Evenings with Prince Cambaceres; Second Consul, Arch-Chancellor of the Empire Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ...observed, has conceived such an extravagant veneration for the house of Polvere, that its perpetuity is the sole object which engrosses her thoughts. She has two sons, of whom my husband is the elder. The younger, who is a captain of artillery, was married five years ago. His wife, at the expiration of the fourth year of her marriage, died, and you shall hear in what way. " 'My husband, before he attained his majority, married his first cousin, to whom he was ardently attached. Four years elapsed. Their union was still unblessed "by progeny; and the unfortunate lady suddenly died. The Baron de Polvere, whilst still overwhelmed with affliction, suffered himself to be dragged to the altar a second time, in compliance with his mother's urgent entreaties. His second wife, my intimate friend, was a beautiful and amiable woman. She also proved childless, and, like the first wife, died suddenly about four years after her marriage. Nearly at the same time, I lost my husband. He left me two lovely children, a boy and girl who are now the sole sources of my happiness. " 'Some time after I had become a widow, the Countess proposed a union between me and her son. To me she urged her proposition with unremitting perseverance, and dwelt with unbounded eulogy on the many amiable qualities of the Baron. Our mutual bereavements led to a mutual sympathy, and we gradually became persuaded that life would be more agreeable if passed in one another's society. We were married about four years ago, and the two little angels, the fruit of my first marriage, are still my only children. 136 The Greek Slave. " 'My mother-in-law's affection for me rapidly chilled, in proportion as she relinquished her hope of my presenting an heir to the family. Her ill humour not only...