The Emperor Alexander of Russia said to Josephine: “I congratulate you on having reigned over the French, a nation so worthy to be well governed; I congratulate you on having known how to make friends while on the throne, friends who have followed you into retirement. ’Tis to you, madame, that France is in a great measure indebted for the tranquillity she enjoyed during the first years of your husband’s reign. Had Napoleon continued to listen to your advice, he would probably now have reigned over a great and generous people. All the sovereigns in Europe, and myself the first, would ultimately have applauded the wisdom of his institutions and the strength of his government.”
When Napoleon returned from Elba to Paris, and was once more receiving the acclamations of his adherents at the Tuileries, he is said to have fallen into a “melting mood,” a few nights after his return thither, and he sent for M. Horan, one of the physicians who had attended Josephine in her last illness. After talking about his former wife with much feeling, to whom he certainly was attached even when he so cruelly abandoned her, he said to the physician:—
“So, Monsieur Horan, you did not leave the empress during her malady?”
“No, sire.”
“What was the cause of that malady?”
“Uneasiness of mind—grief.”
“You believe that?” and Napoleon laid a strong emphasis on the word believe, looking steadfastly in the doctor’s face. He then asked, “Was she long ill? Did she suffer much?”
“She was ill a week, sire; her Majesty suffered little pain.”
“Did she see that she was dying? Did she show courage?”
“A sign her Majesty made when she could no longer express herself, leaves me no doubt that she felt her end approaching; she seemed to contemplate it without fear.”