CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

1809

RETURN OF THE EMPEROR

Napoleon Arrives at Fontainebleau--He Informs Cambacérès of the Coming Divorce--His Cold Reception of Joséphine--She Finds the Door of Communication Closed--Hesitation of the Emperor--Joséphine at Forty-six--Napoleon Breaks the Fatal News--The Scene of the 30 November--A Comic Episode--The Verdict of History--Napoleon’s Sincere Regret--His Interview with Hortense--The Final Fêtes--An Unfortunate _Contretemps_ at Grosbois 285