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She was also very fond of leaving the aristocratic walks of Malmaison, and sauntering through the lanes and the rural roads, where she could enter the cottages of the peasants, and listen to their simple tales of joy and grief. To many of these dwellings her visit was as the mission of an angel. Her purse was never closed against the wants of penury. But that which rendered her still more a ministering spirit to the poor was that her heart was ever open, with its full flood of sympathy, to share the grief of their bereavements, and to rejoice in their joy. When she sat upon the throne of France, and even long after she sank into the repose of the grave, the region around Malmaison was full of recitals of her benevolence. Aristocratic pride at times affected to look down with contempt upon the elevated enjoyments of a noble heart. Thus occupied in pleading with those in power for those of illustrious birth who had, by emigration, forfeited both property and life; in visiting the sick and the sorrowing in the humble cottages around her; in presiding with queenly dignity over the brilliant soirees in her own saloons, where talent and rank were ever assembled, and in diffusing the sunlight of her own cheerful heart throughout the whole household at Malmaison, Josephine, through weary months, awaited tidings from her absent husband. CHAPTER VIII. JOSEPHINE THE WIFE OF THE FIRST CONSUL. A.D. 1799-A.D. 1800 Deplorable condition of France.--The "pear" now ripe.--Evening party.--Landing of Napoleon at Frejus.--Josephine hastens to meet him.--They cross each other's path.--Josephine's enemies succeed in rousing the anger of Napoleon.--Meeting of Josephine and Eugene.--She is repulsed by Napoleon.--Josephine's prompt obedience.--Napoleon relents.--The reconciliation.--Napoleon vanquished.--Reception of Napoleon on his return to France.--He overthrows the Directory.--He is sustained by the people.--Painful suspense of Josephine.--Napoleon relieves it.--His usurping ambition.--Remark of the Abbe Sieyes.-- Josephine secures friends to Napoleon.--Residence at the Luxembourg. --Marriage of Murat and Caroline.--The Tuilleries refurnished.--Napoleon and Josephine take up their residence in the Tuilleries.--Apartments of Josephine.--Her dress.--Her social triumph.--Josephine the Queen of Hearts.--Her varied accomplishments.--Symmetry of her form.-- Attractiveness of her conversation.--Sweetness of Josephine's voice.-- At
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