This etext was produced by David Widger
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By CONSTANT
1895
Towards the end of September the Emperor made a journey to Raab; and, ashe was mounting his horse to return to his residence at Schoenbrunn, hesaw the bishop a few steps from him. "Is not that the bishop?" said heto M. Jardin, who was holding his horse's head. "No, Sire, it isSoliman."—"I asked you if that was not the bishop," repeated hisMajesty, pointing to the prelate. M. Jardin, intent on business, andthinking only of the Emperor's horse which bore the name of Bishop, againreplied, "Sire, you forget that you rode him on the last relay." TheEmperor now perceived the mistake, and broke into a laugh. I was witnessat Wagram of an act which furnished a fine illustration of the Emperor'skindness of heart and consideration for others, of which I have alreadygiven several instances; for, although in the one I shall now relate, hewas forced to refuse an act of clemency, his very refusal challengesadmiration as an exhibition of the generosity and greatness of his soul.
A very rich woman, named Madame de Combray, who lived near Caen, allowedher chateau to be occupied by a band of royalists, who seemed to thinkthey upheld their cause worthily by robbing diligences on the highway.She constituted herself treasurer of this band of partisans, andconsigned the funds thus obtained to a pretended treasurer of LouisXVIII. Her daughter, Madame Aquet, joined this troop, and, dressed inmen's clothing, showed most conspicuous bravery. Their exploits,however, were not of long duration; and pursued and overcome by superiorforces, they were brought to trial, and Madame Aquet was condemned todeath with her accomplices. By means of a pretended illness she obtaineda reprieve, of which she availed herself to employ every means in herpower to obtain a pardon, and finally, after eight months of uselesssupplications, decided to send her children to Germany to intercede withthe Emperor. Her physician, accompanied by her sister and two daughters,reached Schoenbrunn just as the Emperor had gone to visit the field ofWagram, and for an entire day awaited the Emperor's return on the stepsof the palace; and these children, one ten, the other twelve, years old,excited much interest. Notwithstanding this, their mother's crime was aterrible one; for although in political matters opinions may not becriminal, yet under every form of government opinions are punished, ifthereby one becomes a robber and an assassin. The children, clothed inblack, threw themselves at the Emperor's feet, crying, "Pardon, pardon,restore to us our mother." The Emperor raised them tenderly, took thepetition from the hands of the aunt, read every word attentively, thenquestioned the physician with much interest, looked at the children,hesitated—but just as I, with all who witnessed this touching scene,thought he was going to pronounce her pardon, he recoiled several steps,exclaiming, "I cannot do it!" His changing color, eyes suffused withtears, and choking voice, gave evidence of the struggle through which hewas passing; and witnessing this, his refusal appeared to me an act ofsublime courage.
Following upon the remembrance of these violent crimes, so much the moreworthy of condemnation since they were the work of a woman, who,