CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

1808

THE EMPRESS AT BAYONNE

Joséphine’s Fear of Divorce--Irresolution of the Emperor--A Remarkable Episode--Marriage of Mlle, de Tascher--The Spanish Crisis--Abdication of King Charles--Murat Enters Madrid--The Emperor Goes to Bayonne--His Sojourn at Marrac--Letters to the Empress at Bordeaux--Birth of Louis-Napoleon--Joy of Napoleon and Joséphine--Charles Cedes the Spanish Crown--Joseph Appointed King--The Baylen Disaster--Return of the Emperor and Empress 261