoleon asked her to read to him
+from a book that he had lately received from England. It was by Dr.
+Warden, surgeon of the <i>Northumberland</i>, describing in English
+Napoleon's voyage to St. Helena. Napoleon had not made great headway in
+reading English, and Betsy went through several chapters with him,
+turning them into her French that he might better understand.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon listened attentively to her reading. "Dr. Warden's word is a
+very true one," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy finished her stay at Longwood this day by remaining awhile with
+Madame Bertrand.</p>
+
+<p>The news of Betsy's visit to Napoleon without the requisite permission
+reached the Governor's ears; and Mr. Balcombe was severely reproved. In
+fact, he nearly lost his position. The Governor from the first insisted
+that Mr. Balcombe always acted in the interest of Napoleon, and hence,
+as he viewed it in his narrow-mindedness, against the interests of the
+English Government. Thus we can see that Napoleon's young neighbor was
+wrong in doing things that drew on her father the Governor's reproof.</p>
+
+<p>"My dears," said Mr. Balcombe one morning, "I am going to Longwood
+to-morrow, and the Emperor has expressly asked me to bring you. He has
+something curious to show you."</p>
+
+<p>"What can it be?" the girls asked each other. This special invitation,
+promising a special pleasure, made them eager to start when the next
+morning came.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached Longwood with their father they found Napoleon
+examining a machine whose use they could guess.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, young ladies," the great man cried, when he caught sight of
+them, "come see me make ice. You have not been here for a long time,
+Mees Betsy, what is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have been ill,&mdash;a sunstroke."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am sorry! What foolish thing did you do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jane and I walked with Captain M. to call on Mrs. Wilks. We went
+over the mountain, two thousand feet, and also across Francis Plain, and
+down into the valley, up the mountain ridges."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon expressed his astonishment at the extent of their walk.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we were nearly dead when we reached Plantation House, but the Lady
+Governess and her daughter there were so kind, and at noon we went to
+Fairyland."</p>
+
+<p>When Betsy had told her story, Napoleon explained the air-pumps and the
+process of ice-making. He was evidently proud of his own proficiency.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Mr. Balcombe, get an elementary chemistry for Miss Betsy and make
+her study every day, and the good O'Meara shall be her examiner."</p>
+
+<p>While he talked Napoleon was watching the machine.</p>
+
+<p>"Do try my ice," he exclaimed at last, when he had a cupful.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Mees Betsee, take this!" and he put a large piece in her mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mees Betsee, why make such faces?"</p>
+
+<p>This was the first ice that had ever been seen on the island, and those
+who had never been off St. Helena were naturally amazed when it was
+shown to them.</p>
+
+<p>"It can't be frozen water," exclaimed Miss de F., a young St. Helena
+lady who had accompanied the Balcombes on this visit to Longwood; and
+she had to hold a piece in her hand before she believed it. Then she
+gave a little scream. The glassy substance was so cold at first that she
+was ready to drop it. A moment later when it began to melt and the water
+streamed down her fingers, she realized that she had actually seen a
+very strange thing, the turning of water into ice by artificial means.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy long remembered the day when she had first seen the wonderful ice
+machine, and perhaps her remembrance of it was intensified because on
+that same morning Napoleon permitted her to cut from his coat an
+embroidered bugle, and the coat was the one he had worn at Waterloo.
+Napoleon himself was as pleased as a child with the ice machine, and to
+more than one person expressed his regret that he had not had it in
+Egypt, where its use would have saved the lives of many suffering
+soldiers.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE GOVERNOR'S RULES</h3>
+
+
+<p>After Napoleon had been at St. Helena a few months, newspapers from
+England began to arrive with narratives of many of the happenings at The
+Briars.</p>
+
+<p>One journal contained a letter from the Marquis de Montchenu, describing
+all the romping games at The Briars, such as the game of blindman's
+buff, the sword scare, and other things in which the children had taken
+part.</p>
+
+<p>Special comments were made on the manners of Betsy, and the writer said,
+"She is the wildest little girl I have ever met; she seems <i>folle</i>."
+This letter had been translated into French and German journals, so that
+Betsy Balcombe's name was now widely known.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Balcombe was greatly enraged by this letter, and wished to call the
+Marquis to account for his ill nature, but Mrs. Balcombe persuaded him
+to desist from extreme measures, and in the end the Marquis himself made
+an apology.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon found some amusement in Betsy's fierce anger against the
+critical Frenchman. One day Dr. O'Meara called at The Briars, on the way
+to St. James Valley, with a message from Napoleon to tell Betsy how she
+could revenge herself on the tale-bearer.</p>
+
+<p>The Marquis, a noble of the old school, was in the habit of wearing an
+elaborate wig with a long cue.</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Betsy, if you will burn off the cue with caustic, I will reward
+you with the prettiest fan in Solomon's shop, if you will send the
+pigtail to me," suggested Napoleon to Betsy as a plan of revenge.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Eh, bien</i>," said the Emperor, when next he saw Betsy, "Mdlle. Betsy,
+<i>as tu obei mes ordres et gagné l'éventail</i>?" ["Have you obeyed my
+orders and won the fan?"]</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sire, how I wanted to do it, but my brother would not let me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mees Betsy," and Napoleon pinched her ear, "<i>tu commences à etre
+sage</i>. Here, O'Meara, have you brought the fan I promised Miss Betsy?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sire, there were none pretty enough for her in Solomon's shop."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's face grew serious.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not look sad," expostulated Napoleon. "You shall have something
+prettier than a fan;" and Betsy, comprehending, wondered what the
+present would be that he evidently intended to give her.</p>
+
+<p>In a few days a package came to The Briars, addressed to Betsy. Opening
+it, she saw a ring of brilliants, forming the letter N, surmounted by a
+small eagle.</p>
+
+<p>This was a wonderful gift for a little girl, and at first she could
+hardly believe that it was for her. Later she found there was no
+mistake. It was really hers, and she kept it always.</p>
+
+<p>Although Betsy was not permitted to carry out Napoleon's proposed plan
+of revenge on the tale-telling Marquis, she expressed her feelings in a
+way of her own by relating to Napoleon an anecdote about him.</p>
+
+<p>"The Marquis," she said, "is extremely fond of cauliflower, a vegetable
+that is very hard to get here on the island. Well, the other day, he
+dined with us and we had the most delicious cauliflower. Somehow he
+didn't see it until it was being removed and then he cried to his
+aide-de-camp, who had neglected to point it out, '<i>Bête, pourquoi-ne m'a
+tu pas dit qu'il-y-avait des choux fleurs?</i>' ['Idiot, why didn't you
+tell me that there was cauliflower?'] Now, wasn't he greedy?" asked
+Betsy, glad enough to have a story to tell that placed the Marquis at a
+disadvantage.</p>
+
+<p>The Marquis de Montchenu, for whom Betsy had professed this dislike, was
+one of the three Commissioners sent by the Allied Powers to keep watch
+on Napoleon. The other two were the Baron Sturmer, representing Austria,
+and Count Balmain, sent by Russia. While England provided the prison and
+jailer for Napoleon, these Commissioners were asked to observe
+everything and report to their respective countries. France and Austria
+had ordered their Commissioners to see Napoleon in their official
+capacity every day in order to assure themselves that he was actually
+alive. Baron Balmain was instructed by Russia neither to seek nor avoid
+an occasion to see him. To describe the vain efforts of the French and
+Austrian Commissioners to see Napoleon would make an entertaining story.
+Napoleon's orders to his household were not to admit any one presenting
+a pass from the British authorities. But as Sir Hudson Lowe would permit
+no one to go to Longwood without a pass from him, those who wished to
+see Napoleon were in a dilemma.</p>
+
+<p>Things were not bettered when Napoleon wrote Sir Hudson Lowe, desiring
+him not to present any one to him, as in future he would receive no
+visitors. He acted as if he thought it his duty to shut himself up, in
+order that public opinion might be turned against the narrow-mindedness
+of the Governor. After this few of the people of St. Helena tried to
+call on him. From delicacy of feeling, or because they feared his anger,
+civilians and military residents avoided Longwood. Only the two
+Commissioners and the resident English officer made an effort to see him
+daily, and their efforts, merely to get a glance at him through window
+or door, were most absurd. The officer sometimes saw him, but the
+Commissioners never had the privilege. The Marquis de Montchenu beheld
+him at last only when he lay dead. Baron Sturmer and Baron Balmain left
+St. Helena while Napoleon was still alive without having met him.</p>
+
+<p>As to Betsy Balcombe, though she had her own opinion, on account of her
+father's position she could not express herself strongly about Sir
+Hudson Lowe.</p>
+
+<p>"Has any one run away with a favorite <i>robe de bal</i>, or is the pet black
+nurse, old Sarah, dead?" asked Napoleon one day, detecting a serious
+look on Betsy's face. "What can have occurred?"</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's face did not brighten.</p>
+
+<p>"I am feeling very sad," she said, "because Mrs. Wilks, our kind
+Lady-Governess, has gone away. Every one was at the boat to see her go,
+and at the castle. It was like a funeral, no one with a dry eye, and all
+saying, 'God bless you, and a safe and happy voyage home.'"</p>
+
+<p>Betsy paused for a moment, then continued: "Then they all followed the
+Governor and his family to the barge that was to take them to Havana,
+and groups of grief-stricken ladies wandered under the peepul trees of
+Sisters' Walk, watching the vessel."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you cry too?" asked Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I did."</p>
+
+<p>"I regret," added Napoleon, "that I had not known the Lady-Governess;
+she must have been so amiable."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon, as well as Betsy, probably realized that but for his coming
+the people of St. Helena might have retained their popular Governor,
+Mark Wilks. Before the arrival of Napoleon, the Governor of St. Helena
+was paid by the East India Company, though appointed by the Crown; but
+with so important a personage as Napoleon held there in captivity, it
+seemed wisest that full responsibility for him should be laid on the
+English Government. It was therefore decided, as we have before seen,
+that as soon as possible a Governor of higher rank should be sent out in
+place of Governor Wilks. The change at this time seemed unfortunate for
+the people of St. Helena. In Governor Wilks they had found an officer
+who had their interests more at heart than any preceding Governor. Could
+he have been Napoleon's custodian, the Emperor's exile would have been
+very much happier than it was with Sir Hudson Lowe in charge.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy, like all who came in contact with Napoleon, sympathized deeply
+with his annoyance at the restrictions imposed on him by Sir Hudson
+Lowe. The story of the discussion between Napoleon's friends and the
+supporters of the Governor would be a long one to tell, but the fact
+remains, when all is said in Sir Hudson Lowe's favor, that he was far
+too narrow-minded for the important position that he held. Sir Hudson
+Lowe was a brave man and had served honorably in many wars, but the
+responsibility of guarding the fallen Emperor was too great for him, and
+his behavior toward the exile was in every way unfortunate.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon had been on the island just six months when Sir Hudson Lowe
+arrived. From the first he seemed possessed by the idea that Napoleon
+was constantly watching for some chance to escape. To those nearest
+Napoleon at St. Helena, the Governor's fears that he might escape seemed
+absurd. From the island posts approaching ships were seen twenty-four
+leagues off. Two ships of war were always cruising to windward and
+leeward. Only guard-boats were allowed out at night. All fishing boats
+were numbered and had to anchor every evening at sunset under the
+supervision of a lieutenant of the navy. No foreign vessels were
+permitted to anchor unless under great distress, and then no one from
+them could land until an officer and a party from the British ships went
+on board to take charge while they stayed. If he had cared to try
+flight, Napoleon could hardly have made his escape.</p>
+
+<p>In the very beginning, when Lord Bathurst issued instructions for the
+custody of Napoleon, he expressed the earnest desire of the Prince
+Regent that no greater personal restraint might be employed than was
+necessary to make sure that Napoleon was securely held on the island.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hudson Lowe, however, in carrying out the instructions of the
+British Government, interpreted them as meaning that he should have
+constant information about all Napoleon's doings. To accomplish this
+was, of course, impossible, and his vain efforts made him the
+laughing-stock of the English as well as the French. In his very first
+interview with Napoleon the new Governor managed to offend him
+seriously, and Napoleon after this was so unwilling to see him that the
+two met only five times more during the five years that intervened until
+Napoleon's death; and these five interviews were all within the first
+three months after Sir Hudson Lowe's arrival.</p>
+
+<p>Under the most favorable conditions Sir Hudson Lowe could hardly have
+been popular with the islanders themselves. Governor Wilks, his
+predecessor, had been unusually loved, and his charming wife and
+daughter had a firm hold on the affections of all the people of St.
+Helena. Betsy, as we have seen, was extremely fond of Mrs. Wilks, whom
+she called the "Lady-Governess," and she had a young girl's admiration
+for the beautiful Miss Wilks, whose praises she continually sang to
+Napoleon. One day, not long before Miss Wilks left the island, Napoleon
+showed Betsy a portrait that General Gorgaud had drawn from memory of
+Miss Wilks, saying, "You think Miss Wilks beautiful. Gorgaud thinks so
+too, and this is his portrait from memory."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," replied Betsy, gazing at the portrait, "she is far more beautiful;
+and she is so clever and amiable."</p>
+
+<p>"You are certainly enthusiastic, and I quite long to see her," responded
+Napoleon, evidently appreciative of Betsy's enthusiasm for her friend.</p>
+
+<p>During the first months of Napoleon's exile, Colonel Wilks continued to
+act as Governor, but the direct custody of Napoleon was the business of
+Sir George Cockburn, who had brought the illustrious prisoner on the
+<i>Northumberland</i> from England. Not long after Napoleon went to Longwood
+an amusing incident happened, resulting from the panic of Captain
+Poppleton, the orderly officer whose duty it was to guard Napoleon on
+his rides.</p>
+
+<p>The two sisters were sitting at dinner, with their father and Admiral
+Cockburn.</p>
+
+<p>"See," cried Betsy to Jane, "here comes Captain Poppleton, looking as if
+he had lost his wits. Why is he alone? Don't you remember that he set
+out with the Emperor and Generals Bertrand, Montholon, and Gorgaud?"</p>
+
+<p>"But you wouldn't expect them all to march in, when we have company,
+too," whispered Jane, looking toward the end of the table where her
+father was talking with his especial guest, the Admiral, Sir George
+Cockburn.</p>
+
+<p>Before the girls could speculate further, Captain Poppleton broke out
+excitedly:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sir, I have lost the Emperor."</p>
+
+<p>All looked up, but the Admiral, whom Captain Poppleton addressed, did
+not change expression as the officer continued:</p>
+
+<p>"We were riding along one of the paths on the side of the mountain, when
+suddenly the Emperor turned short around to the left and almost flew up
+the mountain. None of the generals accompanied him. I started, but I
+could not follow. My horse would not take the steep ascent. So I came
+back to you. If there is a plot&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" cried the Admiral, and his tone was echoed by Mr. Balcombe.
+It was natural that Captain Poppleton should feel alarm at the sudden
+disappearance. But the Admiral was made of sterner stuff. "Go back to
+Longwood," he said quietly to the officer. "You will find Napoleon
+there."</p>
+
+<p>This proved to be the case, for when he reached Longwood the Emperor was
+at dinner, and he laughed at poor Captain Poppleton for his fears.</p>
+
+<p>If Betsy had ventured to express herself regarding the trouble between
+Sir Hudson Lowe and the Emperor in this, she certainly would not have
+favored the former.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you really think," she asked her father one day, "about this
+quarrel between the Governor and the Emperor?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Balcombe very properly, as an officer of the Government, was not
+inclined to give a direct reply. But Betsy understood him, when he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Their disputes are generally on subjects so trivial that they hardly
+seem worth quarrelling about."</p>
+
+<p>But she realized that to Napoleon these disputes were not trivial when
+she came upon him one day reading an English book. Looking at it, as he
+held it before her, she saw that it was a copy of "Æsop's Fables," a
+book that in a translation children often use to improve their knowledge
+of French.</p>
+
+<p>The page was open at "The Sick Lion." This is the famous account of the
+lion that, when lying sick, receives visits from many other animals who,
+instead of sympathizing, exult over his downfall. The lion makes no
+complaint until a donkey kicks him in the face. "I could have borne
+anything but this," he said.</p>
+
+<p>As Betsy looked at the open page, Napoleon, pointing to the woodcut,
+said, "It is myself and your Governor." His expression showed the depth
+of his feeling on the subject.</p>
+
+<p>In little ways Betsy was disappointed by the regulations made for
+Napoleon by Sir Hudson Lowe. She was exceedingly anxious, for example,
+that Napoleon should see a huge boa constrictor that a captain of an
+incoming vessel had brought to the island.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a most wonderful creature," she said, as she described it to the
+Emperor. "They put a live goat into its cage, and I really believe that
+it swallowed it whole, for I could see the poor thing's horns poking
+almost through the boa constrictor's skin."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor smiled as Betsy told her tale. "Your boa constrictor sounds
+like the Marquis de Montchenu, or, rather, the latter, from the amount
+of food I have heard he consumes, must resemble a boa constrictor."</p>
+
+<p>"He really does," responded Betsy. "Oh, I wish you could see him&mdash;not
+the Marquis, but the boa constrictor."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see it; I will ask them to have it brought here to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>As Betsy herself also desired this, she was naturally disappointed when
+those in authority decided that the boa constrictor could not be shown
+to Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon was not the only one on the island affected by the many
+regulations made for his safety in the matter of sentries. The question
+of passes, always troublesome to visitors, and the fact that after the
+sunset gun had been fired no one could pass the sentries without giving
+the countersign, were annoyances to all on the island. Once Betsy
+herself had an experience that was far from agreeable, although she was
+not the only one to suffer, as the incident concerned many others.</p>
+
+<p>As might be supposed, picnics were a favorite form of diversion with the
+people of St. Helena, and they were particularly delightful when, as
+usually happened, young and old took part in them. One day there was a
+large picnic near the celebrated Friar's Valley. The Balcombes and all
+their friends were to go to it.</p>
+
+<p>The day proved pleasant fortunately, for the journey was difficult.
+After amusing themselves for hours, the party was at last surprised to
+hear the sunset gun from Ladder Hill. They found that none of the party
+had the countersign for the night, and they knew that if they ventured
+forth without it they would be made prisoners. This was one of the many
+strict rules made by the Governor to prevent the mishap of helpers
+coming to Napoleon after dark.</p>
+
+<p>At last some of them decided that it was better to make an effort to
+reach home rather than spend the night outdoors. Betsy and her parents
+were among those who ventured to go toward home.</p>
+
+<p>It was a starlight night, but the road was bad. Mr. Balcombe at last
+hailed a light.</p>
+
+<p>"Who goes there?" cried the sentry.</p>
+
+<p>"A friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Advance, friend, and give the countersign."</p>
+
+<p>Now this was just what none of the party could do, and as protests were
+useless, they all had to spend the night in the guard-room, where they
+were half eaten by fleas, mosquitoes, and other insects.</p>
+
+<p>Those who had stayed on the picnic grounds laughed well at the more
+venturous who had gone ahead. Napoleon, when he heard the story, was
+highly diverted, pleased to have so good a chance to blame the
+Government.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>ALL KINDS OF FUN</h3>
+
+
+<p>Any one who had looked in on the sisters one day would have seen that
+they were greatly excited. Just at this time they were visiting Madame
+Bertrand, and during their stay a ball was to be given.</p>
+
+<p>Plans that promised much pleasure for them had been made. They were to
+dine with the Emperor, and then go on to Deadwood in his carriage.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't jerk so, please," cried Betsy, while the maid was arranging her
+hair.</p>
+
+<p>"But you must have this Chinese coiffure, if you are going to the ball.
+You would not wish to go looking like a little girl."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," responded Betsy faintly, inwardly rebellious, as her hair was
+jerked and strained on top of her head. She was willing to bear pain for
+the sake of appearing well, but when she looked in the glass she thought
+that she had never seen anything so hideous as the coiffure that the
+maid had arranged with such care. She no longer desired to appear like a
+young lady. Her hair had been drawn back so tight that her eyes were
+fairly starting from the socket. Had there been time she would have
+pulled the coiffure down, and indeed she was ready to cry with vexation,
+but she did not really dare to disarrange it now, for she dreaded the
+Emperor's ridicule. How he would laugh at the funny Chinese coiffure! In
+a few minutes she was to appear before him.</p>
+
+<p>To her great surprise, when she and her sister entered the dining-room,
+the Emperor spared her, saying only:</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Betsy, this is the only time I have ever seen you look really
+neat; but I don't like your frock. What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Poor Betsy! She was almost upset by the Emperor's tone. She looked at
+him closely, and decided that he meant just what he said. She had
+thought her little frock so pretty. Now, what could be the matter with
+it?</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor understood her look of inquiry and answered in words.</p>
+
+<p>"It is too short," he said. "You must have it made long before the
+ball."</p>
+
+<p>He was certainly in earnest, and the young girl was really troubled.
+"But I cannot do anything to it," she protested; "there is not time."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but no one will wish to dance with you."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't as bad as that!"</p>
+
+<p>"But it is."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy knew that Napoleon meant what he said. He knew more about balls
+and ball-gowns than any young girl on the island. Indeed, if his
+criticism had not been based on his knowledge of the customs of the
+modish world, Betsy would still have been inclined to trust to his
+judgment; for though at times she seemed to trifle with his wishes, in
+her heart she was always ready to please him.</p>
+
+<p>So now, as sensitive as any more conventional girl to the impression she
+might make at a ball, Betsy ran off to find Josephine, the maid.</p>
+
+<p>Josephine shook her head when Betsy first told her tale of woe, but at
+last she consented to remedy the defect by lengthening the frock. There
+was but one thing to do, and consequently some of the tucks were let
+down.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Betsy nor the maid was proud of the result of their efforts. The
+effect was not good, and Betsy had to take what consolation she could
+from the fact that she had obeyed Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>A dinner with the Emperor was always delightful to Betsy and Jane, and
+this one was no exception. When it was over the Emperor rose abruptly
+and all went with him to the drawing-room. There the delectable coffee
+for which Le Page was famous was brought in, and Betsy, feeling more
+grown up than ever, drank a cup into which, disdaining tongs, she
+dropped a lump of sugar.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the carriage was announced, and all set out, Madame Bertrand ahead,
+carrying her baby, next little Arthur, then Mrs. Balcombe, and finally
+Betsy and Jane and General Gorgaud.</p>
+
+<p>When the signal was given, the spirited Cape steeds tore away, dashing
+from side to side, while Madame Bertrand screamed loudly to Archambaud
+to stop, though without avail, until the carriage ran into a gumwood
+tree.</p>
+
+<p>Except for the shaking up and the fright, none of the party was injured,
+and when the door was opened all scrambled hastily out. Nothing would
+induce them to intrust themselves again to the carriage and the reckless
+Archambaud, and though the rain was falling heavily they preferred to
+walk over the muddy road to Deadwood. They had nearly a mile to go, and
+it was especially hard for Madame Bertrand, whose baby would not be
+carried.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy, though she knew that she herself probably looked equally absurd,
+could not help laughing when she saw Madame Bertrand arrayed in one of
+Mrs. Balcombe's dresses, half a yard too short and small in every way,
+which she had to borrow while her own clothes were drying.</p>
+
+<p>But the ball itself was pleasant and all felt repaid for going, even
+though they had to walk home in the mist.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, as ever, Betsy was the victim of Napoleon's raillery.</p>
+
+<p>"So you had a good time last evening, Mees Betsy. I hear you danced very
+well and looked well, and might have been Baroness Sturmer's younger
+sister, you looked so much like her."</p>
+
+<p>This compliment pleased Betsy mightily, as doubtless Napoleon realized,
+for the little English girl thought Baroness Sturmer, wife of the
+Austrian Commissioner, the prettiest woman she had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after breakfast the visitors from The Briars and several from
+Longwood went to the town and to the <i>Newcastle</i> in the bay, on board of
+which Sir Pultney and Lady Malcom were to give a breakfast in honor of
+Lord Amherst.</p>
+
+<p>When next the sisters visited Longwood, "Ah, Mees Betsee," cried
+Napoleon, "I have heard great stories of you. You locked up little Miss
+P. the other day, while the other ladies were being shipped over the
+side of the frigate to return to shore. When they missed her Captain G.
+had to go back to rescue her."</p>
+
+<p>As Betsy did not deny this charge, Napoleon, turning to her father,
+exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Balcombe, you must set her a task."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I must," responded Betsy's father gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"But I have been punished enough," protested Betsy. "Lady Lowe scolded
+me, too, and desired me to use my reason and not to be childish. I
+wondered at her lack of perception in giving me credit for what I never
+possessed. But I did admire Lord Amherst," she added, a few minutes
+later.</p>
+
+<p>"He must be a very fascinating man," responded Napoleon, "so to have
+impressed your youthful fancy."</p>
+
+<p>The kindness that Madame Montholon showed Betsy in allowing her maid to
+arrange the young girl's hair in a style suitable for a ball, an
+undoubted kindness in spite of the discomfort it produced, was in a line
+with many other things that she and Madame Bertrand did for the Balcombe
+girls. Madame Bertrand was particularly fond of Betsy and often invited
+her to her house. She advised her about her studies and, to a certain
+extent, supervised some of them. Madame Bertrand had many
+accomplishments, some of which she tried to impart to Betsy. Singing was
+one of them, and under her instruction Betsy made considerable progress.
+Napoleon sometimes listened to their little concerts in the drawing-room
+at Longwood. One evening when Betsy was to sing a part from "Les
+Styriens," the piano was so out of tune that Napoleon was greatly
+distressed. He at once sent for Mr. Guiness, the bandmaster of the
+<i>General Kid</i>, then in St. James's Harbor, the only man at hand who
+could properly tune it, and was naturally annoyed when the Governor
+expressed his unwillingness to have Mr. Guiness come.</p>
+
+<p>Of all those who accompanied Napoleon to St. Helena, Madame Bertrand had
+made, perhaps, the greatest sacrifices. She was born in Martinique and
+was partly of Irish descent, through her father, whose name was Dillon.
+In spite of her warm devotion to Napoleon, she almost went out of her
+mind when she heard that he was doomed to imprisonment in St. Helena and
+that her husband would follow him. Later, however, she became resigned
+and did not try to dissuade her husband from accompanying the fallen
+Emperor. Undoubtedly she thought of her children and all that they would
+lose in living so far from France, but when they were at last in their
+new home she bore inconveniences patiently and tried in every way to
+make life pleasant for those around her.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," said Napoleon one day when Betsy was wandering around the
+Longwood grounds, "come, and I will show you some pretty toys."</p>
+
+<p>Following the Emperor to the billiard-room, she saw upon the table some
+gorgeously carved chessmen sent to him by Mr. Elphinstone. Each piece
+was perfect. The castles, surmounting lifelike elephants, were filled
+with warriors discharging arrows. The knights, cased in armor, were on
+beautifully caparisoned horses. The mitred bishops were in flowing
+robes, and the pawns each represented a man of a different nation. The
+carving was wonderful. Such work had never before left China, and Betsy
+saw that Napoleon was as pleased as a child with a new plaything.</p>
+
+<p>"I have just finished a game of chess with Lady Malcom," he said, "and
+she has beaten me because I paid more attention to the men than the
+game."</p>
+
+<p>Besides the chessmen Mr. Elphinstone had sent workboxes and card
+counters with the various tradespeople of China minutely carved on them.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's interest in these beautiful things was increased by hearing how
+Mr. Elphinstone happened to think of sending gifts to Napoleon. He
+wished to show his gratitude for Napoleon's kindness to his brother,
+severely wounded on the field of Waterloo. Napoleon, it seems,
+perceiving the wounded man and hearing that he was faint from loss of
+blood, sent to him a goblet of wine from his own canteen.</p>
+
+<p>"The chessmen are too pretty for St. Helena," said Napoleon; "I must
+send them to the King of Rome."</p>
+
+<p>Among Mr. Elphinstone's presents, Napoleon showed Betsy a superb ivory
+tea-chest, which when opened showed a perfect model of the city of
+Canton. Beneath it were packages of fine tea, done up in fantastic
+shapes.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said Napoleon, turning to Betsy, "this reminds me that when I was
+Emperor I did not permit any tea in my dominion, except that grown in
+Switzerland. No one could tell the difference from the Chinese tea. I
+also cultivated the beet-root to make sugar, instead of depending on
+foreign goods."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon was probably no less pleased with the chessmen because each
+piece had a small eagle carved on it. When Sir Hudson Lowe heard of the
+eagles he regretted that they had escaped his notice, and that he had
+given permission for the gifts to be received at Longwood.</p>
+
+<p>Among the Emperor's treasures were many rare coins and seals which he
+often permitted his little neighbor to handle and examine. Yet even
+while she appreciated this special privilege, Betsy could not let her
+sense of obligation entirely suppress her love of mischief.</p>
+
+<p>Once, for instance, when Betsy approached a table at which Napoleon was
+seated, the little girl, unperceived by him, saw that he was in the act
+of sealing a letter with one of his precious seals. The temptation was
+too strong to resist, and she surprised Napoleon by joggling his arm.
+This sudden movement caused a drop of hot sealing wax to fall on his
+hand, and as a blister was the result, the pain for the moment must have
+been extreme. Nevertheless, Napoleon said hardly a word of reproof, and
+his patience was so remarkable that Betsy immediately apologized for her
+mischief.</p>
+
+<p>Yet it was not unusual for Napoleon to show patience when teased. In all
+his sports with the children, even when they took liberties that their
+parents would have disapproved, Betsy never saw him show any temper. He
+never fell back on his rank or age, but always professed to be one of
+themselves, a good comrade, claiming only for his own part the right to
+tease them when he chose.</p>
+
+<p>What wonder that Las Cases, the dignified Chamberlain, sometimes stood
+aghast at the merry pranks shared by his illustrious master and his
+young friends; but even with the eyes of the disapproving Las Cases upon
+her, Betsy always enjoyed her visits to Longwood. Often some pleasant
+surprise awaited her on her arrival there.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon was interested in the various legends of St. Helena, and these
+legends are very numerous. Nearly every rock and valley and bit of water
+has some story connected with it. The Friar's Valley, for example, takes
+its name from a huge rock fashioned by nature into the figure of a monk
+with his cowl thrown back, wearing a flowing robe and a rosary.
+Immediately around are sterile rocks, some many hundred feet high, some
+with aloes growing from the fissures.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon sometimes rode into this valley, and one day he turned to
+Betsy:</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Betsee, have you ever seen 'Will-o'-the-Wisp' that they say lights
+the friar's lantern?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; my mother used to send me over there for purer air, and my old
+nurse had a cottage overlooking the vale. She was teaching me the
+alphabet, and when I did not arrange my letters properly she would
+threaten me with the friar."</p>
+
+<p>The story, as Betsy had often heard it, was that the friar had been a
+good Franciscan monk, but he fell in love with a girl in a mountain
+cottage, whom he met while she was tending goats. She asked him to help
+her find something that she had lost, and thus attracted his attention.
+Later he made love to her and she promised to marry him if he would give
+up his faith. So the man broke his vows to the Church; but, when he was
+to be married, as he was clasping the bride's hand, there was a fearful
+crash: the chapel disappeared and with it all those who were taking part
+in the unholy wedding.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you noticed," asked Betsy of Napoleon, coming on him when out
+riding, "those three queer sugar-loaf rocks that they call 'Lot's Wife
+and Daughters'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Napoleon, "I have seen them."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," persisted Betsy, "do you know the story about them?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I do not."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must tell you. More than fifty years ago there were two slaves
+on the island who hated to work and to obey their masters, so they hid
+themselves in a cave, halfway up the cliff on the top of which we now
+see Lot's wife. Every night they used to go down and steal whatever they
+could lay their hands on. For a long time people could not find out
+where they lived, but at last they were tracked to their cave. No one
+could reach them, however, because they rolled stones down toward all
+who tried to climb up the cliff."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon listened attentively, and Betsy continued:</p>
+
+<p>"At last it was thought necessary to send a party of soldiers to fire on
+them, if they refused to surrender, but before this was done one of the
+besiegers managed to climb the cliff on the other side. He reached a
+point opposite the cave and higher up, so that he could roll down stones
+toward the slaves. When one of these wretched creatures was standing on
+the edge of the cliff he was killed by one of the rocks rolled from
+above, and the other who was with him was severely injured; and now,"
+concluded Betsy solemnly, "if you go there at the right time, the
+islanders say that you will see the murdered slave rushing around at
+night just as he used to when alive."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon, after hearing Betsy's legend, said: "When I ride that way
+again I shall certainly look at the sugar-loaf mountain with much
+greater interest than ever before."</p>
+
+<p>Undoubtedly these various legends, which Betsy had heard from her
+earliest childhood, tended to make her superstitious. Napoleon soon
+found that she was easily frightened, and took advantage of this fact
+sometimes to tease her unmercifully. When he arrived at The Briars, one
+of Betsy's little brothers had as tutor an elderly man named Huff. The
+coming of Napoleon had a strange effect on the tutor's brain. Among
+other delusions, he believed that it was to fall on him to free the
+Emperor from his imprisonment and restore him to his throne again. Old
+Huff, as they called him, talked constantly on this subject and no one
+could reason with him. It was evident that the poor fellow was mad, but
+before it was decided to put him under guardianship he found a chance to
+kill himself, although he was closely watched. According to custom, he
+was buried at a spot where three crossroads meet. This happened to be a
+place near The Briars, and, in consequence, poor Betsy was far from
+happy. Napoleon, aware of her fears, would call out, just before she
+said good night to the household, "Mees Betsee, ole Huff, ole Huff."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Betsy! She was indeed unhappy, and after these words lay long awake
+at night, and in the end often scrambled into her mother's room and
+stayed there until morning.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, when Betsy and her mother and her sister Jane were sitting
+on the cottage porch enjoying the refreshing evening breeze, a strange
+noise made Betsy turn her head, and in an instant she had risen to her
+feet with a loud scream. In front of them now walked a figure dressed in
+white, not a very terrifying sight, except to one of Betsy's nervous
+temperament.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="illus5" id="illus5"></a>
+<img src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>THE BRIARS. From an old print</h3>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p>Mrs. Balcombe at once understood the situation, for at the moment of the
+figure's appearance she had heard a smothered laugh that she recognized
+as Napoleon's. Advancing to the white figure, she turned back the
+covering, and underneath appeared the black face of a little slave,
+grinning from ear to ear.</p>
+
+<p>"What brought you here?" asked Mrs. Balcombe sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"To frighten Miss Betsy;" and the black girl pointed toward Napoleon,
+who had now come forward to see what effect his trick had had upon his
+young neighbor.</p>
+
+<p>This little ghost scene had a wider effect than Napoleon intended, for
+it put the idea of playing ghost into the heads of other servants. One
+of the Balcombe slaves had lately run away and could not be found. The
+family suspected that he was hiding not far off, because every night
+pigs, poultry, bread, and other provisions were stolen in quantities, by
+whom nobody could tell. After a while Napoleon began to complain of
+thefts, but when the various black servants were questioned they all
+said that the thief must be a ghostly white figure that they saw
+skipping around the valley from rock to rock. That they believed what
+they said was shown by the alarm they showed, for none of them would go
+out alone by night.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that it really and truly is old Huff's ghost," insisted
+Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't believe such a foolish thing; indeed, I should think you
+would know better after what happened the other evening, when you
+allowed yourself to be terrified by a little black girl," said her
+mother reprovingly. She added, "You look pale, Betsy. What is the
+trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it. I may be foolish," responded poor Betsy, "but for
+nights and nights I have been afraid to close my eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"All on account of the ghost," thought Mrs. Balcombe, wishing that Betsy
+were less nervous.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Balcombe and some friends now undertook to catch the thief, feeling
+sure that he would prove to be a substantial individual. After long
+watching, one night they saw a figure move stealthily across the valley
+toward the house. They called upon it to stop, but when it neither
+obeyed nor answered, they felt obliged to shoot. A loud scream followed
+the report of the gun, and when they came upon the fallen figure they
+discovered the runaway slave Alley. He was badly hurt, although not
+fatally, and they did what they could for him. The next morning the
+whole party went to the cave to which Alley directed them. Napoleon
+accompanied them and was much interested in what he saw.</p>
+
+<p>It reminded him of the catacombs of Paris, he exclaimed, as he looked
+about at the heaps of bones which the slave had placed in neatly
+arranged piles after he had gorged himself with food.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>THE SERIOUS SIDE</h3>
+
+
+<p>As Betsy grew to know Napoleon better, she sometimes observed in his
+conversation and manner a sadness that she had not noticed earlier. This
+slight melancholy was especially evident when the conversation touched
+on Josephine or the little King of Rome. Often Napoleon gazed intently
+at Mrs. Balcombe, explaining as he did so that it was because she
+reminded him strongly of Josephine. He loved to talk of Josephine,
+especially with Madame Bertrand, who was a native of Martinique and was
+said also to be a distant relative of the Empress.</p>
+
+<p>One day, for example, Madame Bertrand, in Betsy's presence, brought out
+a miniature of Josephine. The Emperor seemed deeply moved as he gazed at
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the most perfect likeness of her that I have ever seen."</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you, sir," said Madame Bertrand simply.</p>
+
+<p>Thanking her warmly, Napoleon added, "I will keep it until my death."</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion the Emperor was especially inclined to talk about his
+first wife, and Betsy, hearing him, wondered that he had been willing to
+separate himself from her.</p>
+
+<p>"Josephine," he said, "was the most feminine woman I have ever
+known&mdash;all charm and sweetness and grace. <i>Era la dama la piu graziosa
+in Francia.</i>" Then he continued: "Josephine was the goddess of the
+toilet. All fashions came from her. Besides this she was humane and
+always thoughtful of others. She was the best of women. Although the
+English and the Bourbons allow that I did some good, yet they generally
+qualify it by saying that it was chiefly through the instrumentality of
+Josephine. But the fact is that she never interfered in politics. Great
+as my veneration was for her, I could not bear to have it thought that
+she in any way ruled my public actions."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's praises of Josephine continued to flow on.</p>
+
+<p>"She was the greatest patroness of the arts known in France for years;
+but though I loved to attend to her whims, yet I always acted to please
+the nation, and whenever I obtained a fine statue or valuable picture I
+sent it to the Museum for the people's benefit. Josephine was grace
+personified. She never acted inelegantly during the whole time we lived
+together. Her toilet was perfection, and she resisted the inroads of
+time, to all appearances, by exquisite taste."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon spoke with deep emotion, "She was the best of women!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, as if in answer to Betsy's unspoken question, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"It was only political motives that led me to give her up. Nothing else
+would have separated me from a wife so tenderly loved. Thank God, she
+died without witnessing my last misfortune!"</p>
+
+<p>From Josephine Napoleon turned to Maria Louisa, his second wife, the
+mother of his son, of whom he spoke tenderly and affectionately:</p>
+
+<p>"She was an amiable and good wife. She would have followed me here, but
+they would not let her."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon next called Betsy's attention to one or two portraits of Maria
+Louisa, but Betsy, though she made no criticism, thought then, as she
+had thought at other times when studying the face of Maria Louisa, that
+the Austrian Princess was at a disadvantage when contrasted with the
+members of Napoleon's family, all of whom were handsome and looked
+intellectual.</p>
+
+<p>This conversation about Josephine and Maria Louisa was interrupted by
+the arrival of a visitor, Count Piontkowski, lately arrived from Europe.
+He was a Pole who had fought under Napoleon, and his love for his fallen
+leader had led him to follow into exile.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon himself had no clear remembrance of the Pole as an individual,
+and he was therefore the more deeply gratified by the spirit of devotion
+that had induced Piontkowski to make the long voyage to St. Helena for
+the sake of being near his old commander.</p>
+
+<p>The long interview with the newcomer undoubtedly brought before
+Napoleon's mind many sad memories, and when he returned to them Betsy
+and the others noticed that he was in unusually low spirits. As he
+looked again at the portraits of Josephine and Maria Louisa he grew more
+and more dejected, and at last, excusing himself, he went to bed much
+earlier than usual, leaving the rest of the party under the influence of
+his melancholy.</p>
+
+<p>When the second New Year came around, Napoleon was in less than his
+usual good spirits. It was not to Betsy, however, but to Dr. O'Meara
+that he said in reply to the physician's "Happy New Year":</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps the next one will find me better situated. Perhaps I shall be
+dead, which will be better still. Worse than this cannot be."</p>
+
+<p>It was not the Emperor's habit to show his sadness for any great length
+of time. On this second New Year's the sisters were to go over to
+Longwood to carry their New Year greeting and to dine with Madame
+Bertrand.</p>
+
+<p>When they first arrived at the house Betsy was disappointed that
+Napoleon was nowhere in sight and she wondered that no message or
+present came from him, for she knew that the French made a special
+festival of New Year's and recalled the generosity of the Emperor just a
+year before.</p>
+
+<p>Still there was much to see and enjoy in Madame Bertrand's apartment,
+and she and Jane were examining with admiration the presents of Madame
+Bertrand and her family, when Napoleon himself entered the room. In each
+hand he was carefully carrying a beautiful Sèvres cup. As the girls drew
+near to look at them, they saw that on one was a portrait of Napoleon
+himself, representing him in Turkish costume, and on the other the
+figure of an Egyptian woman drawing water.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Mdlles. Betsee and Jane," he exclaimed, "are two cups for you.
+Accept them as a mark of the friendship I entertain for you both and for
+your kindness to Madame Bertrand."</p>
+
+<p>Charmed with his beautiful presents, the girls thanked Napoleon warmly.
+Betsy, indeed, was so delighted with her cup that she would not let it
+go out of her hands, and when at last the time for her departure came
+she wrapped it in many folds of cotton to carry it home&mdash;at considerable
+risk even then, as the journey was made on horseback.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy was a keen observer, and although she was fond of paying Napoleon
+back in his own coin when he teased her, she appreciated the depth of
+his feelings in his more serious moments.</p>
+
+<p>One beautiful day, when she went over to Longwood, she was impressed by
+the brilliancy of the atmosphere, which is, indeed, one of the charms of
+St. Helena. Standing on the rocks she watched the waves breaking and
+sparkling at their base and noted the sea beyond, glistening like a
+sheet of quicksilver. With her spirits especially buoyant under the
+influence of the wonderful day, she went up to St. Denis, one of the
+Emperor's suite.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the Emperor?" she asked gayly. "I want to see him."</p>
+
+<p>The Frenchman shook his head so gravely that for the moment the smile
+left Betsy's face and she wondered if any misfortune had happened. After
+a moment of silence, St. Denis replied:</p>
+
+<p>"The Emperor is watching the <i>Conqueror</i>, which is now coming in." The
+<i>Conqueror</i> was the vessel bearing the flag of Admiral Pamplin, who was
+to succeed Admiral Malcom. "You will find the Emperor," continued St.
+Denis, "near Madame Bertrand's, but he is in no mood for badinage
+to-day."</p>
+
+<p>If the Frenchman had meant to keep Betsy away from Napoleon, he was not
+successful. In spite of his warning Betsy went on toward the cottage. As
+soon as she saw the Emperor, she herself came under the influence of his
+mood. He was standing on a cliff with General Bertrand, looking out
+toward sea, where the <i>Conqueror</i> was still but a speck on the horizon.
+Betsy was impressed by the intense melancholy of the exiled Emperor's
+expression, as he stood there stern and silent. His eyes were bent sadly
+upon the vessel as it came in, beating up proudly to windward.</p>
+
+<p>For some time not a word was uttered by any of the three. Even the
+talkative Betsy was silent. At last Napoleon spoke:</p>
+
+<p>"They manage the vessel beautifully; the English are certainly kings
+upon the sea," he said. Then his melancholy tone changed to one of
+sarcasm. "I wonder what they think of our beautiful island! They cannot
+be much elated by the sight of my gigantic walls."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Betsy did not venture a retort, as was generally the case
+when Napoleon railed at her beloved St. Helena. Betsy was alive to all
+the beauties of the place, while Napoleon, naturally, saw only its
+faults. When Betsy defended the island and waxed eloquent over its
+beauties, sometimes he would simply laugh at her impertinence, while at
+others, pinching her ear in his favorite fashion, he would say:</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Betsee, how can you possibly dare to have an opinion on the
+subject?"</p>
+
+<p>This glimpse of Napoleon, sadly watching the <i>Conqueror</i>, was not the
+only occasion when Betsy had an opportunity to see the more serious side
+of the man whom she admired. Although she was only a young girl, she was
+able sometimes by her intelligent questions to draw from him an
+explanation of much discussed things in his past. There was, for
+example, the oft-repeated story that Napoleon had sanctioned the
+butchery of Turkish troops at Jaffa and the poisoning of the sick in the
+hospitals.</p>
+
+<p>If the Emperor was vexed with Betsy for touching on forbidden ground, he
+did not show his feeling, but entered into an explanation that his young
+neighbor was able long afterwards to repeat in his own words. "Before
+leaving Jaffa," said Napoleon, "and when many of the sick had been
+embarked, I was informed that there were some in the hospital severely
+wounded, dangerously ill, and unfit to be moved at any risk. I desired
+my medical men to hold a consultation as to what steps had best be taken
+with regard to the unfortunate sufferers and to send in their opinions
+to me. The result of this consultation was that seven-eighths of the
+soldiers were considered past recovery, and that in all probability few
+would be alive at the expiration of twenty hours."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy listened attentively, as Napoleon showed how difficult it was to
+decide whether it was not more cruel to leave these helpless men to the
+mercy of the Turks than to end their misery by a dose of opium: "I
+should have desired such a relief for myself under the same
+circumstances and I considered it would be an act of mercy to anticipate
+their fate by only a few hours. My physician did not enter into my views
+of the case, and disapproved of the proposal, saying it was his business
+to cure, not to kill. Accordingly I left a rear-guard to protect these
+unhappy men from the enemy. They remained until Nature had paid her last
+debt and released the expiring soldiers from their agony."</p>
+
+<p>As his auditors did not look convinced of the correctness of his views,
+Napoleon turned to Dr. O'Meara, who was of the party.</p>
+
+<p>"I ask you, O'Meara, to place yourself in the situation of one of these
+men. Were it demanded of you which fate you would select, either to be
+left to suffer the tortures of those miscreants or to have opium
+administered to you, which fate would you rather choose? If my own
+son&mdash;and I believe I love my son as well as any father loves his
+child&mdash;were in a similar situation, I should advise it to be done. If so
+situated myself I should insist upon it, if I had sense enough and
+strength to demand it."</p>
+
+<p>Without waiting for comment from the others, Napoleon added that if he
+had been capable of secretly poisoning his soldiers or of the barbarity
+ascribed to him of driving his carriage over the mutilated bodies of the
+wounded, his troops would never have fought under him with the
+enthusiasm and reverence they uniformly displayed. "No, no, I should have
+been shot long ago. Even my wounded would have tried to pull a trigger
+to despatch me."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor spoke so earnestly that no one could doubt he meant what he
+said. Even though they believed that the Turkish prisoners had been
+treated with great cruelty, his hearers saw that ambition or a feeling
+of necessity had been the impelling motive of the officers who
+sanctioned or ordered the cruelty.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's conversations with Betsy were of course carried on largely in
+French, and but for the little girl's fluency in this language she would
+probably have seen much less of the great man. Napoleon himself made a
+real effort to learn English. Not only did he study with Las Cases, but
+he tried to practise the language with Betsy and her sister. In
+conversation, however, he never became very proficient, his
+pronunciation was droll, and he was inclined to translate things very
+literally. Betsy was less patient than her sister with Napoleon's
+English. By his expressed desire she and Jane were always to correct his
+mistakes, yet often, in the midst of his efforts, she would run off
+without deigning to help him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mdlle. Betsee," he would then cry in French, "you are a stupid
+little creature; when will you become wise?"</p>
+
+<p>Although Napoleon persevered with his English lessons with Las Cases, he
+never proceeded much further than to read the newspapers. English books
+presented many difficulties, and yet much of the literature that came
+his way was in this language. Here again Betsy was able to make herself
+very useful by translating books or newspapers for him, and sometimes
+she went further and gave him in condensed form the contents of a great
+many pages. Even after he went to Longwood, when Betsy went over there
+to call on Madame Bertrand, Napoleon would summon her to help him
+understand some newly arrived English book.</p>
+
+<p>From Napoleon's own admission to one of his own suite, after he had been
+in St. Helena a year or two, we can judge that his progress in English
+had not been very rapid. One morning, after the arrival of a number of
+French books, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"What a pleasure I have enjoyed! I can read forty pages of French in the
+time that it would require to read two of English."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor enjoyed talking with Betsy, for the little girl was a great
+reader herself, and he had the faculty of drawing from her whatever
+information she had on a given subject. Occasionally she thoughtlessly
+questioned Napoleon on topics that she might better have avoided.</p>
+
+<p>One Sunday, for example, at Madame Bertrand's, he found the girls poring
+over a book.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing?" he asked abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Learning the collect," replied Betsy. "My father is always very angry
+if I do not know it." Then she added, not very courteously, "I suppose
+you never learned a collect or anything religious in your life, for I
+know that you do not believe in the existence of a God."</p>
+
+<p>"You have been told an untruth," replied Napoleon impatiently, evidently
+displeased with Betsy. "When you are wiser you will understand that no
+one can doubt the existence of a God."</p>
+
+<p>"But you believe in predestination?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever a man's destiny calls him to do, that he must fulfil," was the
+Emperor's response.</p>
+
+<p>Young though she was, Betsy understood the seriousness that underlay the
+superficial gayety most in evidence when Napoleon met her. She decided
+that he was not the cold, calculating man that most people thought him,
+but rather a man of deep feeling, capable of strong attachments.</p>
+
+<p>One day, not long after he had left The Briars, a lady approached Betsy,
+who was in the grounds outside the house.</p>
+
+<p>As she dismounted from her horse Betsy had recognized her as a French
+woman of high position, whose husband was one of the diplomatists then
+at St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you be so good," she said almost timidly to the little girl, "as
+to show me the part of the cottage occupied by the Emperor?"</p>
+
+<p>"With pleasure," responded Betsy, leading the way to the Pavilion. The
+lady looked about her with great interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" said Betsy, pointing to the spot where the marquee had stood.
+"Look at this crown in the turf!"</p>
+
+<p>The lady gazed for some minutes at this empty symbol of the power once
+held by the Emperor. The thoughts that it brought up overpowered her.
+Losing all self-control, she sank to her knees, sobbing hysterically.
+Forgetful of Betsy, she continued to weep so bitterly that the little
+girl started for the cottage that she might get her mother, or some one
+else of the household, to bring restoratives.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop, stop!" cried the lady, as if realizing her purpose. "Do not call
+any one. I shall be myself in a moment." Then, in a voice still filled
+with emotion, she added, "Please do me the favor of never mentioning
+this to any one. All French people feel as I do. They all treasure
+Napoleon's memory as I do, and would willingly die for him."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy gave the required promise and waited patiently until the lady had
+recovered her self-possession. Then the latter asked innumerable
+questions of the little girl about the life of Napoleon and his suite at
+The Briars.</p>
+
+<p>Several times the visitor repeated, "How happy it must have made you to
+be with the Emperor!"</p>
+
+<p>When she rode away after her long interview, she put a thick veil over
+her face to hide the fact that she had been weeping.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy was true to her word, and although her family, one after another,
+asked her why the visitor had made so long a stay, she merely replied
+that she had been interested in the Pavilion. But the scene made a deep
+impression on the little girl, as showing the remarkable hold of
+Napoleon on the hearts of those who had been his subjects. Moreover she
+judged, and truly too, that a man for whom such deep feeling was shown
+must himself have been of a kind and sympathetic nature.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that she did not need the testimony of any outsider to assure
+her of Napoleon's amiability. She was well acquainted with his general
+kindliness; she knew of many of his gracious acts, and the charm of his
+manner toward all young people had made a deep impression upon her.</p>
+
+<p>Another thing that she noticed convinced Betsy of the softer qualities
+of Napoleon's nature. This was the firm devotion of the little band of
+Frenchmen and French women who had followed him to St. Helena. They had
+made great sacrifices in sharing the exile of Napoleon. There was so
+little to hope for, in the way of reward for this devotion, that no
+reasonable person could doubt their disinterestedness.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Who danced the best at the Governor's ball?" Napoleon asked Betsy one
+day.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Wilks, the Governor's lady."</p>
+
+<p>This was before the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe.</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of dances are in fashion there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quadrilles, country dances. Mr. C. brought them to St. Helena."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he is a great dandy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he will sit with his feet above his head an hour before dressing,
+the more readily to squeeze them into tight shoes. He wore an epaulette
+nearly down to his elbow, and his sword hilt was embroidered with golden
+oak leaves. The same embroidery confined his stockings, on each knee,
+like the order of the garter. When he first arrived he was disgusted
+that St. Helena ladies knew only kitchen dances and reels, and finally
+he drilled quadrilles and other new dances into them."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy's description of the young dandy amused Napoleon. "Bring him to
+Longwood some day," he said.</p>
+
+<p>A pass was obtained for the young man and Napoleon received him most
+politely. "I hear from Mees Betsee that you are a great dandy,&mdash;and what
+a fine coat!"</p>
+
+<p>The young man, who had been in some fear of the Emperor, felt better.</p>
+
+<p>"You are more fortunate than myself," continued Napoleon, "for I have to
+wear my coat turned." Although this was true, it was only because there
+was no cloth his shade of green on the island.</p>
+
+<p>On the whole Napoleon liked the young dandy, especially as he spoke
+French fluently.</p>
+
+<p>But Napoleon was not always glad, or even willing, to receive visitors.
+In fact, after the first few months on the island, he practically
+refused to allow strangers to be presented to him, unless there was some
+special reason for his seeing them.</p>
+
+<p>One day, when Napoleon was still at The Briars, the girls were walking
+with him down Pomegranate Walk, which led to the garden, when he heard
+strangers' voices. He did not wish to meet them, and began to run away,
+but, unluckily, when he reached the garden gate he found it locked.
+Napoleon was not likely to turn aside from anything he had undertaken to
+do, and as the voices drew nearer, too impatient to wait, he insisted on
+jumping over the gate fence. There was a prickly pear on top, the thorns
+of which caught him so that at first he could not extricate himself.
+Then he had to descend rather ignominiously on the garden side, before
+the strangers appeared. The thorns had really done considerable damage,
+and it took no little skill on Dr. O'Meara's part to extract them.</p>
+
+<p>To Betsy's friends Napoleon was apt to be more obliging than to others,
+and tourists, many of whom stayed over at St. Helena on their way to or
+from Africa or India, frequently sought her services to effect an
+introduction.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," said Betsy to Napoleon one day, "may I present a lady to you? She
+is just here from India. Her husband has high rank."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon was not fond of women visitors, but he gave his consent to
+Betsy's request.</p>
+
+<p>At the appointed time the lady from India appeared, gowned in crimson
+velvet bordered with pearls. Her black hair was braided and adorned with
+pearls, and butterflies of diamonds and emeralds and rubies. She was one
+of the plainest women Betsy had ever seen, and she was fearful of the
+impression she would make on Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>After Napoleon had asked the usual questions, "Are you married?" and
+"How many children have you?" he looked closely at her to see what
+compliment he could best pay her.</p>
+
+<p>At length, after a pause that might have embarrassed a less complacent
+woman, he said politely, "Madame, you have the most luxuriant hair."</p>
+
+<p>That the lady from India had fine hair was so evident a fact, that she
+need not have been so exceedingly pleased by Napoleon's compliment. Yet
+she was so overcome by it that when she returned to England she sent
+letters to the newspapers speaking of the Emperor's great admiration for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon, in reality, did not at all like this visitor, and when she had
+gone he said severely to the young girl:</p>
+
+<p>"You shall introduce me to no more ladies." His tone was so unusually
+severe that Betsy did not dare confess what really was the case, that
+she had brought Mrs. S. to see Napoleon merely to tease him, knowing
+that it was positively disagreeable to him to meet very plain women.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy one day came to him full of excitement over a traveller whom she
+had just seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he is extraordinary; queerer than any one I have ever met here. His
+long black beard reaches to his waist, and he wears a regular mandarin's
+dress."</p>
+
+<p>"An Englishman dressed like a Chinaman?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! You know he has been there so long, and he has done the most
+wonderful things! Why, he has even travelled to Thibet and talked to the
+Grand Lama."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor's interest was aroused.</p>
+
+<p>"I have always wished to hear something about the Grand Lama," he said,
+"especially about the way he is worshipped, for I believe that much I
+have read is fabulous. I should like to see this traveller."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you would," cried Betsy, "and he is anxious to see you, too. He
+was a prisoner of war once in France, and he says you treated him very
+kindly; so he has brought you some presents, and if&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and if he can get a pass&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The sentence was left unfinished. But Mr. Manning obtained a pass to see
+the Emperor and presented him with a number of curious things that he
+had collected in his travels.</p>
+
+<p>"The Lama," he said in answer to a question, "when I saw him, was a very
+intelligent boy of seven, and I went through the same form of worship as
+the others who were introduced into his presence."</p>
+
+<p>"Were you not afraid of being seized as a spy?" asked Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>The traveller hesitated, as if not quite pleased by the question. Then,
+with a laugh, he pointed to his dress and beard, as if they were a
+sufficient answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you pass for an Englishman?" persisted the Emperor. "The shape of
+your nose is too good for a Tartar."</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Mr. Manning; "I was generally taken for a Hindoo." The
+bystanders, looking at his fine eyes and regular features, could easily
+understand that in the rôle of a Hindoo he must certainly have been
+successful.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation between the two&mdash;the Emperor and the traveller&mdash;lasted
+for some time.</p>
+
+<p>"Travellers," said Napoleon, "are privileged to tell marvellous stories,
+but I hope you are not doing this in describing to me all the wonders of
+Thibet."</p>
+
+<p>Then he continued his questions, asking much about the Lama, and the
+customs and religion of his people. His queries showed that he already
+possessed a fund of information about this strange country, and Mr.
+Manning finally said, "You have as much information on Thibet as I have
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon accepted the compliment, but the many questions that he
+continued to ask, especially concerning the Chinese and their language
+and habits, showed that he was quite willing to admit Mr. Manning's
+greater knowledge of the Orient.</p>
+
+<p>When the unusually long interview had ended, Napoleon turned to Betsy
+with an expression in which sadness was mingled with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"This conversation," he cried, "has given me more pleasure than anything
+I have experienced for many long months."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy, realizing the Emperor's capacity for finding entertainment in
+hearing about the small things that made up the life of St. Helena,
+always gratified him by describing the little festivities in which she
+took part, or even the larger affairs of which she knew only by what
+others told her. Like all places garrisoned by British regiments, there
+was always much going on, as the phrase is, on the island, and the
+gossip of the place, usually harmless enough in itself, never failed to
+entertain him.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes he tried to draw from the little girl information that for one
+reason or another she did not care to give him&mdash;sometimes merely to
+tease him, sometimes because she feared that what she said might disturb
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"So you have been calling on Lady Lowe at Plantation House," he said,
+after one of her visits to the wife of the Governor. "Tell me, does she
+ask about your visits to Longwood?"</p>
+
+<p>"There, that is just the kind of thing she asks me. I am sure to be
+questioned what we say and do in your presence;" and beyond this Betsy
+would give Napoleon little satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is the most beautiful woman on the island?" he asked on another
+occasion.</p>
+
+<p>"Madame Bertrand," replied Betsy, never at a loss for an answer, "is
+more beautiful than any one I have ever seen. Every one else seems
+insignificant beside her. Why, when my father saw her on the
+<i>Northumberland</i> he was very much struck by her. Her features may not be
+strictly beautiful, but her expression is intellectual. Besides, her
+bearing is so queenlike and dignified!"</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you think Madame Montholon pretty?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," responded Betsy unhesitatingly, in spite of the fact that she had
+much regard for Madame Montholon.</p>
+
+<p>"Marchand," cried Napoleon, apparently changing the subject, "bring me
+my snuffbox,&mdash;you know which."</p>
+
+<p>The faithful Marchand obeyed, and when he returned Napoleon took the
+snuffbox from his hands to show the girls&mdash;for Jane was with Betsy&mdash;a
+miniature on the lid.</p>
+
+<p>It was a portrait of Madame Montholon, taken many years earlier.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is like her," Betsy admitted, "and beautiful, too."</p>
+
+<p>"She was just like that when she was young," responded the Emperor.</p>
+
+<p>Although Napoleon was fond of teasing Betsy, whenever he found that he
+could serve her in any way he never failed to show himself a true
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>Once Dr. O'Meara came upon Betsy alone in the garden with tears in her
+eyes. To his inquiry as to the cause of her sorrow, she pouted, and at
+first hesitated in her reply. On second thoughts she exclaimed, "It is
+too mean! Just because I didn't do my lessons yesterday, to keep me home
+from the races!"</p>
+
+<p>"Were you warned?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, but I did not expect to be punished."</p>
+
+<p>"Probably this isn't the first time, and your parents are bound to make
+you remember."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it is my father, and it's the meanest thing! He has lent Tom to
+somebody. My pony is not in the stable. Who could have been so mean as
+to borrow the only pony that I can ride? All the others have ridden off,
+and there is no way for me to go."</p>
+
+<p>Dr. O'Meara listened sympathetically. Probably he did not exactly
+understand the situation or he would hardly have encouraged a young girl
+to disobey her parents. It was quite natural that to Betsy, the lover of
+gayety, her punishment seemed greater than she deserved. Every one that
+she knew was going to the races, for the Deadwood races, instituted by
+John Rous, were made a kind of festival by the people of the island.
+Since every one she knew had gone to Deadwood, there was no horse at
+hand that she could borrow. For the moment Napoleon's little neighbor
+was troubled by no sense of duty; the only question was how to reach
+Deadwood.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. O'Meara, after Betsy had poured out her soul to him, rode on towards
+Longwood at a rapid pace. Not long afterwards her heart leaped with joy
+when she saw Dr. O'Meara winding down the mountain, followed by a slave
+with a superb gray horse. At once she recognized Mameluke, one of
+Napoleon's stable, and, as the horses drew nearer, she saw that above
+his crimson saddlecloth Mameluke wore a lady's saddle. Even before Dr.
+O'Meara spoke, she understood what his quick return meant.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Miss Betsy, cheer up," he cried when he drew near the little
+girl. "This horse is for you. When the Emperor heard of your
+disappointment, he ordered the quietest horse in his stable to be sent
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>Regardless of consequences to herself, pleased by the good-natured
+attention of the Emperor, light-hearted Betsy on Mameluke went to the
+races. Perhaps she would have hesitated had she known that her father,
+rather than she herself, was to be the sufferer by her heedless act, for
+afterwards it gave her great pain to learn that Mr. Balcombe had been
+severely reprimanded by Governor Lowe for having committed a breach of
+discipline in letting his daughter borrow a horse belonging to the
+Longwood establishment.</p>
+
+<p>But for the time Betsy had the fun of the races, and the next day she
+went over to Longwood to thank Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>"Aha, Mees Betsee," he said after their first greeting, "perhaps you do
+not know that I too saw the races."</p>
+
+<p>"But I did not see you there."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, where were your eyes? You were not thinking of me; but they were
+amusing."</p>
+
+<p>After a little more teasing, Betsy learned that Napoleon had seen the
+Deadwood races from an upper window of General Gorgaud's house.</p>
+
+<p>"You were so amused," he added, "that you forgot to be afraid. I have
+told your father you should never be encouraged in foolish fears."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had been really there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, gayety is not for me." Napoleon's face became grave.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy, noticing this, added quickly, "But you are coming to my birthday
+fête."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely! It will not be far away at Rous Cottage."</p>
+
+<p>The day of the birthday was bright and fair, and as large numbers of
+guests had assembled, Rous Cottage, which had been chosen for this
+picnic fête, was named for the gallant flag officer of the
+<i>Northumberland</i>, whom Napoleon admired and called "a very brave man."</p>
+
+<p>In the earlier part of the celebration, Betsy, flying among her friends,
+was too much absorbed to notice that Napoleon had not come, but when she
+missed him she began to look eagerly in the direction in which she might
+expect to see him appear. He had said he would come to the party, and
+Betsy expected him to keep his promise, though it was an unheard-of
+thing for him to mingle in a gay crowd.</p>
+
+<p>After a while she was delighted to see him in the distance, riding along
+the hills. Soon she saw that he was no longer riding. His horse was at a
+standstill. What could this mean? Presently a messenger from the Emperor
+appeared to say that he would content himself by looking on.</p>
+
+<p>The young hostess was not satisfied with this. Rushing off to the hill
+where Napoleon waited, she stood before him.</p>
+
+<p>"This is not keeping your promise. You said you would come, indeed you
+did, and you should not disappoint me on my birthday."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon smiled at his young friend, but he spoke with decision:</p>
+
+<p>"No; I won't come down to be stared at by a crowd who wish to gratify
+their curiosity by a sight of me."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy begged and pleaded, using every effort to make him change his
+mind, but he was firm. Nothing could change him.</p>
+
+<p>A friend in England had sent Betsy a huge birthday cake, ornamented with
+a large eagle. That she should have had a cake decorated with this
+imperial emblem occasioned much comment on the island. In fact, in the
+eyes of some, Mr. Balcombe and his family were under more or less of a
+cloud on account of their open admiration for the illustrious prisoner
+of St. Helena. When Betsy found that her words made no impression on
+Napoleon, she left him for a few moments, only to return with a slice of
+the cake.</p>
+
+<p>"You must eat this thick slice," she said, holding it out to him. "It is
+the least you can do for getting us into this disgrace. Some people
+think it almost treason when they see the eagle on the cake."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon ate the cake with evident appreciation. Then he pinched Betsy's
+ear in his usual familiar fashion, saying as he did so, "Saucy
+simpleton!" As he galloped away Betsy could not help smiling, as she
+heard him singing, or rather trying to sing in his most unmusical voice,
+"<i>Vive, Henri Quatre</i>."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>THOUGHTLESS BETSY</h3>
+
+
+<p>Sometimes, without intending to hurt Napoleon's feelings, heedless Betsy
+must often have come near wounding him. One day, for example, she showed
+him a toy that had lately come to St. Helena from Europe. It represented
+a toy emperor climbing a ladder, each rung of which was a country. When
+he reached the top he sat for an instant astride the world, and then
+went headlong down the other side, until he landed at last on St.
+Helena.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon himself did not reprove Betsy for her rudeness, but Mr.
+Balcombe was disturbed and angry when he heard of it. Betsy, he decided,
+was altogether too fond of playing foolish tricks, and he resolved to
+teach her a lesson that she could not forget.</p>
+
+<p>Calling her to him, after he had expressed his displeasure for what she
+had done, "Betsy," he said in his severest tone, "you are to spend the
+night in the cellar, and every night for a week you shall sleep there.
+You must be taught respect for your elders. It is to punish you for your
+rudeness to Napoleon that I am resolved to punish you in this way."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Betsy shivered at her father's words. Bold though she was in the
+face of danger by day, darkness always had great terrors for her, and to
+spend the night underground was a punishment she felt she could hardly
+bear. Her protests, however, were useless. Her father locked her in the
+dark cellar and left her there. Betsy's experiences that night were
+terrible. Rats made the cellar their home, and, as they jumped about in
+the darkness, they tumbled the bottles of wine about, making a terrible
+noise. Betsy was so frightened that to defend herself from them she
+picked up bottle after bottle to hurl against them. At last they were
+driven away, but there was no sleep for Betsy on the bed that had been
+prepared for her. At dawn a faint light came through the windows, just
+enough to show her what havoc she had made. Broken bottles lay about her
+everywhere and in every direction ran rivulets of wine.</p>
+
+<p>At last she fell into a heavy stupor, and in this condition a slave, who
+had been sent with her breakfast, found her. Alarmed at the sight of
+Betsy, apparently half dead, the slave ran to summon Mr. Balcombe. When
+he hurried to the cellar, Mr. Balcombe was naturally shocked by what he
+saw. He had not thought of rats, and he was only too thankful that Betsy
+had escaped serious injury. He not only did not reprove her for the
+destruction of the claret, but forgave her for her offence against
+Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>As to Napoleon, "It was too great a punishment," he said, "for so little
+an offence." Then he laughed heartily as the lively Betsy, now quite
+herself again, gave a vivid account of her battle with the rats. "Ah,
+the rats!" he added; "a big one jumped out of my hat one day, as I was
+about to put it on. It startled me."</p>
+
+<p>Some time after this adventure in the cellar, Mr. Balcombe again had
+occasion to punish Betsy and again he thought of the cellar.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not the cellar!" remonstrated Napoleon. But Mr. Balcombe was
+obdurate. He had decided that Betsy should have a week's imprisonment
+there, staying by day but released at night that she might sleep in her
+own room.</p>
+
+<p>So Betsy went daily to her cell. She managed to vary the monotony of her
+prison life by sitting close to the grating of the open window, and
+while she sat there, the picture of dejection, Napoleon, approaching the
+window, daily expressed a half-mocking sympathy with her. For a time
+Betsy maintained an appearance of dignity and injured innocence, but in
+the end the Emperor, by mimicking her doleful expression, usually
+succeeded in making her laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Sewing!" he exclaimed in surprise, when he visited Betsy on the third
+day of her imprisonment.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Betsy; "I am making a dress for myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, they indeed are cruel&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Like all Betsy's acquaintances, Napoleon knew that she had no strong
+love for sewing and the ordinary domestic duties. She was at the age
+when boyish sports were much more fun than the occupations that older
+people prescribed for girls.</p>
+
+<p>"But no one required me to sew. I am sewing because I wish to."</p>
+
+<p>The Emperor expressed his surprise at this announcement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," continued Betsy; "I did not know what else to do. It is
+frightfully dull here, so I begged old black Sarah to find me some work,
+and this is what she brought." Betsy held up the partly made dress with
+considerable pride.</p>
+
+<p>It is to Betsy's credit that she finished the dress old Sarah had
+brought her, although her fit of industry did not outlast her week's
+imprisonment.</p>
+
+<p>"You should keep Mees Betsee's prison livery," said Napoleon to Mrs.
+Balcombe, "and show it to her occasionally, when you think that she is
+on the point of doing something foolish that ought to be punished."</p>
+
+<p>"Prison livery" was Napoleon's name for the dress that Betsy had made
+during her week in the cell.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy, however, was only one of many persons who had disagreeable
+experiences with the rats of St. Helena. A sleeping slave, for example,
+had a part of his leg bitten off. One of Count Bertrand's horses in the
+stable had been severely bitten, and Dr. O'Meara had once had to defend
+himself from the rodents by hurling his bootjack repeatedly at them.
+Other tales of fierce rats had been told, and in consequence Betsy, when
+she thought of her escape from real harm, had good cause for
+congratulation.</p>
+
+<p>The battle of the rats happened while Napoleon was still living at The
+Briars, and though Betsy long remembered it, it cannot be said that she
+altogether profited by the lesson that it should have conveyed to her.
+Later, when Napoleon was living at Longwood, Betsy, visiting at Madame
+Bertrand's, occupied herself with practising a song that was a favorite
+with one of the ladies of the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy sang and played very well, and Napoleon, hearing the new song,
+praised the air though he did not understand the words. Now it happened
+that the song was a monody on the death of the Duc d'Enghien, for whose
+death Napoleon had been greatly blamed by friends as well as by foes.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the song?" Napoleon asked.</p>
+
+<p>A tactful girl would have devised some answer to spare Napoleon's
+feelings. But thoughtless Betsy, without a word, turned to the front
+page of the sheet of music, on which was a picture of a man standing in
+a ditch, his eyes bandaged and a lantern hanging from his waist, while
+soldiers were aiming their muskets at him.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Napoleon, to whom the picture conveyed no meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"It represents the murder of the Duc d'Enghien," replied Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon examined the picture more closely. Then, turning to the young
+girl:</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know of the Duc d'Enghien?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you are considered the murderer of that illustrious prince,"
+replied Betsy, with great lack of consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," responded Napoleon, "that I ordered his execution, for he
+was a conspirator and had landed troops in the pay of the Bourbons to
+assassinate me. In the face of such a conspiracy, the most politic thing
+was to put a Bourbon prince to death so that the Bourbons would not
+again try to take my life. The prisoner was tried for having taken arms
+against the Republic, and was executed according to law. But he was not
+shot in a ditch nor at night. All was open and known to the public."</p>
+
+<p>This talk about the Duc d'Enghien led Napoleon to tell Betsy of many
+thrilling experiences of his own in escaping death at the hands of
+would-be assassins.</p>
+
+<p>At another time Betsy ran up to Napoleon, crying, "Why is your face so
+swollen and inflamed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," replied Napoleon, assuming a doleful look, "Dr. O'Meara has just
+drawn a tooth and I have had much pain."</p>
+
+<p>"What!" exclaimed Betsy in the rôle of mentor. "You to complain of
+pain&mdash;the pain of so trifling an operation, though you have gone through
+battles innumerable with storms of bullets whizzing, some of which must
+have touched you. I am ashamed. But give me the tooth, and I will get
+Mr. Solomon to set it as an ear-ring."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon, listening to Betsy, was evidently amused by her tone of
+assumed severity, and laughing heartily, replied: "See how I laugh, even
+while I suffer. Ah, Mees Betsee, I fear you will never cut your wisdom
+tooth."</p>
+
+<p>Although Betsy saw more of Napoleon than the other children, they were
+all fond of him; but it is to be feared that Betsy's example was not the
+best in the world for her little brothers, who were much younger than
+she. One day, for example, Napoleon had given little Alexander a pretty
+box made by Piron, filled with his delicious bonbons.</p>
+
+<p>"When my brother had eaten all his sugar-plums," said Betsy, "and was
+grieving over his exhausted store, he unluckily chanced to espy a
+pill-box. He thereupon took some pills from the box and offered them to
+the Emperor. Napoleon helped himself, thinking they were sugar-plums,
+and began eating. He soon ejected them with coughing and nausea."</p>
+
+<p>Las Cases, it is needless to say, reported this to Mr. Balcombe, who
+whipped Alexander soundly. Nobody can deny that the little boy merited
+the punishment.</p>
+
+<p>A favorite jest of Napoleon was to cry, "Now, Mdlle. Betsee, I hope you
+have been a good child and learned your lessons."</p>
+
+<p>Then Betsy would redden and toss her head, for, like most girls in their
+early teens, she wished to be thought older than she was. This habit of
+teasing was one that Napoleon had found time to indulge in even when he
+was at the height of his power. He was very fond of children, and some
+one has said that no case is known in which he refused to grant a favor
+when a child was asked to be the messenger. He was fond of his nieces
+and nephews, and devoted to his step-children. Few brothers have ever
+been kinder to their brothers and sisters than Napoleon to his. When he
+was only sixteen, he began to take a great interest in the education of
+his brother Lucien, who was six years younger. When he was a lieutenant
+in the army, he made real sacrifices for Louis, who was twelve years
+old. Yet, in spite of his love for them, he teased them just as he
+teased Betsy. Every one knows how he used to fondle the little King of
+Rome and carry him around in his arms while he was dictating to his
+secretaries. One who knew him writes:</p>
+
+<p>"It used to be a real holiday for the Emperor when Queen Hortense came
+to see her mother, bringing her two children. Napoleon would take them
+in his arms, caress them, often tease them, and burst into laughter as
+if he had been of their own age, when, according to his custom, he had
+smeared their faces with jam or cream."</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, however, he went too far, even with his young relatives. Once
+when he had playfully pulled the ears of his nephew, little Achille
+Murat, the boy protested, "You are a naughty, wicked man," to the great
+amusement of his uncle.</p>
+
+<p>But if Napoleon was inclined to tease the young people at The Briars, he
+was also ready to do pleasant things for them. He certainly entered into
+the feelings of young people. With them he became a child, and an
+amusing one. Many were the games he played with Betsy and her brothers
+and sister, not only blindman's buff but puss in the corner and other
+quieter games.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy was not the only one of the Balcombe family whom Napoleon loved to
+tease. Jane, the elder sister, was the more dignified and it was
+therefore easier to embarrass her. Toward the end of her stay at St.
+Helena, an English surgeon, Dr. Stokoe, was sent to the island. He was
+much the senior of Jane, but, because the two were seen much together,
+the gossips of St. Helena thought that he wished to marry her.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon himself occasionally teased Jane about Dr. Stokoe, and
+professed to think that Mr. Balcombe was a cruel father, standing in the
+way of his daughter's happiness. "Why have you refused your daughter to
+the surgeon of the flagship?" he would ask mischievously, adding,
+"<i>C'est un brave homme</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's capacity for seeing the humorous side of things kept up his
+spirits wonderfully during his first year or two of exile. Betsy's
+enjoyment of a joke, even of a practical joke, was perhaps the strongest
+bond between the Emperor and his little neighbor.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," he would say, "come, Mees Betsee, sit down and sing like our
+dear departed friend." By this term Napoleon referred to a certain lady
+who believed herself to be the possessor of a very fine voice. To
+exhibit her prowess this lady would sit down and sing Italian airs in an
+affected style. At the end of a performance the lady expected, and
+received, the Emperor's compliments; but when at last she was away and
+out of hearing, he roared with laughter as Betsy, at the piano, imitated
+the lady's affectations.</p>
+
+<p>With his eyes closed he would pretend that he really believed he was
+listening to the operatic lady, and end by thanking Betsy gravely for
+the pleasure she had given.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon himself was a good mimic. He amused the Balcombe family greatly
+by his imitation of London cockney street cries.</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Jane," he asked one evening, "have you ever heard the London
+cries?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, never," she replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must let you hear them;" and without waiting further, he began
+to make a series of shrill sounds. At first it was difficult to
+distinguish the words, for Napoleon's droll accent could hardly be
+called good English. His intonation, however, was perfect, and exactly
+represented the street venders crying their wares.</p>
+
+<p>"You must have been in London, unknown to any one," cried Jane; "for if
+you haven't been there, I don't see how you could have got those cries
+so perfectly."</p>
+
+<p>In suggesting that Napoleon might have been in London incognito, Jane
+was only repeating what then had wide currency&mdash;that Napoleon in the
+height of his power had slipped away from Paris, letting no one know
+that he was to cross the Channel, to spend a few days in London,
+studying the English and their ways.</p>
+
+<p>To the inquisitive Jane, however, Napoleon gave no information as to the
+truth of this belief.</p>
+
+<p>"I was much entertained," he said, "by one of my buffos, who introduced
+London street cries into a comedy that he got up in Paris."</p>
+
+<p>This mention of the theatre led Napoleon to speak of Talma. "He was the
+truest actor to nature that ever trod the boards," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Talma?" repeated Betsy, catching the actor's name. "Oh, I remember;
+they used to say that you took lessons from him how to sit on the
+throne."</p>
+
+<p>"I have often heard that myself," responded Napoleon, "and I even
+mentioned it once to Talma himself as a sign that I was considered to
+hold myself well on it."</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon often displayed his powers of mimicry, to the great
+entertainment of the children.</p>
+
+<p>A large ball, given by Sir George Bingham in return for the civilities
+that had been shown the Fifty-third Regiment, took place not far from
+Longwood, and practically every one on the island was invited.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the very prettiest affair I ever saw," said Betsy, "and you
+ought to have seen it."</p>
+
+<p>Glancing at Napoleon, she thought she caught a certain meaning in the
+smile with which he greeted her remark. "I really believe you <i>were</i>
+there," she exclaimed. "Some one told us you were going to take a peep
+at us incognito, but I did not see you."</p>
+
+<p>Without deigning to reply, Napoleon began an ungraceful imitation of the
+saraband, a dance that had been seen at this ball for the first time in
+St. Helena. The young lady who waltzed in this dance had been very
+awkward, and Napoleon's imitation of her movements was so perfect that
+the girls were sure he had really seen her. Moreover he had so many
+accurate criticisms to make of the people at the ball, and of the ball
+in all its details, that no doubt was left in their minds that he had
+been an actual looker-on.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon thoroughly appreciated the humor of others, and was much
+amused, for example, by a remark of Madame Bertrand's that he repeated
+to Betsy.</p>
+
+<p>Madame Bertrand's son, Arthur, was about a month old when Napoleon asked
+Betsy if she had seen the little fellow, adding, "You must hear the
+clever way in which Madame Bertrand introduced the baby to me: 'Allow me
+to present to your Majesty a subject who has dared to enter the gates of
+Longwood without a pass from Sir Hudson Lowe.'"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>LONGWOOD DAYS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Many a time when in the company of Napoleon and the members of his
+suite, Betsy must have realized that this pleasant intercourse could not
+last always.</p>
+
+<p>Few people remained indefinitely long at St. Helena,&mdash;few people,
+indeed, besides the natives and the one life prisoner, the Emperor
+Napoleon. Betsy, however, had no desire to leave her beloved island. She
+loved its climate and its scenery, and she was happy with the many
+people who were her friends. It was a gay little place, with numerous
+officers quartered there with their families,&mdash;a much gayer place than
+it would have been had not the British Government thought it necessary
+to make it a great military stronghold for the safeguarding of the
+Emperor,&mdash;a much gayer place than it had been before Napoleon's arrival.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a name="illus6" id="illus6"></a>
+<img src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<h3>LONGWOOD</h3>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<p>Almost every day some form of amusement offered itself&mdash;races, balls,
+picnics, and sham fights. There was also a pretty little theatre on the
+island, established by the popular Commissary General, where amateur
+plays were performed by the officers, to the great entertainment of all
+who saw them.</p>
+
+<p>Madame Montholon and Madame Bertrand and, to a certain extent, the
+gentlemen of the Emperor's suite entered more or less into the
+festivities of the place. It was only Napoleon who always stayed at home
+alone. Betsy, who was an especial favorite of Madame Bertrand, was often
+at Longwood, and very often the latter was the young girl's chaperon at
+balls or other entertainments.</p>
+
+<p>Yet even when no special gayety was in view, Betsy enjoyed her visits to
+Longwood, and the ingenuous girl with her frank speech certainly
+brightened the lives of the exiles. As for Betsy herself it was a great
+advantage for her to be so much in the society of these French people,
+with their cultivation and gayety. On cool evenings chairs were brought
+out on the lawn leading to the billiard-room, and there the Countess of
+Montholon and Madame Bertrand, with their husbands and children, would
+spend the hour after sunset listening to the crickets, of which there
+were thousands. Sometimes they sat on the lawn in the moonlight, gazing
+long at the sky, which at St. Helena is of a peculiarly deep blue.</p>
+
+<p>Doubtless at such times the hearts of the poor exiles were far away
+among home scenes in France, and even lively Betsy for the time was
+quiet and subdued.</p>
+
+<p>One splendid starry night, as they were all on the lawn near the
+billiard-room steps after a very sultry day, they heard a sound as if
+heavy wagons were lumbering over the ground beneath. Those nearer the
+house thought that it was about to fall about their heads. Dr. O'Meara
+and Major Blakeney, Captain of the Guard, hastening from the room,
+expected to find the ladies half dead with fright. All the household,
+some from their beds, rushed out, looking wonderingly into the sky, and
+little Tristram Montholon ran to his mother, screaming that some one had
+tried to throw him out of his bed.</p>
+
+<p>This was in September, and the strange rumbling was caused by an
+earthquake, the first one in St. Helena for a long time. Many feared for
+their friends in the valleys with the sharp precipices, but fortunately
+in the end it was shown that there had been no loss of life.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon was in bed at the time of the shock.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah Mees Betsee," he asked the next morning, "were you frightened by the
+<i>tremblement de terre</i>? You look pale and quiet."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy admitted that she had had a little fear at the earthquake.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought," said Napoleon, turning to General Bertrand, "that the
+<i>Conqueror</i> had blown up in the harbor; but the second or third shock
+showed that it was an earthquake."</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Conqueror</i> was the seventy-four gun ship whose arrival Betsy had
+seen Napoleon observe with great interest.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy, for several nights after the earthquake, was too frightened to go
+to bed, and in a day or two she was ill with a severe cold, caught while
+sitting on the veranda. In this case, as always in illness, Napoleon was
+sympathetic, blaming the climate and adding that the houses ought to
+have plenty of fireplaces to protect people from sudden changes.</p>
+
+<p>"What would be the use of fireplaces," asked Betsy, "when we have no
+coals?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then burn the orange trees," responded Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>From this remark Betsy saw that for some reason the Emperor was not in
+good humor, for he was one of those who realized the need of more trees
+on St. Helena, and later&mdash;if he had not then begun&mdash;devoted much time
+and money to planting trees in the neighborhood of Longwood. Perhaps the
+presence of the <i>Conqueror</i> in the harbor disturbed him, since this was
+the vessel that had brought Admiral Pamplin, who was to relieve Admiral
+Malcom. Sir Pultney Malcom had come to St. Helena with Napoleon, and the
+two had grown to be very good friends. The Admiral, a courteous old man,
+with exquisite, kindly manners, showed great consideration for the
+exile. He paid Napoleon many visits, sent him newspapers, and so far as
+he could tried to protect him from various annoying things said or done
+by Governor Lowe.</p>
+
+<p>It was not strange, then, that Napoleon should feel depressed at the
+thought of Admiral Malcom's departure, and, in consequence, seem a
+little more brusque than usual with Betsy in talking of her cold.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon well understood the value of regular occupation and spent many
+hours daily in reading and writing. He had few of the works of reference
+that he needed for his historical work, yet he persevered in spite of
+all difficulties. In the end he really had something to show, volumes of
+military commentaries, essays on great generals and historical sketches,
+chiefly of the time of the French Republic. These writings may not all
+be perfectly accurate, but they show a wonderful memory and grasp of
+facts. The inaccuracies, indeed, are chiefly such as must result when a
+man writes without the proper documents and books to verify his
+statements.</p>
+
+<p>The Memoirs left by Napoleon, the many volumes of conversations
+collected by his friends on subjects of general interest, as well as
+those books that relate to the military profession, show the wonderful
+strength of his mind. His temperate habits were, of course, a great help
+in carrying out the broad plans that he made for hard work. He took
+little wine, and then only used it as a medicine.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's hours for rising and going to bed were very irregular. Often
+on moonlight nights he would rise at three o'clock, and when at The
+Briars he would go to the garden before Toby was up, getting the key
+from the place where the old slave had hidden it. He would then have an
+early breakfast of fresh fruits.</p>
+
+<p>Not infrequently, in those early days of his stay at St. Helena, Betsy
+would see him in the early morning riding around the lawn on his
+beautiful horse Hope, and when she talked with him she would learn that
+already he had that day dictated a number of letters. Hope was the first
+horse Napoleon rode on the island, and it pleased him to think that this
+name was an augury.</p>
+
+<p>When it came to his bed hour, Napoleon's habits were most uncertain.
+Frequently, when he was restless, he would have Marchand read him to
+sleep.</p>
+
+<p>At times when he was ill he resented the doctor's efforts to get him to
+take medicine. He had original ideas on the best treatment of the sick,
+and believed strongly in the efficacy of the salt-water bath.</p>
+
+<p>However heterodox his views on any subject, Napoleon seldom hesitated to
+express them, at least to those in whom he had confidence.</p>
+
+<p>"I have no faith whatever in medicine," said Napoleon one day to a very
+clever medical man who was on the island. "My own remedies are
+starvation and the warm bath. Churchmen," he added, "are often
+hypocrites, because too much is expected of them. Politicians must have
+a conventional conscience, and soldiers are cut-throats and robbers. But
+surgeons are neither too good nor too bad; their mission is to benefit
+mankind, and they have opportunities to study human nature as well as
+science. I have a higher opinion of the surgical profession than of any
+other. The practice of the law," he concluded, "is too severe for poor
+human nature, for he who distorts truth and exults at the success of
+injustice at last will hardly know right from wrong."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Napoleon liked sailors, and often talked with those who conducted
+fatigue parties around the island.</p>
+
+<p>One day he asked the girls if they had met one active young reefer, who
+happened to belong to a distinguished family.</p>
+
+<p>"He is one of the few combinations of high birth and intelligence I have
+ever seen."</p>
+
+<p>"We know him," was the reply, "and he is one of the most popular men in
+the ward-room. Oh, how funny he was when we first knew him!" added
+Betsy. "He was coming back from the Admiral's ball. We met an old cart,
+and he was surrounded by brother middies, all shouting, 'Lord W.'s
+carriage stops the way.' Well, we couldn't get past, as the cart had
+been dragged inside the arch through which we were to pass. Afterwards
+this same young man had a narrow escape. He was rowing guard when hailed
+by sentry. On account of the surf, the sentry could not hear him give
+the password, and so he fired among the crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he can do anything. Sir Pultney Malcom put him in charge of the
+government farm, and said he had never seen such vegetables produced on
+the sterile rocks of St. Helena."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever British sailors take in hand," said Napoleon, "they never
+leave undone."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>A marble bust of the King of Rome was sent to Napoleon, probably by
+Maria Louisa. Napoleon gazed on it with proud satisfaction and he seemed
+pleased with the praises of Betsy and her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to be proud to be the father of so beautiful a boy," said
+Mrs. Balcombe.</p>
+
+<p>Smiles lit Napoleon's face, and Betsy, child though she was, was
+impressed by his expression of paternal fondness.</p>
+
+<p>The bust was of white marble and executed by Caracci, and it bore the
+names Napoleon François Charles Joseph. The child was shown wearing the
+Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. It had been brought from Leghorn by
+the gunner of a ship bound to St. Helena, and although it had come so
+mysteriously, people generally understood that Maria Louisa herself had
+taken the trouble to have it sent in this way to Napoleon, her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, come," said Madame Bertrand, after the sisters had spent some time
+admiring Napoleon's gifts, "let me show you my presents;" for the ship
+that had brought the bust brought things also to others of the French
+exiles. These were chiefly for Countess Bertrand and Countess Montholon
+from Lady Holland, who often remembered them in this way.</p>
+
+<p>"La bonne Lady Holland," as Napoleon called her, was one of the few
+English women not afraid to show her sympathy with Napoleon and those
+who had followed him to St. Helena. He was very grateful for her
+attentions to him now when he was abandoned by the world. "All members
+of the family of Fox," he said, "abound in liberal, generous sentiments.
+Fox was sincere in his intentions, and had he lived England would not
+have been devastated by war. He was the only minister who rightly
+understood the interests of his country." To show that he had always
+appreciated Fox, Napoleon told of a visit that the latter with his wife
+paid to St. Cloud. By mistake he opened the door of a private room, and
+he was surprised to see there his own statue among those of
+distinguished citizens of the world, Hampden, Washington, Cicero, Lord
+Chatham and his son.</p>
+
+<p>The regulation that an officer must accompany him on his rides was a
+continued annoyance to Napoleon. At first he submitted, and rode off,
+painfully realizing that a representative of his jailers constantly kept
+his eye on him. After a time he decided that he would not ride if he
+could not ride alone, and during the last four years of his life he was
+not on a horse. As he had depended on riding for exercise during the
+greater part of his life, he now suffered from giving it up. He not only
+began to grow extremely stout, but his general health became poorer.</p>
+
+<p>It disturbed Napoleon greatly that the English always addressed him as
+"General Bonaparte." The title "Emperor" would have been so barren on
+St. Helena that it is hard to understand why Napoleon should have cared
+much about it. He might easily have been as philosophic about this as he
+was about other things.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after his arrival Sir Hudson Lowe addressed a card of invitation to
+"General Bonaparte."</p>
+
+<p>"Send this card to General Bonaparte," said Napoleon to Count Bertrand.
+"The last I heard of him was at the Pyramids and Mt. Tabor." Yet
+Napoleon was never happier, never better loved by the French people,
+than when, as General Bonaparte, he was received with the greatest
+enthusiasm on his return from his Italian campaign.</p>
+
+<p>The English, on their part, were foolish in objecting to the use of a
+title to which he once had had a perfect right, with all its power and
+dignity. Now, deprived of the substance, there was no reason for
+forbidding him the pleasure of treasuring the shadow. Sir George
+Cockburn seems to have been almost childish in writing to Count
+Bertrand:</p>
+
+<p>"I have no cognizance of any Emperor being actually upon this island, or
+of any person possessing such dignity (as stated by you) having come
+here."</p>
+
+<p>Language like this was far more absurd than Napoleon's obstinacy on the
+subject. Even his good friend, Admiral Malcom, could not change his
+views. In the course of a conversation on the subject of letting him
+have the title "Emperor," Malcom said decidedly:</p>
+
+<p>"Still, it would be impossible to treat you as a sovereign."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, they might leave me my honors to amuse me. It would do no harm on
+this rock."</p>
+
+<p>"But you would have to be styled Emperor."</p>
+
+<p>"No; they could not do that. I have abdicated."</p>
+
+<p>"But you object to be called General."</p>
+
+<p>"That is because I am no longer a general,&mdash;not since I returned from
+Egypt,&mdash;but why not call me 'Napoleon'?"</p>
+
+<p>It was a long and painful discussion, and it did not end even with
+Napoleon's death. The British Government, since Napoleon was securely in
+its power, could have afforded to let him wear the title that had once
+been his by right, even though on St. Helena it would have shown itself
+an almost foolishly vain ornament. The foreign Commissioners were told
+by the countries that they represented to give him this title, but the
+Act of Parliament dealing with the distinguished prisoner had called him
+"Napoleon Bonaparte," and this, or "General Bonaparte," he was to be to
+all who had dealings with him at St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>Within his own circle&mdash;and in this circle the Balcombe family may be
+included&mdash;he was ever "the Emperor."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Napoleon often showed great kindness to the sick. For example, when a
+certain officer, Captain Meynell, was ill under Mr. Balcombe's roof at
+The Briars, Napoleon sent Cipriani, his <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, daily to
+inquire about him, and seemed really concerned when he asked about him.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after he left The Briars, Betsy had a severe illness. When
+Napoleon heard of this he sent constantly to inquire for her, and the
+messenger usually brought her some delicacy made by Piron.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's kindness of heart was also shown by his attitude toward the
+Malay slave, named Toby, who had care of the beautiful garden at The
+Briars. When no one was in it the garden was kept locked and the key was
+left in Toby's hands. Toby and Napoleon speedily became friends, and the
+black man always spoke of the Emperor as "that good man, Bony." He
+always placed the key of the garden where Napoleon could reach it under
+the wicket. The black man was original and entertaining, and so
+autocratic that no one at The Briars ever disputed his authority. His
+story was rather pathetic.</p>
+
+<p>He had been enticed from his native place many years before, brought to
+St. Helena by the English, smuggled on shore and illegally sold as a
+slave, let out to whoever would hire him, and his earnings chiefly
+appropriated to his master. Napoleon perhaps recognized in Toby a
+kindred spirit, or at least felt a common bond in the fact that both had
+been brought unwillingly to the island. Certainly he liked him, and,
+when he had heard his story, wished to buy and free him. But for
+political reasons, when Mr. Balcombe made Napoleon's wishes known to Sir
+Hudson Lowe, he could not get his consent.</p>
+
+<p>Toby, however, was grateful to Napoleon for his wish to help him, and
+continued his devoted admirer. On going from The Briars, Napoleon
+presented Toby with twenty-nine napoleons and always inquired for his
+health. When Napoleon left The Briars, Toby often arranged bouquets and
+fruits to go to Longwood,&mdash;"to that good man, Bony."</p>
+
+<p>Toby, from all accounts, was an attractive fellow. His countenance had a
+frank and benevolent expression. His eyes were animated and sparkling,
+his aspect not abject, but prepossessing. So at least he appeared to
+Betsy, and one day she was interested to hear Napoleon reflecting upon
+him:</p>
+
+<p>"What, after all, is a poor prisoner but a machine? As for poor Toby, he
+endures his misfortunes very quietly; he stoops to his work, and spends
+his days in innocent tranquillity. This man, after all, had his family
+and his happiness and his liberty, and it was a horrible act of cruelty
+to bring him here to languish in the fetters of his slavery."</p>
+
+<p>Toby, however, was not the only slave on St. Helena. Not long after the
+first discovery of the island by the Portuguese, Juan Denova Castella, a
+nobleman, was exiled there for desertion and had to spend four years in
+complete solitude, except for a few slaves that he was allowed to have
+with him. The Portuguese did not colonize St. Helena, and after a time
+the Dutch held it for many years. When they had deserted it, the East
+India Company, with plenty of capital, took possession and naturally
+fell back on slave labor to cultivate the fields. When the Dutch saw
+that St. Helena was likely to prove profitable to the English they tried
+to get it back again, but the effort was unsuccessful, and since 1666 it
+has been counted an English possession. At one time a law was passed
+restricting the importation of slaves, for the colonists had begun to
+fear that they might outnumber the Europeans. There was, however, an old
+law that every Madagascar ship should leave one slave to work the
+company's plantations. The slaves were often troublesome, but the
+cruelty with which they were treated was inexcusable. Probably many a
+poor creature on the island had been stolen from his home, just as we
+know poor Toby had been stolen.</p>
+
+<p>After the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe, the new Governor reminded the
+people of St. Helena that their island was the last British possession
+to retain slavery. Various plans were proposed for doing away with it,
+and at last, at his suggestion, it was agreed that after Christmas Day,
+1818, all children born of slave women should be considered free. Thus
+the great evil gradually ceased.</p>
+
+<p>This good action on the part of Sir Hudson Lowe&mdash;that he helped gain
+freedom for the slaves&mdash;made him no better liked by Napoleon and his
+friends. From the first, indeed, the Governor was suspicious of
+Napoleon's friends, and the fear that they were plotting for Napoleon's
+escape was one of the reasons, probably, for the regulations that
+greatly annoyed Napoleon. It seemed as if he wished Napoleon to be
+surrounded entirely by English, for one of his early acts was to tell
+the French that they were at liberty to leave St. Helena whenever they
+wished. Every facility, he said, would be offered them to return to
+Europe. Had he known human nature better, Sir Hudson Lowe would have
+realized that persons who had given up so much to follow Napoleon would
+hardly desert him merely because conditions on the island did not suit
+them.</p>
+
+<p>At last, on one pretext or another, he contrived to have several of
+Napoleon's attendants sent away,&mdash;Santini, the clever little
+lamplighter, the jack-of-all-trades, who had so often amused Betsy's
+small brothers with his toys; Rousseau, his artificer; and Archambaud,
+his coachman, whose reckless driving of the jaunting car always struck
+terror to Betsy's heart. Most important of all, however, was the
+departure of Count Las Cases, who had never failed to frown on Betsy's
+hoydenish pranks. With Count Las Cases went his son, the boy about whom
+Napoleon had loved to tease Betsy. It was before the end of Napoleon's
+first year at Longwood that these two were sent away on the charge of
+bribing a young native of St. Helena to carry a letter to Europe for
+them. This would not have been a serious offence, except for the reason
+that the Governor had made a regulation that no letter should be sent to
+Europe without passing through his hands.</p>
+
+<p>For a time Las Cases and his son were in prison on the island. Later
+they were despatched to the Cape of Good Hope, where they were detained
+seven months and at last sent to England.</p>
+
+<p>"Let them take away all my Frenchmen," said Napoleon sadly, after the
+departure of Las Cases. "I do not want them." He especially missed Las
+Cases, since it was to him that he daily dictated the material for his
+Memoirs.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after the departure of Las Cases, Napoleon was greatly
+disturbed because the Governor would not let him receive a visit from a
+botanist just arrived from Europe, who was known lately to have seen
+Maria Louisa and the little King of Rome. Betsy sympathized with him in
+his indignation at this and other needless restrictions.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, however, she felt like laughing at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the Emperor, where is the Emperor?" she asked one morning,
+when staying at Longwood after a ball.</p>
+
+<p>At first no one could inform her, but at last some one said, "Go over
+there; he is building a ditch."</p>
+
+<p>Going in the direction indicated, the young girl found Napoleon
+superintending the building of a trench that he was having constructed,
+so that he might have a place where he could walk unobserved.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not laugh!" he said, after Betsy had come upon him, standing with
+folded arms and downcast gaze. "Do not laugh! I must have a walk of my
+own, where no one can look at me when I go out."</p>
+
+<p>Even though she smiled, Betsy understood Napoleon's feeling. In his
+early days at The Briars, when he was permitted to walk out unattended,
+Napoleon was fond of strolling some distance from the cottage. Later
+when he could not go far without the watchful eye of an officer upon
+him, he almost gave up walking. At a certain hour of the afternoon, as
+it was known that he took a short walk along a straight path not far
+from the house, the curious often stationed themselves at a distance
+where they could observe him. On account of this annoying observation,
+Napoleon conceived the plan of digging a ditch or trench. The ditch
+served at least one purpose: while it was digging it gave Napoleon
+plenty of occupation in directing the workmen. When it was finished it
+is said that he never used it as a promenade.</p>
+
+<p>His unwillingness to take exercise resulted in a serious illness. During
+this time Betsy and her sister did not see him, but whenever they met
+Dr. O'Meara they eagerly questioned him about their friend. "I would
+rather die at once than walk, as you prescribe." These were the words of
+Napoleon that Dr. O'Meara reported to the sisters. "I have tried
+persuasion of every kind, but I cannot get him to take exercise," he
+said, "although I have told him that this is the only thing that can
+possibly cure him. I urged him to let me call in another surgeon, so
+that if he should grow no better, too much blame need not fall on me,
+and what was his reply?"</p>
+
+<p>Dr. O'Meara paused for a moment, and then repeated Napoleon's exact
+words: "If all the physicians in the world were collected, they would
+but repeat what you have already advised me&mdash;to take constant exercise
+on horseback. I am well aware of the truth of what you say, but if I
+were to call in another surgeon, it would be like sending a physician to
+a starving man instead of giving him a loaf of bread. I have no
+objection to your making known to him my state of health, if it be any
+satisfaction to you; but I know that he will say, 'Exercise.' As long as
+this strict surveillance is enforced, I will never stir."</p>
+
+<p>In vain Dr. O'Meara repeated his arguments. Napoleon had but one reply,
+"Would you have me render myself liable to insult from the sentries
+surrounding my house, as Madame Bertrand was, some days ago?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jane," said Betsy, who always saw the funny side of things, "what a
+fine caricature this would have made for the London print
+shops&mdash;Napoleon stopped at the gates by a sentinel, charging him with a
+fixed bayonet! How the Londoners would laugh! No, I don't blame Napoleon
+for staying indoors."</p>
+
+<p>But when Betsy saw the Emperor after this illness, her heart was filled
+with pity. His skin was a waxy yellow and his cheeks hung in deep
+pouches. His ankles were terribly swollen, and he could not stand
+without the support of a table on one side and the shoulder of an
+attendant on the other.</p>
+
+<p>As Betsy looked at him, tears fell from her eyes and she could hardly
+keep from sobbing aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said Napoleon kindly. "Do not cry, Mees Betsee. I am almost
+well&mdash;and the good O'Meara will surely cure me."</p>
+
+<p>Upon this Betsy became more cheerful, but later, when they were out of
+the Emperor's hearing, Mrs. Balcombe shook her head sorrowfully, as she
+turned to Betsy, saying, "He has the stamp of death on his brow."</p>
+
+<p>Had Napoleon been less obstinate, within the eight miles of enclosure
+allotted him he might certainly have taken enough exercise of various
+kinds to preserve his health.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE PARTING</h3>
+
+
+<p>At last the time came when Napoleon and his young neighbor must part.
+The health of Betsy's mother, Mrs. Balcombe, was not good, and the
+family decided to go home to England. Mr. Balcombe obtained six months'
+leave, but, although the family professed to expect to return, in their
+secret hearts they felt that they were bidding good-bye to St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>A day or two before sailing Betsy and Jane went over to Longwood to say
+farewell to Napoleon. They found him in the billiard-room, as usual,
+surrounded by books. There was sadness in his voice as he talked about
+their departure.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope your mother's health will soon be restored," he said. "Give her
+my kindest regards and best wishes for the journey. Soon you will be
+sailing away towards England, leaving me to die on this miserable rock.
+Look at those dreadful mountains&mdash;they are my prison walls. You will
+soon hear that the Emperor Napoleon is dead."</p>
+
+<p>At these melancholy words the emotional Betsy burst into tears and
+Jane's eyes grew moist. Betsy sobbed as if her heart would break, and
+Napoleon, greatly moved, tried to comfort her. Betsy felt for her
+handkerchief, only to find that she had left it in her side-saddle
+pocket. So Napoleon, holding his own toward her, said, "Take it, and
+keep it in remembrance of this sad day."</p>
+
+<p>The sisters went the rounds of Longwood, bidding good-bye to all that
+was dear to them. Later they dined with Napoleon, but Betsy was still so
+overcome with grief that she could hardly swallow.</p>
+
+<p>"Take some bonbons," said Napoleon kindly.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot," she cried. "My throat has a swelling, and I cannot eat!"</p>
+
+<p>When at last they were ready to go, the Emperor embraced the two sisters
+with great affection.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not forget me!" he said. "I thank you for your kindness and
+friendship, and all my happy hours in your society."</p>
+
+<p>The two sisters could hardly reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Betsee," he added, after a moment's pause, "what would you like to
+have in remembrance?"</p>
+
+<p>"A lock of your hair," sobbed the young girl, "better than anything
+else."</p>
+
+<p>"Marchand shall bring the scissors, then;" and the devoted Marchand,
+promptly obeying, severed four locks for the four older members of the
+Balcombe family.</p>
+
+<p>Not long before they left, Napoleon in a conversation with Mr. Balcombe
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"I fear that your resignation of your employment in this island is
+caused by the quarrels and annoyances drawn upon you by the relation
+established between your family and Longwood, in consequence of the
+hospitality which you showed on my first arrival in St. Helena. I would
+not wish you to regret having known me."</p>
+
+<p>Although Mr. Balcombe did not exactly confirm what Napoleon said about
+the reason for his withdrawal from St. Helena, he knew that to a great
+extent it was true. For a long time Sir Hudson Lowe had been
+dissatisfied with the intimacy existing between Napoleon and the
+Balcombes. While he admitted that he had no tangible cause for
+complaint, he was constantly watching for one, and was always ready to
+call Mr. Balcombe to account for what he considered partiality for the
+illustrious exile. As the Governor himself put it, he was not without
+suspicion that his relations with Longwood were not limited to the
+ostensible duties of his office. The Governor at this time was very
+suspicious of Dr. O'Meara, and as Mr. Balcombe and he were intimate
+friends, the former was naturally regarded also with disfavor.</p>
+
+<p>More than once had Betsy's careless behavior drawn a reprimand upon her
+father. But for the Governor's feeling against him, Mr. Balcombe and his
+family might have been on St. Helena during the last sad days of
+Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, they went back to England the middle of March, 1818, little
+more than three years before Napoleon's death. Their ship was the
+Winchelsea store-ship, on its way from China, and on the same vessel
+went General Gorgaud, the bachelor of Napoleon's suite, a pompous,
+though brave man, for whom Betsy had no especial liking. General Gorgaud
+knew that he would never return to St. Helena. Mr. Balcombe had obtained
+a six months' leave from his official duties, but he, too, may have felt
+as the vessel sailed away that he was unlikely ever again to look upon
+its frowning walls.</p>
+
+<p>As to Betsy, Napoleon's young neighbor, the tears that fell from her
+eyes when she said her last good-bye to the Emperor were not the last
+that she shed for him. As the years went by she ever listened eagerly to
+all the news that came from St. Helena, until the final mournful tidings
+in the early summer of 1821, that Napoleon had died on the fifth of May.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure," said Betsy long afterwards, "after seeing Napoleon in every
+possible mood and in his most unguarded moments, I know that the idea of
+acting a part never entered his head. I had the most complete conviction
+of his want of guile, and the thorough goodness and amiability of his
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>Betsy was a keen observer of human nature, and another of her judgments
+is worth remembering: "That this impression of his amiability and
+goodness was common to almost all who approached him is proved by the
+devotion of his followers at St. Helena. They had then nothing more to
+expect from him, and only entailed misery on themselves by adhering to
+his fortunes."</p>
+
+<p>It is indeed a fact worth remembering, that Napoleon's suite, in spite
+of the fact that to a great extent Napoleon obliged them to practise the
+rigid etiquette of a court, were all devoted to him. It is true that
+they had to stand in his presence and in certain ways keep up a ceremony
+that seemed absurd in an establishment as simple as that of Longwood;
+but there were many hours of relaxation. In these hours of relaxation
+Napoleon played cards with his friends, or chess, or&mdash;after he went to
+Longwood&mdash;billiards. He was fond of reading aloud, and not infrequently
+favored his friends with a long reading. Sometimes he indulged in
+declamation, for he was rather proud of the fact that he had learned
+something of this art from the great Talma. In his later years at
+Longwood he devised ways of getting his needed exercise indoors and
+worked almost too vigorously at gardening.</p>
+
+<p>An old St. Helena newspaper has an account of his exertions in his
+garden, not long before his death, which has a pathos of its own: "A few
+weeks before his death the Emperor labored with a spade in his garden so
+long and so severely as to be faint with fatigue. Some one suggested the
+probable injury to his health. 'No,' said he, 'it cannot injure my
+health; that is lost beyond all hope. It will but shorten my days.'"</p>
+
+<p>The disease from which Napoleon died was one that he had inherited from
+his father,&mdash;one, indeed, for which there is no cure. So it cannot be
+said with certainty that his life might have been prolonged if he had
+been more careful to get enough, and only enough, of the right kind of
+exercise. Yet though his life may have had to run in its natural course,
+his last years would have been much happier if there had been no
+friction between him and the Governor of St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>The last three years of Napoleon's life were undoubtedly the loneliest
+he had known. He missed Las Cases, Gorgaud, the Balcombes, and O'Meara,
+whom the Governor was at last able to get out of the way. Napoleon kept
+himself busy with his gardening and his books, and when, in 1819, the
+Government began to build a new house for him, he spent much time
+watching its progress, although with true forebodings he often said that
+he should never live to occupy it.</p>
+
+<p>He still refused to take exercise, and once in a fit of depression
+stayed in the house for three months. Thus his health continued to
+suffer and he grew stout and clumsy. When he did go out he was apt to
+drive around the eight miles of his enclosure at breakneck speed, in a
+carriage drawn by six horses. In October, 1820, he sent word to Sir
+William Doveton that he would be glad to breakfast with him. Sir William
+was, of course, happy to receive his distinguished guest, and breakfast
+was served on the lawn to Napoleon and Generals Bertrand and Montholon.
+The breakfast in the society of Sir William Doveton and his family
+passed off pleasantly, and Napoleon started to walk home. Unluckily he
+had not the strength to carry out his good intentions, and on the way
+back to Longwood he had to stop at a cottage by the way to rest, while
+his carriage was sent for.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy would have been glad, if the fact had ever come to her ears, to
+learn that in his last year or two Napoleon had another little friend
+who to a certain degree could fill the place in his affections always
+ready for children. This was the young daughter of a soldier of the
+garrison, little Julia, nine years old, who was intelligent and
+companionable.</p>
+
+<p>When he knew that Julia was coming to see him, Napoleon always had
+fruits and sweetmeats ready for her. Not long before he died he hung a
+gold watch and chain around Julia's neck, saying, "Wear this for my
+sake." On the cover he had scratched an inscription with his penknife,
+"The Emperor to his little friend Julia." When she visited him they sat
+or walked in the garden, and Napoleon found some amusement in giving her
+drawing lessons from nature. One fine morning in April, when Julia
+appeared, Napoleon invited her inside the house where the breakfast
+table was laid. Standing by the table, he filled her little basket with
+fruit and sweet things, and at last put a bottle of wine in the basket,
+saying, "For your father to drink my health in."</p>
+
+<p>Alas! it was too late for any one to wish Napoleon good health. Not long
+after he had suggested the toast for Julia's father, he had to go to
+bed. Whatever others thought, he was sure that he would never rise. He
+probably knew that the end was near. The very end came suddenly, and
+many on St. Helena, who had not known of the seriousness of his
+condition, were greatly surprised to hear of his death on the fifth of
+May.</p>
+
+<p>Before the funeral Napoleon's body lay in state, and naval and military
+officers and many others were permitted to view it. When Sir Hudson Lowe
+looked at Napoleon immediately after his death, he was impressed by the
+nobility of the dead man's expression. "His face in death," he wrote to
+Lord Bathurst, "was the most beautiful I have ever seen." Yet even to
+the dead Napoleon the Governor maintained the same attitude as to the
+living, for when it came to the question of the inscription to be placed
+on the Emperor's coffin, he would not permit the simple "Napoleon" with
+dates and places of birth and death, but insisted that in addition it
+should bear the surname "Bonaparte."</p>
+
+<p>British soldiers carried Napoleon from the house to the car that was to
+bear him to the burial place; but the horses that drew the car were four
+that had belonged to the late Emperor. Orders had been issued to conduct
+his funeral as that of a general of the highest rank. In consequence the
+left side of the road from Longwood to the grave was lined with troops.
+It was a solemn and impressive procession that moved along as escort,
+paying the last earthly honors to Napoleon, on whose coffin lay his
+sword and the mantle of Marengo.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon had always wished to be buried in France, but toward the end of
+his life, when it seemed unlikely that his wish could be gratified, he
+gave directions as to the spot in St. Helena that he preferred. This was
+a romantic and picturesque enclosure in a ravine not very far from
+Longwood. Often, when out walking, the Emperor had stopped there to
+quench his thirst at a small spring. The little valley was shaded with
+Norfolk pines, firs, and other trees, and here, near the spring, under
+the shade of two great willow trees, Napoleon's body was laid to rest.
+As it was lowered into the grave three discharges from eleven pieces of
+musketry were fired.</p>
+
+<p>As his sorrowing attendants turned away, how overwhelmingly sad must the
+reflections of the two of Napoleon's personal suite have been! Only
+Montholon and Bertrand were there at the last, though Marchand and other
+attendants still remained. Montholon, when a boy of ten, had known
+Napoleon in Corsica, and Bertrand had long been one of his
+officers,&mdash;"the best engineer officer I have ever known," said Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>Now their years of faithful devotion were at an end. With heavy hearts
+they turned their backs on the lonely grave under the willow trees and
+soon they sailed away to the great world, their hearts filled with
+memories of Napoleon.</p>
+
+<p>Nineteen years after Napoleon's death a French frigate, <i>La Belle
+Poule</i>, commanded by the Prince of Joinville, arrived off Jamestown. The
+wheel had turned, and the friends and admirers of Napoleon were on top.</p>
+
+<p>Even Great Britain was not unwilling that the dead Napoleon should have
+the honor that was his due. The frigate had come for the body of
+Napoleon to give it proper honors in France. On <i>La Belle Poule</i> were
+Count Bertrand, his son Arthur, born at St. Helena, General Gorgaud, the
+young Las Cases, and the faithful Marchand.</p>
+
+<p>The body of Napoleon was taken from the tomb under the willow trees and
+borne back to France. Every one knows of the magnificent funeral given
+their dead hero by the impulsive French. Every one has heard how
+countless throngs filled the streets of Paris, how the military display
+has seldom been equalled, as the catafalque, preceded by a riderless
+horse, went slowly along the tree-lined boulevards. The wonderful tomb
+of Napoleon in the Hotel des Invalides is known to many, but there are
+few in comparison who have visited the little enclosure at the bottom of
+the deep ravine where the Emperor's body lay for a score of years. Yet,
+in the days of wooden ships, when St. Helena was the place where
+captains had to call to re-provision their vessels, many a passenger on
+going ashore hastened to Napoleon's grave, and while the world stands
+the secluded valley will continue to claim the interest of Napoleon's
+admirers. The vault itself is now covered with a broad, flat stone,
+without inscription, and its cemented surface is cracked in places.
+There is a hedge around the fence and a sentry box at the entrance of
+the enclosure. Here there is a notice to the effect that the grave is
+now the property of the French Republic, and in the sentry box an
+attendant keeps a book and registers the names of all who visit the spot
+where once lay the body of Napoleon.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE PANORAMA</h3>
+
+
+<p>Who can blame Betsy for Being Heavy-hearted on that day in early spring
+when she sailed away from St. Helena, toward the colder country that was
+her real home? Even though her parents and her brothers and sister were
+with her, she felt that she was leaving behind much that was dear. She
+loved the lonely, mountainous island where she had lived so long. She
+believed that no other flowers or fruits could equal those produced on
+its tropical soil. She felt that no new friends could compare with those
+from whom she had just parted.</p>
+
+<p>More than this, although she tried to persuade herself that in the
+future she might revisit St. Helena, she could hardly believe that when
+that day arrived, Napoleon would still be there to receive her with his
+accustomed cordiality.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, as a true friend of the Emperor's, Betsy could scarcely wish to
+find him there on that indefinite day of her return, since that would
+mean long-continued captivity for him. Rather, if she hoped to see him
+again, the young girl more probably imagined that after no very long
+time some change in the sentiments of those in power might result in
+freeing him from his galling bondage.</p>
+
+<p>Though we to-day may not be certain just what form Betsy's thoughts took
+on that monotonous homeward voyage, we can be sure that Napoleon had no
+small part in them. Already she knew the chief facts in his meteoric
+career; and her vivid fancy must have brought before her many scenes in
+which he had had part.</p>
+
+<p>Like Betsy, you and I may see the panorama of Napoleon's life unfold in
+a series of pictures melting into one another, some clearer than the
+others, yet all leaving an ineffaceable impression.</p>
+
+<p>First, there is the thin, pale, serious-eyed boy running half wild over
+the hills of his native Corsica. He is an affectionate brother&mdash;this
+young Napoleon&mdash;to the six younger brothers and sisters, and a close
+companion of Joseph, only a year older. He is devoted to his
+high-spirited and energetic mother, once the beautiful Letitia Ramolino,
+whose life, since her marriage, has been so hard. He is dutiful to his
+father, the improvident, though ambitious Charles Marié de Buonaparte.
+Yet, although dutiful, he resents his father's lack of patriotism in
+seeking favors from the Frenchmen in authority in Corsica, for the boy,
+born only a year after Corsica had passed under French rule, had small
+love for those outsiders who had made it impossible for his native
+island to gain independence.</p>
+
+<p>One of our pictures would show us Napoleon, a timid boy in the military
+school at Brienne, where his father had secured a place for him by
+showing he was of noble descent. The boy works hard at his tasks, his
+teachers commend his industry, while calling him reserved and obstinate.</p>
+
+<p>The young Napoleon is not happy in the society of his one hundred and
+twenty fellow-pupils, who, like himself, are supported by the Government
+at Brienne. They are largely the sons of poor nobles&mdash;vain and
+indolent&mdash;and they love to tease the timid boy.</p>
+
+<p>"I am tired of poverty and the jeers of insolent scholars. If fortune
+refuses to smile upon me, take me from Brienne, and make me if you will
+a mechanic." In spite of this letter, the father wisely keeps the little
+boy at Brienne, and gradually he makes friends, especially among the
+teachers.</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen a spark here which cannot be too carefully cultivated,"
+writes the aged Chevalier de Keralio, an inspector of the school, who is
+anxious to have Napoleon sent to the military school at Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Our pictures are now painted in somewhat brighter colors.</p>
+
+<p>For although at Paris the young Napoleon is not perfectly contented, he
+knows that he is on the way to a modest independence. He is surrounded
+by foolish young men with whose extravagance he cannot keep up. But only
+his sympathetic sister Elizabeth at St. Cyr hears him complain of the
+difficulties that beset him.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon is naturally happier when at the early age of sixteen he finds
+himself a second lieutenant in the army. He rejoices at the prospect of
+helping his family out of his meagre income of less than two hundred and
+fifty dollars a year. But his responsibility is suddenly increased when
+Charles Bonaparte, his father, dies. The family is worse off than
+before, and when Joseph cannot straighten out their tangled affairs,
+Napoleon decides to undertake the task.</p>
+
+<p>After eight years of absence we see Napoleon on leave from his regiment,
+returning to Corsica. He has hard work before him. There are four little
+children under nine, Louis, Pauline, Caroline, and Jerome, at home with
+their widowed mother. There are two, Lucien and Elizabeth, away at
+school. Only Joseph and Napoleon are on their feet, and on Napoleon, the
+stronger character, falls the brunt of the burden.</p>
+
+<p>When the young lieutenant goes back to the army he takes Louis with him.
+He tutors him in mathematics, he shares his all with him. He deprives
+himself of many things really necessary to his position in order to help
+his family.</p>
+
+<p>"I breakfast on dry bread," he writes. He stints himself for his family,
+he stints himself still further to have a little money for the books
+that he needs.</p>
+
+<p>The claims of the family are pressing. Again Napoleon has leave of
+absence. In Corsica he tries in vain to get something for his mother
+from what is left of their property,&mdash;from salt works, from a mulberry
+plantation belonging to the estate.</p>
+
+<p>It is five or six years since the death of Charles Bonaparte. Napoleon
+has been away from his post too long. In 1792, after an absence from his
+regiment of fifteen months, he loses his place in the army.</p>
+
+<p>The picture now before us is a dark one. The young man is discouraged.
+Hardly knowing where to turn, he drifts toward Paris.</p>
+
+<p>For two or three years he has been uncertain which side to take in the
+Revolution on which France is entering. Many things incline him toward
+the King's party. He is in Paris on that memorable June 10 when the King
+is deposed. He sees the terrible events of the 10th of August. While he
+sympathizes with the King, he perceives that the great question is one
+of the nation rather than the individual.</p>
+
+<p>Intelligent young men are greatly needed in the army. Napoleon's ability
+is known. He receives a captain's commission, signed by the King, though
+really given by the Revolutionary Government. Soon he is at Toulon,
+where, by acting on his advice, the French drive the English from the
+harbor in December, 1793.</p>
+
+<p>The young man's prospects are brightening. There are only a few shadows
+on the picture. A revolution in Corsica drives his family to France, and
+while he feels his responsibility, Napoleon cannot yet do much for them.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's talents impress all who come in contact with him. The time
+approaches when he is to reap the reward for all his years of patient
+study. Young Robespierre calls attention to his transcendent merit.
+Though he is not a Terrorist, he has many friends in the party, and
+after the fall of Robespierre the young Corsican spends nearly a
+fortnight in prison. Once more he loses his place in the army, in which
+he has been commissioned General. Discouraged, with nothing to do in
+Paris, he thinks of accepting an office from the Sultan. But Fortune is
+soon to favor him again. Not so very long after his release from prison
+we gaze on a thrilling scene. It is the 13th Vendémiaire, year III, or
+October 15, 1795. The Directory under which the Government of France is
+now carried on has to face a revolt of the people and the National
+Guard. General Barras, who had observed Napoleon's great ability at
+Toulon, summons the young officer to help the Directory. Napoleon orders
+the artillery to sweep the Sections.</p>
+
+<p>By this use of cannon, with fearful slaughter, the smaller force of the
+Government conquers the uprising. Next day Napoleon is mentioned by the
+Commander-in-Chief for his distinguished services, and shortly he
+becomes General-in-Chief of the Army of the Interior.</p>
+
+<p>Picture after picture passes quickly before us, and always Napoleon is
+in the foreground. We see him now for the first time really enjoying
+society. The brusque and rather timid young officer is lionized in the
+drawing-room of Madame Tallien. There he meets the beautiful Josephine,
+widow of Alexandre de Beauharnais, and soon asks her to marry him.</p>
+
+<p>It is said that Napoleon first became interested in Josephine through
+her sending her son Eugène to ask him to secure for him the sword of his
+father who had been put to death during the Reign of Terror. But whether
+the story is true or not, certainly Napoleon always has the greatest
+affection for Eugène and his sister Hortense. Napoleon's family are now
+in Paris. They share equally in the prosperity that has come to him. He
+lavishes on his mother all that she will accept. It pains him that
+neither she nor his brothers and sisters are pleased with his marriage.</p>
+
+<p>Two days after the wedding, Napoleon leaves Josephine to cross the
+Apennines as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy. We see the
+Italians running before those whom they had contemptuously called the
+"rag heroes." The French win victory after victory. Arcola, Lodi,
+Milan&mdash;eighteen pitched battles, forty-seven smaller engagements.
+Everywhere Napoleon is the idol, not only of his own soldiers, but of a
+large number of Italians, who hope through him to gain political
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>When, after the Treaty of Campo Formio, Napoleon returns to Paris in
+December, 1797, France is at his feet, rejoicing in the glory that comes
+to her through victories, rejoicing in the treasures of art that the
+young conqueror had brought back to adorn the Paris museums.</p>
+
+<p>The scene changes&mdash;Napoleon is setting out for Egypt. He hopes to weaken
+England by attacking her power in the East. He hopes to strengthen
+himself in the eyes of the French by winning new victories. For idolized
+though he is by the French people, he realizes their fickleness, and he
+knows that the Directory is jealous of him. This expedition has not the
+brilliancy of the Italian campaign. He does not succeed in disabling the
+British, the French fleet meets fearful disaster. On land the French
+army suffers terribly from pestilence. But Napoleon has many scientific
+men with him on this expedition, and science gains greatly by this
+Egyptian campaign. Then by chance he learns that there is the utmost
+political discontent in France. Almost secretly he sails away from
+Egypt. We see him in Paris by the middle of October, 1799. His enemies
+are astonished. But Napoleon's hour has come. The famous <i>coup d'état</i>
+follows, and in less than two months after his return from Egypt,
+Napoleon has become temporary Dictator of France. His title is First
+Consul, but many shake their heads and murmur that Napoleon, instead of
+serving the term prescribed by law, means to make himself Consul for
+life.</p>
+
+<p>Yet whatever Napoleon's ambitions may be, it is clear that France needs
+a strong man at the head of the Government. Then as we observe the clear
+eye and firm bearing of the young Corsican, it is evident that no one
+abler than he can be found to direct the work of upbuilding the country.</p>
+
+<p>Our picture of France shows no longer a scene of confusion, of chaos,
+although much must be done before the Republic can hold her own&mdash;except
+in war&mdash;with other great nations.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon is tired of war, but those Powers to whom he suggests peace are
+not ready to accept his overtures. They are more willing to listen to
+him after his Austrian campaign, when Marengo and Lunéville are added to
+the French victories.</p>
+
+<p>The Peace of Amiens gives Europe a breathing spell&mdash;for no one believes
+that this peace will last forever.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps among all our pictures of Napoleon there is hardly one more
+pleasing than this of his First Consulate, when we see him walking among
+his gorgeously attired officers, noticeable for the simplicity of his
+attire. For in spite of the example of extravagant dress set by others,
+he is content with the plain uniform of a colonel of grenadiers or of
+the light infantry.</p>
+
+<p>"His address is the finest I have ever seen," writes one who meets him
+at this time, "and said by those who have travelled to exceed not only
+every Prince and Potentate now in being, but even all those whose memory
+has come down to us.... While he speaks, his features are still more
+expressive than his words."</p>
+
+<p>This is the Napoleon whom Betsy knew&mdash;this man whose simple, pleasing
+manners drew every one to him&mdash;every one at least whom he wished to
+attract. Had he cared to make the effort he might even have won Sir
+Hudson Lowe.</p>
+
+<p>For in those earlier days, before his downfall, many an Englishman, with
+a deeply rooted prejudice against Napoleon, on visiting Paris, like the
+writer of the above, found his prejudices melt away like snow in summer.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LAST PICTURES</h3>
+
+
+<p>Our pictures change little as they show the next stage of Napoleon's
+progress. For when in the summer of 1801 he is made Consul for life, he
+appears still to be the same ardent lover of liberty that he was when he
+became First Consul. He is still the idol of the French people&mdash;as well
+he may be&mdash;for what ruler has ever done so much for them? When once
+things are in his own hands he codifies the laws, gives security to all
+forms of religion, and organizes the educational system of France. He
+does everything possible for the rebuilding of the state. He regulates
+taxes, that the burden may fall equitably on all classes. He helps
+manufactures of every kind. He proves himself a masterly road-builder.
+He establishes museums, and orders the construction of great public
+buildings. In peace he seems to be greater even than he has shown
+himself in war. He encourages literature, art, and music, and makes
+Paris so beautiful that its citizens are justified in their pride.</p>
+
+<p>He surrounds himself with capable men. In no way does he more clearly
+show his own superiority than by letting it be seen that he is free from
+jealousy. He is always ready to reward publicly those who help him in
+any of his undertakings. Not all Napoleon's plans are carried out during
+his Consulship, but they are begun with such vigor that no one doubts
+that they will be completed. The country is the better for his firm
+hand. Yet in some ways we admired him more in his earlier years. His
+ambition now casts a shadow that should warn him that the middle way is
+the best.</p>
+
+<p>In one way at least Napoleon's ambitions do not get the better of him.
+As he advances in power he does not forget old friends. They share his
+prosperity, these schoolmates and associates of his earlier years. They
+are given honors that some of them find it hard to wear gracefully.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we are at the Tuileries," he exclaims to an old friend, when made
+Consul for life. "We must remain here."</p>
+
+<p>In the short breathing spell made possible by the Peace of Amiens,
+France accomplishes more in all directions than the other countries of
+Europe. Yet those whose sight is clearest may, perhaps, see a cloud
+likely to deepen and blur the picture. Does it come from England, now
+making great efforts to gather her strength for a long contest? Or does
+the growing ambition of Napoleon mean the overthrow of the very things
+he is working for?</p>
+
+<p>Though the gorgeous spectacle of the Imperial Coronation in the great
+Cathedral has seldom been surpassed, we incline to turn away from it. It
+had been better for Napoleon to remain First Consul rather than to make
+himself Emperor. His plain gray suit became him better than this
+trailing cloak of purple velvet embroidered in gold and trimmed with
+ermine. We recognize the golden bees, and the insignia of the Legion of
+Honor, but the diamond collar and the great Pitt diamond blazing in the
+pommel of his sword seem unsuited to the young Corsican who once
+delighted in simplicity. The laurel wreath that he first wears suits him
+better than the Imperial crown that he takes from the hands of the Pope
+and places on his own head. But the Pope has anointed him, and Napoleon
+is now Emperor of that shadowy Holy Roman Empire, for which in the past
+rivers of blood have been shed.</p>
+
+<p>Is Napoleon really happier now than when he roamed, a fearless boy, over
+the rough hills of Corsica? Is Josephine as contented wearing the crown
+of an Empress as she was wandering light-hearted in the forests of
+Martinique? Josephine is indeed fond of jewels and beautiful clothes,
+and nothing could be more splendid than her coronation robe of white
+satin and silver and gold, with its ornaments of pearls and diamonds.
+But Josephine has a long memory. She often recalls the poverty of her
+childhood, of her early married life. When Empress she tells one of the
+ladies in attendance on her that no present ever made her happier than a
+pair of shoes given her for Hortense, her little daughter, who otherwise
+would have had to go barefoot part of her voyage from Martinique to
+France.</p>
+
+<p>Josephine is a sensible woman. She is not ashamed of her early poverty.
+Like Napoleon she had suffered during the Revolution and had even for a
+time been thrown into prison. Like Napoleon she, too, had sometimes not
+known when she should get her next meal. She had even had to borrow
+money to pay her rent. She had suffered everything, when the execution
+of her first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais, during the Reign of
+Terror, had left her and her two children destitute.</p>
+
+<p>All the circumstances of her past life may not have flashed before
+Josephine's mind at the moment of the Coronation. Yet it is not
+improbable that wearing the crown and realizing the responsibilities of
+her new position, she may have sighed for a day of freedom from care,
+such as she had known in Martinique.</p>
+
+<p>On that December day in 1805 when Napoleon puts on the Imperial crown
+more than three years have passed since England signed the short-lived
+Peace of Amiens. The war that is now renewed between France and England
+is to continue until Waterloo. As Emperor, however, Napoleon seems to be
+master of Europe. All the European courts, except England, Russia, and
+Sweden, acknowledge his new title.</p>
+
+<p>So we turn to a new picture. It is the eve of Austerlitz. Napoleon walks
+among the soldiers, who are resting in camp, awaiting the struggle. When
+his men recognize him, they surround him, they rush ahead of him,
+holding aloft long poles on which are fastened burning wisps of straw.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the anniversary of the Coronation," they shout as they light his
+way. The next day when they measure their strength with Russia and
+Austria, the soldiers of the Empire are victorious. Another scene now
+stands out vividly. Alexander of Russia is coming to meet Napoleon. At
+Tilsit on a raft in the river Niemen the two Emperors greet each other
+with a kiss.</p>
+
+<p>"I hate the English as much as you," cries the impulsive Alexander. "I
+will be your second in all that you do against them."</p>
+
+<p>The next day we see the King of Prussia arriving half-heartedly at
+Tilsit. Friedland has done its work, and for the time Prussia is
+humbled.</p>
+
+<p>Brilliant though the panorama of Napoleon's life is after Tilsit, we
+view with wonder rather than approval the striking pictures as they
+present themselves one by one. We observe the wild enthusiasm of the
+French people for their Emperor after Ulm and Austerlitz and
+Hohenlinden. Even the battle of Trafalgar&mdash;a victory for England&mdash;does
+not dampen their ardor. But Napoleon himself grows careful, and tries to
+keep from the army the news of his loss on the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Prussia is humbled, Austria wishes to make terms, Napoleon has some
+successes in Spain, and he hopes to injure England. Though we may not
+discover this at first, his interference in the affairs of Spain hastens
+the Emperor's downfall. Although he succeeds in having his brother
+Joseph made King of Spain, he cannot keep him on the throne.</p>
+
+<p>His ambition increases. His family try to persuade him to divorce
+Josephine, that he may strengthen himself by a second marriage with some
+royal princess.</p>
+
+<p>We look at the family group of the Bonapartes. With Napoleon at the
+height of his power, we count the titles.</p>
+
+<p>Joseph, at first King of Naples, is King of Spain; Louis, King of
+Holland; Jerome, King of Westphalia; Lucien, a Prince of the Empire,
+later repudiates the title; Eliza, Grand Duchess of Tuscany; Pauline,
+Princess Borghese; and Caroline is Queen of Naples; Josephine's
+daughter, Hortense, is Queen of Holland; and Eugène, her son, is a
+Prince. Old Madame Bonaparte, the devoted mother, is not sure that the
+glory of the family will last forever. Of the treasures lavished on her
+by Napoleon, she puts aside a portion that may be of service when the
+possible rainy day comes.</p>
+
+<p>Josephine is the idol of the French people. But Bonaparte ambition
+extends even to them. In these uncertain days France might be stronger
+if its Emperor were free to marry into a Royal family.</p>
+
+<p>We note Josephine's anxiety as she studies Napoleon. But she sees no
+change in his love for her children. Eugène is his adopted heir.
+Hortense is married to Napoleon's brother Louis. Josephine hopes that
+those who advise the Royal Alliance may not prevail. Her tears are
+useless, and when Napoleon decides she has to yield.</p>
+
+<p>The first of April, 1810, less than five years from the date of the
+Coronation, Napoleon is the centre of another brilliant ceremony. This
+is the day of his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Emperor of
+Austria. A year later fickle Paris is in a state of feverish excitement
+over the birth of the King of Rome. Napoleon, rejoicing in his little
+son, seems at the height of his power.</p>
+
+<p>Looking at Napoleon now, we must admit that he has become an autocrat.
+Yet he is not a despot in the ordinary sense. Though he may like power
+in itself, for what it brings to him, he cares still for the prosperity
+of France. The country needs his strong guidance. Outside of France he
+has enemies on all sides. While he does not admit it, things are against
+him in Spain; and then, as if losing his head, he decides to march into
+Russia. The Emperor of Russia is now his bitter enemy. The kiss of
+Tilsit was soon wiped away.</p>
+
+<p>If we could, we would close our eyes to the next terrible scene. Before
+us marches the best of the young manhood of France&mdash;hundreds of
+thousands of men&mdash;to a certain death. Here is the greatest army of the
+time, and at Borodino we see "the bloodiest fight of the century." For
+the French the victory is almost worse than a defeat, since they are
+thus beguiled farther into Russia. No one can paint adequately the
+horrors of that bitter campaign. Of the hundreds of thousands who had
+crossed the Niemen a few months earlier, only twenty thousand
+frost-bitten spectres stagger again over the bridge in the middle of
+December.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's thoughts are gloomy enough as he rides desperately back to
+France, leaving his fragment of an army in charge of Murat. No one
+envies him now, with the world against him. Soon he hears that Joseph
+has been driven from Spain. Already he feels the strength of the
+coalition formed to overthrow him. Does he realize that Austria is no
+longer his friend&mdash;that Prussia is ready to fall upon him? All Germany
+is waking to new life, and to a great extent its energy is the result of
+the teachings of Napoleon himself. We see him struggling to hold his
+own, unwilling to admit that he has lost anything. There is likely to be
+discontent in France. The flower of French youth has gone with the army,
+and there are hardly men enough to till the ground. We glance hastily at
+the passing pictures. The victory at Dresden is more than balanced by
+the disasters at Kulm and Leipzig. The campaign of 1813 is fatal to
+Napoleon, who still trusts to his star.</p>
+
+<p>So we pass on to the last scenes of the panorama.</p>
+
+<p>It is a Sunday in January, 1814. Napoleon is in Paris, intending in a
+few days to go to the front. He and the Empress are holding a reception
+at the Tuileries, and there is a brilliant throng in the great salon.
+All eyes are on the Emperor and Empress as they enter the apartment.
+Napoleon holds by the hand a fair-haired boy of three, the little King
+of Rome. The child wears the uniform of the National Guard of Paris.
+Courtiers, crowding around the group, bow and smile. But as he scans
+their faces with his keen eye, Napoleon reads who are his enemies, who
+his friends. There are many officers of the National Guard present, and
+it is to them perhaps that the Emperor especially addresses himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen," he cries, "I am about to set out for the army. I intrust to
+you what I hold dearest in the world&mdash;my wife and my son."</p>
+
+<p>Although those present do not dream that the end of Napoleon's reign is
+so near, they show great emotion. Tears fall and sobs are heard on all
+sides as his appeal reaches their hearts. Many of those present at the
+Tuileries this afternoon&mdash;even those nearest him&mdash;will never see
+Napoleon again.</p>
+
+<p>In less than two days the Emperor bids his last farewell to Maria Louisa
+and their little son. The Empress is to be Regent during his absence.
+Joseph is appointed Lieutenant of France.</p>
+
+<p>Then we look on the sad picture of Napoleon's last campaign, when he
+meets his match in the dogged Blucher. Before the end of February,
+Napoleon has to admit that he is conquered. He accepts the terms made by
+the Allies. They give him the island of Elba for a time, with money
+enough to keep up a certain small grandeur. Pensions are provided for
+Maria Louisa and the King of Rome, and even for the other Bonapartes.</p>
+
+<p>It is a curious spectacle&mdash;Napoleon amusing himself with Elba, as if it
+were a big toy. One day he increases his standing army, the next he
+annexes a neighboring island. His mother and some of his family are with
+him, but Maria Louisa has returned to her father with the little King of
+Rome.</p>
+
+<p>But Napoleon and his friends have been making their plans, and we are
+dazzled, as the world was then, by his rapid march across France, by the
+demonstrations of his soldiers and the vigor of the short, sharp
+campaign and the greatness of Wellington's victory. Yet Quatre Bras and
+Waterloo are soon overshadowed by the rock of St. Helena.</p>
+
+<p>Betsy Balcombe, Napoleon's young neighbor, well knew the story of
+Napoleon. She could see as plainly as we can to-day the pictures
+revealed in the panorama of his life. Perhaps she stood too near him,
+perhaps she was too young to draw the lesson that we of to-day draw from
+his meteoric career. Perhaps her sympathy for him in all that he had to
+bear at St. Helena blinded her to the fact that he was himself to a
+certain extent to blame for his own downfall. He reached too far, his
+ambition was too great. As First Consul, depending on the votes of the
+people, he might have been stronger than he was as Emperor. The good
+that he did France was fairly balanced by the fearful loss of life in
+his long wars.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon's one thought was to carry out his own plans without counting
+the cost in men. Yet putting aside the question of the vast loss of life
+in his wars and the sorrow that resulted, we may see that his career was
+not wholly bad for Europe.</p>
+
+<p>Although ambition and selfishness may have prompted much that he did, he
+really wished to promote the welfare of France. To-day that country is
+farther ahead than would have been possible but for Napoleon. Many of
+the institutions that have most advanced her originated with the First
+Emperor. Other countries besides France benefited by Napoleon's energy.
+He showed several of them how to realize their ideals of independence.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that the constitutions he gave to various states of
+Europe&mdash;as well as to France&mdash;after his downfall were for a time
+cancelled. Still, in the end, his ideas prevailed, and except for
+Napoleon not only a French Republic would have been slower in
+establishing itself, but also a free Italy, and even a United Germany
+might have arrived less quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The sadness of Napoleon's last years modified the judgments of many who
+had been his bitter enemies. His personal charm made those who knew him
+forget the general selfishness of his whole career. Yet in weighing all
+that can be said for and against him, it would be unfair to have the
+balance against him. That Napoleon whom Betsy Balcombe knew at The
+Briars&mdash;fun-loving and considerate of those about him&mdash;was as truly
+Napoleon as the man before whom many had trembled&mdash;whom his enemies had
+so criticised&mdash;to look at him as his young neighbor looked at him is to
+understand a little the secret of his influence.</p>
+
+
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="HELEN_LEAH_REEDS_BRENDA_BOOKS" id="HELEN_LEAH_REEDS_BRENDA_BOOKS"></a>HELEN LEAH REED'S "BRENDA" BOOKS</h2>
+
+
+<blockquote><p>The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls
+of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and
+wholesome.&mdash;<i>The Outlook, New York.</i></p>
+
+<p>Miss Reed's girls have all the impulses and likes of real girls
+as their characters are developing, and her record of their
+thoughts and actions reads like a chapter snatched from the
+page of life.&mdash;<i>Boston Herald.</i></p></blockquote>
+
+<h3>BRENDA, HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB</h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>One of the most natural books for girls. It is a careful study
+of schoolgirl life in a large city, somewhat unique in its
+way.&mdash;<i>Minneapolis Journal.</i></p></blockquote>
+
+<h3>BRENDA'S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY</h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>It is a wholesome book, telling of a merry and healthy
+vacation.&mdash;<i>Dial</i>, Chicago.</p></blockquote>
+
+<h3>BRENDA'S COUSIN AT RADCLIFFE</h3>
+
+<h3><i>A College Story for Girls</i></h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Alice Barber Stephens.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>No better college story has been written.&mdash;<i>Providence News.</i></p>
+
+<p>Miss Reed is herself a Radcliffe woman, and she has made a
+sympathetic and accurate study of the woman's college at
+Cambridge.&mdash;<i>Chicago Evening Post.</i></p>
+
+<p>The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls
+of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and
+wholesome.&mdash;<i>The Outlook</i>, N. Y.</p>
+
+<p>The book has the background of old Cambridge, a little of
+Harvard, and Boston in the distance.... The heroine is a fine
+girl, and the other characters are girls of many varieties and
+from many places.&mdash;<i>New York Commercial Advertiser.</i></p>
+
+<p>She brings out all sides of the life, and, while making much of
+the fun and good fellowship, does not let it be forgotten that
+work and growth are the end and object of it all.&mdash;<i>Chicago
+Tribune.</i></p></blockquote>
+
+
+<h3>BRENDA'S BARGAIN</h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Ellen Bernard Thompson.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>The story deals with social settlement work, under conditions
+with which the author is familiar.&mdash;<i>The Bookman</i>, New York.</p></blockquote>
+
+<h3>AMY IN ACADIA</h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Katherine Pyle.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>A splendid tale for girls, carefully written, interesting and
+full of information concerning the romantic region made famous
+by the vicissitudes of Evangeline.&mdash;<i>Toronto Globe.</i></p></blockquote>
+
+<h3>BRENDA'S WARD</h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>The story details the experience of a Chicago girl at school in
+Boston, and very absorbing those experiences are&mdash;full of
+action and diversity.&mdash;<i>Chicago Post.</i></p>
+
+<p>Pictures a Western girl's school life in Boston, and the story
+is told with spirit and fine sentiment.... The girls whose
+lives are told of are merry and of wholesome
+temperament.&mdash;<i>Portland</i> (Ore.) <i>Oregonian</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The story is full of seeing, doing, enjoying, and
+accomplishing.&mdash;<i>Kansas City Star.</i></p>
+
+<p>The tale throughout is sweet and wholesome.... The character
+sketching is consistent and firm, and the dialogue
+natural.&mdash;<i>Boston Transcript.</i></p>
+
+<p>The young Western girl who enters Brenda's life is sweet and
+charming, and will appeal to all.&mdash;<i>Philadelphia Ledger.</i></p>
+
+<p>The characters are all brimful of wholesome human interest with
+Brenda as a paramount attraction.&mdash;<i>Pittsburg Bulletin.</i></p>
+
+<p>A new Brenda book is always sure of a welcome.... Of all the
+stories for girls these books rank among the best. The movement
+of these narratives is rapid, there is an abundance of natural
+and entertaining incident, and the characters are sharply drawn
+and developed with masterly skill and rare powers of
+sympathetic analysis.&mdash;<i>Kennebec</i> (Me.) <i>Journal</i>.</p></blockquote>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<h3>IRMA AND NAP</h3>
+
+<h3><i>A Story for Younger Girls</i></h3>
+
+<h3>Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><p>A brightly written story about children from eleven to thirteen
+years of age, who live in a suburban town, and attend a public
+grammar school. The book is full of incident of school and home
+life.</p>
+
+<p>The story deals with real life, and is told in the simple and
+natural style which characterized Miss Reed's popular "Brenda"
+stories.&mdash;<i>Washington Post.</i></p>
+
+<p>There are little people in this sweetly written story with whom
+all will feel at once that they have been long acquainted, so
+real do they seem, as well as their plans, their play, and
+their school and home and everyday life.&mdash;<i>Boston Courier.</i></p>
+
+<p>Her children are real; her style also is natural and
+pleasing.&mdash;<i>The Outlook</i>, New York.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Reed's children are perfectly natural and act as real
+girls would under the same circumstances. Nap is a lively
+little dog, who takes an important part in the development of
+the story.&mdash;<i>Christian Register</i>, Boston.</p>
+
+<p>A clever story, not a bit preachy, but with much influence for
+right living in evidence throughout.&mdash;<i>Chicago Evening Post.</i></p></blockquote>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Napoleon's Young Neighbor, by Helen Leah Reed
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Napoleon's Young Neighbor, by Helen Leah Reed
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Napoleon's Young Neighbor
+
+Author: Helen Leah Reed
+
+Release Date: January 22, 2011 [EBook #35037]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                      NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR
+
+                         BY HELEN LEAH REED
+
+
+AUTHOR OF "BRENDA; HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB," "BRENDA'S COUSIN AT
+RADCLIFFE," "BRENDA'S WARD," "AMY IN ACADIA," ETC.
+
+
+    _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+    BOSTON:
+    LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY
+    1907
+
+    Copyright, 1907,
+    By Little, Brown, and Company.
+
+    _All rights reserved_
+
+    Published October, 1907
+
+    Alfred Mudge & Son, Inc., Printers,
+    Boston, Mass., U. S. A.
+
+    TO
+    DOROTHY E. B.
+    WHOSE LOVE OF HISTORY BESPEAKS
+    A WELCOME
+    FOR THIS LITTLE VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA. From the painting by Delaroche]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+This book, chronicling some little known passages in the last few years
+of Napoleon, is based on the "Recollections of Napoleon at St. Helena,"
+by Mrs. Abell (Elizabeth Balcombe), published in 1844 by John Murray.
+
+Her little book is written in an old-fashioned and quiet style, and the
+present writer, without altering any words of Napoleon's, has, so far as
+possible, given a vivid form to conversations and incidents related
+undramatically and has rearranged incidents that Mrs. Abell told without
+great attention to chronology. The writer has also added many pages of
+matter (with close reference to the best authorities) in order to make
+the whole story of Napoleon clear to those who are not familiar with it.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+I. GREAT NEWS
+
+II. A DISTINGUISHED TENANT
+
+III. FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA
+
+IV. NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS
+
+V. BETSY'S BALL-GOWN
+
+VI. A HORSE TAMER
+
+VII. OFF FOR LONGWOOD
+
+VIII. THE GOVERNOR'S RULES
+
+IX. ALL KINDS OF FUN
+
+X. THE SERIOUS SIDE
+
+XI. THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS
+
+XII. THOUGHTLESS BETSY
+
+XIII. LONGWOOD DAYS
+
+XIV. THE PARTING
+
+XV. THE PANORAMA
+
+XVI. THE LAST PICTURES
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA
+
+JAMESTOWN
+
+THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE _BELLEROPHON_
+
+NAPOLEON
+
+THE BRIARS
+
+LONGWOOD
+
+
+
+
+NAPOLEON'S YOUNG NEIGHBOR
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+GREAT NEWS
+
+
+Far south in the Atlantic there is an island that at first sight from
+the deck of a ship seems little more than a great rock. In shape it is
+oblong, with perpendicular sides several hundred feet high. It is called
+St. Helena because the Portuguese, who discovered it in 1502, came upon
+it on the birthday of St. Helena, Constantine's mother. To describe it
+as the geographies might, we may say that it lies in latitude 15 deg. 55'
+South, and in longitude 5 deg. 46' West. It is about ten and a half miles
+long, six and three-quarters miles broad, and its circumference is about
+twenty-eight miles. The nearest land is Ascension Island, about six
+hundred miles away, and St. Helena is eleven hundred miles from the Cape
+of Good Hope.
+
+From the sea St. Helena is gloomy and forbidding. Masses of volcanic
+rock, with sharp and jagged peaks, tower up above the coast, an iron
+girdle barring all access to the interior. A hundred years ago its sides
+were without foliage or verdure and its few points of landing bristled
+with cannon. Jamestown, the only town, named for the Duke of York, lies
+in a narrow valley, the bottom of a deep ravine. Precipices overhang it
+on every side; the one on the left, rising directly from the sea, is
+known as Rupert's Hill, that on the right as Ladder Hill. A steep and
+narrow path cuts along the former, and a really good road winds zigzag
+along the other to the Governor's House. Opposite the town is James's
+Bay, the principal anchorage, where the largest ships are perfectly
+safe.
+
+The town really consists of a small street along the beach, called the
+Marina, which extends about three hundred yards to a spot where it
+branches off into two narrower roads, one of which is now called
+Napoleon Street. In 1815 there were about one hundred and sixty houses,
+chiefly of stone cemented with mud, for lime is scarce on the island.
+Among its larger buildings were a church, a botanical garden, a tavern,
+barracks, and, high on the left, the castle, the Governor's town
+residence.
+
+About a mile and a half from the town there stood in the early part of
+the past century a cottage built in the style of an Indian bungalow. It
+was placed rather low, with rooms mainly on one floor. A fine avenue of
+banyan trees led up to the house, and around it were tall evergreens and
+laces, pomegranates and myrtles, and other tropical trees. Better than
+these, however, in the eyes of the dwellers at The Briars were the great
+white-rose bushes, like the sweetbriar of old England. From these the
+house took its name, and thus the family in it seemed less far away from
+their old home.
+
+In a grove near the house were trees of every description, grapes of all
+kinds and citron, orange, shaddoc, guava, and mango trees in the
+greatest abundance. The surplus raised in the garden beyond what the
+family could use brought its owner several hundred pounds a year. The
+little cottage was shut in on one side by a hedge of aloes and prickly
+pear and on the other by high cliffs and precipices. From one of these
+cliffs, not far from the house, fell a waterfall, not only beautiful to
+the eye but on a hot day refreshing to the mind with its cool splash and
+tinkle.
+
+The owner of The Briars at this time was an Englishman named Balcombe,
+who was in the service of the government. Besides his servants his
+household consisted of his wife, his daughters Jane and Betsy, in their
+early teens, and two little boys much younger. They formed a happy,
+contented household, living a simple, quiet life, and though the parents
+were sometimes homesick, the children were very fond of their island
+abode.
+
+One evening in the middle of October, 1815, the Balcombe children were
+having a merry time with their parents, when a servant, entering,
+announced the arrival of two visitors.
+
+"It is the captain of the _Icarus_," said Mr. Balcombe, turning to his
+wife, "and another naval officer."
+
+"The man-of-war that came in to-day?" asked one of the children. "We
+heard the alarm sound from Ladder Hill."
+
+"Yes, yes, my dear." Then, turning to a servant, "Show them in."
+
+As the gentlemen entered the room, it was plain that they had something
+of importance to communicate.
+
+"Sir," said the senior officer to Mr. Balcombe, after the first
+greetings, "I come to tell you that the _Icarus_ is sent ahead of the
+_Northumberland_ to announce that the _Northumberland_ is but a few
+days' sail from St. Helena."
+
+"Yes," responded Mr. Balcombe politely, wondering why this announcement
+should be made so seriously.
+
+"Sir George Cockburn," continued the other, "commands the
+_Northumberland_, and in his care is Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he brings
+to St. Helena as a prisoner of state."
+
+Mr. Balcombe started to speak; his expression was one of annoyance. He
+was not fond of practical jokes. His wife leaned back in her chair,
+gazing incredulously at the speaker. The children laughed. The officer's
+story was too absurd. Then one of the little boys began to cry. In their
+play the older children were in the habit of frightening the others with
+the name of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was alarming to hear that the
+terrible Napoleon was to come to live on their peaceful island.
+
+Before Mr. Balcombe could express his surprise, the officer repeated:
+
+"Yes, Napoleon Bonaparte, the enemy of England."
+
+"But how can that be?" asked Mr. Balcombe, hardly understanding.
+"Bonaparte was on Elba months ago; what has England to do with him now?"
+
+"Surely--" began the captain; then recalling himself, "but I forgot how
+far St. Helena is from the rest of the world. After Napoleon escaped
+from Elba in February, he gathered a great army. But the Allies, with
+our Iron Duke at the head, met him near Brussels, and there in June was
+fought the great battle of Waterloo. Thousands were killed, brave
+English as well as French. That battle marked the downfall of Napoleon,
+and soon he was England's prisoner."
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe, as well as their children, listened eagerly,
+absorbed in a story they now heard for the first time.
+
+"So they send him here?" It was Mr. Balcombe who first spoke.
+
+"Yes; no spot in Europe can hold him. Even on Elba he had begun to
+establish a kingdom. He reached beyond that little island, and now he
+has had his Waterloo."
+
+"It is clear, then," said Mr. Balcombe, "why they have sent him here.
+This is a natural fortress and it belongs to England."
+
+"Yes," said the officer; "England knows that here, in her keeping,
+Bonaparte will never again escape to torment the world."
+
+After a few more words of explanation on the one hand and of surprise on
+the other, the visitors withdrew.
+
+Of those who had listened to the officer young Elizabeth, or Betsy as
+she was commonly called, was the most disturbed. She shivered and turned
+pale, and her mother, noticing her agitation, soon sent her to bed.
+There she silently wept herself to sleep and her dreams were filled with
+visions of that dreadful ogre, Bonaparte. It was not a very long time
+since she had really believed Napoleon to be a huge monster, a kind of
+Polyphemus with one large, flaming eye in the middle of his forehead and
+with long teeth protruding from his mouth, with which he devoured bad
+little girls.
+
+Although Betsy had outgrown this first idea of Napoleon, implanted in
+her young brain by careless servants, she was still afraid of the
+Conqueror. It is true that she realized he was not an ogre, but a human
+being; that is to say, the very worst human being that had ever lived.
+She knew this must be so, for she had heard sensible grown-up persons
+speak of him in this way, even her own father and mother. What wonder,
+then, that her dreams should be disturbed by thoughts of the misery that
+must come to St. Helena with such a man as Napoleon living on the
+island?
+
+The next morning after the visit of the officer from the _Icarus_, the
+little girl rose early. She was far from cheerful as she looked about
+her on the lovely garden and grove. A wave of hot anger passed over her.
+Why should that terrible man be permitted to land and destroy all this
+beauty, as he would, of course, on the first opportunity?
+
+From the garden she looked toward the rugged mountain, known as Peak's
+Hill, which shut off the valley from the south. Her father had spoken of
+the island as a natural fortress. Except for the mountains the
+Government would never have thought of sending the dreadful Napoleon to
+St. Helena. So she hated the mountains and cliffs.
+
+Perhaps, however, even at that moment when she dreaded the coming of the
+exiled Emperor, Betsy may have recalled her own first impressions of St.
+Helena and cast a half-pitying thought toward the great man who now saw
+in its rocky heights only his prison wall.
+
+One day Betsy's mother had reminded the young girl of the bitter tears
+she shed when she had first seen the island.
+
+"You were a silly girl to cry when you first came in sight of land,"
+said her mother, recalling the circumstance.
+
+"Yes, but some had told me that the island was really the head of a
+great negro that was only waiting for the breakfast bell; then it would
+devour me first, and later the rest of the passengers and crew."
+
+"Well, I am glad you told me your fears."
+
+"So am I, for you showed me that these things could not be true."
+
+"Yet I remember," responded Betsy's mother, "that you would not take
+your head from my lap until eight bells had sounded. For some reason the
+nearness of breakfast made you believe that danger was over."
+
+"But you can't say that I made much fuss when I really was in the power
+of a negro," rejoined Betsy; "for I can well remember how strange it
+seemed when I was lifted in a basket, and told that a big negro was to
+carry me out to The Briars. At first I was a little frightened, for I
+had never seen a black man before, but he spoke so pleasantly when he
+put me down to rest, even though grinning from ear to ear, that I
+decided he would not harm me."
+
+"You saw at once that he was good natured."
+
+"Yes, and he asked me so kindly if I were comfortable in my little nest,
+that I trusted him. I was as proud as a peacock when he said he was
+honored in being allowed to carry me, because usually he had nothing but
+vegetables in his basket. When we reached The Briars I told father I had
+had a delightful ride, and so he gave the negro a little present that
+made him grin more than ever, and he went off singing merrily at the top
+of his voice."
+
+Thus Betsy recalled her first impression of St. Helena.
+
+If Mr. Balcombe and the rest of the family at The Briars were surprised
+at the news of Napoleon's approach, people on the island in general were
+equally astonished. No communication had reached Governor Wilks, no
+letter of instructions as to what should be done with the illustrious
+prisoner.
+
+The captain of the _Icarus_ could only tell the residents of St. Helena
+that Napoleon was near and that the Second Battalion of the Fifty-third
+Regiment had embarked with the squadron. Even in those days, when there
+were no cables to flash the news of coming events, when there were no
+swift steamboats to act as heralds, it seems strange that in more than
+seven months no news of the escape from Elba had reached the little
+island.
+
+Now, when the people of St. Helena heard the news, they were greatly
+disturbed. They were afraid that the coming of Napoleon might cause
+changes in their government, and they were so fond of the Governor that
+they did not wish to lose him.
+
+Their fears were well grounded, for when Sir George Cockburn landed it
+was found that he had received an appointment that gave him the chief
+civil and military power on the island, while Governor Wilks took
+secondary rank. Later it was learned that on account of the distinction
+of the prisoner, a governor of higher rank than Colonel Wilks would be
+sent from England to supersede him, a governor who held his appointment
+directly from the Crown.
+
+Two or three days after the visit of the officer to The Briars, Betsy
+and her brothers and sister were in a state of great excitement.
+
+"Ah, I hope papa will not be killed," cried little Alexander.
+
+"How silly you are!" responded the older Jane. "Why should he be
+killed?"
+
+"Because Napoleon is such a monster. If he should suddenly take out his
+sword--"
+
+"Yes, or open his mouth and swallow papa, how terrible it would be!"
+added Betsy mockingly.
+
+"Of course Bonaparte is a monster, but he would never dare hurt any one
+on this island, especially an Englishman. Don't worry. Papa will come
+home safely enough, but I wish he would hurry, so we could hear all
+about the wretch."
+
+Later in the day the children gathered eagerly around their father, who
+had returned from his visit to the ships.
+
+"Oh, papa, what was he like?" asked each in turn.
+
+"Who, Napoleon?"
+
+"Of course. We wish to hear about him. Didn't you see him? Didn't you
+see anybody there?"
+
+"I could hardly visit a fleet without seeing some one."
+
+"Is it a large fleet?"
+
+"Yes, it would be called large in any part of the world."
+
+"How large is it?"
+
+"Besides the _Northumberland_ there are several other men-of-war, and
+the transports with the Fifty-third Regiment."
+
+"But did you see Napoleon?" asked one of the children, returning to the
+subject of greatest interest.
+
+"I did not see General Bonaparte," replied the father, pausing to see
+the effect of his words on the children. Then, as he noted their
+expression of disappointment, he quickly added: "But I saw some of the
+others,--some of his suite."
+
+"Oh, tell us about it!"
+
+"There is little to tell. After paying my respects to Sir George
+Cockburn, I was introduced to Madame Bertrand and Madame Montholon, and
+then to the rest of Napoleon's suite."
+
+"What were they like?" asked one of the girls eagerly, as if she
+expected her father to describe a group of strange beings.
+
+"Like any travellers, my child, who had had a long voyage, from the
+effects of which they were anxious to rest."
+
+"Oh, I wish you had seen Napoleon!"
+
+"I am likely to see him soon, and you may, also, as he is to land
+to-night."
+
+At this news the children were silent. To have Napoleon on the island
+was not a pleasant prospect. They were not so sure now that they cared
+to see him.
+
+"But where will he live, papa, when he comes ashore?" ventured Jane at
+last. "Will they put him in a dungeon?"
+
+"Certainly not, my child. He is to live at Longwood, but as the house
+needs to be put in repair, he will stay for a while with Mr. Porteous."
+
+"When will he come ashore?" asked Betsy timidly. Now that her father had
+spoken so reassuringly of Napoleon, she was curious to see him, at least
+from a safe distance.
+
+"He will land to-night,--after dark, I imagine, to escape the gaze of
+the crowd;" and their father, turning from the children, went toward the
+house.
+
+As he left them, the young people began an animated discussion of
+Napoleon. They were already getting used to the idea that he was to live
+on St. Helena and that he was an ordinary human being, not unlike the
+British officials of high rank sent out by the Crown.
+
+"As he cannot possibly hurt us, why shouldn't we go to the valley to see
+him land?" asked Betsy.
+
+"Why shouldn't we?" echoed Jane. So it happened, when they had asked
+their parents, that the older children were permitted to go to Jamestown
+to see Napoleon land. When they reached the wharf it was dusk and crowds
+of people were gathered on every side.
+
+"I did not know there were so many people on the island," whispered
+Betsy, as she pressed closer to her sister. "Do you suppose he will be
+in the first boat?"
+
+"I don't know. But see, it is coming!"
+
+"Yes, little ladies," said a bystander, "Bonaparte will surely be in the
+first boat."
+
+"Here it is, here it is," cried Betsy. "Look, Jane, look!"
+
+Even as she spoke, the passengers from the longboat were coming ashore,
+and although it was seven o'clock in the evening, there was still enough
+light to enable the watchers to see the figures of those who were
+landing.
+
+The girls strained their eyes. Three men marched slowly up from the
+ship's boat. "See," cried Betsy, "probably Napoleon is in the middle."
+
+"That little man, and in an overcoat!"
+
+"Yes, for there is something flashing, probably a diamond."
+
+"A man with a diamond! How foolish!" objected Jane.
+
+[Illustration: JAMESTOWN]
+
+"But it is, indeed it is!"
+
+"I wish people wouldn't crowd so."
+
+"They've got to move back. I'm glad of it. The sentries are standing
+with fixed bayonets to keep more people from rushing down from the
+town."
+
+If Napoleon had landed earlier in the day, he would have been greeted by
+an even greater crowd, for people had been gathering on the Marina from
+the earliest hours; but disappointed that he was not to land until after
+sunset, most of them had gone home. Still, however, a large enough crowd
+had gathered to make it necessary for the sentries to use some force to
+keep them in order.
+
+In spite of the crowd, the sisters felt that they had been rewarded for
+their trouble, for when they reached home they learned that the little
+man in the green coat was indeed the dreaded monster.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A DISTINGUISHED TENANT
+
+
+The next morning Betsy rose early. The night before the family had sat
+up later than their custom, talking about the arrival of the ship and
+the distinguished prisoners.
+
+"Are General Bertrand and Count Montholon prisoners too?" asked one of
+the girls.
+
+"No, my dear; I understand that they are at liberty to leave St. Helena
+whenever they wish. Of course while they are here they must obey
+whatever rules are made for them, but they would not be here if they had
+not chosen to share the fate of Napoleon."
+
+"That is very noble," said Jane, "to leave one's home for the sake of
+such a man as Napoleon;" and the conversation changed into a discussion
+of the reasons that had induced those Frenchmen to follow their leader.
+The next morning Betsy awoke feeling that something unusual had
+happened.
+
+Her little brothers plied her and Jane with questions about the landing
+of the Frenchmen.
+
+"I wish we lived close to the town," complained Alexander, "that we
+might hear more about Napoleon."
+
+"Look, look!" cried Betsy, before the little fellow had finished
+speaking. "What is that on the side of the mountain?"
+
+Following the direction of her finger, the other children broke into
+excited cries. "The French, it must be the French! There are horses with
+men on them. There, see the swords flash! They must be guarding a
+prisoner."
+
+"Oh, I suppose it is a prisoner. But what is that white thing?"
+
+"It is a plume; you can see that for yourself. Let us get a spyglass."
+
+For some time the children watched the little procession curving around
+the mountain-side, high above them.
+
+"It makes me think of a great serpent winding along," said Betsy.
+
+"It doesn't look like a serpent, through the glass. There are five men
+on horseback. One of them has a cocked hat. It must be Napoleon, though
+he wears no greatcoat."
+
+"They're going to Longwood. That's what it is. Papa says he's to live
+there. I wonder how he'll like it after all his palaces in Europe."
+
+"I'm glad he won't live near us. I should never dare leave the house, if
+he lived near."
+
+"Who's he?"
+
+"Napoleon, of course."
+
+The morning passed. The children thought of little but Napoleon. They
+talked to each other of his victories and were proud that Englishmen had
+overthrown him.
+
+Early in the afternoon two gentlemen called, Dr. Warden of the
+_Northumberland_ and Dr. O'Meara of the garrison.
+
+"Oh, have you seen him?"
+
+"Seen whom?"
+
+"Why, Napoleon; don't tease us,--Napoleon Bonaparte."
+
+"Well, then, since you are so curious, yes, we have seen him." Dr.
+Warden smiled, for he was surgeon of the ship that had brought Napoleon.
+
+"Oh, was he perfectly awful? Weren't you frightened?"
+
+"If we were frightened, I tried not to show it. Napoleon seemed
+harmless. He did not even try to bayonet us," replied Dr. O'Meara.
+
+"But how did he look?"
+
+"He hadn't horns or hoofs; at least, we didn't see them, and on the
+whole he was charming, though he seemed tired. You girls will like him."
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Betsy. "I shake and shiver whenever I think of him. If
+ever I look at him it will be only at a distance, but I could never,
+never speak to him."
+
+"Mark my words, you will change your mind, Miss Betsy," cried one of the
+two as he turned away.
+
+About four o'clock that same afternoon, when it was approaching dusk in
+the little valley, one of the children reported that the same horsemen
+they had seen in the morning were again winding around the mountain.
+
+Soon the whole family gathered outside, and as they looked, to their
+great astonishment they observed the procession halt at the mountain
+pass above the house, and then, after a few minutes' pause, begin to
+descend the mountain toward the cottage.
+
+"Oh, mamma, do you suppose they are coming here? I must go and hide
+myself," cried the excitable Betsy.
+
+"No, my dear, you will do nothing of the kind. I am surprised that a
+great girl should be so foolish."
+
+"But Napoleon is coming, don't you understand, Napoleon. I could not
+bear to look at him."
+
+"You will look at him and speak to him, if he comes here. It will be a
+good chance for you to put your French to use."
+
+Poor Betsy! Up to this time she had been proud of the French acquired
+during a visit to England a few years before, which she had
+conscientiously kept up by conversation with a French servant.
+
+It seemed hard that she was now to be called on to do a disagreeable
+thing just because of this accomplishment. Of course she could not
+disobey her mother, and in spite of her fright she really had some
+curiosity to see the distinguished guest.
+
+Not long after the party first came in sight, the French and their
+escort were at the gate of The Briars. As there was no carriage road to
+the house, all, except Napoleon, got off their horses. He rode over the
+grass, while his horse's feet cut into the turf. His horse was jet
+black, with arched neck, and as he pranced along he seemed to feel
+conscious of his own importance in carrying so distinguished a man as
+the Emperor.
+
+"He's handsome," whispered Jane to Betsy.
+
+"The horse?"
+
+"No, Napoleon; just look at those jewels and ribbons on his coat--and I
+never saw so beautiful a saddlecloth. It is embroidered with gold."
+
+Before more could be said, Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe were moving forward to
+meet Sir George Cockburn and his distinguished companion. The sisters
+closely followed their parents, and after the older people had been
+presented to Napoleon the turn of the girls came. Betsy, looking up, was
+impressed by the charm of Napoleon's smile. She saw that his hair was
+brown and silky fine; his eyes were a brilliant hazel. She also noticed
+one slight defect,--that his even teeth were dark, the result, she
+afterwards learned, of his habit of using much licorice.
+
+The children at first were surprised to find Napoleon neither as tall
+nor as impressive as he had appeared on horseback. When they looked in
+his face they decided that he was very attractive, and when he spoke his
+smile and kindly manner at once won their hearts. From that moment Betsy
+forgot that she had ever considered him an ogre. To herself she called
+him the handsomest man she had ever seen.
+
+"This is a most beautiful situation," he said to Betsy's mother. "One
+could be almost happy here!" he added with a sigh.
+
+"Then perhaps you will honor us with a visit until Longwood is ready,"
+interposed Mr. Balcombe. "I understand that you prefer this to the town,
+and I have already put some rooms at Sir George Cockburn's disposal."
+
+"I do prefer it."
+
+"Then the rooms are at your service."
+
+Strange language this to a prisoner,--the children may have thought as
+they listened,--to give him a choice of abode. Later they learned why
+their father had put the matter in this way. They heard how wretched it
+made the Emperor to think of returning to the small house where he had
+lodged in the town and where people stared into the windows, as if he
+were some kind of wild animal. When he found that Longwood would not be
+ready for him for several weeks, he had at once declared his
+unwillingness to return to Jamestown. The glimpse of The Briars that he
+had had from a distance pleased him greatly, and he had asked if it
+might not be possible to lodge him there. Mr. Balcombe, as an official
+of the Government, having placed some rooms at the disposal of the
+Admiral, Sir George Cockburn, was now anxious to put Napoleon at his
+ease about occupying them.
+
+The Balcombe children were greatly stirred up when they found that
+Napoleon was to be their neighbor, for the rooms to be assigned him were
+near, but not in, the main house. Their fear of the Emperor had almost
+wholly disappeared.
+
+Continuing to praise the view, Napoleon asked that some chairs be
+brought out on the lawn.
+
+"Come, Mademoiselle," he said to Betsy in French, "sit by me and talk.
+You speak French?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Betsy with apparent calmness, though her heart was
+beating violently.
+
+"Who taught you?"
+
+"I learned in England, when I was at school."
+
+"That is well, and what else did you study? Geography, I hope."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then you can tell me what is the capital of France?"
+
+"Paris, monsieur."
+
+"Of Italy?"
+
+"Rome."
+
+"Of Russia?"
+
+"St. Petersburg."
+
+He looked up quickly. "St. Petersburg now; it was Moscow."
+
+Then he asked, sternly and abruptly, "_Qui l'a brule?_" ["Who burned
+it?"]
+
+Betsy trembled. There was something terrifying now in his expression, as
+well as in the tones of his voice. She could not find words to reply as
+she recalled what she had heard about the burning of the great Russian
+city and the question as to whether the French or the Russians had set
+it on fire.
+
+"_Qui l'a brule?_" repeated Napoleon.
+
+But there was a twinkle in his eye and a smile in his voice that
+encouraged Betsy to venture a stammering "I don't know, sir."
+
+"_Oui, oui_," he responded, laughing heartily. "_Vous savez tres bien.
+C'est moi qui l'a brule._" ["Yes, yes, you understand well. It is I who
+burned it."]
+
+Then Betsy ventured further:
+
+"I believe, sir, the Russians burned it to get rid of the French."
+
+Again Napoleon laughed and, instead of being angry, seemed pleased that
+the little girl knew something about the Russian campaign.
+
+Now while Napoleon was sitting in the garden or walking about the
+beautiful grounds, all was confusion and excitement within The Briars.
+Betsy's mother, like any other good English housewife, was naturally
+somewhat taken aback at having suddenly to make plans to entertain
+Napoleon and part of his suite. Even though the English Government might
+pay for his board, she must still regard him as her guest, and in the
+small time at her disposal do all that she could to make him
+comfortable.
+
+Rooms, therefore, must be rearranged and what furniture could be spared
+from the rest of the house must be put into Napoleon's apartments. So,
+in the short space of a few hours, the dreaded Emperor of the French,
+the ogre feared by the children, had become the neighbor, almost the
+inmate of a happy English household--English, in spite of its distance,
+many thousands of miles away, from the islands of Great Britain.
+
+It was evening when Napoleon came back to the house with the family.
+Here again his conversation was chiefly with Betsy, as her fluent French
+pleased him. Her parents could use the language only with difficulty.
+
+"Do you like music?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"But I suppose that you are too young to play."
+
+This rather piqued Betsy.
+
+"I can both sing and play."
+
+"Then sing to me."
+
+Thereupon Betsy, seating herself at the little harpsichord, sang in a
+sweet, full voice "Ye Banks and Braes."
+
+"That is the prettiest English air I have ever heard."
+
+"It is a Scotch air," said Betsy timidly.
+
+"I thought it too pretty to be English. Their music is vile,--the worst
+in the world. Do you know any French songs? Ah, I wish you could sing
+_Vive Henri Quatre_."
+
+"No, sir; I know no French songs."
+
+Upon this the Emperor began to hum the air, and in a fit of abstraction,
+rising from his chair, marched around the room, keeping time to the tune
+he was singing.
+
+"Now what do you think of that, Miss Betsy?" he asked abruptly. Betsy
+hesitated between her love of truth and her desire to please the
+Emperor.
+
+"I do not think I like it," she said at last, rather gently. "I cannot
+make out the air."
+
+She might also have added that the great Emperor's voice was far from
+musical. Neither then nor at other times when he tried to sing could she
+tell just what tune he thought he was rendering.
+
+When he discussed music she understood him better and she saw that he
+was a good critic. "French music," he said, "is almost as bad as
+English. Only Italians know how to produce an opera properly;" and he
+sighed heavily, remembering perhaps that his own opera days were over.
+
+Not long after Betsy had finished "Ye Banks and Braes," word was brought
+to Napoleon that his rooms were ready, and with a kindly word or two he
+bade good night to his young friend.
+
+The little girl's dreams that night were, we can well imagine, quite
+unlike any she had ever had before. But if she dreamed of the Emperor it
+is certain that she did not regard him as an ogre. His wonderful
+personality had gained her heart. Henceforth she was to be his loyal
+friend as well as his neighbor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+FROM WATERLOO TO ST. HELENA
+
+
+The events that ended in the voyage of the fallen Emperor to St. Helena,
+if told in full, would make a long story. The battle of Waterloo,
+however, is a good starting place, the battle that decided the peace of
+Europe after its long years of war, when the Allied Powers, led by the
+Duke of Wellington, defeated the French, who had rallied around Napoleon
+for a last stand.
+
+Napoleon, when he saw that the day was lost for him and the French,
+fought desperately, hoping perhaps to meet death. But he seemed to have
+a charmed life, and, though he plunged into the thick of the fight, he
+was not even wounded.
+
+Some of his friends advised him to continue the struggle, but he saw
+that this might mean civil war for France as well as a long contest
+against the Allies. He cared too much for France to drag her into
+further wars. Some say that in giving up he could not help
+himself,--that what he did he had to do. Be that as it may, for a second
+time he signed the Act of Abdication, and after proclaiming his son
+Napoleon II, he left Paris. First he went to Malmaison, once the
+beautiful home of Josephine, where a few friends joined him.
+
+When the Allies were approaching Paris, Napoleon offered his services to
+the Provisional Government, promising to retire when the enemy was
+driven away. But the men now at the head of affairs at Paris were afraid
+to give authority of any kind to Napoleon, even for a limited time. He
+had broken one promise, he might break another, and they refused his
+offer.
+
+Napoleon now thought of America. Certain Americans in Paris had offered
+him help. One shipping merchant, a Massachusetts man, had an excellent
+plan, which, had Napoleon followed it, might have resulted in his
+reaching America safely. But Napoleon delayed, and although he did not
+know it at the time, when he left Malmaison for Rochefort on June 29 he
+was too late. Up to the last he hoped to reach a vessel that would carry
+him safely to the United States. It is said that he gave up the plan
+proposed by the American shipping merchant because he would not desert
+his friends, and for the time there seemed to be no way of providing for
+them.
+
+It takes strength of mind for a man to decide to live out his destiny
+rather than run away from life. Napoleon now decided to make the best of
+things. With British ships practically blockading the coast, he saw that
+to try to escape was hopeless. He heard with dismay that Paris had
+surrendered to the Allies, and that the Provisional Government, that
+might have helped him, had dissolved. His last effort was to suggest
+sending a flag of truce by Generals Savary and Las Cases to Captain
+Maitland, commander of the British squadron, asking to be allowed to
+pass out of the harbor. He gave his word of honor that he would then go
+directly to America. Captain Maitland replied that even if he himself
+could grant this request, Napoleon's vessel would be attacked as soon as
+it had left the harbor. Napoleon at last had to admit that the end had
+come when the report was brought him that Louis XVIII was again seated
+on the throne of France. He therefore again sent two officers to Captain
+Maitland, offering to surrender on condition that no harm should come to
+his person or property. Another condition was that he should be allowed
+to live where he pleased in England as a private individual. The officer
+replied that he could not make terms, but that he would probably take
+Napoleon and his suite to England as soon as he should receive word from
+the Prince Regent. This answer was disappointing to Napoleon, but there
+was nothing now for him to do except to set out for the _Bellerophon_,
+Captain Maitland's ship, with the flag of truce.
+
+"I come to claim the protection of your prince and your laws," he said
+in French, as he advanced on the quarter-deck to meet Captain Maitland.
+
+Soon after this he wrote the following letter in French to the Prince
+Regent:
+
+     ROYAL HIGHNESS:
+
+     Exposed to the factions which divide my country and to the
+     enmity of the great Powers of Europe, I have terminated my
+     political career, and I come like Themistocles to throw myself
+     on the hospitality of the British nation. I place myself under
+     the safeguard of their laws and claim protection of your Royal
+     Highness, the most powerful, the most constant, and the most
+     generous of my enemies.
+
+     NAPOLEON.
+
+It is not to be supposed that all this time Napoleon's friends were
+indifferent to his fate. Those who were near enough to communicate with
+him made various suggestions.
+
+[Illustration: THE EMBARKATION ON BOARD THE _BELLEROPHON_]
+
+At Rochefort his brother Joseph offered to disguise himself and change
+places with him, so that the Emperor might get away in the same vessel
+in which he himself was preparing to escape. Had Napoleon agreed to this
+plan, he would probably have been as successful as Joseph in reaching
+America.
+
+Some young and brave French officers are said to have offered themselves
+as the crew of a rowing boat to carry Napoleon safely through the
+blockading fleet. There would have been some risk in carrying out this
+proposal of stealing through the blockade, but it had a fair chance of
+success.
+
+There were also swift neutral vessels not far away, on more than one of
+which he had friends. But although, with three of his suite, he did
+embark on a Danish ship, on second thoughts he decided not to venture
+farther, and returned to shore. He might have accepted the suggestion of
+the captain of a French frigate then at the Ile d'Aix, who begged
+Napoleon to take the chance of intrusting himself to him. He would, he
+said, attack a British ship near by, and while the attention of other
+vessels was fixed on the encounter, a second French frigate with
+Napoleon on board would carry him far outside the harbor to safety. But
+this offer, too, was put aside. The admirers of Napoleon, who look back
+on his days of indecision at Rochefort, wonder at the change in the man,
+who by his policy of delay brought on himself his sad exile on the
+barren island.
+
+Yet it is easy to see that even though half willing to try flight,
+Napoleon really could not bring himself to the position of a fugitive,
+afraid to face his enemies. It was nobler to confront danger, as he had
+confronted it often on the battlefield. It was not strange that he
+should hope to find appreciation of his courage, even in the hearts of
+his enemies.
+
+It was the fifteenth of July when Napoleon embarked on the
+_Bellerophon_, and a week afterwards he was in Plymouth Harbor. Too
+late, to his great consternation, he found that the British regarded him
+as a prisoner. He was helpless; he had no weapons but words, for armed
+vessels surrounded him and the few friends who followed him counted for
+nothing against his foes.
+
+On the thirtieth of July, General Bonaparte--the British refused him the
+title of Emperor--was notified that the British Government had chosen
+St. Helena as his future residence, whither a limited number of his
+friends might accompany him. On receiving this word, Napoleon's
+indignation was loudly expressed. He replied, that he was not the
+prisoner, but the guest of England, and that it was an outrage against
+him to condemn him to exile into which he would not willingly go. It was
+at once evident, however, that, willing or unwilling, he must embark for
+his distant prison. From Plymouth he was taken to Torbay, where, on the
+eleventh of August, the _Bellerophon_ met the _Northumberland_, on which
+the illustrious prisoner was to be taken to St. Helena.
+
+When Napoleon received Lord Keith and Sir George Cockburn on the deck of
+the _Bellerophon_ he wore a green coat with red facings, epaulets, white
+waistcoat and breeches, silk stockings, the star of the Legion of Honor,
+and a _chapeau gris_ with the tricolored cockade. At first the Emperor
+spoke bitterly of the action of the British Government, but at last he
+abruptly asked Lord Keith for his advice. The latter replied it would be
+best for Napoleon to submit with good grace. Napoleon then agreed to go
+on board the _Northumberland_ at ten the next morning. Later he recalled
+his consent and again talked bitterly of his fate, but at last he
+controlled himself and agreed to submit.
+
+The next day, after all the stores and provisions and the personal
+belongings of Napoleon and his suite were on board, the
+_Northumberland_, with its distinguished prisoner, set sail for St.
+Helena.
+
+With Napoleon went a fairly large suite, consisting of the following
+persons:
+
+Grand Mareschal Comte de Bertrand, Madame de Bertrand and three
+children, one woman servant and her child, one man servant; General
+Comte de Montholon, Madame de Montholon and a child, one woman servant;
+Comte de las Cases and his son of thirteen; General Gorgaud; three
+_valets de chambre_ and three footmen, a cook, a _lampiste_, an usher, a
+steward, _chef d'office_.
+
+Among the things that made up the rather large store of baggage that
+Napoleon took with him to St. Helena, besides his clothing and more
+personal belongings, were two table services of silver, a number of
+articles of gold, a beautiful toilet service of silver, including water
+basin and ewer, cases of books, and his special beds. Although money
+could do little for him in his new home, since all his expenses would be
+met by the British Government, it is known that he had with him a large
+amount of money.
+
+It is useless now to discuss what would have been the result had his
+enemies been kinder to Napoleon. If he had been permitted to settle down
+in England as he wished, as a country gentleman, would this have
+satisfied him? Even if he had made no attempt to recover the throne of
+France for himself, might he not have put forth efforts to have his son
+acknowledged Emperor? At the time of his father's downfall, the little
+King of Rome was hardly more than a baby, but as years passed on he
+could never have lived contentedly with his grandfather, the Austrian
+Emperor, knowing that his father was as near as England. In the name of
+the young Napoleon, Europe might again have been plunged into a great
+war.
+
+Yet, without looking toward the future, Great Britain was only too sure
+that the time had come to punish one who had always been the avowed
+enemy of England. It is true that England had suffered less than any
+other of the Powers at the hands of Napoleon, because he had never
+invaded her territory, but in no country was Napoleon so hated.
+Thousands of Englishmen had shed their blood in the wars carried on
+against him by the Allies, and by the mass of the English people he was
+regarded as a monster. Although the so-called Napoleonic wars had their
+origin in causes that Napoleon could not have controlled, he was
+regarded as the one being responsible for the twenty years' upheaval in
+Europe.
+
+When it was announced that the British Cabinet had decided to send him
+into exile, many, perhaps the majority, thought the punishment too
+light. They would have had him treated as a rebel and immediately hanged
+or beheaded. Yet while the mass of the English people hated Napoleon,
+Englishmen who had ever met him were apt to be his firm friends, or at
+least his admirers.
+
+Captain Maitland, of the _Bellerophon_, said that he had inquiries made
+of the crew as to their opinion of him, and this was the result: "They
+may abuse that man as much as they please, but if the people of England
+knew him as well as we do, they would not touch a hair of his head."
+
+Though Napoleon had surrendered to Great Britain alone, the Allied
+Powers, desiring Great Britain to be responsible for him, approved her
+course.
+
+During the voyage of ten weeks toward St. Helena, Napoleon suffered
+little from sea-sickness after the first few days. He breakfasted in his
+own cabin at ten or eleven o'clock. Before he dined he generally played
+a game of chess, and remained at dinner, in compliment to the Admiral,
+about an hour. After he had his coffee he left the others to walk with
+Count Bertrand or Count Las Cases on the quarter-deck. He often spoke to
+those officers who could understand French. At first he showed little
+interest in the occupations of those about him, but in time he engaged
+in more general conversation and was especially inclined to talk to Mr.
+Warden, the _Northumberland_ surgeon, about the prevailing complaints on
+board the ship and his methods of treating the sick. After a while he
+turned to his own books and spent most of the day reading or in
+dictating to Las Cases. On the twenty-third of August the
+_Northumberland_ crossed the equator. Before this the Admiral had amused
+himself trying to frighten the French, telling them of the rough
+ceremony practised by the sailors, who always undertook to present to
+Neptune all persons on board who had never before crossed the line. It
+happened, however, that in this instance all made a special effort to be
+courteous. While the sailors presented to Neptune were shaved with huge
+razors and a lather of pitch, the French were introduced politely with
+compliments, and the Emperor was treated especially well.
+
+Napoleon seemed amused by this novel performance, and later he wished to
+have one hundred napoleons divided among the sailors. He was made,
+however, to feel his altered position when, after some discussion, the
+Admiral courteously but decidedly refused his request.
+
+There were probably few on the _Northumberland_ who did not deeply
+sympathize with the fallen Emperor. On this long, monotonous voyage,
+when his only amusements were conversation and an occasional evening
+game of whist with his friends, he seemed to be trying to make the best
+of the situation.
+
+On the morning when the _Northumberland_ approached St. Helena, the
+Emperor dressed early, and going up on deck stepped forward on the
+gangway. It was the fifteenth of October when the ship, after its long
+voyage, lay at anchor. The Emperor, standing on the gangway with Las
+Cases behind him, looked through his glass at the shore. Directly in
+front he saw a little village, surrounded by barren and naked hills,
+reaching toward the clouds. Wherever he looked, on every platform, at
+every aperture, on every hill, was a cannon. Las Cases, watching his
+face intently, could perceive no change of expression, for Napoleon now
+had full control of himself. Unmoved he could look on the island that
+was to be his prison, perhaps his grave. He did not stay long on deck,
+but, turning about, asked Las Cases to lead the way to his cabin. There
+they went on with their usual occupation, waiting until they should be
+told that the time for landing had come.
+
+During the long voyage Napoleon had won the regard of most persons on
+the ship. The _Northumberland_ was terribly crowded, but while others
+grumbled, he made no complaint of the great discomfort, although he,
+like the others, was affected by it. Already he had begun to practise
+that stoicism which, on the whole, was the keynote of his life at St.
+Helena.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+NAPOLEON AT THE BRIARS
+
+
+Napoleon quickly fitted himself into his place in his new surroundings.
+So adaptable was he that the children soon ceased to regard him as a
+stranger, nor were they inclined to criticise his habits, although in
+most respects his ways were quite unlike those of the Balcombe family.
+For example, he did not breakfast as they did. After rising at eight
+o'clock, he satisfied himself with a cup of coffee and had his first
+hearty meal, breakfast or luncheon as they variously called it, at one.
+It was nine o'clock in the evening before he dined, and eleven when he
+withdrew to his own room.
+
+The Pavilion, the building that chiefly formed his new abode, was a
+short distance from the main building of The Briars. It had one good
+room on the ground floor, and two garrets. Napoleon selected this
+Pavilion, not because it was really more convenient for him, but because
+by occupying it he would less disturb the Balcombe family than by taking
+quarters in the main house.
+
+Las Cases and his son were in one of the garrets, and Napoleon's chief
+_valet de chambre_ and others of his household were in the second. The
+rooms were so crowded that some of the party had to sleep on the floor
+of the little hall. The Pavilion had been built by Betsy's father as a
+ballroom, and had a certain stateliness. The large room opened on a
+lawn, neatly fenced around, and in the centre of the lawn was a marquee,
+connected with the house by a covered way. The marquee had two
+compartments. The inner one was Napoleon's bedroom, and in the other
+General Gorgaud slept. There was little but the beds in the marquee.
+General Gorgaud slept on a small tent bed with green silk hangings,
+which Napoleon had had with him in all his campaigns.
+
+Between the two divisions of the marquee some of the servants of
+Napoleon had carved a huge crown in the green turf, on which the Emperor
+was obliged to step as he passed through.
+
+At first Count Bertrand and Count Montholon with their families were
+lodged at Mr. Porteous's house in the town, where a suitable table was
+prepared for them in the French style. They could go to The Briars
+whenever they wished, accompanied by a British officer or Dr. O'Meara,
+who was appointed physician to Napoleon; or, followed by a soldier, they
+were permitted to visit any part of the island except the forts and
+batteries.
+
+A captain of artillery resided at The Briars, and at first a sergeant
+and soldiers were also stationed there. But the presence of the soldiers
+was evidently needless, as well as so disagreeable to the family that,
+on hearing various remonstrances, Sir George Cockburn ordered them away.
+
+But for the presence of the artillery officer, Napoleon during his stay
+at The Briars might almost have forgotten that he was a prisoner. He and
+his suite appreciated the unfailing kindness of Mr. Balcombe and his
+family, who from the first left nothing undone for the comfort of the
+exiles. During the early days of his stay the dinner for the French
+people at The Briars was sent out from town, but soon Mr. Balcombe
+fitted up a little kitchen, connected with the Pavilion, where
+Napoleon's accomplished cook had every opportunity to display his skill.
+Very often after dinner Napoleon obligingly went outside for a walk,
+that his attendants might finish their dinner in the room that he had
+left.
+
+Soon after his arrival Napoleon was visited by Colonel Wilks, Governor
+of St. Helena, Mrs. Wilks, and other officials of the island, and some
+of the leading citizens and their families. He had not yet begun to
+seclude himself, and he and his companions seemed to be trying to make
+the best of their situation. Then and later evening parties were
+occasionally given by the French without much appearance of restraint.
+Napoleon accepted no invitations except those given by his friends at
+The Briars, and in one or two unusual cases, but the others went
+sometimes to the well-attended balls given by Sir George Cockburn.
+
+Madames Bertrand and Montholon and the rest of Napoleon's suite, for
+whom there was not room at The Briars, often came to see him there, and
+remained during the day. To them he was still _le grand empereur_. His
+every look was watched, every wish was anticipated, and they showed him
+great reverence. Some have thought that in dealing with them he insisted
+too much on the etiquette of a court, but certainly none of the suite
+complained of formality.
+
+Napoleon was always polite to guests at The Briars, and once went to a
+large party given by Mr. Balcombe, pleasing every one by his urbanity.
+When guests were introduced he always asked their profession, and then
+turned the conversation in that direction. People were always surprised
+at the extent of his information. Officers and others on the way from
+China sought introductions and were seldom refused.
+
+Indeed in those first months his attitude to people was very different
+from what it was later. Not infrequently he himself invited people to
+dine with him.
+
+Most of Napoleon's suite shared with him a feeling of friendliness for
+the Balcombe family. Las Cases, however, was always ready to criticise
+Miss Betsy, whose hoydenish ways he could never understand. One evening,
+when she was turning over the leaves of Estille's "Floriant," seeing
+that Gaston de Foix was called General, she asked Napoleon whether he
+was satisfied with him and whether he had escaped or was still living.
+This question shocked Las Cases, for it seemed to him extraordinary that
+a girl should imagine that the famous Gaston de Foix had been a general
+under Napoleon.
+
+But this was not a very strange mistake for a little English girl to
+make. It is to be feared that Las Cases always took a certain pleasure
+in correcting the faults of the young Balcombes, or in reporting them to
+their parents.
+
+From the first Napoleon claimed more of the society of Betsy than of the
+other members of the family, and so agreeable were his manners toward
+her that the little girl soon began to regard him as a companion of her
+own, with whom she could be perfectly at ease, rather than as one much
+older.
+
+"His spirits were very good, and he was at times almost boyish in his
+love of mirth and glee, not unmixed sometimes with a tinge of malice,"
+wrote Betsy years later.
+
+"Jane," said Betsy to her sister, not long after Napoleon's arrival,
+"the Emperor has invited us to dine with him. What fun it will be!"
+
+"I don't know. I am afraid it will be terribly solemn."
+
+"Oh, no; I am not afraid of that. The Emperor isn't solemn. You ought to
+get acquainted with him, and you wouldn't think so."
+
+Jane shook her head dubiously.
+
+"I am half afraid of him. I don't see how you can dare to trifle so with
+him. What were you laughing at yesterday when Lucy was here? I thought
+the Emperor looked rather silly."
+
+"Well, perhaps he did, if you put it that way," responded the blunt
+Betsy. "Only Lucy was sillier. I thought she would drag me to the ground
+when I told her the Emperor was coming across the lawn."
+
+"Then why did you run and bring him up to her? I saw you do it."
+
+"I needn't have done that. I did more harm than good. I told her he
+wasn't the cruel creature she thought him. But I oughtn't to have told
+the Emperor she was afraid of him. At least, I wouldn't have done so had
+I known how he would act, for he brushed up his hair so it stood out
+like a savage's, and when he came up to Lucy he gave a queer growl so
+that she screamed until mamma thought she might have hysterics and
+hurried her out into the house."
+
+"It was ridiculous for a man to act like a child," responded the sedate
+Jane, who had not acquired Betsy's admiration for Napoleon.
+
+"It was more ridiculous for her to scream. Napoleon laughed so at her
+that I had to take her part. 'I thought you a kind of an ogre, too,' I
+said, 'before I knew you.' 'Perhaps you think I couldn't frighten you
+now,' he answered, 'but see;' and then he brushed his hair up higher and
+made faces, and he looked so queer that I could only laugh at him. 'So I
+can't frighten you!' he said, and then he howled and howled, and at last
+seemed disappointed that I wasn't alarmed. 'It's a Cossack howl,' he
+explained, 'and ought to terrify you!' To tell you the truth, it was
+something terrible, but though I didn't like it I wouldn't flinch. Of
+course it was all in fun, for he is really very kind-hearted," concluded
+Betsy.
+
+"All the same I don't enjoy the thought of having dinner with him,"
+responded the practical Jane. "I've half a mind not to go."
+
+"Oh, Jane, that would never do! What would the Emperor think? After you
+have been invited, too. Besides, mother wouldn't let you stay away. An
+invitation from royalty is a command."
+
+"But Napoleon isn't--"
+
+"Hush," cried Betsy, not wishing to hear her new friend belittled. She
+always took offence if any one called him prisoner.
+
+In spite of her professed distaste for the dinner, Jane would have been
+disappointed had she been obliged to stay at home. She set out gayly
+enough, proud in her secret heart that she was to have the honor of
+being in the company of the great man.
+
+Nine o'clock, Napoleon's dinner hour, was late for the little girls. As
+they entered his apartment the Emperor greeted them cordially, meeting
+them with extended hands, and a moment after, Cipriani, his _maitre
+d'hotel_, stood at the door.
+
+"_Le diner de votre Majeste est servi._" Whereupon Napoleon, with a girl
+on each side, led the way after Cipriani, who walked backward, followed
+by the rest of his suite, who were dining with him.
+
+Hardly had they taken their places when Napoleon began to quiz Betsy on
+the fondness of the English for "rosbif and plum pudding."
+
+"It is better than eating frogs."
+
+"Oh, my dear Mees, how you wrong us!"
+
+"Ah, but see here!" cried Betsy, and she brought him a caricature of a
+long, lean Frenchman with his mouth open, his tongue out, and a frog on
+the tip of it, ready to jump down his throat. Under it was written, "A
+Frenchman's Dinner."
+
+The Emperor laughed loudly at this. "You are impertinent," he cried,
+pinching Betsy's ear. "I must show this to the petit Las Cases. He will
+not love you so much for laughing at his countrymen."
+
+Upon this Betsy turned very red. The Emperor had touched a vulnerable
+point. The young Las Cases, a boy of fourteen, was now at dinner with
+them, and Napoleon had found that he could easily tease Betsy about him.
+
+"He will not want a wife," continued Napoleon, "who makes fun of him;"
+and Betsy, inwardly enraged, could only maintain a dignified silence.
+
+The Emperor gazed intently at his young friend, and later, when they
+rose from the table, he called young Las Cases.
+
+"Come, kiss her; this is your revenge."
+
+Betsy looked about vainly for a means of escape. But the Emperor had
+already closed his hands over hers, holding them so that she had no
+chance to get away, while young Las Cases, with a mischievous smile,
+approached and kissed her.
+
+As soon as her hands were at liberty, Betsy boxed the boy's ears and
+awaited her chance to pay Napoleon off.
+
+There was no inside hall to go from Napoleon's apartments to the rest of
+the house, and it was necessary to pass outside along a steep, narrow
+path, wide enough for only one at a time.
+
+An idea flashed into the mind of mischievous Betsy as Napoleon led the
+way, followed by Count Las Cases, his son, and last by Jane.
+
+Betsy let the others get ahead of her, and waited when they were about
+ten yards distant. Then with might and main she dashed ahead, running
+with full force against the luckless Jane, who fell with extended hand
+upon young Las Cases. He in turn struck against his father, and the
+latter, to his dismay, against Napoleon.
+
+The latter could hardly hold his footing, while Betsy in the rear,
+delighted with the success of her plan, jumped and screamed with
+pleasure.
+
+The Emperor said nothing, but Las Cases, horror-struck at the insult
+offered his master, became furiously angry as Betsy's laughter fell on
+his ear.
+
+Turning back, he caught her roughly by the shoulder and pushed her
+against the rocky bank. It was now Betsy's turn to be angry.
+
+"Oh, sir, he has hurt me!"
+
+"Never mind," replied Napoleon; "to please you, I will hold him while
+you punish him."
+
+Thereupon it was young Las Cases's place to tremble. While the great man
+held him by the hands, Betsy gleefully boxed his ears until he begged
+for mercy.
+
+"Stop, stop!" he cried.
+
+"No, I will not. This has all been your fault. If you hadn't kissed
+me--"
+
+"There, there," at last called the Emperor to the boy, "I will let you
+go, but you must run as fast as you can. If you cannot run faster than
+Betsy, you deserve to be beaten again."
+
+The young French page did not wait for a second warning, but starting
+off at a run travelled as fast as he could, with Betsy in full pursuit.
+Napoleon, watching them, laughed heartily and clapped his hands as the
+two raced around the grounds. The little encounter amused him, but Las
+Cases the elder took the matter more seriously.
+
+Betsy wrote, "From that moment Las Cases never liked me, after this
+adventure, and used to call me a little rude hoyden."
+
+The next afternoon Betsy and Jane joined the Emperor, accompanied by
+General Gorgaud, in a walk in a meadow.
+
+"Look, Betsy!" cried Jane, "there are the cows I saw the other day. I am
+half afraid of them."
+
+"Nonsense! How silly!" cried the intrepid Betsy. "Afraid of a cow!" and
+she repeated her sister's fear to Napoleon. The latter, professing to be
+surprised and amused at Jane's fears, joined with Betsy in a laugh at
+her sister's expense. But even the dread of ridicule had little effect
+on Jane.
+
+"Oh, Betsy," she cried, "I am sure one of those cows is coming at us!"
+
+Looking up, Betsy had to admit that her sister might be right. One of
+the cows was rushing toward them with her head down, as if ready to
+attack the party. It was no time for words, and Napoleon, feeling it no
+disgrace to retreat in the presence of such an enemy, jumped nimbly over
+a wall and, standing behind it, was thus protected against the enemy.
+
+General Gorgaud did not run, but standing with drawn sword exclaimed,
+"This is the second time I have saved the Emperor's life."
+
+From behind his wall Napoleon laughed loudly at Gorgaud's boast.
+
+"You ought to have put yourself in the position to repel cavalry," he
+cried.
+
+"But really, Monsieur," said Betsy, "it was you who terrified the cows,
+for the moment you disappeared over the wall the animal became calm and
+tranquil."
+
+"Well, well," cried Napoleon, again laughing, "it is a pity she could
+not carry out her good intentions. Evidently she wished to save the
+English Government the expense and trouble of keeping me."
+
+"Betsy," said the sedate Jane a little later, when she had a chance to
+talk to her sister alone, "you ought not to speak so to the Emperor. You
+treat him like a child."
+
+"Well, he seems like one of us, doesn't he, Jane? I always feel as if he
+were one of us, a brother of our own age, and I am sure he is much
+happier than if we acted as if we were afraid of him. But still, if you
+like, I will walk very solemnly now."
+
+So Betsy walked along beside her sister with a slow and mincing step,
+her face as long as if she had lost her best friend. As she approached
+the Emperor he noticed the change.
+
+"_Eh, bien! qu'as tu, Mademoiselle Betsee?_" he asked. "Has le petit Las
+Cases proved inconstant? If he have, bring him to me."
+
+Instantly Betsy's new resolves melted away and for the rest of the walk
+she and Napoleon were in their usual mood of good comradeship.
+
+The next morning, when Napoleon joined the family circle at The Briars,
+one of Betsy's little brothers, hardly more than a baby, sat on
+Napoleon's knee, and began to amuse himself as usual by playing with the
+glittering decorations and orders that Napoleon wore.
+
+"Come, Mees Betsee," he cried, "there is no pleasing this child. You
+must come and cut off these jewels to satisfy him."
+
+"Oh, I have something better to do now!" cried little Alexander, jumping
+from Napoleon's knee and picking up a pack of cards. "Look!" he
+continued, pointing to the figure of a Grand Mogul on the back of each
+card, "look, Bony, this is you."
+
+At first the Emperor, with his imperfect knowledge of English, did not
+exactly understand the child's meaning. When he did, instead of taking
+offence, he only smiled as he turned to Betsy, saying, "But what does he
+mean by calling me 'Bony'?"
+
+"Ah," replied Betsy in French, "it is short for Bonaparte." Las Cases,
+however, trying to improve on the little girl's definition, interpreted
+the word literally, "a bony person."
+
+Napoleon laughed at this reply, adding, "_Je ne suis pas osseux_," and
+this was all. Alexander was not reproved for his familiarity.
+
+It was true that Bonaparte was far from thin or bony, and Betsy had
+often admired his plump hand, which she had more than once called the
+prettiest in the world. Its knuckles were dimpled like a baby's, the
+fingers taper and beautifully formed, and the nails perfect.
+
+"Your hand does not look large and strong enough to hold a sword," she
+said to him one day.
+
+"Ah, but it is," said one of his suite, who was present. Drawing his own
+sabre from its scabbard, he pointed to a stain on it, saying, "This is
+the blood of an Englishman."
+
+"Sheathe your sword," cried the Emperor. "It is bad taste to boast,
+particularly before ladies. But if you will pardon me," and he looked
+toward the others in the room, "I will show you a sword of mine."
+
+Then from its embossed sheath Napoleon drew a wonderful sword with a
+handle in the shape of a golden fleur-de-lis. The sheath itself was
+hardly less remarkable, made of a single piece of tortoise shell,
+studded with golden bees.
+
+The children were delighted when the Emperor permitted them to touch the
+wonderful weapon. It was the most beautiful sword they had ever seen.
+
+As Betsy held the sword in her hands, unluckily she remembered a recent
+incident in which she had been at a great disadvantage under the
+Emperor's teasing. Now was her chance to get even with her tormentor.
+
+With her usual heedlessness of consequences she drew out the sword and
+began to make passes at Napoleon until she had driven him into a corner.
+
+"You must say your prayers," she said, "for I am going to kill you."
+
+"Oh, Betsy, how can you!" remonstrated the more prudent Jane, rushing to
+the Emperor's assistance. "I will go and tell father."
+
+But Betsy only laughed at her.
+
+"I don't care," she cried. "People tease me when they like. Now it is my
+turn;" and she continued to thrust the sword dangerously near Napoleon's
+face, until her strength was exhausted, and her arm fell at her side.
+Count Las Cases, the dignified chamberlain, who had entered the room
+during the encounter, looked on indignantly. He did not quite dare to
+interfere, although his indignation was plainly expressed in his face.
+Already he had taken a deep dislike to the little girl, and to him the
+sword incident seemed the climax of her misbehavior. If looks could
+kill, she would have perished on the spot.
+
+Although the Frenchman's expression had not the power to annihilate
+Betsy, something in his look warned her that she had gone far enough.
+Daring though she was, she decided that her wisest course was to give up
+the weapon. As she handed the sword back to him, Napoleon playfully
+pinched her ear.
+
+It happened, unluckily, however, that Betsy's ear had been bored only
+the day before. The pinch consequently caused her some pain. Without
+venturing to resist the Emperor's touch, she gave a sharp exclamation.
+She knew that he had not intended to hurt her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+BETSY'S BALL-GOWN
+
+
+When the little flurry over the sword had ended, Napoleon seemed lost in
+thought, and the children wondered what he was thinking of. Perhaps the
+laughing ways of these young people reminded him of his little son,
+whose growth from babyhood to youth he was destined never to see. Some
+such thought must have been in his mind when he turned to one of his
+attendants, saying:
+
+"I believe that these children would like to see some of my
+_bijouterie_. Go bring me those miniatures of the King of Rome."
+
+In a short time the messenger returned, laden with little boxes, while
+the children loudly expressed their delight. They knew the story of the
+young Napoleon, once the pride of the French nation, on whom had been
+conferred the title King of Rome. They knew that he had gone to live
+with the Austrian Emperor, father of his mother, Maria Louisa, and
+perhaps some of them had heard of his stout resistance to those who came
+to take him away from his beautiful home, the Tuileries. Already they
+had seen some of the portraits of the little boy, brought by Napoleon to
+St. Helena, and they were pleased by the idea of seeing others of the
+collection.
+
+So they gathered around the Emperor as children will when something
+interesting is to be shown them.
+
+"How lovely!" cried Jane, gazing at the miniature she was first allowed
+to hold in her hand.
+
+It was indeed a beautiful picture, showing a baby asleep in his cradle,
+which was in the shape of a helmet of Mars. Above his head the banner of
+France was waving and in his tiny right hand was a small globe.
+
+"What does it mean?" asked Betsy, a little timidly now, as she noted the
+expression of mingled pride and sadness in Napoleon's face.
+
+"Ah, those are the symbols of greatness. He is to be a great warrior and
+rule the world."
+
+"Yes--in a minute," murmured Betsy, as one of the boys whispered to her
+to translate "_Je prie le bon Dieu pour mon pere, ma mere, et ma
+patrie_," inscribed beneath a picture of the child on a snuffbox cover,
+which showed the little fellow in prayer before a crucifix. Then they
+both looked at another miniature portraying him riding one lamb, while
+he was decking another with ribbons.
+
+"Ah!" mused the Emperor again sadly. "Those were real lambs. They were
+given him by the inhabitants of Paris,--a hint, I suppose, that they
+would rather have peace than war."
+
+"And this is his mother," continued the Emperor, as a woman, far less
+handsome than Josephine, was shown in the miniature with the boy,
+surrounded by a halo of roses and clouds.
+
+"She is beautiful," exclaimed Napoleon; "but I will show you the most
+beautiful woman in the world."
+
+The girls echoed his words. "I never saw any one so beautiful in my
+life," cried Betsy, gazing on the portrait of a young, charming woman.
+
+"And you never will," avowed Napoleon.
+
+"The Princess of--" queried one of the French.
+
+"My sister Pauline," said Napoleon, "and you show good taste in admiring
+her. She is probably one of the loveliest women ever created."
+
+"But now," he continued, when they had seen all the pictures, "let us go
+down to the cottage and play whist."
+
+Turning reluctantly from the miniatures, the children walked down to the
+cottage and soon were ready to play.
+
+But the cards did not deal smoothly enough. "Go off there by yourself,"
+said Napoleon to young Las Cases, "and deal until the cards run better.
+And now, Mees Betsy, tell me about your _robe de bal_."
+
+Betsy's face flushed with pleasure. "Do you really want to see it? I
+will go upstairs and get it."
+
+To Betsy the ball to be given soon by Sir George Cockburn was a
+wonderful affair. It was considered a great event by all the people of
+the island, but for Betsy it had a special significance, because it
+would be her very first ball. In England, at her age, her parents would
+not have thought of letting her go to a ball, but amusements were so few
+at St. Helena that to keep her home would have seemed cruel.
+
+At first her parents had objected to her going, but when Napoleon saw
+her in tears one day and learned why, he asked her father to let her go,
+and thus she gained her father's consent.
+
+It is not strange then that the little girl took a great interest in her
+gown for the ball, and since she felt indebted to the Emperor for his
+intercession, she was pleased that he expressed an interest in her
+costume.
+
+So she ran upstairs light-heartedly to get the new gown, and in a few
+minutes returned with it on her arm.
+
+"It is very pretty," cried the Emperor, examining the gown critically;
+and all the others, except the stern Las Cases, had a word of
+commendation for it.
+
+It was a delicately pretty gown, trimmed with soft roses. Even if it had
+not been her first ball-gown, Betsy's pride in it would have been
+justified; but as things were, no cynical person could have found fault
+with her for picturing to herself what a fine impression she would make
+at this first appearance at a grown-up function.
+
+The Emperor's praises were particularly gratifying, because he had a way
+of ridiculing any detail of dress that he did not like.
+
+"Oh, Mees Betsee," he would cry, "why do you wear trousers? You look
+just like a boy;" and any one who has seen pictures of girls in
+pantalets will admit that they merited criticism. Or again he would say:
+
+"If I were governor I would make a law against ladies wearing those
+ugly, short waists. Why do you wear them, Mees Betsee?"
+
+It was, therefore, delightful to the young girl that he approved her
+ball-gown.
+
+After sufficient praise had been given the dress, the four sat down to
+play, Napoleon and Jane against Las Cases and Betsy.
+
+"Mademoiselle Betsee," said the Emperor, "I tire of sugar-plums. I bet
+you a napoleon on the game. What will you put against it?"
+
+"I have no money," replied Betsy, a little shyly for her. "I have
+nothing worth a napoleon except--oh, yes--my little pagoda. Will that
+do?"
+
+The Emperor laughed. "Yes, that will do, and I will try to get it."
+
+So they began in merry spirits.
+
+"There, there," cried Betsy after a minute or two, "that isn't fair. You
+mustn't show your cards to Jane."
+
+"But this is such a good one." Napoleon's eye twinkled.
+
+"Well, it isn't fair," added Betsy with the excitement in her tone often
+observable in vivacious natures. As the cards were shuffled she
+repeated, "Remember, you mustn't look at your cards until they are all
+dealt."
+
+"But it seems so long to wait."
+
+"Then I won't play. You revoked on purpose."
+
+"Did I? Then I must hide my guilt;" and Napoleon mixed all the cards
+indiscriminately together, while Betsy tried to hold his hands to
+prevent further mischief, as she pointed out what he had done.
+
+Napoleon, amused by Betsy's indignation, laughed until the tears came.
+
+"Mees Betsy, Mees Betsy, I am surprised. I played so fair, and you have
+cheated so; you must pay me the forfeit, the pagoda."
+
+"No, Monsieur, you revoked."
+
+"Oh, but Mees Betsy, but you are _mechante_ and a cheat. Ah, but I will
+keep you from going to the ball!"
+
+While they were playing Betsy had quite forgotten the pretty gown that
+she had laid carefully on the sofa. Now, all too late, she realized its
+danger, for the Emperor, suddenly turning toward the sofa, seized it,
+and before she could stop him ran out of the room with it, toward the
+Pavilion.
+
+Betsy in alarm quickly followed, but though she went fast, Napoleon went
+faster, and had locked himself in his room before she reached him.
+
+Poor Betsy was now thoroughly frightened. She was sure that her pretty
+gown, with its trimmings of soft roses, would be destroyed.
+
+"Oh, give it to me, please!" she cried in English, as she knocked upon
+his door. But the Emperor made no reply. Then she made her appeal in
+French, using every beseeching word she knew to get him to return it.
+Still his only answer was a mocking laugh, repeated several times, and
+an occasional word of refusal. Nor did any one else come to Betsy's
+assistance. As short a time as the French had lived at The Briars there
+was hardly one of them on whom Betsy had not played some trick, and even
+the members of her own family were unsympathetic when a message was
+brought her from Napoleon that he intended to keep her dress and that
+she might as well make up her mind she could not go to the ball.
+
+Poor Betsy! At night, after many wakeful hours, she cried herself to
+sleep. When morning came things did not seem so black. She felt sure
+that the Emperor would not do what he had no right to do, keep her
+pretty dress. He would surely send it back to her. But the morning wore
+away, and, contrary to his habit, Napoleon did not come near his
+neighbors of The Briars. Betsy sent several strongly appealing messages,
+but to them all came only one reply:
+
+"The Emperor is sleeping, and cannot be disturbed."
+
+So strong indeed was the dignity with which Napoleon had hedged himself,
+that even the daring Betsy did not venture to intrude upon him when he
+was resting.
+
+Afternoon came, and at last it was almost time to start for the valley.
+The family were to ride there on horseback, carrying their ball-dresses
+in tin cases, and they were to dress at the house of a friend.
+
+The horses were brought around, the black boys came up with the tin
+cases that held the dresses--the dresses of the rest of the party--but
+nothing of poor Betsy's. The little girl's cup was full to overflowing;
+she, the courageous, began to cry.
+
+She turned to one of the servants:
+
+"Has my dress been packed?"
+
+"Of course not; we didn't have it to pack."
+
+"Then I cannot go."
+
+Her tears had ceased. She was now too angry to cry longer.
+
+"I will go anyway," she said on second thought. "I will dance in my
+morning frock, and then you will all feel sorry, for I will tell every
+one how I have been treated."
+
+At this moment a figure was seen running down the lawn. It was Napoleon,
+and Betsy gave a scream of delight as she saw that in his arms he
+carried her dress.
+
+Her face brightened and she hastened to meet him.
+
+"Here, Mees Betsy," he cried; "I have brought your dress. I hope you are
+a good girl now, and that you will like the ball; and mind you dance
+with Gorgaud."
+
+"Yes, yes!" said Betsy, too happy to get her dress to oppose any
+suggestion, although General Gorgaud was no favorite of hers and she had
+a long-standing feud with him.
+
+"You will find your roses still fresh," said the Emperor. "I ordered
+them arranged and pulled out, in case any were crushed."
+
+To the little girl's delight, when she examined her gown she found that
+no harm had been done it, in spite of the rough treatment it had
+received at Napoleon's hands.
+
+"I wish you were going, sire," she said politely, as he walked beside
+the horses to the end of the bridle path.
+
+"Ah, balls are not for me," he replied, shaking his head. Then he
+stopped.
+
+"Whose house is that?" he asked, pointing to a house in the valley far
+beneath. "It is beautifully situated," he continued; "some time I shall
+visit it. Come, Las Cases, we must not detain the party."
+
+"We must hurry on," whispered one of those on horseback.
+
+"Good-bye, good-bye," and Napoleon and the elder Las Cases went down the
+mountain toward the house that he had seen in the distance, while Betsy
+and the others rode on toward the ball.
+
+Next day Napoleon said that he had been charmed with the beautiful place
+in the valley that he and Las Cases had visited after he had seen the
+others ride away to the ball. He had found the owner of the place, Mr.
+Hodgdon, very agreeable, and at last he had ridden home on an Arab horse
+that the latter had lent him.
+
+Before Napoleon withdrew within his shell he was not only inclined to
+receive visitors but to pay visits. Betsy and Jane were riding gayly
+along one day when they came unexpectedly upon Napoleon, also on
+horseback.
+
+"Where have you been?" asked the venturesome Betsy.
+
+"To Candy Bay," replied Napoleon, without resenting her inquisitiveness.
+
+"Oh, didn't you think Fairyland just the most perfect place?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I was delighted with it and with its venerable host, Mr.
+D. He is a typical Englishman of the highest type."
+
+"Yes, and only think, he is over seventy years old and yet has never
+left the island. I don't know what St. Helena would do without him,"
+said Jane.
+
+"I call him the good genius of the valley," added Betsy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A HORSE TAMER
+
+
+One morning, not long after the ball, Betsy took a slight revenge on the
+Emperor. She had a certain favor to ask of him, and she had gone to look
+for him in his favorite retreat in his garden, the Grapery, near a large
+pond of clear water, full of gold and silver fish. Though called a
+grapery, vines of many different kinds twined over the trellis-work,
+while the grapevines were chiefly over an arbor at the end.
+
+In the sultriest weather this little arbor was cool and pleasant, and
+here Napoleon was in the habit of taking his books and papers when he
+wished to work out of doors.
+
+He had no regular hour for rising, and sometimes he would go there as
+early as four o'clock and write until breakfast, or dictate to Las
+Cases. No one was permitted to intrude on him there, no one but Betsy
+occasionally, and then it could hardly be called intruding, for she
+usually went at the Emperor's request, or, as it might be said, she had
+a general invitation. When Betsy said, "Come and unlock the garden
+door," Napoleon stopped, even in the middle of the sentence he might be
+dictating, and she was always admitted. This general invitation,
+however, might have been withdrawn if Betsy had not been too sensible to
+interrupt the Emperor often. She was careful not to abuse what was for
+her a special privilege.
+
+On this particular morning she went to the arbor door with some
+hesitation. One of her friends from the valley, a very charming girl,
+had come to pass the morning with her.
+
+"Now, Betsy," she had said, "I hear that you are a great favorite with
+Napoleon and you must introduce me, for I am just dying to see him."
+
+"I do not think I can," replied Betsy. "It is a very hot morning and I
+saw him go early to the arbor. I do not like to disturb him when he is
+busy."
+
+"Busy! How can a prisoner be busy? It cannot matter whether he is idle
+or busy."
+
+"He is not a prisoner, at least we don't call him so," retorted Betsy
+indignantly, "and he is writing books."
+
+"Oh, I suppose you know best, but if you cannot be obliging, I shall be
+mortified when I go home to say that I did not see him. I heard you knew
+him so well, that I supposed you wouldn't mind introducing me."
+
+Thus put on her mettle, Betsy yielded against her better judgment and
+went down to the arbor.
+
+At first there was no answer to her knock. Napoleon had fallen asleep
+over his papers. At last she succeeded in arousing him. "What do you
+want?" he asked rather gruffly as he came to the little door.
+
+"Let me in, and you will know."
+
+"No, tell me first what you want and then I will let you in."
+
+Betsy was not so sure of this, but since she could not help it, she had
+to explain her errand.
+
+"I wish to introduce a young lady to you."
+
+"Oh, no, indeed; I am not well."
+
+"But she will be so disappointed,--and she is so pretty."
+
+"Not like the lady I was obliged to say agreeable things to yesterday?"
+
+"Oh, no, she is very different. She is really young and handsome."
+
+"Very well, then, since you have promised, I suppose I must go, but come
+in for a minute,"--this not very politely, it must be admitted. As Betsy
+entered the little enclosure she rushed to the table and rather rudely
+snatched up some of the papers on which Napoleon had been at work.
+
+"Now," she said, "for your ill-nature in making me stand so long at the
+door, I shall keep these and find out all your secrets."
+
+The Emperor looked at Betsy with some alarm. He did not like to see his
+papers in her hands.
+
+"Put them down instantly," he cried.
+
+"No, no," rejoined Betsy, running around the garden with the papers held
+high above her head. The Emperor looked at her sternly.
+
+"Very well! Unless you obey me at once, I shall no longer be your
+friend."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Hardly ever before had Betsy heard Napoleon speak so severely. She saw
+that he was in earnest and that she must obey. She saw, too, that she
+was in danger of losing his regard, and even without looking far ahead
+she realized that he might not go to her friend, if her own foolishness
+continued longer. So, giving up her trophies, she seized the Emperor's
+hand and led him to the house.
+
+Now that he had yielded to Betsy's wishes, Napoleon was most courteous
+to her guest. He talked graciously to the young lady, complimented her
+on her beauty, and when she was ready to go home helped her on her
+horse.
+
+"She is a very pretty girl," he said later to Betsy, "but she has the
+airs of a _marchande de modes_."
+
+In thus intruding on Napoleon in his arbor study, Betsy had shown a
+rashness that no one else in the family would have ventured to imitate.
+One day, however, Betsy aided an intruder, whose behavior the Emperor
+could not resent although he was disturbed by it.
+
+It happened in this way. One morning while Napoleon was busy in his
+outdoor study making notes, Betsy was romping about in the garden near
+by.
+
+"Come, Tom Pipes!" she called loudly; and a second later a beautiful
+Newfoundland dog rushed to her side. Tom Pipes belonged to Sir George
+Cockburn, the Admiral, and was well known to every one at The Briars, as
+he was in the habit of accompanying his master on his occasional visits
+to Mr. Balcombe's house. After his long run up the mountainous road
+under the hot sun, Tom Pipes was always delighted to reach The Briars,
+for the place had many ponds and little streams, into which the
+intelligent dog would plunge for a swim.
+
+On this particular day, Tom needed no second word from Betsy to make him
+accept her invitation to take a dip in the pond, stocked with gold and
+silver fish, that was near Napoleon's arbor. The dog bathed and swam and
+amused himself in the water, and at last clambered up the bank. A moment
+later, as if tired from his exertions, he lay down by Napoleon's side.
+Napoleon, like every one else at The Briars, knew and admired the dog,
+and if he noticed Tom Pipes's approach had no objection to it. He was so
+absorbed in his work, however, that he probably was hardly aware of the
+nearness of the creature. After a few minutes' rest, Tom Pipes realized
+that he had not completed his toilet. So, rising to his feet, he began
+to shake himself vigorously. Instantly a shower of water bespattered
+Napoleon's face and clothing, and drenched the papers on the table. The
+sheet on which he was writing was entirely spoiled, and he himself
+looked rather ridiculous, as he tried to brush off the drops of water.
+In spite of his annoyance, Napoleon could not help laughing, for
+although he scolded and did his best to drive Tom Pipes away, the dog
+could not understand him. The two had been shipmates on the
+_Northumberland_, and the dog was so delighted to see Napoleon again
+that instead of running away, he kept jumping on him, leaving on the
+Emperor's clothing repeated imprints of his wet and muddy paws.
+
+While all this was happening, Betsy, looking on, was convulsed with
+laughter. She had not had this particular ending in mind when she had
+called Tom Pipes to play with her, but no deliberate practical joke of
+hers had ever been more amusing to her; and the best part of it was that
+the Emperor could not really blame her nor punish Tom Pipes.
+
+Very often, however, it was not Betsy who got the best of a practical
+joke. Not infrequently she lost her temper over little things that were
+not worth minding, and Napoleon, to whom she was a constant source of
+amusement, could not forbear teasing her, just to see how she would take
+his fun. One day, looking over Betsy's shoulder, Napoleon discovered
+that her translation was not finished. Her father required this bit of
+work from her every day, and now Napoleon saw a way to pay her back in
+some of her own coin.
+
+Taking the paper from Betsy, and holding it aloft, the Emperor
+approached Mr. Balcombe, who was now mounting his horse for a ride.
+
+"Balcombe," he cried, "_voila le theme de Mdlle. Betsee. Qu'elle a bien
+travaille!_" he concluded sarcastically.
+
+Betsy's father looked at the sheet of paper which was quite blank, and,
+entering into the spirit of the thing with Napoleon, he professed to be
+very angry. Calling Betsy to him, he reproved her severely.
+
+"If your translation is not ready when I return home to dinner, I will
+punish you severely." Mortified by this reproof, Betsy cherished plans
+of retaliation against the Emperor, which she carried out when she
+pinioned him in the corner with her sword.
+
+Yet after all she deserved the reproof, since her father had made a
+rigid rule that his daughters should have a translation from English
+into French ready every morning before the hour when Napoleon visited
+The Briars. He rightly considered it a great privilege for the young
+girls that the great man should be willing to look at their French
+themes, with a view to improving their use of his language.
+
+One morning the sisters observed Archambaud, Napoleon's groom, leading a
+beautiful horse in front of the house.
+
+"That is the Arab they have bought for him to ride."
+
+"I shouldn't think he'd care to ride that horse," responded the timid
+Jane. "See how he rears and plunges."
+
+"He's afraid of that white cloth on the lawn."
+
+"Yes, but they've put it there on purpose, to break him of the habit of
+shying."
+
+While they were speaking, Napoleon approached.
+
+"Sir," said the confident Betsy, "I don't believe you can ride that
+horse."
+
+"I! Don't you think me a good rider?"
+
+"Yes; I think you look better on horseback than any one I have ever
+seen."
+
+"Only _look_!" Napoleon was trying to draw her out.
+
+"But you really ride better than anyone else, as I told you the other
+day when you rode around the lawn. I didn't suppose any one could make a
+horse wheel in such a narrow circle."
+
+"Yet you think this Arab could conquer me!"
+
+"But it looks so ugly,--I mean its disposition."
+
+The Emperor, without replying directly, called Archambaud to him and
+bade him dismount, while he took his seat on the fiery horse. The girls
+looked on in horror, but Napoleon only smiled the more, as he compelled
+the horse to pass the cloth and continued his discipline until he made
+the creature put his foot on it.
+
+Archambaud gazed open-mouthed, hardly knowing whether to laugh or to
+cry. The Emperor persevered, and in a short time the horse was
+absolutely obedient to him, and the groom, though chagrined at his own
+failure, was pleased by the Emperor's success.
+
+"Ah," said Napoleon, dismounting, "it would be a strange horse that did
+not understand me. There was one that I rode once one hundred and
+twenty-nine miles in one day. My mother was ill, and I had to do it; but
+the horse, poor thing, died in the course of the night."
+
+"And you?" asked Betsy.
+
+"Ah, I was fatigued, but in or out of the saddle makes little difference
+to me. I could almost sleep in the saddle. But, come, young ladies," he
+continued, "I came here to invite you to see my china. It is all
+unpacked."
+
+The girls followed the Emperor toward the house, and "Oh!" and "Ah!"
+they exclaimed loudly as they looked at the beautiful dishes lately
+arrived from France. Among them there were plates that had cost
+twenty-five napoleons, each of them painted by a great artist. It was a
+beautiful set, given to the Emperor by the people of Paris, and the
+pictures were chiefly battle scenes commemorating his great victories.
+
+Before one of these paintings, Betsy stood enraptured. It represented a
+slim youth, who looked almost tall, standing on a bridge and evidently
+cheering others on, while nearer him were the dead and dying.
+
+"And this was really you?" exclaimed Betsy, for she recognized the
+standing figure.
+
+"Yes," replied Napoleon, sighing, as if for his dead youth. "I was that
+boy. That was almost the beginning. I was more slender then than now."
+
+"This is the ibis?" asked Betsy, pointing to a bird that appeared on
+many plates.
+
+"Yes; these are mostly pictures of Egypt;" and the ibis led him to a
+long discourse on the Egyptian campaign.
+
+"But don't go to Egypt, Miss Betsy," he concluded. "You will catch
+ophthalmia and spoil your eyes."
+
+"_Pourquoi avez-vous tourne turque?_" ["Why did you turn Turk?"]
+interposed Betsy abruptly.
+
+"What is that to you?" he asked, laughing. The question referred to his
+having become a Mahometan, but at first it was not clear to Napoleon
+what she meant.
+
+"I mean, why did you change your religion?" Betsy explained.
+
+"Fighting is a soldier's religion," he replied. "I never changed that.
+The other is the affair of women and priests. _Quant a moi_, I always
+adopt the religion of the country I am in. And now," he said at last,
+"you have seen all the plates, and there are your little brothers coming
+up to find out what our Santini has made for them."
+
+Santini was Napoleon's lamplighter, a clever little fellow, who could
+make all kinds of toys and was always ready to play amusing tricks to
+entertain the children.
+
+"What has he now?" the little boys asked as the man approached with a
+box under his arm.
+
+The children jumped about excitedly. Even the girls were curious, as,
+taking the box from under his arm, Santini displayed a tiny carriage to
+which were harnessed two pairs of mice. In spite of Santini's efforts,
+they did not at once start off, as he had expected, to draw the
+carriage, and the boys appealed to the Emperor.
+
+"Pinch the tails of the leaders, and then they will go," commanded
+Napoleon.
+
+The boys obeyed, and to the great delight of the children the mice
+started off at full speed. As they watched the carriage and the
+scampering steeds, the children shouted and clapped their hands.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+One morning Betsy stood before Napoleon with an expression of
+disappointment on her pretty face.
+
+"Of course I thought you meant it."
+
+"But you are a foolish child."
+
+"Why shouldn't you give a ball before you leave The Briars? Not a very
+great one, but just large enough for me to dance at. Soon you will be
+away, at Longwood. I thought you promised."
+
+"You must have known I was in fun."
+
+At last Betsy noted a tone in the Emperor's voice that warned her to go
+no further.
+
+"But since you are so disappointed," said Napoleon kindly, "you may have
+whatever you wish to ask of me. _Dites-moi, que veux-tu que je fosse
+Mdlle. Betsee pour te consoler?_" ["Tell me, what do you wish me to do
+to console you?"]
+
+Betsy's face brightened.
+
+"Let us play the game of blindman's buff you have so often promised.
+Then I will forgive you for not having the ball, and never speak of it
+again."
+
+"Blindman's buff, as you describe it, did not seem to be just the game
+for me. Can't you think of something else?"
+
+"But you promised, and your room is splendid for it, and it wouldn't be
+any fun without you."
+
+Seeing that resistance was useless, the Emperor at last consented to
+play. He began by binding his fine white handkerchief over Betsy's eyes.
+
+"Can you see?"
+
+"I cannot see you."
+
+But Betsy, although she spoke truly in saying that she could not see the
+Emperor, could yet detect a glimmer of light. Napoleon waved his hands
+before her eyes, and the shadows and rush of air made her start.
+
+"Ah, leetle monkey, you can see me!" he exclaimed, and he put another
+handkerchief over her eyes.
+
+Then, with Betsy in the middle of the room, the game began. Soon the
+young girl felt some one pull her nose roughly. She knew who had touched
+her, for, as he crept toward her, she recognized Napoleon's footsteps.
+As she darted forward, he bounded away just as her hand touched his.
+Then, as she groped about, Napoleon pulled her ear. She was sure that
+she had recognized him and putting out her hand she cried triumphantly:
+
+"I have you, I have you! Now it is your turn."
+
+When Betsy uncovered her eyes she was mortified to find that it was her
+sister she had captured. Napoleon, it was true, had pulled her ear, but
+he had accomplished this by reaching his hand over Jane's head. Every
+one now laughed at Betsy.
+
+"Come," said Napoleon, "as you have made such a great mistake, you must
+pay the penalty and remain blindfolded."
+
+The Emperor continued to tease and quiz, pulling Betsy's ear or her
+dress, and always managing to escape being caught.
+
+At last, when the fun was at its height, a servant, entering, announced
+that some one had called to see the Emperor. So the young people were
+left to themselves for a while. The game was at an end.
+
+"Now, Mees Betsy," exclaimed the Emperor, when he returned to the room,
+"you and all the other players must come and dine with me."
+
+"But we have already dined."
+
+"Yet you must come. Now, Navarre," said the Emperor, when they had
+reached the marquee, "Mees Betsy is very fond of creams. Bring some for
+her."
+
+"I cannot eat them," protested Betsy.
+
+"But you told me you were so fond of them. Come, it is not kind to
+refuse."
+
+"But really I cannot eat."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!"
+
+Betsy made the effort, and ate half of a delicious cream.
+
+"That is not enough. I will feed you, little _bambino_, I will feed
+you;" and with spoon in hand Napoleon actually began to feed the little
+girl, laughing steadily at her as he did so.
+
+Only by running away did Betsy at last escape, and even then the Emperor
+called after her:
+
+"Stop, Mees Betsy, do stay and eat another. You know you told me you
+liked them."
+
+The next day Marchand brought to the sisters a box of bonbons with the
+Emperor's compliments, and with them came some of the famous creams for
+"Mdlle. Betsee."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+OFF FOR LONGWOOD
+
+
+New Year's Day was approaching, the day which French people love to
+celebrate by making gifts to their friends and paying compliments.
+
+On this first New Year's morning of Napoleon's exile on St. Helena,
+Betsy, looking from her window, saw young Tristram Montholon and Henri
+Bertrand approaching.
+
+"Look, Jane," she cried excitedly, "they are carrying something; do you
+suppose--"
+
+But without finishing her question or waiting for Jane to answer, Betsy
+had taken the shortest way to gratify her curiosity by running to greet
+the boys. Immediately the two little fellows saluted her with New Year
+wishes and before she could ask a question had presented each
+sister--for Jane had followed her--with a beautiful crystal basket.
+
+"Something Piron made for you," the boys explained; and the fingers of
+the two girls trembled with excitement as they began to uncover the
+contents of the baskets. Piron, Napoleon's _confiseur_, could do the
+most remarkable things. There was nothing he could not reproduce in
+sugar--palaces, triumphal arches, all kinds of curious structures--all
+looking too good to eat. Already Betsy and Jane had received presents
+from the Emperor, products of Piron's skill, accompanied usually by some
+pleasant message. But this New Year's gift surpassed their expectations,
+for when they tore off the white satin napkin, inside the baskets they
+saw that delicious bonbons were heaped within them on Sevres plates, a
+plate for each girl.
+
+"Cupidons for the Graces," was Napoleon's message accompanying the
+kindly gift.
+
+The first of the new year brought a certain regret to the family at The
+Briars and to Napoleon as well. His new home at Longwood was nearly
+ready for him, and this meant that he should see much less of the
+charming family to which he had become attached. Longwood was several
+miles away, and the chance was that there he would be guarded more
+closely and that it might be harder for the girls to see him.
+
+For the two months before New Year's, Longwood was as busy a place as a
+dock-yard in war. The Admiral was often there, hurrying lazy workmen.
+Every day two or three hundred seamen carried timber and other building
+materials and furniture to Longwood. Although Napoleon was in no hurry
+to go there--indeed, he did not wish to go there at all--he watched the
+workmen with great interest, as he observed them climbing up the heights
+between Longwood and The Briars. He would really have preferred to make
+The Briars his home, and he tried to get the Government to buy it for
+him, but for reasons, perhaps political, this could not be accomplished.
+Longwood, in situation, was bleak and unshaded, and so exposed that it
+was not likely he could ever have a garden such as that at The Briars.
+Water had to be brought from a distance of three miles, and the houses
+that were to be remodelled for the French were known to be damp and
+unhealthy. The farmhouses which Napoleon was to occupy were very plain
+and have even been called a collection of huts. The expenditure of much
+money could not make the place really comfortable.
+
+Napoleon had now been on the island nearly three months. No longer was
+he regarded by any one with dread, at least by any one who had come
+under his immediate influence. By the Balcombe family he was esteemed an
+amiable friend. They had had the chance to see him under all kinds of
+conditions, and if they did not regard him as exactly perfect, their
+feeling for him was one not only of great sympathy but respect.
+
+As the time for his departure approached he came more often to the
+drawing-room at The Briars.
+
+"Ah," he said, half sadly, to the family, "I would rather stay here than
+go to Longwood. I could never have imagined it possible to be happy on
+such a horrible rock as St. Helena."
+
+One day General Bertrand, coming over from Longwood, told Napoleon the
+house smelled so of paint that it was not fit for him at present. All
+Napoleon's friends knew his great dislike for unpleasant odors, and that
+paint was especially disagreeable to him.
+
+When the Emperor heard this report of the condition of Longwood, his
+rage almost choked him. He walked up and down the lawn, gesticulating
+wildly.
+
+"I will not live in a house that smells of paint. It is most horrible. I
+will send to the Admiral and refuse to go."
+
+Betsy had hardly ever seen him display such temper as he now showed,
+declaiming against the lack of consideration shown by the Governor. This
+excitement was a result probably of his general dislike for his new
+home. Although first interested in the workmen, toward the end he began
+to complain of the fifes and drums with which the soldier workmen urged
+themselves on as they wound their way up the hill. He had disliked
+Longwood from the day when he had first seen it, just after his arrival
+on the island, and what he heard about it had not changed his opinion.
+No family, it was said, had ever lived there longer than a few months,
+so unwholesome was its climate. This came from the situation of the
+place--a plain on the top of a mountain, eighteen hundred feet high. It
+was on the windward side of the island, and only for a month or six
+weeks in the year was the weather pleasant. For three or four weeks it
+had the sun directly overhead; the rest of the year was wet and
+disagreeable. In the course of a single day there could be extreme
+changes of heat and cold.
+
+At last the day of departure came. Sir George Cockburn and all the
+Emperor's suite, some of whom lived at a distance from The Briars, came
+over to escort him. The younger members of the family stood around the
+house, showing their sadness very plainly.
+
+"You must not cry, Mdlle. Betsee," said Napoleon kindly. "You must come
+to see me next week, and very often."
+
+"Oh, yes, I want to, but that will depend on my father."
+
+Then Napoleon turned to Mr. Balcombe. "Balcombe, you must bring Misses
+Jane and Betsee next week to see me, eh? When will you ride up to
+Longwood?"
+
+"Indeed, I will bring them soon," responded Mr. Balcombe.
+
+"But where is your mother?" added the Emperor, casting his eye over the
+group that had gathered to bid him good-bye.
+
+"She sent her kind regards to you," replied Betsy, "but is sorry that
+she is not well enough to come down."
+
+"Then I will go up to her;" and Napoleon impulsively ran upstairs before
+word could be given of his approach.
+
+When Napoleon entered her room, Mrs. Balcombe was lying down. The girls,
+who had followed him, saw him sit down on the edge of her bed as he
+thanked her very warmly for all her attention to him.
+
+"I should have preferred to stay at The Briars. I am sorry to go to
+Longwood," he said; and then he handed a little package to her, saying,
+"Now please give this to your husband as a mark of my friendship."
+"This" proved to be a beautiful gold snuffbox.
+
+As he turned to leave the room, Napoleon saw the red-eyed Betsy standing
+near the door.
+
+"Here, my dear," he said, putting something in her hand, "you can give
+this as a _gage d'amour_ to petit Las Cases."
+
+Betsy had no heart now to reply to a jest that ordinarily would have
+brought out a spirited reply. But with the beautiful bon-bonniere in her
+hand, she ran out of the room and took a post at a window where she
+could see Napoleon. Her tears continued to flow and she found that she
+could not bear to look longer at the departing Emperor. At last she had
+to run to her own room, where, throwing herself on a bed, she wept
+bitterly for a long time.
+
+It was true, as Betsy knew, that Longwood was not so very far from The
+Briars, and that it was not likely that she would be restrained from
+going there sometimes. Yet in spite of this knowledge the little girl
+realized that she had lost a great deal by the departure of the Emperor
+from her father's house.
+
+Friends, and enemies too, of Napoleon in Europe would have been amazed
+at that moment to know that the man who so short a time before had been
+dreaded as the commander of one of the world's greatest armies, was now
+bewailed by a little girl as a lost playmate, for as playmate and friend
+Betsy had certainly come to regard him, and she regretted his removal to
+Longwood, not only because it was farther away, but because he was
+likely to be hedged in with a greater ceremony that might prevent her
+from seeing much of him.
+
+Mr. Balcombe went with Napoleon to Longwood, and when he returned the
+girls asked eagerly how the Emperor liked the new residence.
+
+"He seemed out of spirits. He went soon to his own room and shut himself
+in;" and at this report they sympathized with his loneliness.
+
+Betsy and Jane, fortunately, were not to be shut off altogether from
+their friend. Their father was purveyor to the Emperor, and this meant
+that he had a general order to visit Longwood and could take his
+daughters with him. Thus it happened that hardly a week passed without
+their going there to call, to their own great delight as well as to the
+satisfaction of Napoleon, who never tired of them.
+
+Usually their visits were so timed that they could breakfast with the
+Emperor at one, and for the most part they found him much the same as he
+had been at The Briars. After a while, however, they could not help
+noticing that he was less cheerful than formerly.
+
+About a week after his departure, Betsy and her mother and sister made
+their first visit to Longwood to call on the Emperor.
+
+"Ah, there he is," Betsy cried; and looking ahead, they saw him seated
+on the steps of the billiard-room, talking to little Tristram Montholon.
+The moment Napoleon caught sight of them, he hastened toward them.
+Saluting them pleasantly, he kissed Mrs. Balcombe and Jane on each
+cheek, while he pinched Betsy's ear, as he said: "Ah, Mdlle. Betsee,
+_etes-vous sage_, eh, eh?"
+
+Then, with the eagerness of a boy anxious to display a new toy, he
+added, "What do you think of the place? I must show you over it. Come,
+follow me!"
+
+So the Emperor walked ahead of Mrs. Balcombe and her daughters, leading
+them first to his bedroom. Betsy thought this room small and cheerless,
+though she did not say so to Napoleon.
+
+As she looked about she observed that the walls were covered with fluted
+nankeen, that on the wall were many family pictures that she recognized,
+while the bed was the well-known camp bed with the green silk hangings,
+the bed Napoleon had used in his Marengo and Austerlitz campaigns.
+There, on one side, was the silver wash-hand basin and ewer, and on the
+mantelpiece over the bed was a portrait of Maria Louisa, so placed as to
+be the first thing to meet Napoleon's eye when he awoke in the morning.
+Off the bedroom was a small chamber with a bath that he showed to them.
+A dressing-room, dining-room, billiard and drawing room made up the
+Emperor's own special suite. The billiard-room, which had been built
+according to Sir George Cockburn's orders, was large and well
+proportioned. It was the best apartment in the house, and the girls
+expressed their admiration for it, although Betsy, when her eye fell on
+the billiard table and balls, thought the game a foolish one for men to
+play.
+
+"Now to the kitchen!" Napoleon exclaimed, at last. "M. Piron will be so
+pleased. Aha, Piron, here is Mees Betsee; you know how she loves creams.
+Send her some and some bonbons. See, _regardez, mademoiselle, voila un
+mouton pour mon diner, dont on fait une lanterne_," pointing to the lean
+carcass of a sheep hanging up in the kitchen, in which the French
+servants had placed a candle which shone through. "But I know," he
+continued, "you are dying to see the baby;" and the sisters went with
+him to Madame Montholon's apartment to see her six-weeks-old girl.
+
+Napoleon took his little god-daughter in his arms.
+
+"Oh, you will let it fall!" cried Betsy as he dandled it clumsily.
+
+"No, no! See, it will let me do anything with it;" and he pinched little
+Lili's nose and chin until she cried.
+
+"You do not know how to hold a baby," protested Betsy.
+
+"But I ought to know," responded Napoleon with a twinkle of amusement in
+his eye. "Often and often I have nursed the King of Rome when he was
+younger than Lili."
+
+After leaving the baby and Madame Montholon, the little girls went with
+Napoleon to the garden outside.
+
+"It is not like The Briars," the Emperor said, shaking his head sadly.
+
+"I should say not;" and Betsy looked from the bare surroundings of the
+house to the rugged mountain near by with its scraggly vegetation of
+wild samphire, prickly pears and aloes, its iron-covered rocks, with
+sharp cliffs and mysterious caves overshadowing the house.
+
+Napoleon's momentary sadness may have come from his casual allusion to
+his son, the little King of Rome, the child whom he was never to see
+again. Those who observed him when any allusion was made to his child
+were always sure that Napoleon's heart held great fatherly affection.
+Once when he had been a trifle downcast, Dr. O'Meara told him an
+anecdote he had heard about the child. Immediately Napoleon smiled with
+great animation and his face brightened. At other times when the
+conversation turned on the child, he grew perceptibly sadder.
+
+His love for his own child made Napoleon undoubtedly more interested in
+all children, and he was never ashamed, as some men are, to show this
+interest in the children of his friends.
+
+This first visit to Longwood was in every way delightful to the sisters,
+not only because there was much to see that was new to them in the
+arrangement of the house and grounds, but because they found the Emperor
+in one of his most boyish moods.
+
+"Now, ladies," he said, as the time for their return approached, "send
+your horses off. They can meet you at Hutsgate, and I will take a drive
+with you, if you will honor my jaunting car."
+
+Hutsgate was the residence of Madame Bertrand, where Mrs. Balcombe and
+her daughters intended to call before returning to The Briars.
+
+"Yes," answered Betsy after a moment's hesitation, "we will drive with
+you." She was not fond of driving, but did not dare to expose her
+timidity to the ridicule of the Emperor.
+
+Hardly, however, had they started off when she felt that her fears were
+justified. The daring Archambaud was their charioteer, and he drove
+three unbroken Cape horses abreast.
+
+"This is the most dangerous road for driving on the island. No wonder
+they call it the Devil's Punchbowl," cried poor Betsy. As she spoke, the
+carriage seemed to be tipping over the edge of the declivity. Those
+nearer the edge were in mortal terror, and the others looked as if they
+would be crushed against the huge rock.
+
+"You are not frightened, are you, Mees Betsee?" asked Napoleon
+mischievously. "Of course it is a narrow road; I only hope the horses
+are not running away. They seem rather wild."
+
+Thankful enough was Betsy to arrive at Madame Bertrand's without
+accident, and when she started for home she was more than eager to mount
+her own quiet pony, Tom. She was not fond of driving over the dangerous
+roads, and for a jaunting car she had a special dislike. Napoleon,
+knowing this, could not resist the opportunity to tease her. Betsy,
+indeed, was not the only one whom he liked to terrify by getting
+Archambaud to display his reckless driving. It seemed, indeed, as if his
+guest, as well as the Emperor, always took his life in his hands when
+driving in the jaunting car.
+
+On a second visit not long after the first, when Betsy and Jane arrived
+at Longwood, they found the Emperor firing at a target. He put the
+pistol in Betsy's hands, saying, "Ah, _la Petite Tirailleuse_, I will
+form a company of sharpshooters and you shall be captain."
+
+A little later he took her to the billiard-room and showed her the
+billiard table.
+
+"It is a silly game for men," she said in her positive way, "too much
+like marbles. I wouldn't play it."
+
+"Oh, do try," urged the Emperor; but wilful Betsy replied only by aiming
+the ball at his fingers, as he rested his hand on the board.
+
+Later, however, the sisters learned to play the game, and at the
+billiard table they passed many an hour.
+
+Napoleon himself taught Betsy how to handle a cue, but, when tired of
+the lesson, she would often aim at his fingers, and she was always
+delighted when a well-directed shot made him cry out.
+
+The visits of Betsy and her sisters gave pleasure to the fallen great
+man; still, as time went on, they could not help noticing that he was
+less and less buoyant. In their presence he tried to lay aside his
+troubles, and continued unfailingly kind.
+
+He and the new Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe, were always at swords' points,
+and this wore on his spirits. Moreover, the health of Napoleon was
+impaired, and as he realized this he grew more and more gloomy.
+
+Sir Hudson Lowe was very particular that the passes issued for visitors
+should be used only as they had been made out.
+
+One day Betsy went to Longwood with a pass that prescribed a visit to
+General Bertrand. But when Betsy, wandering about, caught sight of
+Napoleon in the billiard-room, she could not resist the temptation of
+playing a game with him. Her father vainly tried to remonstrate with
+her. Far from listening to him, she bounded off.
+
+Instead of playing billiards, however, Napoleon asked her to read to him
+from a book that he had lately received from England. It was by Dr.
+Warden, surgeon of the _Northumberland_, describing in English
+Napoleon's voyage to St. Helena. Napoleon had not made great headway in
+reading English, and Betsy went through several chapters with him,
+turning them into her French that he might better understand.
+
+Napoleon listened attentively to her reading. "Dr. Warden's word is a
+very true one," he said.
+
+Betsy finished her stay at Longwood this day by remaining awhile with
+Madame Bertrand.
+
+The news of Betsy's visit to Napoleon without the requisite permission
+reached the Governor's ears; and Mr. Balcombe was severely reproved. In
+fact, he nearly lost his position. The Governor from the first insisted
+that Mr. Balcombe always acted in the interest of Napoleon, and hence,
+as he viewed it in his narrow-mindedness, against the interests of the
+English Government. Thus we can see that Napoleon's young neighbor was
+wrong in doing things that drew on her father the Governor's reproof.
+
+"My dears," said Mr. Balcombe one morning, "I am going to Longwood
+to-morrow, and the Emperor has expressly asked me to bring you. He has
+something curious to show you."
+
+"What can it be?" the girls asked each other. This special invitation,
+promising a special pleasure, made them eager to start when the next
+morning came.
+
+When they reached Longwood with their father they found Napoleon
+examining a machine whose use they could guess.
+
+"Come, come, young ladies," the great man cried, when he caught sight of
+them, "come see me make ice. You have not been here for a long time,
+Mees Betsy, what is the matter?"
+
+"I have been ill,--a sunstroke."
+
+"Oh, I am sorry! What foolish thing did you do?"
+
+"Oh, Jane and I walked with Captain M. to call on Mrs. Wilks. We went
+over the mountain, two thousand feet, and also across Francis Plain, and
+down into the valley, up the mountain ridges."
+
+Napoleon expressed his astonishment at the extent of their walk.
+
+"Yes, we were nearly dead when we reached Plantation House, but the Lady
+Governess and her daughter there were so kind, and at noon we went to
+Fairyland."
+
+When Betsy had told her story, Napoleon explained the air-pumps and the
+process of ice-making. He was evidently proud of his own proficiency.
+
+"Now, Mr. Balcombe, get an elementary chemistry for Miss Betsy and make
+her study every day, and the good O'Meara shall be her examiner."
+
+While he talked Napoleon was watching the machine.
+
+"Do try my ice," he exclaimed at last, when he had a cupful.
+
+"Here, Mees Betsee, take this!" and he put a large piece in her mouth.
+
+"Oh, Mees Betsee, why make such faces?"
+
+This was the first ice that had ever been seen on the island, and those
+who had never been off St. Helena were naturally amazed when it was
+shown to them.
+
+"It can't be frozen water," exclaimed Miss de F., a young St. Helena
+lady who had accompanied the Balcombes on this visit to Longwood; and
+she had to hold a piece in her hand before she believed it. Then she
+gave a little scream. The glassy substance was so cold at first that she
+was ready to drop it. A moment later when it began to melt and the water
+streamed down her fingers, she realized that she had actually seen a
+very strange thing, the turning of water into ice by artificial means.
+
+Betsy long remembered the day when she had first seen the wonderful ice
+machine, and perhaps her remembrance of it was intensified because on
+that same morning Napoleon permitted her to cut from his coat an
+embroidered bugle, and the coat was the one he had worn at Waterloo.
+Napoleon himself was as pleased as a child with the ice machine, and to
+more than one person expressed his regret that he had not had it in
+Egypt, where its use would have saved the lives of many suffering
+soldiers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE GOVERNOR'S RULES
+
+
+After Napoleon had been at St. Helena a few months, newspapers from
+England began to arrive with narratives of many of the happenings at The
+Briars.
+
+One journal contained a letter from the Marquis de Montchenu, describing
+all the romping games at The Briars, such as the game of blindman's
+buff, the sword scare, and other things in which the children had taken
+part.
+
+Special comments were made on the manners of Betsy, and the writer said,
+"She is the wildest little girl I have ever met; she seems _folle_."
+This letter had been translated into French and German journals, so that
+Betsy Balcombe's name was now widely known.
+
+Mr. Balcombe was greatly enraged by this letter, and wished to call the
+Marquis to account for his ill nature, but Mrs. Balcombe persuaded him
+to desist from extreme measures, and in the end the Marquis himself made
+an apology.
+
+Napoleon found some amusement in Betsy's fierce anger against the
+critical Frenchman. One day Dr. O'Meara called at The Briars, on the way
+to St. James Valley, with a message from Napoleon to tell Betsy how she
+could revenge herself on the tale-bearer.
+
+The Marquis, a noble of the old school, was in the habit of wearing an
+elaborate wig with a long cue.
+
+"Mees Betsy, if you will burn off the cue with caustic, I will reward
+you with the prettiest fan in Solomon's shop, if you will send the
+pigtail to me," suggested Napoleon to Betsy as a plan of revenge.
+
+"_Eh, bien_," said the Emperor, when next he saw Betsy, "Mdlle. Betsy,
+_as tu obei mes ordres et gagne l'eventail_?" ["Have you obeyed my
+orders and won the fan?"]
+
+"Oh, sire, how I wanted to do it, but my brother would not let me!"
+
+"Ah, Mees Betsy," and Napoleon pinched her ear, "_tu commences a etre
+sage_. Here, O'Meara, have you brought the fan I promised Miss Betsy?"
+
+"No, sire, there were none pretty enough for her in Solomon's shop."
+
+Betsy's face grew serious.
+
+"Do not look sad," expostulated Napoleon. "You shall have something
+prettier than a fan;" and Betsy, comprehending, wondered what the
+present would be that he evidently intended to give her.
+
+In a few days a package came to The Briars, addressed to Betsy. Opening
+it, she saw a ring of brilliants, forming the letter N, surmounted by a
+small eagle.
+
+This was a wonderful gift for a little girl, and at first she could
+hardly believe that it was for her. Later she found there was no
+mistake. It was really hers, and she kept it always.
+
+Although Betsy was not permitted to carry out Napoleon's proposed plan
+of revenge on the tale-telling Marquis, she expressed her feelings in a
+way of her own by relating to Napoleon an anecdote about him.
+
+"The Marquis," she said, "is extremely fond of cauliflower, a vegetable
+that is very hard to get here on the island. Well, the other day, he
+dined with us and we had the most delicious cauliflower. Somehow he
+didn't see it until it was being removed and then he cried to his
+aide-de-camp, who had neglected to point it out, '_Bete, pourquoi-ne m'a
+tu pas dit qu'il-y-avait des choux fleurs?_' ['Idiot, why didn't you
+tell me that there was cauliflower?'] Now, wasn't he greedy?" asked
+Betsy, glad enough to have a story to tell that placed the Marquis at a
+disadvantage.
+
+The Marquis de Montchenu, for whom Betsy had professed this dislike, was
+one of the three Commissioners sent by the Allied Powers to keep watch
+on Napoleon. The other two were the Baron Sturmer, representing Austria,
+and Count Balmain, sent by Russia. While England provided the prison and
+jailer for Napoleon, these Commissioners were asked to observe
+everything and report to their respective countries. France and Austria
+had ordered their Commissioners to see Napoleon in their official
+capacity every day in order to assure themselves that he was actually
+alive. Baron Balmain was instructed by Russia neither to seek nor avoid
+an occasion to see him. To describe the vain efforts of the French and
+Austrian Commissioners to see Napoleon would make an entertaining story.
+Napoleon's orders to his household were not to admit any one presenting
+a pass from the British authorities. But as Sir Hudson Lowe would permit
+no one to go to Longwood without a pass from him, those who wished to
+see Napoleon were in a dilemma.
+
+Things were not bettered when Napoleon wrote Sir Hudson Lowe, desiring
+him not to present any one to him, as in future he would receive no
+visitors. He acted as if he thought it his duty to shut himself up, in
+order that public opinion might be turned against the narrow-mindedness
+of the Governor. After this few of the people of St. Helena tried to
+call on him. From delicacy of feeling, or because they feared his anger,
+civilians and military residents avoided Longwood. Only the two
+Commissioners and the resident English officer made an effort to see him
+daily, and their efforts, merely to get a glance at him through window
+or door, were most absurd. The officer sometimes saw him, but the
+Commissioners never had the privilege. The Marquis de Montchenu beheld
+him at last only when he lay dead. Baron Sturmer and Baron Balmain left
+St. Helena while Napoleon was still alive without having met him.
+
+As to Betsy Balcombe, though she had her own opinion, on account of her
+father's position she could not express herself strongly about Sir
+Hudson Lowe.
+
+"Has any one run away with a favorite _robe de bal_, or is the pet black
+nurse, old Sarah, dead?" asked Napoleon one day, detecting a serious
+look on Betsy's face. "What can have occurred?"
+
+Betsy's face did not brighten.
+
+"I am feeling very sad," she said, "because Mrs. Wilks, our kind
+Lady-Governess, has gone away. Every one was at the boat to see her go,
+and at the castle. It was like a funeral, no one with a dry eye, and all
+saying, 'God bless you, and a safe and happy voyage home.'"
+
+Betsy paused for a moment, then continued: "Then they all followed the
+Governor and his family to the barge that was to take them to Havana,
+and groups of grief-stricken ladies wandered under the peepul trees of
+Sisters' Walk, watching the vessel."
+
+"Did you cry too?" asked Napoleon.
+
+"Indeed I did."
+
+"I regret," added Napoleon, "that I had not known the Lady-Governess;
+she must have been so amiable."
+
+Napoleon, as well as Betsy, probably realized that but for his coming
+the people of St. Helena might have retained their popular Governor,
+Mark Wilks. Before the arrival of Napoleon, the Governor of St. Helena
+was paid by the East India Company, though appointed by the Crown; but
+with so important a personage as Napoleon held there in captivity, it
+seemed wisest that full responsibility for him should be laid on the
+English Government. It was therefore decided, as we have before seen,
+that as soon as possible a Governor of higher rank should be sent out in
+place of Governor Wilks. The change at this time seemed unfortunate for
+the people of St. Helena. In Governor Wilks they had found an officer
+who had their interests more at heart than any preceding Governor. Could
+he have been Napoleon's custodian, the Emperor's exile would have been
+very much happier than it was with Sir Hudson Lowe in charge.
+
+Betsy, like all who came in contact with Napoleon, sympathized deeply
+with his annoyance at the restrictions imposed on him by Sir Hudson
+Lowe. The story of the discussion between Napoleon's friends and the
+supporters of the Governor would be a long one to tell, but the fact
+remains, when all is said in Sir Hudson Lowe's favor, that he was far
+too narrow-minded for the important position that he held. Sir Hudson
+Lowe was a brave man and had served honorably in many wars, but the
+responsibility of guarding the fallen Emperor was too great for him, and
+his behavior toward the exile was in every way unfortunate.
+
+Napoleon had been on the island just six months when Sir Hudson Lowe
+arrived. From the first he seemed possessed by the idea that Napoleon
+was constantly watching for some chance to escape. To those nearest
+Napoleon at St. Helena, the Governor's fears that he might escape seemed
+absurd. From the island posts approaching ships were seen twenty-four
+leagues off. Two ships of war were always cruising to windward and
+leeward. Only guard-boats were allowed out at night. All fishing boats
+were numbered and had to anchor every evening at sunset under the
+supervision of a lieutenant of the navy. No foreign vessels were
+permitted to anchor unless under great distress, and then no one from
+them could land until an officer and a party from the British ships went
+on board to take charge while they stayed. If he had cared to try
+flight, Napoleon could hardly have made his escape.
+
+In the very beginning, when Lord Bathurst issued instructions for the
+custody of Napoleon, he expressed the earnest desire of the Prince
+Regent that no greater personal restraint might be employed than was
+necessary to make sure that Napoleon was securely held on the island.
+
+Sir Hudson Lowe, however, in carrying out the instructions of the
+British Government, interpreted them as meaning that he should have
+constant information about all Napoleon's doings. To accomplish this
+was, of course, impossible, and his vain efforts made him the
+laughing-stock of the English as well as the French. In his very first
+interview with Napoleon the new Governor managed to offend him
+seriously, and Napoleon after this was so unwilling to see him that the
+two met only five times more during the five years that intervened until
+Napoleon's death; and these five interviews were all within the first
+three months after Sir Hudson Lowe's arrival.
+
+Under the most favorable conditions Sir Hudson Lowe could hardly have
+been popular with the islanders themselves. Governor Wilks, his
+predecessor, had been unusually loved, and his charming wife and
+daughter had a firm hold on the affections of all the people of St.
+Helena. Betsy, as we have seen, was extremely fond of Mrs. Wilks, whom
+she called the "Lady-Governess," and she had a young girl's admiration
+for the beautiful Miss Wilks, whose praises she continually sang to
+Napoleon. One day, not long before Miss Wilks left the island, Napoleon
+showed Betsy a portrait that General Gorgaud had drawn from memory of
+Miss Wilks, saying, "You think Miss Wilks beautiful. Gorgaud thinks so
+too, and this is his portrait from memory."
+
+"Ah," replied Betsy, gazing at the portrait, "she is far more beautiful;
+and she is so clever and amiable."
+
+"You are certainly enthusiastic, and I quite long to see her," responded
+Napoleon, evidently appreciative of Betsy's enthusiasm for her friend.
+
+During the first months of Napoleon's exile, Colonel Wilks continued to
+act as Governor, but the direct custody of Napoleon was the business of
+Sir George Cockburn, who had brought the illustrious prisoner on the
+_Northumberland_ from England. Not long after Napoleon went to Longwood
+an amusing incident happened, resulting from the panic of Captain
+Poppleton, the orderly officer whose duty it was to guard Napoleon on
+his rides.
+
+The two sisters were sitting at dinner, with their father and Admiral
+Cockburn.
+
+"See," cried Betsy to Jane, "here comes Captain Poppleton, looking as if
+he had lost his wits. Why is he alone? Don't you remember that he set
+out with the Emperor and Generals Bertrand, Montholon, and Gorgaud?"
+
+"But you wouldn't expect them all to march in, when we have company,
+too," whispered Jane, looking toward the end of the table where her
+father was talking with his especial guest, the Admiral, Sir George
+Cockburn.
+
+Before the girls could speculate further, Captain Poppleton broke out
+excitedly:
+
+"Oh, sir, I have lost the Emperor."
+
+All looked up, but the Admiral, whom Captain Poppleton addressed, did
+not change expression as the officer continued:
+
+"We were riding along one of the paths on the side of the mountain, when
+suddenly the Emperor turned short around to the left and almost flew up
+the mountain. None of the generals accompanied him. I started, but I
+could not follow. My horse would not take the steep ascent. So I came
+back to you. If there is a plot--"
+
+"Nonsense!" cried the Admiral, and his tone was echoed by Mr. Balcombe.
+It was natural that Captain Poppleton should feel alarm at the sudden
+disappearance. But the Admiral was made of sterner stuff. "Go back to
+Longwood," he said quietly to the officer. "You will find Napoleon
+there."
+
+This proved to be the case, for when he reached Longwood the Emperor was
+at dinner, and he laughed at poor Captain Poppleton for his fears.
+
+If Betsy had ventured to express herself regarding the trouble between
+Sir Hudson Lowe and the Emperor in this, she certainly would not have
+favored the former.
+
+"What do you really think," she asked her father one day, "about this
+quarrel between the Governor and the Emperor?"
+
+Mr. Balcombe very properly, as an officer of the Government, was not
+inclined to give a direct reply. But Betsy understood him, when he said:
+
+"Their disputes are generally on subjects so trivial that they hardly
+seem worth quarrelling about."
+
+But she realized that to Napoleon these disputes were not trivial when
+she came upon him one day reading an English book. Looking at it, as he
+held it before her, she saw that it was a copy of "AEsop's Fables," a
+book that in a translation children often use to improve their knowledge
+of French.
+
+The page was open at "The Sick Lion." This is the famous account of the
+lion that, when lying sick, receives visits from many other animals who,
+instead of sympathizing, exult over his downfall. The lion makes no
+complaint until a donkey kicks him in the face. "I could have borne
+anything but this," he said.
+
+As Betsy looked at the open page, Napoleon, pointing to the woodcut,
+said, "It is myself and your Governor." His expression showed the depth
+of his feeling on the subject.
+
+In little ways Betsy was disappointed by the regulations made for
+Napoleon by Sir Hudson Lowe. She was exceedingly anxious, for example,
+that Napoleon should see a huge boa constrictor that a captain of an
+incoming vessel had brought to the island.
+
+"It is a most wonderful creature," she said, as she described it to the
+Emperor. "They put a live goat into its cage, and I really believe that
+it swallowed it whole, for I could see the poor thing's horns poking
+almost through the boa constrictor's skin."
+
+The Emperor smiled as Betsy told her tale. "Your boa constrictor sounds
+like the Marquis de Montchenu, or, rather, the latter, from the amount
+of food I have heard he consumes, must resemble a boa constrictor."
+
+"He really does," responded Betsy. "Oh, I wish you could see him--not
+the Marquis, but the boa constrictor."
+
+"I should like to see it; I will ask them to have it brought here to
+me."
+
+As Betsy herself also desired this, she was naturally disappointed when
+those in authority decided that the boa constrictor could not be shown
+to Napoleon.
+
+Napoleon was not the only one on the island affected by the many
+regulations made for his safety in the matter of sentries. The question
+of passes, always troublesome to visitors, and the fact that after the
+sunset gun had been fired no one could pass the sentries without giving
+the countersign, were annoyances to all on the island. Once Betsy
+herself had an experience that was far from agreeable, although she was
+not the only one to suffer, as the incident concerned many others.
+
+As might be supposed, picnics were a favorite form of diversion with the
+people of St. Helena, and they were particularly delightful when, as
+usually happened, young and old took part in them. One day there was a
+large picnic near the celebrated Friar's Valley. The Balcombes and all
+their friends were to go to it.
+
+The day proved pleasant fortunately, for the journey was difficult.
+After amusing themselves for hours, the party was at last surprised to
+hear the sunset gun from Ladder Hill. They found that none of the party
+had the countersign for the night, and they knew that if they ventured
+forth without it they would be made prisoners. This was one of the many
+strict rules made by the Governor to prevent the mishap of helpers
+coming to Napoleon after dark.
+
+At last some of them decided that it was better to make an effort to
+reach home rather than spend the night outdoors. Betsy and her parents
+were among those who ventured to go toward home.
+
+It was a starlight night, but the road was bad. Mr. Balcombe at last
+hailed a light.
+
+"Who goes there?" cried the sentry.
+
+"A friend."
+
+"Advance, friend, and give the countersign."
+
+Now this was just what none of the party could do, and as protests were
+useless, they all had to spend the night in the guard-room, where they
+were half eaten by fleas, mosquitoes, and other insects.
+
+Those who had stayed on the picnic grounds laughed well at the more
+venturous who had gone ahead. Napoleon, when he heard the story, was
+highly diverted, pleased to have so good a chance to blame the
+Government.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ALL KINDS OF FUN
+
+
+Any one who had looked in on the sisters one day would have seen that
+they were greatly excited. Just at this time they were visiting Madame
+Bertrand, and during their stay a ball was to be given.
+
+Plans that promised much pleasure for them had been made. They were to
+dine with the Emperor, and then go on to Deadwood in his carriage.
+
+"Don't jerk so, please," cried Betsy, while the maid was arranging her
+hair.
+
+"But you must have this Chinese coiffure, if you are going to the ball.
+You would not wish to go looking like a little girl."
+
+"Oh, no," responded Betsy faintly, inwardly rebellious, as her hair was
+jerked and strained on top of her head. She was willing to bear pain for
+the sake of appearing well, but when she looked in the glass she thought
+that she had never seen anything so hideous as the coiffure that the
+maid had arranged with such care. She no longer desired to appear like a
+young lady. Her hair had been drawn back so tight that her eyes were
+fairly starting from the socket. Had there been time she would have
+pulled the coiffure down, and indeed she was ready to cry with vexation,
+but she did not really dare to disarrange it now, for she dreaded the
+Emperor's ridicule. How he would laugh at the funny Chinese coiffure! In
+a few minutes she was to appear before him.
+
+To her great surprise, when she and her sister entered the dining-room,
+the Emperor spared her, saying only:
+
+"Mees Betsy, this is the only time I have ever seen you look really
+neat; but I don't like your frock. What is the matter?"
+
+Poor Betsy! She was almost upset by the Emperor's tone. She looked at
+him closely, and decided that he meant just what he said. She had
+thought her little frock so pretty. Now, what could be the matter with
+it?
+
+The Emperor understood her look of inquiry and answered in words.
+
+"It is too short," he said. "You must have it made long before the
+ball."
+
+He was certainly in earnest, and the young girl was really troubled.
+"But I cannot do anything to it," she protested; "there is not time."
+
+"Oh, but no one will wish to dance with you."
+
+"It isn't as bad as that!"
+
+"But it is."
+
+Betsy knew that Napoleon meant what he said. He knew more about balls
+and ball-gowns than any young girl on the island. Indeed, if his
+criticism had not been based on his knowledge of the customs of the
+modish world, Betsy would still have been inclined to trust to his
+judgment; for though at times she seemed to trifle with his wishes, in
+her heart she was always ready to please him.
+
+So now, as sensitive as any more conventional girl to the impression she
+might make at a ball, Betsy ran off to find Josephine, the maid.
+
+Josephine shook her head when Betsy first told her tale of woe, but at
+last she consented to remedy the defect by lengthening the frock. There
+was but one thing to do, and consequently some of the tucks were let
+down.
+
+Neither Betsy nor the maid was proud of the result of their efforts. The
+effect was not good, and Betsy had to take what consolation she could
+from the fact that she had obeyed Napoleon.
+
+A dinner with the Emperor was always delightful to Betsy and Jane, and
+this one was no exception. When it was over the Emperor rose abruptly
+and all went with him to the drawing-room. There the delectable coffee
+for which Le Page was famous was brought in, and Betsy, feeling more
+grown up than ever, drank a cup into which, disdaining tongs, she
+dropped a lump of sugar.
+
+Soon the carriage was announced, and all set out, Madame Bertrand ahead,
+carrying her baby, next little Arthur, then Mrs. Balcombe, and finally
+Betsy and Jane and General Gorgaud.
+
+When the signal was given, the spirited Cape steeds tore away, dashing
+from side to side, while Madame Bertrand screamed loudly to Archambaud
+to stop, though without avail, until the carriage ran into a gumwood
+tree.
+
+Except for the shaking up and the fright, none of the party was injured,
+and when the door was opened all scrambled hastily out. Nothing would
+induce them to intrust themselves again to the carriage and the reckless
+Archambaud, and though the rain was falling heavily they preferred to
+walk over the muddy road to Deadwood. They had nearly a mile to go, and
+it was especially hard for Madame Bertrand, whose baby would not be
+carried.
+
+Betsy, though she knew that she herself probably looked equally absurd,
+could not help laughing when she saw Madame Bertrand arrayed in one of
+Mrs. Balcombe's dresses, half a yard too short and small in every way,
+which she had to borrow while her own clothes were drying.
+
+But the ball itself was pleasant and all felt repaid for going, even
+though they had to walk home in the mist.
+
+The next morning, as ever, Betsy was the victim of Napoleon's raillery.
+
+"So you had a good time last evening, Mees Betsy. I hear you danced very
+well and looked well, and might have been Baroness Sturmer's younger
+sister, you looked so much like her."
+
+This compliment pleased Betsy mightily, as doubtless Napoleon realized,
+for the little English girl thought Baroness Sturmer, wife of the
+Austrian Commissioner, the prettiest woman she had ever seen.
+
+Not long after breakfast the visitors from The Briars and several from
+Longwood went to the town and to the _Newcastle_ in the bay, on board of
+which Sir Pultney and Lady Malcom were to give a breakfast in honor of
+Lord Amherst.
+
+When next the sisters visited Longwood, "Ah, Mees Betsee," cried
+Napoleon, "I have heard great stories of you. You locked up little Miss
+P. the other day, while the other ladies were being shipped over the
+side of the frigate to return to shore. When they missed her Captain G.
+had to go back to rescue her."
+
+As Betsy did not deny this charge, Napoleon, turning to her father,
+exclaimed:
+
+"Balcombe, you must set her a task."
+
+"Indeed I must," responded Betsy's father gravely.
+
+"But I have been punished enough," protested Betsy. "Lady Lowe scolded
+me, too, and desired me to use my reason and not to be childish. I
+wondered at her lack of perception in giving me credit for what I never
+possessed. But I did admire Lord Amherst," she added, a few minutes
+later.
+
+"He must be a very fascinating man," responded Napoleon, "so to have
+impressed your youthful fancy."
+
+The kindness that Madame Montholon showed Betsy in allowing her maid to
+arrange the young girl's hair in a style suitable for a ball, an
+undoubted kindness in spite of the discomfort it produced, was in a line
+with many other things that she and Madame Bertrand did for the Balcombe
+girls. Madame Bertrand was particularly fond of Betsy and often invited
+her to her house. She advised her about her studies and, to a certain
+extent, supervised some of them. Madame Bertrand had many
+accomplishments, some of which she tried to impart to Betsy. Singing was
+one of them, and under her instruction Betsy made considerable progress.
+Napoleon sometimes listened to their little concerts in the drawing-room
+at Longwood. One evening when Betsy was to sing a part from "Les
+Styriens," the piano was so out of tune that Napoleon was greatly
+distressed. He at once sent for Mr. Guiness, the bandmaster of the
+_General Kid_, then in St. James's Harbor, the only man at hand who
+could properly tune it, and was naturally annoyed when the Governor
+expressed his unwillingness to have Mr. Guiness come.
+
+Of all those who accompanied Napoleon to St. Helena, Madame Bertrand had
+made, perhaps, the greatest sacrifices. She was born in Martinique and
+was partly of Irish descent, through her father, whose name was Dillon.
+In spite of her warm devotion to Napoleon, she almost went out of her
+mind when she heard that he was doomed to imprisonment in St. Helena and
+that her husband would follow him. Later, however, she became resigned
+and did not try to dissuade her husband from accompanying the fallen
+Emperor. Undoubtedly she thought of her children and all that they would
+lose in living so far from France, but when they were at last in their
+new home she bore inconveniences patiently and tried in every way to
+make life pleasant for those around her.
+
+"Come," said Napoleon one day when Betsy was wandering around the
+Longwood grounds, "come, and I will show you some pretty toys."
+
+Following the Emperor to the billiard-room, she saw upon the table some
+gorgeously carved chessmen sent to him by Mr. Elphinstone. Each piece
+was perfect. The castles, surmounting lifelike elephants, were filled
+with warriors discharging arrows. The knights, cased in armor, were on
+beautifully caparisoned horses. The mitred bishops were in flowing
+robes, and the pawns each represented a man of a different nation. The
+carving was wonderful. Such work had never before left China, and Betsy
+saw that Napoleon was as pleased as a child with a new plaything.
+
+"I have just finished a game of chess with Lady Malcom," he said, "and
+she has beaten me because I paid more attention to the men than the
+game."
+
+Besides the chessmen Mr. Elphinstone had sent workboxes and card
+counters with the various tradespeople of China minutely carved on them.
+
+Betsy's interest in these beautiful things was increased by hearing how
+Mr. Elphinstone happened to think of sending gifts to Napoleon. He
+wished to show his gratitude for Napoleon's kindness to his brother,
+severely wounded on the field of Waterloo. Napoleon, it seems,
+perceiving the wounded man and hearing that he was faint from loss of
+blood, sent to him a goblet of wine from his own canteen.
+
+"The chessmen are too pretty for St. Helena," said Napoleon; "I must
+send them to the King of Rome."
+
+Among Mr. Elphinstone's presents, Napoleon showed Betsy a superb ivory
+tea-chest, which when opened showed a perfect model of the city of
+Canton. Beneath it were packages of fine tea, done up in fantastic
+shapes.
+
+"Ah," said Napoleon, turning to Betsy, "this reminds me that when I was
+Emperor I did not permit any tea in my dominion, except that grown in
+Switzerland. No one could tell the difference from the Chinese tea. I
+also cultivated the beet-root to make sugar, instead of depending on
+foreign goods."
+
+Napoleon was probably no less pleased with the chessmen because each
+piece had a small eagle carved on it. When Sir Hudson Lowe heard of the
+eagles he regretted that they had escaped his notice, and that he had
+given permission for the gifts to be received at Longwood.
+
+Among the Emperor's treasures were many rare coins and seals which he
+often permitted his little neighbor to handle and examine. Yet even
+while she appreciated this special privilege, Betsy could not let her
+sense of obligation entirely suppress her love of mischief.
+
+Once, for instance, when Betsy approached a table at which Napoleon was
+seated, the little girl, unperceived by him, saw that he was in the act
+of sealing a letter with one of his precious seals. The temptation was
+too strong to resist, and she surprised Napoleon by joggling his arm.
+This sudden movement caused a drop of hot sealing wax to fall on his
+hand, and as a blister was the result, the pain for the moment must have
+been extreme. Nevertheless, Napoleon said hardly a word of reproof, and
+his patience was so remarkable that Betsy immediately apologized for her
+mischief.
+
+Yet it was not unusual for Napoleon to show patience when teased. In all
+his sports with the children, even when they took liberties that their
+parents would have disapproved, Betsy never saw him show any temper. He
+never fell back on his rank or age, but always professed to be one of
+themselves, a good comrade, claiming only for his own part the right to
+tease them when he chose.
+
+What wonder that Las Cases, the dignified Chamberlain, sometimes stood
+aghast at the merry pranks shared by his illustrious master and his
+young friends; but even with the eyes of the disapproving Las Cases upon
+her, Betsy always enjoyed her visits to Longwood. Often some pleasant
+surprise awaited her on her arrival there.
+
+Napoleon was interested in the various legends of St. Helena, and these
+legends are very numerous. Nearly every rock and valley and bit of water
+has some story connected with it. The Friar's Valley, for example, takes
+its name from a huge rock fashioned by nature into the figure of a monk
+with his cowl thrown back, wearing a flowing robe and a rosary.
+Immediately around are sterile rocks, some many hundred feet high, some
+with aloes growing from the fissures.
+
+Napoleon sometimes rode into this valley, and one day he turned to
+Betsy:
+
+"Mees Betsee, have you ever seen 'Will-o'-the-Wisp' that they say lights
+the friar's lantern?"
+
+"Oh, yes; my mother used to send me over there for purer air, and my old
+nurse had a cottage overlooking the vale. She was teaching me the
+alphabet, and when I did not arrange my letters properly she would
+threaten me with the friar."
+
+The story, as Betsy had often heard it, was that the friar had been a
+good Franciscan monk, but he fell in love with a girl in a mountain
+cottage, whom he met while she was tending goats. She asked him to help
+her find something that she had lost, and thus attracted his attention.
+Later he made love to her and she promised to marry him if he would give
+up his faith. So the man broke his vows to the Church; but, when he was
+to be married, as he was clasping the bride's hand, there was a fearful
+crash: the chapel disappeared and with it all those who were taking part
+in the unholy wedding.
+
+"Have you noticed," asked Betsy of Napoleon, coming on him when out
+riding, "those three queer sugar-loaf rocks that they call 'Lot's Wife
+and Daughters'?"
+
+"Yes," responded Napoleon, "I have seen them."
+
+"Well," persisted Betsy, "do you know the story about them?"
+
+"No, I do not."
+
+"Then I must tell you. More than fifty years ago there were two slaves
+on the island who hated to work and to obey their masters, so they hid
+themselves in a cave, halfway up the cliff on the top of which we now
+see Lot's wife. Every night they used to go down and steal whatever they
+could lay their hands on. For a long time people could not find out
+where they lived, but at last they were tracked to their cave. No one
+could reach them, however, because they rolled stones down toward all
+who tried to climb up the cliff."
+
+Napoleon listened attentively, and Betsy continued:
+
+"At last it was thought necessary to send a party of soldiers to fire on
+them, if they refused to surrender, but before this was done one of the
+besiegers managed to climb the cliff on the other side. He reached a
+point opposite the cave and higher up, so that he could roll down stones
+toward the slaves. When one of these wretched creatures was standing on
+the edge of the cliff he was killed by one of the rocks rolled from
+above, and the other who was with him was severely injured; and now,"
+concluded Betsy solemnly, "if you go there at the right time, the
+islanders say that you will see the murdered slave rushing around at
+night just as he used to when alive."
+
+Napoleon, after hearing Betsy's legend, said: "When I ride that way
+again I shall certainly look at the sugar-loaf mountain with much
+greater interest than ever before."
+
+Undoubtedly these various legends, which Betsy had heard from her
+earliest childhood, tended to make her superstitious. Napoleon soon
+found that she was easily frightened, and took advantage of this fact
+sometimes to tease her unmercifully. When he arrived at The Briars, one
+of Betsy's little brothers had as tutor an elderly man named Huff. The
+coming of Napoleon had a strange effect on the tutor's brain. Among
+other delusions, he believed that it was to fall on him to free the
+Emperor from his imprisonment and restore him to his throne again. Old
+Huff, as they called him, talked constantly on this subject and no one
+could reason with him. It was evident that the poor fellow was mad, but
+before it was decided to put him under guardianship he found a chance to
+kill himself, although he was closely watched. According to custom, he
+was buried at a spot where three crossroads meet. This happened to be a
+place near The Briars, and, in consequence, poor Betsy was far from
+happy. Napoleon, aware of her fears, would call out, just before she
+said good night to the household, "Mees Betsee, ole Huff, ole Huff."
+
+Poor Betsy! She was indeed unhappy, and after these words lay long awake
+at night, and in the end often scrambled into her mother's room and
+stayed there until morning.
+
+One evening, when Betsy and her mother and her sister Jane were sitting
+on the cottage porch enjoying the refreshing evening breeze, a strange
+noise made Betsy turn her head, and in an instant she had risen to her
+feet with a loud scream. In front of them now walked a figure dressed in
+white, not a very terrifying sight, except to one of Betsy's nervous
+temperament.
+
+[Illustration: THE BRIARS. From an old print]
+
+Mrs. Balcombe at once understood the situation, for at the moment of the
+figure's appearance she had heard a smothered laugh that she recognized
+as Napoleon's. Advancing to the white figure, she turned back the
+covering, and underneath appeared the black face of a little slave,
+grinning from ear to ear.
+
+"What brought you here?" asked Mrs. Balcombe sternly.
+
+"To frighten Miss Betsy;" and the black girl pointed toward Napoleon,
+who had now come forward to see what effect his trick had had upon his
+young neighbor.
+
+This little ghost scene had a wider effect than Napoleon intended, for
+it put the idea of playing ghost into the heads of other servants. One
+of the Balcombe slaves had lately run away and could not be found. The
+family suspected that he was hiding not far off, because every night
+pigs, poultry, bread, and other provisions were stolen in quantities, by
+whom nobody could tell. After a while Napoleon began to complain of
+thefts, but when the various black servants were questioned they all
+said that the thief must be a ghostly white figure that they saw
+skipping around the valley from rock to rock. That they believed what
+they said was shown by the alarm they showed, for none of them would go
+out alone by night.
+
+"I believe that it really and truly is old Huff's ghost," insisted
+Betsy.
+
+"You can't believe such a foolish thing; indeed, I should think you
+would know better after what happened the other evening, when you
+allowed yourself to be terrified by a little black girl," said her
+mother reprovingly. She added, "You look pale, Betsy. What is the
+trouble?"
+
+"I can't help it. I may be foolish," responded poor Betsy, "but for
+nights and nights I have been afraid to close my eyes."
+
+"All on account of the ghost," thought Mrs. Balcombe, wishing that Betsy
+were less nervous.
+
+Mr. Balcombe and some friends now undertook to catch the thief, feeling
+sure that he would prove to be a substantial individual. After long
+watching, one night they saw a figure move stealthily across the valley
+toward the house. They called upon it to stop, but when it neither
+obeyed nor answered, they felt obliged to shoot. A loud scream followed
+the report of the gun, and when they came upon the fallen figure they
+discovered the runaway slave Alley. He was badly hurt, although not
+fatally, and they did what they could for him. The next morning the
+whole party went to the cave to which Alley directed them. Napoleon
+accompanied them and was much interested in what he saw.
+
+It reminded him of the catacombs of Paris, he exclaimed, as he looked
+about at the heaps of bones which the slave had placed in neatly
+arranged piles after he had gorged himself with food.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE SERIOUS SIDE
+
+
+As Betsy grew to know Napoleon better, she sometimes observed in his
+conversation and manner a sadness that she had not noticed earlier. This
+slight melancholy was especially evident when the conversation touched
+on Josephine or the little King of Rome. Often Napoleon gazed intently
+at Mrs. Balcombe, explaining as he did so that it was because she
+reminded him strongly of Josephine. He loved to talk of Josephine,
+especially with Madame Bertrand, who was a native of Martinique and was
+said also to be a distant relative of the Empress.
+
+One day, for example, Madame Bertrand, in Betsy's presence, brought out
+a miniature of Josephine. The Emperor seemed deeply moved as he gazed at
+it.
+
+"It is the most perfect likeness of her that I have ever seen."
+
+"It is for you, sir," said Madame Bertrand simply.
+
+Thanking her warmly, Napoleon added, "I will keep it until my death."
+
+On this occasion the Emperor was especially inclined to talk about his
+first wife, and Betsy, hearing him, wondered that he had been willing to
+separate himself from her.
+
+"Josephine," he said, "was the most feminine woman I have ever
+known--all charm and sweetness and grace. _Era la dama la piu graziosa
+in Francia._" Then he continued: "Josephine was the goddess of the
+toilet. All fashions came from her. Besides this she was humane and
+always thoughtful of others. She was the best of women. Although the
+English and the Bourbons allow that I did some good, yet they generally
+qualify it by saying that it was chiefly through the instrumentality of
+Josephine. But the fact is that she never interfered in politics. Great
+as my veneration was for her, I could not bear to have it thought that
+she in any way ruled my public actions."
+
+Napoleon's praises of Josephine continued to flow on.
+
+"She was the greatest patroness of the arts known in France for years;
+but though I loved to attend to her whims, yet I always acted to please
+the nation, and whenever I obtained a fine statue or valuable picture I
+sent it to the Museum for the people's benefit. Josephine was grace
+personified. She never acted inelegantly during the whole time we lived
+together. Her toilet was perfection, and she resisted the inroads of
+time, to all appearances, by exquisite taste."
+
+Napoleon spoke with deep emotion, "She was the best of women!"
+
+Then, as if in answer to Betsy's unspoken question, he said:
+
+"It was only political motives that led me to give her up. Nothing else
+would have separated me from a wife so tenderly loved. Thank God, she
+died without witnessing my last misfortune!"
+
+From Josephine Napoleon turned to Maria Louisa, his second wife, the
+mother of his son, of whom he spoke tenderly and affectionately:
+
+"She was an amiable and good wife. She would have followed me here, but
+they would not let her."
+
+Napoleon next called Betsy's attention to one or two portraits of Maria
+Louisa, but Betsy, though she made no criticism, thought then, as she
+had thought at other times when studying the face of Maria Louisa, that
+the Austrian Princess was at a disadvantage when contrasted with the
+members of Napoleon's family, all of whom were handsome and looked
+intellectual.
+
+This conversation about Josephine and Maria Louisa was interrupted by
+the arrival of a visitor, Count Piontkowski, lately arrived from Europe.
+He was a Pole who had fought under Napoleon, and his love for his fallen
+leader had led him to follow into exile.
+
+Napoleon himself had no clear remembrance of the Pole as an individual,
+and he was therefore the more deeply gratified by the spirit of devotion
+that had induced Piontkowski to make the long voyage to St. Helena for
+the sake of being near his old commander.
+
+The long interview with the newcomer undoubtedly brought before
+Napoleon's mind many sad memories, and when he returned to them Betsy
+and the others noticed that he was in unusually low spirits. As he
+looked again at the portraits of Josephine and Maria Louisa he grew more
+and more dejected, and at last, excusing himself, he went to bed much
+earlier than usual, leaving the rest of the party under the influence of
+his melancholy.
+
+When the second New Year came around, Napoleon was in less than his
+usual good spirits. It was not to Betsy, however, but to Dr. O'Meara
+that he said in reply to the physician's "Happy New Year":
+
+"Perhaps the next one will find me better situated. Perhaps I shall be
+dead, which will be better still. Worse than this cannot be."
+
+It was not the Emperor's habit to show his sadness for any great length
+of time. On this second New Year's the sisters were to go over to
+Longwood to carry their New Year greeting and to dine with Madame
+Bertrand.
+
+When they first arrived at the house Betsy was disappointed that
+Napoleon was nowhere in sight and she wondered that no message or
+present came from him, for she knew that the French made a special
+festival of New Year's and recalled the generosity of the Emperor just a
+year before.
+
+Still there was much to see and enjoy in Madame Bertrand's apartment,
+and she and Jane were examining with admiration the presents of Madame
+Bertrand and her family, when Napoleon himself entered the room. In each
+hand he was carefully carrying a beautiful Sevres cup. As the girls drew
+near to look at them, they saw that on one was a portrait of Napoleon
+himself, representing him in Turkish costume, and on the other the
+figure of an Egyptian woman drawing water.
+
+"Here, Mdlles. Betsee and Jane," he exclaimed, "are two cups for you.
+Accept them as a mark of the friendship I entertain for you both and for
+your kindness to Madame Bertrand."
+
+Charmed with his beautiful presents, the girls thanked Napoleon warmly.
+Betsy, indeed, was so delighted with her cup that she would not let it
+go out of her hands, and when at last the time for her departure came
+she wrapped it in many folds of cotton to carry it home--at considerable
+risk even then, as the journey was made on horseback.
+
+Betsy was a keen observer, and although she was fond of paying Napoleon
+back in his own coin when he teased her, she appreciated the depth of
+his feelings in his more serious moments.
+
+One beautiful day, when she went over to Longwood, she was impressed by
+the brilliancy of the atmosphere, which is, indeed, one of the charms of
+St. Helena. Standing on the rocks she watched the waves breaking and
+sparkling at their base and noted the sea beyond, glistening like a
+sheet of quicksilver. With her spirits especially buoyant under the
+influence of the wonderful day, she went up to St. Denis, one of the
+Emperor's suite.
+
+"Where is the Emperor?" she asked gayly. "I want to see him."
+
+The Frenchman shook his head so gravely that for the moment the smile
+left Betsy's face and she wondered if any misfortune had happened. After
+a moment of silence, St. Denis replied:
+
+"The Emperor is watching the _Conqueror_, which is now coming in." The
+_Conqueror_ was the vessel bearing the flag of Admiral Pamplin, who was
+to succeed Admiral Malcom. "You will find the Emperor," continued St.
+Denis, "near Madame Bertrand's, but he is in no mood for badinage
+to-day."
+
+If the Frenchman had meant to keep Betsy away from Napoleon, he was not
+successful. In spite of his warning Betsy went on toward the cottage. As
+soon as she saw the Emperor, she herself came under the influence of his
+mood. He was standing on a cliff with General Bertrand, looking out
+toward sea, where the _Conqueror_ was still but a speck on the horizon.
+Betsy was impressed by the intense melancholy of the exiled Emperor's
+expression, as he stood there stern and silent. His eyes were bent sadly
+upon the vessel as it came in, beating up proudly to windward.
+
+For some time not a word was uttered by any of the three. Even the
+talkative Betsy was silent. At last Napoleon spoke:
+
+"They manage the vessel beautifully; the English are certainly kings
+upon the sea," he said. Then his melancholy tone changed to one of
+sarcasm. "I wonder what they think of our beautiful island! They cannot
+be much elated by the sight of my gigantic walls."
+
+At this moment Betsy did not venture a retort, as was generally the case
+when Napoleon railed at her beloved St. Helena. Betsy was alive to all
+the beauties of the place, while Napoleon, naturally, saw only its
+faults. When Betsy defended the island and waxed eloquent over its
+beauties, sometimes he would simply laugh at her impertinence, while at
+others, pinching her ear in his favorite fashion, he would say:
+
+"Mees Betsee, how can you possibly dare to have an opinion on the
+subject?"
+
+This glimpse of Napoleon, sadly watching the _Conqueror_, was not the
+only occasion when Betsy had an opportunity to see the more serious side
+of the man whom she admired. Although she was only a young girl, she was
+able sometimes by her intelligent questions to draw from him an
+explanation of much discussed things in his past. There was, for
+example, the oft-repeated story that Napoleon had sanctioned the
+butchery of Turkish troops at Jaffa and the poisoning of the sick in the
+hospitals.
+
+If the Emperor was vexed with Betsy for touching on forbidden ground, he
+did not show his feeling, but entered into an explanation that his young
+neighbor was able long afterwards to repeat in his own words. "Before
+leaving Jaffa," said Napoleon, "and when many of the sick had been
+embarked, I was informed that there were some in the hospital severely
+wounded, dangerously ill, and unfit to be moved at any risk. I desired
+my medical men to hold a consultation as to what steps had best be taken
+with regard to the unfortunate sufferers and to send in their opinions
+to me. The result of this consultation was that seven-eighths of the
+soldiers were considered past recovery, and that in all probability few
+would be alive at the expiration of twenty hours."
+
+Betsy listened attentively, as Napoleon showed how difficult it was to
+decide whether it was not more cruel to leave these helpless men to the
+mercy of the Turks than to end their misery by a dose of opium: "I
+should have desired such a relief for myself under the same
+circumstances and I considered it would be an act of mercy to anticipate
+their fate by only a few hours. My physician did not enter into my views
+of the case, and disapproved of the proposal, saying it was his business
+to cure, not to kill. Accordingly I left a rear-guard to protect these
+unhappy men from the enemy. They remained until Nature had paid her last
+debt and released the expiring soldiers from their agony."
+
+As his auditors did not look convinced of the correctness of his views,
+Napoleon turned to Dr. O'Meara, who was of the party.
+
+"I ask you, O'Meara, to place yourself in the situation of one of these
+men. Were it demanded of you which fate you would select, either to be
+left to suffer the tortures of those miscreants or to have opium
+administered to you, which fate would you rather choose? If my own
+son--and I believe I love my son as well as any father loves his
+child--were in a similar situation, I should advise it to be done. If so
+situated myself I should insist upon it, if I had sense enough and
+strength to demand it."
+
+Without waiting for comment from the others, Napoleon added that if he
+had been capable of secretly poisoning his soldiers or of the barbarity
+ascribed to him of driving his carriage over the mutilated bodies of the
+wounded, his troops would never have fought under him with the
+enthusiasm and reverence they uniformly displayed. "No, no, I should have
+been shot long ago. Even my wounded would have tried to pull a trigger
+to despatch me."
+
+The Emperor spoke so earnestly that no one could doubt he meant what he
+said. Even though they believed that the Turkish prisoners had been
+treated with great cruelty, his hearers saw that ambition or a feeling
+of necessity had been the impelling motive of the officers who
+sanctioned or ordered the cruelty.
+
+Napoleon's conversations with Betsy were of course carried on largely in
+French, and but for the little girl's fluency in this language she would
+probably have seen much less of the great man. Napoleon himself made a
+real effort to learn English. Not only did he study with Las Cases, but
+he tried to practise the language with Betsy and her sister. In
+conversation, however, he never became very proficient, his
+pronunciation was droll, and he was inclined to translate things very
+literally. Betsy was less patient than her sister with Napoleon's
+English. By his expressed desire she and Jane were always to correct his
+mistakes, yet often, in the midst of his efforts, she would run off
+without deigning to help him.
+
+"Ah, Mdlle. Betsee," he would then cry in French, "you are a stupid
+little creature; when will you become wise?"
+
+Although Napoleon persevered with his English lessons with Las Cases, he
+never proceeded much further than to read the newspapers. English books
+presented many difficulties, and yet much of the literature that came
+his way was in this language. Here again Betsy was able to make herself
+very useful by translating books or newspapers for him, and sometimes
+she went further and gave him in condensed form the contents of a great
+many pages. Even after he went to Longwood, when Betsy went over there
+to call on Madame Bertrand, Napoleon would summon her to help him
+understand some newly arrived English book.
+
+From Napoleon's own admission to one of his own suite, after he had been
+in St. Helena a year or two, we can judge that his progress in English
+had not been very rapid. One morning, after the arrival of a number of
+French books, he said:
+
+"What a pleasure I have enjoyed! I can read forty pages of French in the
+time that it would require to read two of English."
+
+The Emperor enjoyed talking with Betsy, for the little girl was a great
+reader herself, and he had the faculty of drawing from her whatever
+information she had on a given subject. Occasionally she thoughtlessly
+questioned Napoleon on topics that she might better have avoided.
+
+One Sunday, for example, at Madame Bertrand's, he found the girls poring
+over a book.
+
+"What are you doing?" he asked abruptly.
+
+"Learning the collect," replied Betsy. "My father is always very angry
+if I do not know it." Then she added, not very courteously, "I suppose
+you never learned a collect or anything religious in your life, for I
+know that you do not believe in the existence of a God."
+
+"You have been told an untruth," replied Napoleon impatiently, evidently
+displeased with Betsy. "When you are wiser you will understand that no
+one can doubt the existence of a God."
+
+"But you believe in predestination?"
+
+"Whatever a man's destiny calls him to do, that he must fulfil," was the
+Emperor's response.
+
+Young though she was, Betsy understood the seriousness that underlay the
+superficial gayety most in evidence when Napoleon met her. She decided
+that he was not the cold, calculating man that most people thought him,
+but rather a man of deep feeling, capable of strong attachments.
+
+One day, not long after he had left The Briars, a lady approached Betsy,
+who was in the grounds outside the house.
+
+As she dismounted from her horse Betsy had recognized her as a French
+woman of high position, whose husband was one of the diplomatists then
+at St. Helena.
+
+"Will you be so good," she said almost timidly to the little girl, "as
+to show me the part of the cottage occupied by the Emperor?"
+
+"With pleasure," responded Betsy, leading the way to the Pavilion. The
+lady looked about her with great interest.
+
+"Look!" said Betsy, pointing to the spot where the marquee had stood.
+"Look at this crown in the turf!"
+
+The lady gazed for some minutes at this empty symbol of the power once
+held by the Emperor. The thoughts that it brought up overpowered her.
+Losing all self-control, she sank to her knees, sobbing hysterically.
+Forgetful of Betsy, she continued to weep so bitterly that the little
+girl started for the cottage that she might get her mother, or some one
+else of the household, to bring restoratives.
+
+"Stop, stop!" cried the lady, as if realizing her purpose. "Do not call
+any one. I shall be myself in a moment." Then, in a voice still filled
+with emotion, she added, "Please do me the favor of never mentioning
+this to any one. All French people feel as I do. They all treasure
+Napoleon's memory as I do, and would willingly die for him."
+
+Betsy gave the required promise and waited patiently until the lady had
+recovered her self-possession. Then the latter asked innumerable
+questions of the little girl about the life of Napoleon and his suite at
+The Briars.
+
+Several times the visitor repeated, "How happy it must have made you to
+be with the Emperor!"
+
+When she rode away after her long interview, she put a thick veil over
+her face to hide the fact that she had been weeping.
+
+Betsy was true to her word, and although her family, one after another,
+asked her why the visitor had made so long a stay, she merely replied
+that she had been interested in the Pavilion. But the scene made a deep
+impression on the little girl, as showing the remarkable hold of
+Napoleon on the hearts of those who had been his subjects. Moreover she
+judged, and truly too, that a man for whom such deep feeling was shown
+must himself have been of a kind and sympathetic nature.
+
+It is true that she did not need the testimony of any outsider to assure
+her of Napoleon's amiability. She was well acquainted with his general
+kindliness; she knew of many of his gracious acts, and the charm of his
+manner toward all young people had made a deep impression upon her.
+
+Another thing that she noticed convinced Betsy of the softer qualities
+of Napoleon's nature. This was the firm devotion of the little band of
+Frenchmen and French women who had followed him to St. Helena. They had
+made great sacrifices in sharing the exile of Napoleon. There was so
+little to hope for, in the way of reward for this devotion, that no
+reasonable person could doubt their disinterestedness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE EMPEROR'S VISITORS
+
+
+"Who danced the best at the Governor's ball?" Napoleon asked Betsy one
+day.
+
+"Mrs. Wilks, the Governor's lady."
+
+This was before the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe.
+
+"What sort of dances are in fashion there?"
+
+"Quadrilles, country dances. Mr. C. brought them to St. Helena."
+
+"Oh, he is a great dandy!"
+
+"Yes; he will sit with his feet above his head an hour before dressing,
+the more readily to squeeze them into tight shoes. He wore an epaulette
+nearly down to his elbow, and his sword hilt was embroidered with golden
+oak leaves. The same embroidery confined his stockings, on each knee,
+like the order of the garter. When he first arrived he was disgusted
+that St. Helena ladies knew only kitchen dances and reels, and finally
+he drilled quadrilles and other new dances into them."
+
+Betsy's description of the young dandy amused Napoleon. "Bring him to
+Longwood some day," he said.
+
+A pass was obtained for the young man and Napoleon received him most
+politely. "I hear from Mees Betsee that you are a great dandy,--and what
+a fine coat!"
+
+The young man, who had been in some fear of the Emperor, felt better.
+
+"You are more fortunate than myself," continued Napoleon, "for I have to
+wear my coat turned." Although this was true, it was only because there
+was no cloth his shade of green on the island.
+
+On the whole Napoleon liked the young dandy, especially as he spoke
+French fluently.
+
+But Napoleon was not always glad, or even willing, to receive visitors.
+In fact, after the first few months on the island, he practically
+refused to allow strangers to be presented to him, unless there was some
+special reason for his seeing them.
+
+One day, when Napoleon was still at The Briars, the girls were walking
+with him down Pomegranate Walk, which led to the garden, when he heard
+strangers' voices. He did not wish to meet them, and began to run away,
+but, unluckily, when he reached the garden gate he found it locked.
+Napoleon was not likely to turn aside from anything he had undertaken to
+do, and as the voices drew nearer, too impatient to wait, he insisted on
+jumping over the gate fence. There was a prickly pear on top, the thorns
+of which caught him so that at first he could not extricate himself.
+Then he had to descend rather ignominiously on the garden side, before
+the strangers appeared. The thorns had really done considerable damage,
+and it took no little skill on Dr. O'Meara's part to extract them.
+
+To Betsy's friends Napoleon was apt to be more obliging than to others,
+and tourists, many of whom stayed over at St. Helena on their way to or
+from Africa or India, frequently sought her services to effect an
+introduction.
+
+"Sir," said Betsy to Napoleon one day, "may I present a lady to you? She
+is just here from India. Her husband has high rank."
+
+Napoleon was not fond of women visitors, but he gave his consent to
+Betsy's request.
+
+At the appointed time the lady from India appeared, gowned in crimson
+velvet bordered with pearls. Her black hair was braided and adorned with
+pearls, and butterflies of diamonds and emeralds and rubies. She was one
+of the plainest women Betsy had ever seen, and she was fearful of the
+impression she would make on Napoleon.
+
+After Napoleon had asked the usual questions, "Are you married?" and
+"How many children have you?" he looked closely at her to see what
+compliment he could best pay her.
+
+At length, after a pause that might have embarrassed a less complacent
+woman, he said politely, "Madame, you have the most luxuriant hair."
+
+That the lady from India had fine hair was so evident a fact, that she
+need not have been so exceedingly pleased by Napoleon's compliment. Yet
+she was so overcome by it that when she returned to England she sent
+letters to the newspapers speaking of the Emperor's great admiration for
+her.
+
+Napoleon, in reality, did not at all like this visitor, and when she had
+gone he said severely to the young girl:
+
+"You shall introduce me to no more ladies." His tone was so unusually
+severe that Betsy did not dare confess what really was the case, that
+she had brought Mrs. S. to see Napoleon merely to tease him, knowing
+that it was positively disagreeable to him to meet very plain women.
+
+Betsy one day came to him full of excitement over a traveller whom she
+had just seen.
+
+"Oh, he is extraordinary; queerer than any one I have ever met here. His
+long black beard reaches to his waist, and he wears a regular mandarin's
+dress."
+
+"An Englishman dressed like a Chinaman?"
+
+"Yes! You know he has been there so long, and he has done the most
+wonderful things! Why, he has even travelled to Thibet and talked to the
+Grand Lama."
+
+The Emperor's interest was aroused.
+
+"I have always wished to hear something about the Grand Lama," he said,
+"especially about the way he is worshipped, for I believe that much I
+have read is fabulous. I should like to see this traveller."
+
+"I knew you would," cried Betsy, "and he is anxious to see you, too. He
+was a prisoner of war once in France, and he says you treated him very
+kindly; so he has brought you some presents, and if--"
+
+"Yes, and if he can get a pass--"
+
+The sentence was left unfinished. But Mr. Manning obtained a pass to see
+the Emperor and presented him with a number of curious things that he
+had collected in his travels.
+
+"The Lama," he said in answer to a question, "when I saw him, was a very
+intelligent boy of seven, and I went through the same form of worship as
+the others who were introduced into his presence."
+
+"Were you not afraid of being seized as a spy?" asked Napoleon.
+
+The traveller hesitated, as if not quite pleased by the question. Then,
+with a laugh, he pointed to his dress and beard, as if they were a
+sufficient answer.
+
+"Did you pass for an Englishman?" persisted the Emperor. "The shape of
+your nose is too good for a Tartar."
+
+"No," replied Mr. Manning; "I was generally taken for a Hindoo." The
+bystanders, looking at his fine eyes and regular features, could easily
+understand that in the role of a Hindoo he must certainly have been
+successful.
+
+The conversation between the two--the Emperor and the traveller--lasted
+for some time.
+
+"Travellers," said Napoleon, "are privileged to tell marvellous stories,
+but I hope you are not doing this in describing to me all the wonders of
+Thibet."
+
+Then he continued his questions, asking much about the Lama, and the
+customs and religion of his people. His queries showed that he already
+possessed a fund of information about this strange country, and Mr.
+Manning finally said, "You have as much information on Thibet as I have
+myself."
+
+Napoleon accepted the compliment, but the many questions that he
+continued to ask, especially concerning the Chinese and their language
+and habits, showed that he was quite willing to admit Mr. Manning's
+greater knowledge of the Orient.
+
+When the unusually long interview had ended, Napoleon turned to Betsy
+with an expression in which sadness was mingled with satisfaction.
+
+"This conversation," he cried, "has given me more pleasure than anything
+I have experienced for many long months."
+
+Betsy, realizing the Emperor's capacity for finding entertainment in
+hearing about the small things that made up the life of St. Helena,
+always gratified him by describing the little festivities in which she
+took part, or even the larger affairs of which she knew only by what
+others told her. Like all places garrisoned by British regiments, there
+was always much going on, as the phrase is, on the island, and the
+gossip of the place, usually harmless enough in itself, never failed to
+entertain him.
+
+Sometimes he tried to draw from the little girl information that for one
+reason or another she did not care to give him--sometimes merely to
+tease him, sometimes because she feared that what she said might disturb
+him.
+
+"So you have been calling on Lady Lowe at Plantation House," he said,
+after one of her visits to the wife of the Governor. "Tell me, does she
+ask about your visits to Longwood?"
+
+"There, that is just the kind of thing she asks me. I am sure to be
+questioned what we say and do in your presence;" and beyond this Betsy
+would give Napoleon little satisfaction.
+
+"Who is the most beautiful woman on the island?" he asked on another
+occasion.
+
+"Madame Bertrand," replied Betsy, never at a loss for an answer, "is
+more beautiful than any one I have ever seen. Every one else seems
+insignificant beside her. Why, when my father saw her on the
+_Northumberland_ he was very much struck by her. Her features may not be
+strictly beautiful, but her expression is intellectual. Besides, her
+bearing is so queenlike and dignified!"
+
+"But don't you think Madame Montholon pretty?"
+
+"No," responded Betsy unhesitatingly, in spite of the fact that she had
+much regard for Madame Montholon.
+
+"Marchand," cried Napoleon, apparently changing the subject, "bring me
+my snuffbox,--you know which."
+
+The faithful Marchand obeyed, and when he returned Napoleon took the
+snuffbox from his hands to show the girls--for Jane was with Betsy--a
+miniature on the lid.
+
+It was a portrait of Madame Montholon, taken many years earlier.
+
+"Yes, it is like her," Betsy admitted, "and beautiful, too."
+
+"She was just like that when she was young," responded the Emperor.
+
+Although Napoleon was fond of teasing Betsy, whenever he found that he
+could serve her in any way he never failed to show himself a true
+friend.
+
+Once Dr. O'Meara came upon Betsy alone in the garden with tears in her
+eyes. To his inquiry as to the cause of her sorrow, she pouted, and at
+first hesitated in her reply. On second thoughts she exclaimed, "It is
+too mean! Just because I didn't do my lessons yesterday, to keep me home
+from the races!"
+
+"Were you warned?"
+
+"Oh, yes, but I did not expect to be punished."
+
+"Probably this isn't the first time, and your parents are bound to make
+you remember."
+
+"Oh, it is my father, and it's the meanest thing! He has lent Tom to
+somebody. My pony is not in the stable. Who could have been so mean as
+to borrow the only pony that I can ride? All the others have ridden off,
+and there is no way for me to go."
+
+Dr. O'Meara listened sympathetically. Probably he did not exactly
+understand the situation or he would hardly have encouraged a young girl
+to disobey her parents. It was quite natural that to Betsy, the lover of
+gayety, her punishment seemed greater than she deserved. Every one that
+she knew was going to the races, for the Deadwood races, instituted by
+John Rous, were made a kind of festival by the people of the island.
+Since every one she knew had gone to Deadwood, there was no horse at
+hand that she could borrow. For the moment Napoleon's little neighbor
+was troubled by no sense of duty; the only question was how to reach
+Deadwood.
+
+Dr. O'Meara, after Betsy had poured out her soul to him, rode on towards
+Longwood at a rapid pace. Not long afterwards her heart leaped with joy
+when she saw Dr. O'Meara winding down the mountain, followed by a slave
+with a superb gray horse. At once she recognized Mameluke, one of
+Napoleon's stable, and, as the horses drew nearer, she saw that above
+his crimson saddlecloth Mameluke wore a lady's saddle. Even before Dr.
+O'Meara spoke, she understood what his quick return meant.
+
+"Here, Miss Betsy, cheer up," he cried when he drew near the little
+girl. "This horse is for you. When the Emperor heard of your
+disappointment, he ordered the quietest horse in his stable to be sent
+to you."
+
+Regardless of consequences to herself, pleased by the good-natured
+attention of the Emperor, light-hearted Betsy on Mameluke went to the
+races. Perhaps she would have hesitated had she known that her father,
+rather than she herself, was to be the sufferer by her heedless act, for
+afterwards it gave her great pain to learn that Mr. Balcombe had been
+severely reprimanded by Governor Lowe for having committed a breach of
+discipline in letting his daughter borrow a horse belonging to the
+Longwood establishment.
+
+But for the time Betsy had the fun of the races, and the next day she
+went over to Longwood to thank Napoleon.
+
+"Aha, Mees Betsee," he said after their first greeting, "perhaps you do
+not know that I too saw the races."
+
+"But I did not see you there."
+
+"Ah, where were your eyes? You were not thinking of me; but they were
+amusing."
+
+After a little more teasing, Betsy learned that Napoleon had seen the
+Deadwood races from an upper window of General Gorgaud's house.
+
+"You were so amused," he added, "that you forgot to be afraid. I have
+told your father you should never be encouraged in foolish fears."
+
+"I wish you had been really there!"
+
+"Ah, gayety is not for me." Napoleon's face became grave.
+
+Betsy, noticing this, added quickly, "But you are coming to my birthday
+fete."
+
+"Surely! It will not be far away at Rous Cottage."
+
+The day of the birthday was bright and fair, and as large numbers of
+guests had assembled, Rous Cottage, which had been chosen for this
+picnic fete, was named for the gallant flag officer of the
+_Northumberland_, whom Napoleon admired and called "a very brave man."
+
+In the earlier part of the celebration, Betsy, flying among her friends,
+was too much absorbed to notice that Napoleon had not come, but when she
+missed him she began to look eagerly in the direction in which she might
+expect to see him appear. He had said he would come to the party, and
+Betsy expected him to keep his promise, though it was an unheard-of
+thing for him to mingle in a gay crowd.
+
+After a while she was delighted to see him in the distance, riding along
+the hills. Soon she saw that he was no longer riding. His horse was at a
+standstill. What could this mean? Presently a messenger from the Emperor
+appeared to say that he would content himself by looking on.
+
+The young hostess was not satisfied with this. Rushing off to the hill
+where Napoleon waited, she stood before him.
+
+"This is not keeping your promise. You said you would come, indeed you
+did, and you should not disappoint me on my birthday."
+
+Napoleon smiled at his young friend, but he spoke with decision:
+
+"No; I won't come down to be stared at by a crowd who wish to gratify
+their curiosity by a sight of me."
+
+Betsy begged and pleaded, using every effort to make him change his
+mind, but he was firm. Nothing could change him.
+
+A friend in England had sent Betsy a huge birthday cake, ornamented with
+a large eagle. That she should have had a cake decorated with this
+imperial emblem occasioned much comment on the island. In fact, in the
+eyes of some, Mr. Balcombe and his family were under more or less of a
+cloud on account of their open admiration for the illustrious prisoner
+of St. Helena. When Betsy found that her words made no impression on
+Napoleon, she left him for a few moments, only to return with a slice of
+the cake.
+
+"You must eat this thick slice," she said, holding it out to him. "It is
+the least you can do for getting us into this disgrace. Some people
+think it almost treason when they see the eagle on the cake."
+
+Napoleon ate the cake with evident appreciation. Then he pinched Betsy's
+ear in his usual familiar fashion, saying as he did so, "Saucy
+simpleton!" As he galloped away Betsy could not help smiling, as she
+heard him singing, or rather trying to sing in his most unmusical voice,
+"_Vive, Henri Quatre_."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THOUGHTLESS BETSY
+
+
+Sometimes, without intending to hurt Napoleon's feelings, heedless Betsy
+must often have come near wounding him. One day, for example, she showed
+him a toy that had lately come to St. Helena from Europe. It represented
+a toy emperor climbing a ladder, each rung of which was a country. When
+he reached the top he sat for an instant astride the world, and then
+went headlong down the other side, until he landed at last on St.
+Helena.
+
+Napoleon himself did not reprove Betsy for her rudeness, but Mr.
+Balcombe was disturbed and angry when he heard of it. Betsy, he decided,
+was altogether too fond of playing foolish tricks, and he resolved to
+teach her a lesson that she could not forget.
+
+Calling her to him, after he had expressed his displeasure for what she
+had done, "Betsy," he said in his severest tone, "you are to spend the
+night in the cellar, and every night for a week you shall sleep there.
+You must be taught respect for your elders. It is to punish you for your
+rudeness to Napoleon that I am resolved to punish you in this way."
+
+Poor Betsy shivered at her father's words. Bold though she was in the
+face of danger by day, darkness always had great terrors for her, and to
+spend the night underground was a punishment she felt she could hardly
+bear. Her protests, however, were useless. Her father locked her in the
+dark cellar and left her there. Betsy's experiences that night were
+terrible. Rats made the cellar their home, and, as they jumped about in
+the darkness, they tumbled the bottles of wine about, making a terrible
+noise. Betsy was so frightened that to defend herself from them she
+picked up bottle after bottle to hurl against them. At last they were
+driven away, but there was no sleep for Betsy on the bed that had been
+prepared for her. At dawn a faint light came through the windows, just
+enough to show her what havoc she had made. Broken bottles lay about her
+everywhere and in every direction ran rivulets of wine.
+
+At last she fell into a heavy stupor, and in this condition a slave, who
+had been sent with her breakfast, found her. Alarmed at the sight of
+Betsy, apparently half dead, the slave ran to summon Mr. Balcombe. When
+he hurried to the cellar, Mr. Balcombe was naturally shocked by what he
+saw. He had not thought of rats, and he was only too thankful that Betsy
+had escaped serious injury. He not only did not reprove her for the
+destruction of the claret, but forgave her for her offence against
+Napoleon.
+
+As to Napoleon, "It was too great a punishment," he said, "for so little
+an offence." Then he laughed heartily as the lively Betsy, now quite
+herself again, gave a vivid account of her battle with the rats. "Ah,
+the rats!" he added; "a big one jumped out of my hat one day, as I was
+about to put it on. It startled me."
+
+Some time after this adventure in the cellar, Mr. Balcombe again had
+occasion to punish Betsy and again he thought of the cellar.
+
+"No, not the cellar!" remonstrated Napoleon. But Mr. Balcombe was
+obdurate. He had decided that Betsy should have a week's imprisonment
+there, staying by day but released at night that she might sleep in her
+own room.
+
+So Betsy went daily to her cell. She managed to vary the monotony of her
+prison life by sitting close to the grating of the open window, and
+while she sat there, the picture of dejection, Napoleon, approaching the
+window, daily expressed a half-mocking sympathy with her. For a time
+Betsy maintained an appearance of dignity and injured innocence, but in
+the end the Emperor, by mimicking her doleful expression, usually
+succeeded in making her laugh.
+
+"Sewing!" he exclaimed in surprise, when he visited Betsy on the third
+day of her imprisonment.
+
+"Yes," responded Betsy; "I am making a dress for myself."
+
+"Ah, they indeed are cruel--"
+
+Like all Betsy's acquaintances, Napoleon knew that she had no strong
+love for sewing and the ordinary domestic duties. She was at the age
+when boyish sports were much more fun than the occupations that older
+people prescribed for girls.
+
+"But no one required me to sew. I am sewing because I wish to."
+
+The Emperor expressed his surprise at this announcement.
+
+"Yes," continued Betsy; "I did not know what else to do. It is
+frightfully dull here, so I begged old black Sarah to find me some work,
+and this is what she brought." Betsy held up the partly made dress with
+considerable pride.
+
+It is to Betsy's credit that she finished the dress old Sarah had
+brought her, although her fit of industry did not outlast her week's
+imprisonment.
+
+"You should keep Mees Betsee's prison livery," said Napoleon to Mrs.
+Balcombe, "and show it to her occasionally, when you think that she is
+on the point of doing something foolish that ought to be punished."
+
+"Prison livery" was Napoleon's name for the dress that Betsy had made
+during her week in the cell.
+
+Betsy, however, was only one of many persons who had disagreeable
+experiences with the rats of St. Helena. A sleeping slave, for example,
+had a part of his leg bitten off. One of Count Bertrand's horses in the
+stable had been severely bitten, and Dr. O'Meara had once had to defend
+himself from the rodents by hurling his bootjack repeatedly at them.
+Other tales of fierce rats had been told, and in consequence Betsy, when
+she thought of her escape from real harm, had good cause for
+congratulation.
+
+The battle of the rats happened while Napoleon was still living at The
+Briars, and though Betsy long remembered it, it cannot be said that she
+altogether profited by the lesson that it should have conveyed to her.
+Later, when Napoleon was living at Longwood, Betsy, visiting at Madame
+Bertrand's, occupied herself with practising a song that was a favorite
+with one of the ladies of the garrison.
+
+Betsy sang and played very well, and Napoleon, hearing the new song,
+praised the air though he did not understand the words. Now it happened
+that the song was a monody on the death of the Duc d'Enghien, for whose
+death Napoleon had been greatly blamed by friends as well as by foes.
+
+"What is the song?" Napoleon asked.
+
+A tactful girl would have devised some answer to spare Napoleon's
+feelings. But thoughtless Betsy, without a word, turned to the front
+page of the sheet of music, on which was a picture of a man standing in
+a ditch, his eyes bandaged and a lantern hanging from his waist, while
+soldiers were aiming their muskets at him.
+
+"What is it?" asked Napoleon, to whom the picture conveyed no meaning.
+
+"It represents the murder of the Duc d'Enghien," replied Betsy.
+
+Napoleon examined the picture more closely. Then, turning to the young
+girl:
+
+"What do you know of the Duc d'Enghien?"
+
+"That you are considered the murderer of that illustrious prince,"
+replied Betsy, with great lack of consideration.
+
+"It is true," responded Napoleon, "that I ordered his execution, for he
+was a conspirator and had landed troops in the pay of the Bourbons to
+assassinate me. In the face of such a conspiracy, the most politic thing
+was to put a Bourbon prince to death so that the Bourbons would not
+again try to take my life. The prisoner was tried for having taken arms
+against the Republic, and was executed according to law. But he was not
+shot in a ditch nor at night. All was open and known to the public."
+
+This talk about the Duc d'Enghien led Napoleon to tell Betsy of many
+thrilling experiences of his own in escaping death at the hands of
+would-be assassins.
+
+At another time Betsy ran up to Napoleon, crying, "Why is your face so
+swollen and inflamed?"
+
+"Oh," replied Napoleon, assuming a doleful look, "Dr. O'Meara has just
+drawn a tooth and I have had much pain."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Betsy in the role of mentor. "You to complain of
+pain--the pain of so trifling an operation, though you have gone through
+battles innumerable with storms of bullets whizzing, some of which must
+have touched you. I am ashamed. But give me the tooth, and I will get
+Mr. Solomon to set it as an ear-ring."
+
+Napoleon, listening to Betsy, was evidently amused by her tone of
+assumed severity, and laughing heartily, replied: "See how I laugh, even
+while I suffer. Ah, Mees Betsee, I fear you will never cut your wisdom
+tooth."
+
+Although Betsy saw more of Napoleon than the other children, they were
+all fond of him; but it is to be feared that Betsy's example was not the
+best in the world for her little brothers, who were much younger than
+she. One day, for example, Napoleon had given little Alexander a pretty
+box made by Piron, filled with his delicious bonbons.
+
+"When my brother had eaten all his sugar-plums," said Betsy, "and was
+grieving over his exhausted store, he unluckily chanced to espy a
+pill-box. He thereupon took some pills from the box and offered them to
+the Emperor. Napoleon helped himself, thinking they were sugar-plums,
+and began eating. He soon ejected them with coughing and nausea."
+
+Las Cases, it is needless to say, reported this to Mr. Balcombe, who
+whipped Alexander soundly. Nobody can deny that the little boy merited
+the punishment.
+
+A favorite jest of Napoleon was to cry, "Now, Mdlle. Betsee, I hope you
+have been a good child and learned your lessons."
+
+Then Betsy would redden and toss her head, for, like most girls in their
+early teens, she wished to be thought older than she was. This habit of
+teasing was one that Napoleon had found time to indulge in even when he
+was at the height of his power. He was very fond of children, and some
+one has said that no case is known in which he refused to grant a favor
+when a child was asked to be the messenger. He was fond of his nieces
+and nephews, and devoted to his step-children. Few brothers have ever
+been kinder to their brothers and sisters than Napoleon to his. When he
+was only sixteen, he began to take a great interest in the education of
+his brother Lucien, who was six years younger. When he was a lieutenant
+in the army, he made real sacrifices for Louis, who was twelve years
+old. Yet, in spite of his love for them, he teased them just as he
+teased Betsy. Every one knows how he used to fondle the little King of
+Rome and carry him around in his arms while he was dictating to his
+secretaries. One who knew him writes:
+
+"It used to be a real holiday for the Emperor when Queen Hortense came
+to see her mother, bringing her two children. Napoleon would take them
+in his arms, caress them, often tease them, and burst into laughter as
+if he had been of their own age, when, according to his custom, he had
+smeared their faces with jam or cream."
+
+Sometimes, however, he went too far, even with his young relatives. Once
+when he had playfully pulled the ears of his nephew, little Achille
+Murat, the boy protested, "You are a naughty, wicked man," to the great
+amusement of his uncle.
+
+But if Napoleon was inclined to tease the young people at The Briars, he
+was also ready to do pleasant things for them. He certainly entered into
+the feelings of young people. With them he became a child, and an
+amusing one. Many were the games he played with Betsy and her brothers
+and sister, not only blindman's buff but puss in the corner and other
+quieter games.
+
+Betsy was not the only one of the Balcombe family whom Napoleon loved to
+tease. Jane, the elder sister, was the more dignified and it was
+therefore easier to embarrass her. Toward the end of her stay at St.
+Helena, an English surgeon, Dr. Stokoe, was sent to the island. He was
+much the senior of Jane, but, because the two were seen much together,
+the gossips of St. Helena thought that he wished to marry her.
+
+Napoleon himself occasionally teased Jane about Dr. Stokoe, and
+professed to think that Mr. Balcombe was a cruel father, standing in the
+way of his daughter's happiness. "Why have you refused your daughter to
+the surgeon of the flagship?" he would ask mischievously, adding,
+"_C'est un brave homme_."
+
+Napoleon's capacity for seeing the humorous side of things kept up his
+spirits wonderfully during his first year or two of exile. Betsy's
+enjoyment of a joke, even of a practical joke, was perhaps the strongest
+bond between the Emperor and his little neighbor.
+
+"Come," he would say, "come, Mees Betsee, sit down and sing like our
+dear departed friend." By this term Napoleon referred to a certain lady
+who believed herself to be the possessor of a very fine voice. To
+exhibit her prowess this lady would sit down and sing Italian airs in an
+affected style. At the end of a performance the lady expected, and
+received, the Emperor's compliments; but when at last she was away and
+out of hearing, he roared with laughter as Betsy, at the piano, imitated
+the lady's affectations.
+
+With his eyes closed he would pretend that he really believed he was
+listening to the operatic lady, and end by thanking Betsy gravely for
+the pleasure she had given.
+
+Napoleon himself was a good mimic. He amused the Balcombe family greatly
+by his imitation of London cockney street cries.
+
+"Mees Jane," he asked one evening, "have you ever heard the London
+cries?"
+
+"No, sir, never," she replied.
+
+"Then I must let you hear them;" and without waiting further, he began
+to make a series of shrill sounds. At first it was difficult to
+distinguish the words, for Napoleon's droll accent could hardly be
+called good English. His intonation, however, was perfect, and exactly
+represented the street venders crying their wares.
+
+"You must have been in London, unknown to any one," cried Jane; "for if
+you haven't been there, I don't see how you could have got those cries
+so perfectly."
+
+In suggesting that Napoleon might have been in London incognito, Jane
+was only repeating what then had wide currency--that Napoleon in the
+height of his power had slipped away from Paris, letting no one know
+that he was to cross the Channel, to spend a few days in London,
+studying the English and their ways.
+
+To the inquisitive Jane, however, Napoleon gave no information as to the
+truth of this belief.
+
+"I was much entertained," he said, "by one of my buffos, who introduced
+London street cries into a comedy that he got up in Paris."
+
+This mention of the theatre led Napoleon to speak of Talma. "He was the
+truest actor to nature that ever trod the boards," he said.
+
+"Talma?" repeated Betsy, catching the actor's name. "Oh, I remember;
+they used to say that you took lessons from him how to sit on the
+throne."
+
+"I have often heard that myself," responded Napoleon, "and I even
+mentioned it once to Talma himself as a sign that I was considered to
+hold myself well on it."
+
+Napoleon often displayed his powers of mimicry, to the great
+entertainment of the children.
+
+A large ball, given by Sir George Bingham in return for the civilities
+that had been shown the Fifty-third Regiment, took place not far from
+Longwood, and practically every one on the island was invited.
+
+"It was the very prettiest affair I ever saw," said Betsy, "and you
+ought to have seen it."
+
+Glancing at Napoleon, she thought she caught a certain meaning in the
+smile with which he greeted her remark. "I really believe you _were_
+there," she exclaimed. "Some one told us you were going to take a peep
+at us incognito, but I did not see you."
+
+Without deigning to reply, Napoleon began an ungraceful imitation of the
+saraband, a dance that had been seen at this ball for the first time in
+St. Helena. The young lady who waltzed in this dance had been very
+awkward, and Napoleon's imitation of her movements was so perfect that
+the girls were sure he had really seen her. Moreover he had so many
+accurate criticisms to make of the people at the ball, and of the ball
+in all its details, that no doubt was left in their minds that he had
+been an actual looker-on.
+
+Napoleon thoroughly appreciated the humor of others, and was much
+amused, for example, by a remark of Madame Bertrand's that he repeated
+to Betsy.
+
+Madame Bertrand's son, Arthur, was about a month old when Napoleon asked
+Betsy if she had seen the little fellow, adding, "You must hear the
+clever way in which Madame Bertrand introduced the baby to me: 'Allow me
+to present to your Majesty a subject who has dared to enter the gates of
+Longwood without a pass from Sir Hudson Lowe.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+LONGWOOD DAYS
+
+
+Many a time when in the company of Napoleon and the members of his
+suite, Betsy must have realized that this pleasant intercourse could not
+last always.
+
+Few people remained indefinitely long at St. Helena,--few people,
+indeed, besides the natives and the one life prisoner, the Emperor
+Napoleon. Betsy, however, had no desire to leave her beloved island. She
+loved its climate and its scenery, and she was happy with the many
+people who were her friends. It was a gay little place, with numerous
+officers quartered there with their families,--a much gayer place than
+it would have been had not the British Government thought it necessary
+to make it a great military stronghold for the safeguarding of the
+Emperor,--a much gayer place than it had been before Napoleon's arrival.
+
+[Illustration: LONGWOOD]
+
+Almost every day some form of amusement offered itself--races, balls,
+picnics, and sham fights. There was also a pretty little theatre on the
+island, established by the popular Commissary General, where amateur
+plays were performed by the officers, to the great entertainment of all
+who saw them.
+
+Madame Montholon and Madame Bertrand and, to a certain extent, the
+gentlemen of the Emperor's suite entered more or less into the
+festivities of the place. It was only Napoleon who always stayed at home
+alone. Betsy, who was an especial favorite of Madame Bertrand, was often
+at Longwood, and very often the latter was the young girl's chaperon at
+balls or other entertainments.
+
+Yet even when no special gayety was in view, Betsy enjoyed her visits to
+Longwood, and the ingenuous girl with her frank speech certainly
+brightened the lives of the exiles. As for Betsy herself it was a great
+advantage for her to be so much in the society of these French people,
+with their cultivation and gayety. On cool evenings chairs were brought
+out on the lawn leading to the billiard-room, and there the Countess of
+Montholon and Madame Bertrand, with their husbands and children, would
+spend the hour after sunset listening to the crickets, of which there
+were thousands. Sometimes they sat on the lawn in the moonlight, gazing
+long at the sky, which at St. Helena is of a peculiarly deep blue.
+
+Doubtless at such times the hearts of the poor exiles were far away
+among home scenes in France, and even lively Betsy for the time was
+quiet and subdued.
+
+One splendid starry night, as they were all on the lawn near the
+billiard-room steps after a very sultry day, they heard a sound as if
+heavy wagons were lumbering over the ground beneath. Those nearer the
+house thought that it was about to fall about their heads. Dr. O'Meara
+and Major Blakeney, Captain of the Guard, hastening from the room,
+expected to find the ladies half dead with fright. All the household,
+some from their beds, rushed out, looking wonderingly into the sky, and
+little Tristram Montholon ran to his mother, screaming that some one had
+tried to throw him out of his bed.
+
+This was in September, and the strange rumbling was caused by an
+earthquake, the first one in St. Helena for a long time. Many feared for
+their friends in the valleys with the sharp precipices, but fortunately
+in the end it was shown that there had been no loss of life.
+
+Napoleon was in bed at the time of the shock.
+
+"Ah Mees Betsee," he asked the next morning, "were you frightened by the
+_tremblement de terre_? You look pale and quiet."
+
+Betsy admitted that she had had a little fear at the earthquake.
+
+"I thought," said Napoleon, turning to General Bertrand, "that the
+_Conqueror_ had blown up in the harbor; but the second or third shock
+showed that it was an earthquake."
+
+The _Conqueror_ was the seventy-four gun ship whose arrival Betsy had
+seen Napoleon observe with great interest.
+
+Betsy, for several nights after the earthquake, was too frightened to go
+to bed, and in a day or two she was ill with a severe cold, caught while
+sitting on the veranda. In this case, as always in illness, Napoleon was
+sympathetic, blaming the climate and adding that the houses ought to
+have plenty of fireplaces to protect people from sudden changes.
+
+"What would be the use of fireplaces," asked Betsy, "when we have no
+coals?"
+
+"Then burn the orange trees," responded Napoleon.
+
+From this remark Betsy saw that for some reason the Emperor was not in
+good humor, for he was one of those who realized the need of more trees
+on St. Helena, and later--if he had not then begun--devoted much time
+and money to planting trees in the neighborhood of Longwood. Perhaps the
+presence of the _Conqueror_ in the harbor disturbed him, since this was
+the vessel that had brought Admiral Pamplin, who was to relieve Admiral
+Malcom. Sir Pultney Malcom had come to St. Helena with Napoleon, and the
+two had grown to be very good friends. The Admiral, a courteous old man,
+with exquisite, kindly manners, showed great consideration for the
+exile. He paid Napoleon many visits, sent him newspapers, and so far as
+he could tried to protect him from various annoying things said or done
+by Governor Lowe.
+
+It was not strange, then, that Napoleon should feel depressed at the
+thought of Admiral Malcom's departure, and, in consequence, seem a
+little more brusque than usual with Betsy in talking of her cold.
+
+Napoleon well understood the value of regular occupation and spent many
+hours daily in reading and writing. He had few of the works of reference
+that he needed for his historical work, yet he persevered in spite of
+all difficulties. In the end he really had something to show, volumes of
+military commentaries, essays on great generals and historical sketches,
+chiefly of the time of the French Republic. These writings may not all
+be perfectly accurate, but they show a wonderful memory and grasp of
+facts. The inaccuracies, indeed, are chiefly such as must result when a
+man writes without the proper documents and books to verify his
+statements.
+
+The Memoirs left by Napoleon, the many volumes of conversations
+collected by his friends on subjects of general interest, as well as
+those books that relate to the military profession, show the wonderful
+strength of his mind. His temperate habits were, of course, a great help
+in carrying out the broad plans that he made for hard work. He took
+little wine, and then only used it as a medicine.
+
+Napoleon's hours for rising and going to bed were very irregular. Often
+on moonlight nights he would rise at three o'clock, and when at The
+Briars he would go to the garden before Toby was up, getting the key
+from the place where the old slave had hidden it. He would then have an
+early breakfast of fresh fruits.
+
+Not infrequently, in those early days of his stay at St. Helena, Betsy
+would see him in the early morning riding around the lawn on his
+beautiful horse Hope, and when she talked with him she would learn that
+already he had that day dictated a number of letters. Hope was the first
+horse Napoleon rode on the island, and it pleased him to think that this
+name was an augury.
+
+When it came to his bed hour, Napoleon's habits were most uncertain.
+Frequently, when he was restless, he would have Marchand read him to
+sleep.
+
+At times when he was ill he resented the doctor's efforts to get him to
+take medicine. He had original ideas on the best treatment of the sick,
+and believed strongly in the efficacy of the salt-water bath.
+
+However heterodox his views on any subject, Napoleon seldom hesitated to
+express them, at least to those in whom he had confidence.
+
+"I have no faith whatever in medicine," said Napoleon one day to a very
+clever medical man who was on the island. "My own remedies are
+starvation and the warm bath. Churchmen," he added, "are often
+hypocrites, because too much is expected of them. Politicians must have
+a conventional conscience, and soldiers are cut-throats and robbers. But
+surgeons are neither too good nor too bad; their mission is to benefit
+mankind, and they have opportunities to study human nature as well as
+science. I have a higher opinion of the surgical profession than of any
+other. The practice of the law," he concluded, "is too severe for poor
+human nature, for he who distorts truth and exults at the success of
+injustice at last will hardly know right from wrong."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Napoleon liked sailors, and often talked with those who conducted
+fatigue parties around the island.
+
+One day he asked the girls if they had met one active young reefer, who
+happened to belong to a distinguished family.
+
+"He is one of the few combinations of high birth and intelligence I have
+ever seen."
+
+"We know him," was the reply, "and he is one of the most popular men in
+the ward-room. Oh, how funny he was when we first knew him!" added
+Betsy. "He was coming back from the Admiral's ball. We met an old cart,
+and he was surrounded by brother middies, all shouting, 'Lord W.'s
+carriage stops the way.' Well, we couldn't get past, as the cart had
+been dragged inside the arch through which we were to pass. Afterwards
+this same young man had a narrow escape. He was rowing guard when hailed
+by sentry. On account of the surf, the sentry could not hear him give
+the password, and so he fired among the crew."
+
+"Yes, he can do anything. Sir Pultney Malcom put him in charge of the
+government farm, and said he had never seen such vegetables produced on
+the sterile rocks of St. Helena."
+
+"Whatever British sailors take in hand," said Napoleon, "they never
+leave undone."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A marble bust of the King of Rome was sent to Napoleon, probably by
+Maria Louisa. Napoleon gazed on it with proud satisfaction and he seemed
+pleased with the praises of Betsy and her mother.
+
+"You ought to be proud to be the father of so beautiful a boy," said
+Mrs. Balcombe.
+
+Smiles lit Napoleon's face, and Betsy, child though she was, was
+impressed by his expression of paternal fondness.
+
+The bust was of white marble and executed by Caracci, and it bore the
+names Napoleon Francois Charles Joseph. The child was shown wearing the
+Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. It had been brought from Leghorn by
+the gunner of a ship bound to St. Helena, and although it had come so
+mysteriously, people generally understood that Maria Louisa herself had
+taken the trouble to have it sent in this way to Napoleon, her husband.
+
+"Now, come," said Madame Bertrand, after the sisters had spent some time
+admiring Napoleon's gifts, "let me show you my presents;" for the ship
+that had brought the bust brought things also to others of the French
+exiles. These were chiefly for Countess Bertrand and Countess Montholon
+from Lady Holland, who often remembered them in this way.
+
+"La bonne Lady Holland," as Napoleon called her, was one of the few
+English women not afraid to show her sympathy with Napoleon and those
+who had followed him to St. Helena. He was very grateful for her
+attentions to him now when he was abandoned by the world. "All members
+of the family of Fox," he said, "abound in liberal, generous sentiments.
+Fox was sincere in his intentions, and had he lived England would not
+have been devastated by war. He was the only minister who rightly
+understood the interests of his country." To show that he had always
+appreciated Fox, Napoleon told of a visit that the latter with his wife
+paid to St. Cloud. By mistake he opened the door of a private room, and
+he was surprised to see there his own statue among those of
+distinguished citizens of the world, Hampden, Washington, Cicero, Lord
+Chatham and his son.
+
+The regulation that an officer must accompany him on his rides was a
+continued annoyance to Napoleon. At first he submitted, and rode off,
+painfully realizing that a representative of his jailers constantly kept
+his eye on him. After a time he decided that he would not ride if he
+could not ride alone, and during the last four years of his life he was
+not on a horse. As he had depended on riding for exercise during the
+greater part of his life, he now suffered from giving it up. He not only
+began to grow extremely stout, but his general health became poorer.
+
+It disturbed Napoleon greatly that the English always addressed him as
+"General Bonaparte." The title "Emperor" would have been so barren on
+St. Helena that it is hard to understand why Napoleon should have cared
+much about it. He might easily have been as philosophic about this as he
+was about other things.
+
+Soon after his arrival Sir Hudson Lowe addressed a card of invitation to
+"General Bonaparte."
+
+"Send this card to General Bonaparte," said Napoleon to Count Bertrand.
+"The last I heard of him was at the Pyramids and Mt. Tabor." Yet
+Napoleon was never happier, never better loved by the French people,
+than when, as General Bonaparte, he was received with the greatest
+enthusiasm on his return from his Italian campaign.
+
+The English, on their part, were foolish in objecting to the use of a
+title to which he once had had a perfect right, with all its power and
+dignity. Now, deprived of the substance, there was no reason for
+forbidding him the pleasure of treasuring the shadow. Sir George
+Cockburn seems to have been almost childish in writing to Count
+Bertrand:
+
+"I have no cognizance of any Emperor being actually upon this island, or
+of any person possessing such dignity (as stated by you) having come
+here."
+
+Language like this was far more absurd than Napoleon's obstinacy on the
+subject. Even his good friend, Admiral Malcom, could not change his
+views. In the course of a conversation on the subject of letting him
+have the title "Emperor," Malcom said decidedly:
+
+"Still, it would be impossible to treat you as a sovereign."
+
+"Why, they might leave me my honors to amuse me. It would do no harm on
+this rock."
+
+"But you would have to be styled Emperor."
+
+"No; they could not do that. I have abdicated."
+
+"But you object to be called General."
+
+"That is because I am no longer a general,--not since I returned from
+Egypt,--but why not call me 'Napoleon'?"
+
+It was a long and painful discussion, and it did not end even with
+Napoleon's death. The British Government, since Napoleon was securely in
+its power, could have afforded to let him wear the title that had once
+been his by right, even though on St. Helena it would have shown itself
+an almost foolishly vain ornament. The foreign Commissioners were told
+by the countries that they represented to give him this title, but the
+Act of Parliament dealing with the distinguished prisoner had called him
+"Napoleon Bonaparte," and this, or "General Bonaparte," he was to be to
+all who had dealings with him at St. Helena.
+
+Within his own circle--and in this circle the Balcombe family may be
+included--he was ever "the Emperor."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Napoleon often showed great kindness to the sick. For example, when a
+certain officer, Captain Meynell, was ill under Mr. Balcombe's roof at
+The Briars, Napoleon sent Cipriani, his _maitre d'hotel_, daily to
+inquire about him, and seemed really concerned when he asked about him.
+
+Not long after he left The Briars, Betsy had a severe illness. When
+Napoleon heard of this he sent constantly to inquire for her, and the
+messenger usually brought her some delicacy made by Piron.
+
+Napoleon's kindness of heart was also shown by his attitude toward the
+Malay slave, named Toby, who had care of the beautiful garden at The
+Briars. When no one was in it the garden was kept locked and the key was
+left in Toby's hands. Toby and Napoleon speedily became friends, and the
+black man always spoke of the Emperor as "that good man, Bony." He
+always placed the key of the garden where Napoleon could reach it under
+the wicket. The black man was original and entertaining, and so
+autocratic that no one at The Briars ever disputed his authority. His
+story was rather pathetic.
+
+He had been enticed from his native place many years before, brought to
+St. Helena by the English, smuggled on shore and illegally sold as a
+slave, let out to whoever would hire him, and his earnings chiefly
+appropriated to his master. Napoleon perhaps recognized in Toby a
+kindred spirit, or at least felt a common bond in the fact that both had
+been brought unwillingly to the island. Certainly he liked him, and,
+when he had heard his story, wished to buy and free him. But for
+political reasons, when Mr. Balcombe made Napoleon's wishes known to Sir
+Hudson Lowe, he could not get his consent.
+
+Toby, however, was grateful to Napoleon for his wish to help him, and
+continued his devoted admirer. On going from The Briars, Napoleon
+presented Toby with twenty-nine napoleons and always inquired for his
+health. When Napoleon left The Briars, Toby often arranged bouquets and
+fruits to go to Longwood,--"to that good man, Bony."
+
+Toby, from all accounts, was an attractive fellow. His countenance had a
+frank and benevolent expression. His eyes were animated and sparkling,
+his aspect not abject, but prepossessing. So at least he appeared to
+Betsy, and one day she was interested to hear Napoleon reflecting upon
+him:
+
+"What, after all, is a poor prisoner but a machine? As for poor Toby, he
+endures his misfortunes very quietly; he stoops to his work, and spends
+his days in innocent tranquillity. This man, after all, had his family
+and his happiness and his liberty, and it was a horrible act of cruelty
+to bring him here to languish in the fetters of his slavery."
+
+Toby, however, was not the only slave on St. Helena. Not long after the
+first discovery of the island by the Portuguese, Juan Denova Castella, a
+nobleman, was exiled there for desertion and had to spend four years in
+complete solitude, except for a few slaves that he was allowed to have
+with him. The Portuguese did not colonize St. Helena, and after a time
+the Dutch held it for many years. When they had deserted it, the East
+India Company, with plenty of capital, took possession and naturally
+fell back on slave labor to cultivate the fields. When the Dutch saw
+that St. Helena was likely to prove profitable to the English they tried
+to get it back again, but the effort was unsuccessful, and since 1666 it
+has been counted an English possession. At one time a law was passed
+restricting the importation of slaves, for the colonists had begun to
+fear that they might outnumber the Europeans. There was, however, an old
+law that every Madagascar ship should leave one slave to work the
+company's plantations. The slaves were often troublesome, but the
+cruelty with which they were treated was inexcusable. Probably many a
+poor creature on the island had been stolen from his home, just as we
+know poor Toby had been stolen.
+
+After the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe, the new Governor reminded the
+people of St. Helena that their island was the last British possession
+to retain slavery. Various plans were proposed for doing away with it,
+and at last, at his suggestion, it was agreed that after Christmas Day,
+1818, all children born of slave women should be considered free. Thus
+the great evil gradually ceased.
+
+This good action on the part of Sir Hudson Lowe--that he helped gain
+freedom for the slaves--made him no better liked by Napoleon and his
+friends. From the first, indeed, the Governor was suspicious of
+Napoleon's friends, and the fear that they were plotting for Napoleon's
+escape was one of the reasons, probably, for the regulations that
+greatly annoyed Napoleon. It seemed as if he wished Napoleon to be
+surrounded entirely by English, for one of his early acts was to tell
+the French that they were at liberty to leave St. Helena whenever they
+wished. Every facility, he said, would be offered them to return to
+Europe. Had he known human nature better, Sir Hudson Lowe would have
+realized that persons who had given up so much to follow Napoleon would
+hardly desert him merely because conditions on the island did not suit
+them.
+
+At last, on one pretext or another, he contrived to have several of
+Napoleon's attendants sent away,--Santini, the clever little
+lamplighter, the jack-of-all-trades, who had so often amused Betsy's
+small brothers with his toys; Rousseau, his artificer; and Archambaud,
+his coachman, whose reckless driving of the jaunting car always struck
+terror to Betsy's heart. Most important of all, however, was the
+departure of Count Las Cases, who had never failed to frown on Betsy's
+hoydenish pranks. With Count Las Cases went his son, the boy about whom
+Napoleon had loved to tease Betsy. It was before the end of Napoleon's
+first year at Longwood that these two were sent away on the charge of
+bribing a young native of St. Helena to carry a letter to Europe for
+them. This would not have been a serious offence, except for the reason
+that the Governor had made a regulation that no letter should be sent to
+Europe without passing through his hands.
+
+For a time Las Cases and his son were in prison on the island. Later
+they were despatched to the Cape of Good Hope, where they were detained
+seven months and at last sent to England.
+
+"Let them take away all my Frenchmen," said Napoleon sadly, after the
+departure of Las Cases. "I do not want them." He especially missed Las
+Cases, since it was to him that he daily dictated the material for his
+Memoirs.
+
+Not long after the departure of Las Cases, Napoleon was greatly
+disturbed because the Governor would not let him receive a visit from a
+botanist just arrived from Europe, who was known lately to have seen
+Maria Louisa and the little King of Rome. Betsy sympathized with him in
+his indignation at this and other needless restrictions.
+
+Sometimes, however, she felt like laughing at him.
+
+"Where is the Emperor, where is the Emperor?" she asked one morning,
+when staying at Longwood after a ball.
+
+At first no one could inform her, but at last some one said, "Go over
+there; he is building a ditch."
+
+Going in the direction indicated, the young girl found Napoleon
+superintending the building of a trench that he was having constructed,
+so that he might have a place where he could walk unobserved.
+
+"Do not laugh!" he said, after Betsy had come upon him, standing with
+folded arms and downcast gaze. "Do not laugh! I must have a walk of my
+own, where no one can look at me when I go out."
+
+Even though she smiled, Betsy understood Napoleon's feeling. In his
+early days at The Briars, when he was permitted to walk out unattended,
+Napoleon was fond of strolling some distance from the cottage. Later
+when he could not go far without the watchful eye of an officer upon
+him, he almost gave up walking. At a certain hour of the afternoon, as
+it was known that he took a short walk along a straight path not far
+from the house, the curious often stationed themselves at a distance
+where they could observe him. On account of this annoying observation,
+Napoleon conceived the plan of digging a ditch or trench. The ditch
+served at least one purpose: while it was digging it gave Napoleon
+plenty of occupation in directing the workmen. When it was finished it
+is said that he never used it as a promenade.
+
+His unwillingness to take exercise resulted in a serious illness. During
+this time Betsy and her sister did not see him, but whenever they met
+Dr. O'Meara they eagerly questioned him about their friend. "I would
+rather die at once than walk, as you prescribe." These were the words of
+Napoleon that Dr. O'Meara reported to the sisters. "I have tried
+persuasion of every kind, but I cannot get him to take exercise," he
+said, "although I have told him that this is the only thing that can
+possibly cure him. I urged him to let me call in another surgeon, so
+that if he should grow no better, too much blame need not fall on me,
+and what was his reply?"
+
+Dr. O'Meara paused for a moment, and then repeated Napoleon's exact
+words: "If all the physicians in the world were collected, they would
+but repeat what you have already advised me--to take constant exercise
+on horseback. I am well aware of the truth of what you say, but if I
+were to call in another surgeon, it would be like sending a physician to
+a starving man instead of giving him a loaf of bread. I have no
+objection to your making known to him my state of health, if it be any
+satisfaction to you; but I know that he will say, 'Exercise.' As long as
+this strict surveillance is enforced, I will never stir."
+
+In vain Dr. O'Meara repeated his arguments. Napoleon had but one reply,
+"Would you have me render myself liable to insult from the sentries
+surrounding my house, as Madame Bertrand was, some days ago?"
+
+"Jane," said Betsy, who always saw the funny side of things, "what a
+fine caricature this would have made for the London print
+shops--Napoleon stopped at the gates by a sentinel, charging him with a
+fixed bayonet! How the Londoners would laugh! No, I don't blame Napoleon
+for staying indoors."
+
+But when Betsy saw the Emperor after this illness, her heart was filled
+with pity. His skin was a waxy yellow and his cheeks hung in deep
+pouches. His ankles were terribly swollen, and he could not stand
+without the support of a table on one side and the shoulder of an
+attendant on the other.
+
+As Betsy looked at him, tears fell from her eyes and she could hardly
+keep from sobbing aloud.
+
+"Ah!" said Napoleon kindly. "Do not cry, Mees Betsee. I am almost
+well--and the good O'Meara will surely cure me."
+
+Upon this Betsy became more cheerful, but later, when they were out of
+the Emperor's hearing, Mrs. Balcombe shook her head sorrowfully, as she
+turned to Betsy, saying, "He has the stamp of death on his brow."
+
+Had Napoleon been less obstinate, within the eight miles of enclosure
+allotted him he might certainly have taken enough exercise of various
+kinds to preserve his health.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE PARTING
+
+
+At last the time came when Napoleon and his young neighbor must part.
+The health of Betsy's mother, Mrs. Balcombe, was not good, and the
+family decided to go home to England. Mr. Balcombe obtained six months'
+leave, but, although the family professed to expect to return, in their
+secret hearts they felt that they were bidding good-bye to St. Helena.
+
+A day or two before sailing Betsy and Jane went over to Longwood to say
+farewell to Napoleon. They found him in the billiard-room, as usual,
+surrounded by books. There was sadness in his voice as he talked about
+their departure.
+
+"I hope your mother's health will soon be restored," he said. "Give her
+my kindest regards and best wishes for the journey. Soon you will be
+sailing away towards England, leaving me to die on this miserable rock.
+Look at those dreadful mountains--they are my prison walls. You will
+soon hear that the Emperor Napoleon is dead."
+
+At these melancholy words the emotional Betsy burst into tears and
+Jane's eyes grew moist. Betsy sobbed as if her heart would break, and
+Napoleon, greatly moved, tried to comfort her. Betsy felt for her
+handkerchief, only to find that she had left it in her side-saddle
+pocket. So Napoleon, holding his own toward her, said, "Take it, and
+keep it in remembrance of this sad day."
+
+The sisters went the rounds of Longwood, bidding good-bye to all that
+was dear to them. Later they dined with Napoleon, but Betsy was still so
+overcome with grief that she could hardly swallow.
+
+"Take some bonbons," said Napoleon kindly.
+
+"I cannot," she cried. "My throat has a swelling, and I cannot eat!"
+
+When at last they were ready to go, the Emperor embraced the two sisters
+with great affection.
+
+"Do not forget me!" he said. "I thank you for your kindness and
+friendship, and all my happy hours in your society."
+
+The two sisters could hardly reply.
+
+"Mees Betsee," he added, after a moment's pause, "what would you like to
+have in remembrance?"
+
+"A lock of your hair," sobbed the young girl, "better than anything
+else."
+
+"Marchand shall bring the scissors, then;" and the devoted Marchand,
+promptly obeying, severed four locks for the four older members of the
+Balcombe family.
+
+Not long before they left, Napoleon in a conversation with Mr. Balcombe
+said:
+
+"I fear that your resignation of your employment in this island is
+caused by the quarrels and annoyances drawn upon you by the relation
+established between your family and Longwood, in consequence of the
+hospitality which you showed on my first arrival in St. Helena. I would
+not wish you to regret having known me."
+
+Although Mr. Balcombe did not exactly confirm what Napoleon said about
+the reason for his withdrawal from St. Helena, he knew that to a great
+extent it was true. For a long time Sir Hudson Lowe had been
+dissatisfied with the intimacy existing between Napoleon and the
+Balcombes. While he admitted that he had no tangible cause for
+complaint, he was constantly watching for one, and was always ready to
+call Mr. Balcombe to account for what he considered partiality for the
+illustrious exile. As the Governor himself put it, he was not without
+suspicion that his relations with Longwood were not limited to the
+ostensible duties of his office. The Governor at this time was very
+suspicious of Dr. O'Meara, and as Mr. Balcombe and he were intimate
+friends, the former was naturally regarded also with disfavor.
+
+More than once had Betsy's careless behavior drawn a reprimand upon her
+father. But for the Governor's feeling against him, Mr. Balcombe and his
+family might have been on St. Helena during the last sad days of
+Napoleon.
+
+As it was, they went back to England the middle of March, 1818, little
+more than three years before Napoleon's death. Their ship was the
+Winchelsea store-ship, on its way from China, and on the same vessel
+went General Gorgaud, the bachelor of Napoleon's suite, a pompous,
+though brave man, for whom Betsy had no especial liking. General Gorgaud
+knew that he would never return to St. Helena. Mr. Balcombe had obtained
+a six months' leave from his official duties, but he, too, may have felt
+as the vessel sailed away that he was unlikely ever again to look upon
+its frowning walls.
+
+As to Betsy, Napoleon's young neighbor, the tears that fell from her
+eyes when she said her last good-bye to the Emperor were not the last
+that she shed for him. As the years went by she ever listened eagerly to
+all the news that came from St. Helena, until the final mournful tidings
+in the early summer of 1821, that Napoleon had died on the fifth of May.
+
+"I am sure," said Betsy long afterwards, "after seeing Napoleon in every
+possible mood and in his most unguarded moments, I know that the idea of
+acting a part never entered his head. I had the most complete conviction
+of his want of guile, and the thorough goodness and amiability of his
+heart."
+
+Betsy was a keen observer of human nature, and another of her judgments
+is worth remembering: "That this impression of his amiability and
+goodness was common to almost all who approached him is proved by the
+devotion of his followers at St. Helena. They had then nothing more to
+expect from him, and only entailed misery on themselves by adhering to
+his fortunes."
+
+It is indeed a fact worth remembering, that Napoleon's suite, in spite
+of the fact that to a great extent Napoleon obliged them to practise the
+rigid etiquette of a court, were all devoted to him. It is true that
+they had to stand in his presence and in certain ways keep up a ceremony
+that seemed absurd in an establishment as simple as that of Longwood;
+but there were many hours of relaxation. In these hours of relaxation
+Napoleon played cards with his friends, or chess, or--after he went to
+Longwood--billiards. He was fond of reading aloud, and not infrequently
+favored his friends with a long reading. Sometimes he indulged in
+declamation, for he was rather proud of the fact that he had learned
+something of this art from the great Talma. In his later years at
+Longwood he devised ways of getting his needed exercise indoors and
+worked almost too vigorously at gardening.
+
+An old St. Helena newspaper has an account of his exertions in his
+garden, not long before his death, which has a pathos of its own: "A few
+weeks before his death the Emperor labored with a spade in his garden so
+long and so severely as to be faint with fatigue. Some one suggested the
+probable injury to his health. 'No,' said he, 'it cannot injure my
+health; that is lost beyond all hope. It will but shorten my days.'"
+
+The disease from which Napoleon died was one that he had inherited from
+his father,--one, indeed, for which there is no cure. So it cannot be
+said with certainty that his life might have been prolonged if he had
+been more careful to get enough, and only enough, of the right kind of
+exercise. Yet though his life may have had to run in its natural course,
+his last years would have been much happier if there had been no
+friction between him and the Governor of St. Helena.
+
+The last three years of Napoleon's life were undoubtedly the loneliest
+he had known. He missed Las Cases, Gorgaud, the Balcombes, and O'Meara,
+whom the Governor was at last able to get out of the way. Napoleon kept
+himself busy with his gardening and his books, and when, in 1819, the
+Government began to build a new house for him, he spent much time
+watching its progress, although with true forebodings he often said that
+he should never live to occupy it.
+
+He still refused to take exercise, and once in a fit of depression
+stayed in the house for three months. Thus his health continued to
+suffer and he grew stout and clumsy. When he did go out he was apt to
+drive around the eight miles of his enclosure at breakneck speed, in a
+carriage drawn by six horses. In October, 1820, he sent word to Sir
+William Doveton that he would be glad to breakfast with him. Sir William
+was, of course, happy to receive his distinguished guest, and breakfast
+was served on the lawn to Napoleon and Generals Bertrand and Montholon.
+The breakfast in the society of Sir William Doveton and his family
+passed off pleasantly, and Napoleon started to walk home. Unluckily he
+had not the strength to carry out his good intentions, and on the way
+back to Longwood he had to stop at a cottage by the way to rest, while
+his carriage was sent for.
+
+Betsy would have been glad, if the fact had ever come to her ears, to
+learn that in his last year or two Napoleon had another little friend
+who to a certain degree could fill the place in his affections always
+ready for children. This was the young daughter of a soldier of the
+garrison, little Julia, nine years old, who was intelligent and
+companionable.
+
+When he knew that Julia was coming to see him, Napoleon always had
+fruits and sweetmeats ready for her. Not long before he died he hung a
+gold watch and chain around Julia's neck, saying, "Wear this for my
+sake." On the cover he had scratched an inscription with his penknife,
+"The Emperor to his little friend Julia." When she visited him they sat
+or walked in the garden, and Napoleon found some amusement in giving her
+drawing lessons from nature. One fine morning in April, when Julia
+appeared, Napoleon invited her inside the house where the breakfast
+table was laid. Standing by the table, he filled her little basket with
+fruit and sweet things, and at last put a bottle of wine in the basket,
+saying, "For your father to drink my health in."
+
+Alas! it was too late for any one to wish Napoleon good health. Not long
+after he had suggested the toast for Julia's father, he had to go to
+bed. Whatever others thought, he was sure that he would never rise. He
+probably knew that the end was near. The very end came suddenly, and
+many on St. Helena, who had not known of the seriousness of his
+condition, were greatly surprised to hear of his death on the fifth of
+May.
+
+Before the funeral Napoleon's body lay in state, and naval and military
+officers and many others were permitted to view it. When Sir Hudson Lowe
+looked at Napoleon immediately after his death, he was impressed by the
+nobility of the dead man's expression. "His face in death," he wrote to
+Lord Bathurst, "was the most beautiful I have ever seen." Yet even to
+the dead Napoleon the Governor maintained the same attitude as to the
+living, for when it came to the question of the inscription to be placed
+on the Emperor's coffin, he would not permit the simple "Napoleon" with
+dates and places of birth and death, but insisted that in addition it
+should bear the surname "Bonaparte."
+
+British soldiers carried Napoleon from the house to the car that was to
+bear him to the burial place; but the horses that drew the car were four
+that had belonged to the late Emperor. Orders had been issued to conduct
+his funeral as that of a general of the highest rank. In consequence the
+left side of the road from Longwood to the grave was lined with troops.
+It was a solemn and impressive procession that moved along as escort,
+paying the last earthly honors to Napoleon, on whose coffin lay his
+sword and the mantle of Marengo.
+
+Napoleon had always wished to be buried in France, but toward the end of
+his life, when it seemed unlikely that his wish could be gratified, he
+gave directions as to the spot in St. Helena that he preferred. This was
+a romantic and picturesque enclosure in a ravine not very far from
+Longwood. Often, when out walking, the Emperor had stopped there to
+quench his thirst at a small spring. The little valley was shaded with
+Norfolk pines, firs, and other trees, and here, near the spring, under
+the shade of two great willow trees, Napoleon's body was laid to rest.
+As it was lowered into the grave three discharges from eleven pieces of
+musketry were fired.
+
+As his sorrowing attendants turned away, how overwhelmingly sad must the
+reflections of the two of Napoleon's personal suite have been! Only
+Montholon and Bertrand were there at the last, though Marchand and other
+attendants still remained. Montholon, when a boy of ten, had known
+Napoleon in Corsica, and Bertrand had long been one of his
+officers,--"the best engineer officer I have ever known," said Napoleon.
+
+Now their years of faithful devotion were at an end. With heavy hearts
+they turned their backs on the lonely grave under the willow trees and
+soon they sailed away to the great world, their hearts filled with
+memories of Napoleon.
+
+Nineteen years after Napoleon's death a French frigate, _La Belle
+Poule_, commanded by the Prince of Joinville, arrived off Jamestown. The
+wheel had turned, and the friends and admirers of Napoleon were on top.
+
+Even Great Britain was not unwilling that the dead Napoleon should have
+the honor that was his due. The frigate had come for the body of
+Napoleon to give it proper honors in France. On _La Belle Poule_ were
+Count Bertrand, his son Arthur, born at St. Helena, General Gorgaud, the
+young Las Cases, and the faithful Marchand.
+
+The body of Napoleon was taken from the tomb under the willow trees and
+borne back to France. Every one knows of the magnificent funeral given
+their dead hero by the impulsive French. Every one has heard how
+countless throngs filled the streets of Paris, how the military display
+has seldom been equalled, as the catafalque, preceded by a riderless
+horse, went slowly along the tree-lined boulevards. The wonderful tomb
+of Napoleon in the Hotel des Invalides is known to many, but there are
+few in comparison who have visited the little enclosure at the bottom of
+the deep ravine where the Emperor's body lay for a score of years. Yet,
+in the days of wooden ships, when St. Helena was the place where
+captains had to call to re-provision their vessels, many a passenger on
+going ashore hastened to Napoleon's grave, and while the world stands
+the secluded valley will continue to claim the interest of Napoleon's
+admirers. The vault itself is now covered with a broad, flat stone,
+without inscription, and its cemented surface is cracked in places.
+There is a hedge around the fence and a sentry box at the entrance of
+the enclosure. Here there is a notice to the effect that the grave is
+now the property of the French Republic, and in the sentry box an
+attendant keeps a book and registers the names of all who visit the spot
+where once lay the body of Napoleon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE PANORAMA
+
+
+Who can blame Betsy for Being Heavy-hearted on that day in early spring
+when she sailed away from St. Helena, toward the colder country that was
+her real home? Even though her parents and her brothers and sister were
+with her, she felt that she was leaving behind much that was dear. She
+loved the lonely, mountainous island where she had lived so long. She
+believed that no other flowers or fruits could equal those produced on
+its tropical soil. She felt that no new friends could compare with those
+from whom she had just parted.
+
+More than this, although she tried to persuade herself that in the
+future she might revisit St. Helena, she could hardly believe that when
+that day arrived, Napoleon would still be there to receive her with his
+accustomed cordiality.
+
+Indeed, as a true friend of the Emperor's, Betsy could scarcely wish to
+find him there on that indefinite day of her return, since that would
+mean long-continued captivity for him. Rather, if she hoped to see him
+again, the young girl more probably imagined that after no very long
+time some change in the sentiments of those in power might result in
+freeing him from his galling bondage.
+
+Though we to-day may not be certain just what form Betsy's thoughts took
+on that monotonous homeward voyage, we can be sure that Napoleon had no
+small part in them. Already she knew the chief facts in his meteoric
+career; and her vivid fancy must have brought before her many scenes in
+which he had had part.
+
+Like Betsy, you and I may see the panorama of Napoleon's life unfold in
+a series of pictures melting into one another, some clearer than the
+others, yet all leaving an ineffaceable impression.
+
+First, there is the thin, pale, serious-eyed boy running half wild over
+the hills of his native Corsica. He is an affectionate brother--this
+young Napoleon--to the six younger brothers and sisters, and a close
+companion of Joseph, only a year older. He is devoted to his
+high-spirited and energetic mother, once the beautiful Letitia Ramolino,
+whose life, since her marriage, has been so hard. He is dutiful to his
+father, the improvident, though ambitious Charles Marie de Buonaparte.
+Yet, although dutiful, he resents his father's lack of patriotism in
+seeking favors from the Frenchmen in authority in Corsica, for the boy,
+born only a year after Corsica had passed under French rule, had small
+love for those outsiders who had made it impossible for his native
+island to gain independence.
+
+One of our pictures would show us Napoleon, a timid boy in the military
+school at Brienne, where his father had secured a place for him by
+showing he was of noble descent. The boy works hard at his tasks, his
+teachers commend his industry, while calling him reserved and obstinate.
+
+The young Napoleon is not happy in the society of his one hundred and
+twenty fellow-pupils, who, like himself, are supported by the Government
+at Brienne. They are largely the sons of poor nobles--vain and
+indolent--and they love to tease the timid boy.
+
+"I am tired of poverty and the jeers of insolent scholars. If fortune
+refuses to smile upon me, take me from Brienne, and make me if you will
+a mechanic." In spite of this letter, the father wisely keeps the little
+boy at Brienne, and gradually he makes friends, especially among the
+teachers.
+
+"I have seen a spark here which cannot be too carefully cultivated,"
+writes the aged Chevalier de Keralio, an inspector of the school, who is
+anxious to have Napoleon sent to the military school at Paris.
+
+Our pictures are now painted in somewhat brighter colors.
+
+For although at Paris the young Napoleon is not perfectly contented, he
+knows that he is on the way to a modest independence. He is surrounded
+by foolish young men with whose extravagance he cannot keep up. But only
+his sympathetic sister Elizabeth at St. Cyr hears him complain of the
+difficulties that beset him.
+
+Napoleon is naturally happier when at the early age of sixteen he finds
+himself a second lieutenant in the army. He rejoices at the prospect of
+helping his family out of his meagre income of less than two hundred and
+fifty dollars a year. But his responsibility is suddenly increased when
+Charles Bonaparte, his father, dies. The family is worse off than
+before, and when Joseph cannot straighten out their tangled affairs,
+Napoleon decides to undertake the task.
+
+After eight years of absence we see Napoleon on leave from his regiment,
+returning to Corsica. He has hard work before him. There are four little
+children under nine, Louis, Pauline, Caroline, and Jerome, at home with
+their widowed mother. There are two, Lucien and Elizabeth, away at
+school. Only Joseph and Napoleon are on their feet, and on Napoleon, the
+stronger character, falls the brunt of the burden.
+
+When the young lieutenant goes back to the army he takes Louis with him.
+He tutors him in mathematics, he shares his all with him. He deprives
+himself of many things really necessary to his position in order to help
+his family.
+
+"I breakfast on dry bread," he writes. He stints himself for his family,
+he stints himself still further to have a little money for the books
+that he needs.
+
+The claims of the family are pressing. Again Napoleon has leave of
+absence. In Corsica he tries in vain to get something for his mother
+from what is left of their property,--from salt works, from a mulberry
+plantation belonging to the estate.
+
+It is five or six years since the death of Charles Bonaparte. Napoleon
+has been away from his post too long. In 1792, after an absence from his
+regiment of fifteen months, he loses his place in the army.
+
+The picture now before us is a dark one. The young man is discouraged.
+Hardly knowing where to turn, he drifts toward Paris.
+
+For two or three years he has been uncertain which side to take in the
+Revolution on which France is entering. Many things incline him toward
+the King's party. He is in Paris on that memorable June 10 when the King
+is deposed. He sees the terrible events of the 10th of August. While he
+sympathizes with the King, he perceives that the great question is one
+of the nation rather than the individual.
+
+Intelligent young men are greatly needed in the army. Napoleon's ability
+is known. He receives a captain's commission, signed by the King, though
+really given by the Revolutionary Government. Soon he is at Toulon,
+where, by acting on his advice, the French drive the English from the
+harbor in December, 1793.
+
+The young man's prospects are brightening. There are only a few shadows
+on the picture. A revolution in Corsica drives his family to France, and
+while he feels his responsibility, Napoleon cannot yet do much for them.
+
+Napoleon's talents impress all who come in contact with him. The time
+approaches when he is to reap the reward for all his years of patient
+study. Young Robespierre calls attention to his transcendent merit.
+Though he is not a Terrorist, he has many friends in the party, and
+after the fall of Robespierre the young Corsican spends nearly a
+fortnight in prison. Once more he loses his place in the army, in which
+he has been commissioned General. Discouraged, with nothing to do in
+Paris, he thinks of accepting an office from the Sultan. But Fortune is
+soon to favor him again. Not so very long after his release from prison
+we gaze on a thrilling scene. It is the 13th Vendemiaire, year III, or
+October 15, 1795. The Directory under which the Government of France is
+now carried on has to face a revolt of the people and the National
+Guard. General Barras, who had observed Napoleon's great ability at
+Toulon, summons the young officer to help the Directory. Napoleon orders
+the artillery to sweep the Sections.
+
+By this use of cannon, with fearful slaughter, the smaller force of the
+Government conquers the uprising. Next day Napoleon is mentioned by the
+Commander-in-Chief for his distinguished services, and shortly he
+becomes General-in-Chief of the Army of the Interior.
+
+Picture after picture passes quickly before us, and always Napoleon is
+in the foreground. We see him now for the first time really enjoying
+society. The brusque and rather timid young officer is lionized in the
+drawing-room of Madame Tallien. There he meets the beautiful Josephine,
+widow of Alexandre de Beauharnais, and soon asks her to marry him.
+
+It is said that Napoleon first became interested in Josephine through
+her sending her son Eugene to ask him to secure for him the sword of his
+father who had been put to death during the Reign of Terror. But whether
+the story is true or not, certainly Napoleon always has the greatest
+affection for Eugene and his sister Hortense. Napoleon's family are now
+in Paris. They share equally in the prosperity that has come to him. He
+lavishes on his mother all that she will accept. It pains him that
+neither she nor his brothers and sisters are pleased with his marriage.
+
+Two days after the wedding, Napoleon leaves Josephine to cross the
+Apennines as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy. We see the
+Italians running before those whom they had contemptuously called the
+"rag heroes." The French win victory after victory. Arcola, Lodi,
+Milan--eighteen pitched battles, forty-seven smaller engagements.
+Everywhere Napoleon is the idol, not only of his own soldiers, but of a
+large number of Italians, who hope through him to gain political
+liberty.
+
+When, after the Treaty of Campo Formio, Napoleon returns to Paris in
+December, 1797, France is at his feet, rejoicing in the glory that comes
+to her through victories, rejoicing in the treasures of art that the
+young conqueror had brought back to adorn the Paris museums.
+
+The scene changes--Napoleon is setting out for Egypt. He hopes to weaken
+England by attacking her power in the East. He hopes to strengthen
+himself in the eyes of the French by winning new victories. For idolized
+though he is by the French people, he realizes their fickleness, and he
+knows that the Directory is jealous of him. This expedition has not the
+brilliancy of the Italian campaign. He does not succeed in disabling the
+British, the French fleet meets fearful disaster. On land the French
+army suffers terribly from pestilence. But Napoleon has many scientific
+men with him on this expedition, and science gains greatly by this
+Egyptian campaign. Then by chance he learns that there is the utmost
+political discontent in France. Almost secretly he sails away from
+Egypt. We see him in Paris by the middle of October, 1799. His enemies
+are astonished. But Napoleon's hour has come. The famous _coup d'etat_
+follows, and in less than two months after his return from Egypt,
+Napoleon has become temporary Dictator of France. His title is First
+Consul, but many shake their heads and murmur that Napoleon, instead of
+serving the term prescribed by law, means to make himself Consul for
+life.
+
+Yet whatever Napoleon's ambitions may be, it is clear that France needs
+a strong man at the head of the Government. Then as we observe the clear
+eye and firm bearing of the young Corsican, it is evident that no one
+abler than he can be found to direct the work of upbuilding the country.
+
+Our picture of France shows no longer a scene of confusion, of chaos,
+although much must be done before the Republic can hold her own--except
+in war--with other great nations.
+
+Napoleon is tired of war, but those Powers to whom he suggests peace are
+not ready to accept his overtures. They are more willing to listen to
+him after his Austrian campaign, when Marengo and Luneville are added to
+the French victories.
+
+The Peace of Amiens gives Europe a breathing spell--for no one believes
+that this peace will last forever.
+
+Perhaps among all our pictures of Napoleon there is hardly one more
+pleasing than this of his First Consulate, when we see him walking among
+his gorgeously attired officers, noticeable for the simplicity of his
+attire. For in spite of the example of extravagant dress set by others,
+he is content with the plain uniform of a colonel of grenadiers or of
+the light infantry.
+
+"His address is the finest I have ever seen," writes one who meets him
+at this time, "and said by those who have travelled to exceed not only
+every Prince and Potentate now in being, but even all those whose memory
+has come down to us.... While he speaks, his features are still more
+expressive than his words."
+
+This is the Napoleon whom Betsy knew--this man whose simple, pleasing
+manners drew every one to him--every one at least whom he wished to
+attract. Had he cared to make the effort he might even have won Sir
+Hudson Lowe.
+
+For in those earlier days, before his downfall, many an Englishman, with
+a deeply rooted prejudice against Napoleon, on visiting Paris, like the
+writer of the above, found his prejudices melt away like snow in summer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE LAST PICTURES
+
+
+Our pictures change little as they show the next stage of Napoleon's
+progress. For when in the summer of 1801 he is made Consul for life, he
+appears still to be the same ardent lover of liberty that he was when he
+became First Consul. He is still the idol of the French people--as well
+he may be--for what ruler has ever done so much for them? When once
+things are in his own hands he codifies the laws, gives security to all
+forms of religion, and organizes the educational system of France. He
+does everything possible for the rebuilding of the state. He regulates
+taxes, that the burden may fall equitably on all classes. He helps
+manufactures of every kind. He proves himself a masterly road-builder.
+He establishes museums, and orders the construction of great public
+buildings. In peace he seems to be greater even than he has shown
+himself in war. He encourages literature, art, and music, and makes
+Paris so beautiful that its citizens are justified in their pride.
+
+He surrounds himself with capable men. In no way does he more clearly
+show his own superiority than by letting it be seen that he is free from
+jealousy. He is always ready to reward publicly those who help him in
+any of his undertakings. Not all Napoleon's plans are carried out during
+his Consulship, but they are begun with such vigor that no one doubts
+that they will be completed. The country is the better for his firm
+hand. Yet in some ways we admired him more in his earlier years. His
+ambition now casts a shadow that should warn him that the middle way is
+the best.
+
+In one way at least Napoleon's ambitions do not get the better of him.
+As he advances in power he does not forget old friends. They share his
+prosperity, these schoolmates and associates of his earlier years. They
+are given honors that some of them find it hard to wear gracefully.
+
+"Here we are at the Tuileries," he exclaims to an old friend, when made
+Consul for life. "We must remain here."
+
+In the short breathing spell made possible by the Peace of Amiens,
+France accomplishes more in all directions than the other countries of
+Europe. Yet those whose sight is clearest may, perhaps, see a cloud
+likely to deepen and blur the picture. Does it come from England, now
+making great efforts to gather her strength for a long contest? Or does
+the growing ambition of Napoleon mean the overthrow of the very things
+he is working for?
+
+Though the gorgeous spectacle of the Imperial Coronation in the great
+Cathedral has seldom been surpassed, we incline to turn away from it. It
+had been better for Napoleon to remain First Consul rather than to make
+himself Emperor. His plain gray suit became him better than this
+trailing cloak of purple velvet embroidered in gold and trimmed with
+ermine. We recognize the golden bees, and the insignia of the Legion of
+Honor, but the diamond collar and the great Pitt diamond blazing in the
+pommel of his sword seem unsuited to the young Corsican who once
+delighted in simplicity. The laurel wreath that he first wears suits him
+better than the Imperial crown that he takes from the hands of the Pope
+and places on his own head. But the Pope has anointed him, and Napoleon
+is now Emperor of that shadowy Holy Roman Empire, for which in the past
+rivers of blood have been shed.
+
+Is Napoleon really happier now than when he roamed, a fearless boy, over
+the rough hills of Corsica? Is Josephine as contented wearing the crown
+of an Empress as she was wandering light-hearted in the forests of
+Martinique? Josephine is indeed fond of jewels and beautiful clothes,
+and nothing could be more splendid than her coronation robe of white
+satin and silver and gold, with its ornaments of pearls and diamonds.
+But Josephine has a long memory. She often recalls the poverty of her
+childhood, of her early married life. When Empress she tells one of the
+ladies in attendance on her that no present ever made her happier than a
+pair of shoes given her for Hortense, her little daughter, who otherwise
+would have had to go barefoot part of her voyage from Martinique to
+France.
+
+Josephine is a sensible woman. She is not ashamed of her early poverty.
+Like Napoleon she had suffered during the Revolution and had even for a
+time been thrown into prison. Like Napoleon she, too, had sometimes not
+known when she should get her next meal. She had even had to borrow
+money to pay her rent. She had suffered everything, when the execution
+of her first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais, during the Reign of
+Terror, had left her and her two children destitute.
+
+All the circumstances of her past life may not have flashed before
+Josephine's mind at the moment of the Coronation. Yet it is not
+improbable that wearing the crown and realizing the responsibilities of
+her new position, she may have sighed for a day of freedom from care,
+such as she had known in Martinique.
+
+On that December day in 1805 when Napoleon puts on the Imperial crown
+more than three years have passed since England signed the short-lived
+Peace of Amiens. The war that is now renewed between France and England
+is to continue until Waterloo. As Emperor, however, Napoleon seems to be
+master of Europe. All the European courts, except England, Russia, and
+Sweden, acknowledge his new title.
+
+So we turn to a new picture. It is the eve of Austerlitz. Napoleon walks
+among the soldiers, who are resting in camp, awaiting the struggle. When
+his men recognize him, they surround him, they rush ahead of him,
+holding aloft long poles on which are fastened burning wisps of straw.
+
+"It is the anniversary of the Coronation," they shout as they light his
+way. The next day when they measure their strength with Russia and
+Austria, the soldiers of the Empire are victorious. Another scene now
+stands out vividly. Alexander of Russia is coming to meet Napoleon. At
+Tilsit on a raft in the river Niemen the two Emperors greet each other
+with a kiss.
+
+"I hate the English as much as you," cries the impulsive Alexander. "I
+will be your second in all that you do against them."
+
+The next day we see the King of Prussia arriving half-heartedly at
+Tilsit. Friedland has done its work, and for the time Prussia is
+humbled.
+
+Brilliant though the panorama of Napoleon's life is after Tilsit, we
+view with wonder rather than approval the striking pictures as they
+present themselves one by one. We observe the wild enthusiasm of the
+French people for their Emperor after Ulm and Austerlitz and
+Hohenlinden. Even the battle of Trafalgar--a victory for England--does
+not dampen their ardor. But Napoleon himself grows careful, and tries to
+keep from the army the news of his loss on the sea.
+
+Prussia is humbled, Austria wishes to make terms, Napoleon has some
+successes in Spain, and he hopes to injure England. Though we may not
+discover this at first, his interference in the affairs of Spain hastens
+the Emperor's downfall. Although he succeeds in having his brother
+Joseph made King of Spain, he cannot keep him on the throne.
+
+His ambition increases. His family try to persuade him to divorce
+Josephine, that he may strengthen himself by a second marriage with some
+royal princess.
+
+We look at the family group of the Bonapartes. With Napoleon at the
+height of his power, we count the titles.
+
+Joseph, at first King of Naples, is King of Spain; Louis, King of
+Holland; Jerome, King of Westphalia; Lucien, a Prince of the Empire,
+later repudiates the title; Eliza, Grand Duchess of Tuscany; Pauline,
+Princess Borghese; and Caroline is Queen of Naples; Josephine's
+daughter, Hortense, is Queen of Holland; and Eugene, her son, is a
+Prince. Old Madame Bonaparte, the devoted mother, is not sure that the
+glory of the family will last forever. Of the treasures lavished on her
+by Napoleon, she puts aside a portion that may be of service when the
+possible rainy day comes.
+
+Josephine is the idol of the French people. But Bonaparte ambition
+extends even to them. In these uncertain days France might be stronger
+if its Emperor were free to marry into a Royal family.
+
+We note Josephine's anxiety as she studies Napoleon. But she sees no
+change in his love for her children. Eugene is his adopted heir.
+Hortense is married to Napoleon's brother Louis. Josephine hopes that
+those who advise the Royal Alliance may not prevail. Her tears are
+useless, and when Napoleon decides she has to yield.
+
+The first of April, 1810, less than five years from the date of the
+Coronation, Napoleon is the centre of another brilliant ceremony. This
+is the day of his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Emperor of
+Austria. A year later fickle Paris is in a state of feverish excitement
+over the birth of the King of Rome. Napoleon, rejoicing in his little
+son, seems at the height of his power.
+
+Looking at Napoleon now, we must admit that he has become an autocrat.
+Yet he is not a despot in the ordinary sense. Though he may like power
+in itself, for what it brings to him, he cares still for the prosperity
+of France. The country needs his strong guidance. Outside of France he
+has enemies on all sides. While he does not admit it, things are against
+him in Spain; and then, as if losing his head, he decides to march into
+Russia. The Emperor of Russia is now his bitter enemy. The kiss of
+Tilsit was soon wiped away.
+
+If we could, we would close our eyes to the next terrible scene. Before
+us marches the best of the young manhood of France--hundreds of
+thousands of men--to a certain death. Here is the greatest army of the
+time, and at Borodino we see "the bloodiest fight of the century." For
+the French the victory is almost worse than a defeat, since they are
+thus beguiled farther into Russia. No one can paint adequately the
+horrors of that bitter campaign. Of the hundreds of thousands who had
+crossed the Niemen a few months earlier, only twenty thousand
+frost-bitten spectres stagger again over the bridge in the middle of
+December.
+
+Napoleon's thoughts are gloomy enough as he rides desperately back to
+France, leaving his fragment of an army in charge of Murat. No one
+envies him now, with the world against him. Soon he hears that Joseph
+has been driven from Spain. Already he feels the strength of the
+coalition formed to overthrow him. Does he realize that Austria is no
+longer his friend--that Prussia is ready to fall upon him? All Germany
+is waking to new life, and to a great extent its energy is the result of
+the teachings of Napoleon himself. We see him struggling to hold his
+own, unwilling to admit that he has lost anything. There is likely to be
+discontent in France. The flower of French youth has gone with the army,
+and there are hardly men enough to till the ground. We glance hastily at
+the passing pictures. The victory at Dresden is more than balanced by
+the disasters at Kulm and Leipzig. The campaign of 1813 is fatal to
+Napoleon, who still trusts to his star.
+
+So we pass on to the last scenes of the panorama.
+
+It is a Sunday in January, 1814. Napoleon is in Paris, intending in a
+few days to go to the front. He and the Empress are holding a reception
+at the Tuileries, and there is a brilliant throng in the great salon.
+All eyes are on the Emperor and Empress as they enter the apartment.
+Napoleon holds by the hand a fair-haired boy of three, the little King
+of Rome. The child wears the uniform of the National Guard of Paris.
+Courtiers, crowding around the group, bow and smile. But as he scans
+their faces with his keen eye, Napoleon reads who are his enemies, who
+his friends. There are many officers of the National Guard present, and
+it is to them perhaps that the Emperor especially addresses himself.
+
+"Gentlemen," he cries, "I am about to set out for the army. I intrust to
+you what I hold dearest in the world--my wife and my son."
+
+Although those present do not dream that the end of Napoleon's reign is
+so near, they show great emotion. Tears fall and sobs are heard on all
+sides as his appeal reaches their hearts. Many of those present at the
+Tuileries this afternoon--even those nearest him--will never see
+Napoleon again.
+
+In less than two days the Emperor bids his last farewell to Maria Louisa
+and their little son. The Empress is to be Regent during his absence.
+Joseph is appointed Lieutenant of France.
+
+Then we look on the sad picture of Napoleon's last campaign, when he
+meets his match in the dogged Blucher. Before the end of February,
+Napoleon has to admit that he is conquered. He accepts the terms made by
+the Allies. They give him the island of Elba for a time, with money
+enough to keep up a certain small grandeur. Pensions are provided for
+Maria Louisa and the King of Rome, and even for the other Bonapartes.
+
+It is a curious spectacle--Napoleon amusing himself with Elba, as if it
+were a big toy. One day he increases his standing army, the next he
+annexes a neighboring island. His mother and some of his family are with
+him, but Maria Louisa has returned to her father with the little King of
+Rome.
+
+But Napoleon and his friends have been making their plans, and we are
+dazzled, as the world was then, by his rapid march across France, by the
+demonstrations of his soldiers and the vigor of the short, sharp
+campaign and the greatness of Wellington's victory. Yet Quatre Bras and
+Waterloo are soon overshadowed by the rock of St. Helena.
+
+Betsy Balcombe, Napoleon's young neighbor, well knew the story of
+Napoleon. She could see as plainly as we can to-day the pictures
+revealed in the panorama of his life. Perhaps she stood too near him,
+perhaps she was too young to draw the lesson that we of to-day draw from
+his meteoric career. Perhaps her sympathy for him in all that he had to
+bear at St. Helena blinded her to the fact that he was himself to a
+certain extent to blame for his own downfall. He reached too far, his
+ambition was too great. As First Consul, depending on the votes of the
+people, he might have been stronger than he was as Emperor. The good
+that he did France was fairly balanced by the fearful loss of life in
+his long wars.
+
+Napoleon's one thought was to carry out his own plans without counting
+the cost in men. Yet putting aside the question of the vast loss of life
+in his wars and the sorrow that resulted, we may see that his career was
+not wholly bad for Europe.
+
+Although ambition and selfishness may have prompted much that he did, he
+really wished to promote the welfare of France. To-day that country is
+farther ahead than would have been possible but for Napoleon. Many of
+the institutions that have most advanced her originated with the First
+Emperor. Other countries besides France benefited by Napoleon's energy.
+He showed several of them how to realize their ideals of independence.
+
+It is true that the constitutions he gave to various states of
+Europe--as well as to France--after his downfall were for a time
+cancelled. Still, in the end, his ideas prevailed, and except for
+Napoleon not only a French Republic would have been slower in
+establishing itself, but also a free Italy, and even a United Germany
+might have arrived less quickly.
+
+The sadness of Napoleon's last years modified the judgments of many who
+had been his bitter enemies. His personal charm made those who knew him
+forget the general selfishness of his whole career. Yet in weighing all
+that can be said for and against him, it would be unfair to have the
+balance against him. That Napoleon whom Betsy Balcombe knew at The
+Briars--fun-loving and considerate of those about him--was as truly
+Napoleon as the man before whom many had trembled--whom his enemies had
+so criticised--to look at him as his young neighbor looked at him is to
+understand a little the secret of his influence.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+HELEN LEAH REED'S "BRENDA" BOOKS
+
+
+     The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls
+     of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and
+     wholesome.--_The Outlook, New York._
+
+     Miss Reed's girls have all the impulses and likes of real girls
+     as their characters are developing, and her record of their
+     thoughts and actions reads like a chapter snatched from the
+     page of life.--_Boston Herald._
+
+BRENDA, HER SCHOOL AND HER CLUB
+
+Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
+
+     One of the most natural books for girls. It is a careful study
+     of schoolgirl life in a large city, somewhat unique in its
+     way.--_Minneapolis Journal._
+
+BRENDA'S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY
+
+Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
+
+     It is a wholesome book, telling of a merry and healthy
+     vacation.--_Dial_, Chicago.
+
+BRENDA'S COUSIN AT RADCLIFFE
+
+_A College Story for Girls_
+
+Illustrated by Alice Barber Stephens.
+
+     No better college story has been written.--_Providence News._
+
+     Miss Reed is herself a Radcliffe woman, and she has made a
+     sympathetic and accurate study of the woman's college at
+     Cambridge.--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+     The author is one of the best equipped of our writers for girls
+     of larger growth. Her stories are strong, intelligent, and
+     wholesome.--_The Outlook_, N. Y.
+
+     The book has the background of old Cambridge, a little of
+     Harvard, and Boston in the distance.... The heroine is a fine
+     girl, and the other characters are girls of many varieties and
+     from many places.--_New York Commercial Advertiser._
+
+     She brings out all sides of the life, and, while making much of
+     the fun and good fellowship, does not let it be forgotten that
+     work and growth are the end and object of it all.--_Chicago
+     Tribune._
+
+
+BRENDA'S BARGAIN
+
+Illustrated by Ellen Bernard Thompson.
+
+     The story deals with social settlement work, under conditions
+     with which the author is familiar.--_The Bookman_, New York.
+
+
+AMY IN ACADIA
+
+Illustrated by Katherine Pyle.
+
+     A splendid tale for girls, carefully written, interesting and
+     full of information concerning the romantic region made famous
+     by the vicissitudes of Evangeline.--_Toronto Globe._
+
+
+BRENDA'S WARD
+
+Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.
+
+     The story details the experience of a Chicago girl at school in
+     Boston, and very absorbing those experiences are--full of
+     action and diversity.--_Chicago Post._
+
+     Pictures a Western girl's school life in Boston, and the story
+     is told with spirit and fine sentiment.... The girls whose
+     lives are told of are merry and of wholesome
+     temperament.--_Portland_ (Ore.) _Oregonian_.
+
+     The story is full of seeing, doing, enjoying, and
+     accomplishing.--_Kansas City Star._
+
+     The tale throughout is sweet and wholesome.... The character
+     sketching is consistent and firm, and the dialogue
+     natural.--_Boston Transcript._
+
+     The young Western girl who enters Brenda's life is sweet and
+     charming, and will appeal to all.--_Philadelphia Ledger._
+
+     The characters are all brimful of wholesome human interest with
+     Brenda as a paramount attraction.--_Pittsburg Bulletin._
+
+     A new Brenda book is always sure of a welcome.... Of all the
+     stories for girls these books rank among the best. The movement
+     of these narratives is rapid, there is an abundance of natural
+     and entertaining incident, and the characters are sharply drawn
+     and developed with masterly skill and rare powers of
+     sympathetic analysis.--_Kennebec_ (Me.) _Journal_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+IRMA AND NAP
+
+_A Story for Younger Girls_
+
+Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood.
+
+     A brightly written story about children from eleven to thirteen
+     years of age, who live in a suburban town, and attend a public
+     grammar school. The book is full of incident of school and home
+     life.
+
+     The story deals with real life, and is told in the simple and
+     natural style which characterized Miss Reed's popular "Brenda"
+     stories.--_Washington Post._
+
+     There are little people in this sweetly written story with whom
+     all will feel at once that they have been long acquainted, so
+     real do they seem, as well as their plans, their play, and
+     their school and home and everyday life.--_Boston Courier._
+
+     Her children are real; her style also is natural and
+     pleasing.--_The Outlook_, New York.
+
+     Miss Reed's children are perfectly natural and act as real
+     girls would under the same circumstances. Nap is a lively
+     little dog, who takes an important part in the development of
+     the story.--_Christian Register_, Boston.
+
+     A clever story, not a bit preachy, but with much influence for
+     right living in evidence throughout.--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Napoleon's Young Neighbor, by Helen Leah Reed
+
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