France
responded to the challenge thus thrown at her, and, in a stormy
session of the Assembly, the fatherland was declared to be in
danger, the organization of an army to occupy the frontiers was
decreed, and all the children of the fatherland were solemnly called
to her defence.
This call awoke Alexandre de Beauharnais from the dreamy repose to
which he had abandoned himself during the last months. His country
called him, and he dared not remain deaf to this call; it was his
duty to tear himself from the quiet peace of the household, from the
arms of his wife and family, and place himself in the ranks of the
defenders of his country.
Josephine heard this resolution with tears in her eyes, but she
could not keep back her husband, whose countenance was beaming with
enthusiasm, and who dreamed of fame and victory. She accompanied
Alexandre to Paris, and after he had been gladly received by the
minister of war, and appointed to the Northern army, she then took
from him a last, fond farewell, entreated him with all the eloquence
of love to spare himself, and not wantonly to face danger, but to
preserve his life for his wife and children.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213