CHAPTER TWO

1779–1790

MARRIAGE AND SEPARATION

Alexandre de Beauharnais Enters the Army--Madame Renaudin Plans for His Marriage--The Marquis Writes M. de la Pagerie--Joséphine Takes Her Sister’s Place--She Arrives in France--The Contract Signed--The Marriage--Life in Paris--Birth of Eugène--Alexandre Sails for Martinique--Birth of Hortense--Alexandre Repudiates Joséphine--He Returns to France--Refuses a Reconciliation--A Separation Arranged--Joséphine’s Sojourn at the Panthémont--Residence at Fontainebleau--Voyage to Martinique 14