This forms a part of a series about why Hortense broke the law. The previous entries are here.
When we last left off, Hortense had gotten her son out of harm’s way and she was being asked to help a mother with her sick son.
... Apart from the natural interest that misfortune inspires, I attached to it a superstitious idea if you like, but so natural in misfortune! "This poor mother," said I to myself, "prayed at the same time as I did. We were asking for the same thing. Our prayer will be answered, I hope. I am happy to contribute to its fulfillment. Why shouldn't my prayer be answered too?
You can judge my surprise! By a singular coincidence, this young man bore the same names as my two sons, Louis-Napoléon. His father, a former soldier, had named him that way, probably as a tribute. He was dead and he had left his widow in misery.
He was saved wholeheartedly, this son, to my great satisfaction. I wanted to do it. It seemed right to me to be a part of this.
This mother told me that she had a wealthy brother in Naples who had no children, and that when he saw his nephew she was sure he would welcome him. So all I had to do was take care of his trip. She left happy, and I went back to my trembling!
However, despite the path followed by the French government, the Italians were getting ready to rise, and shouted: Long live Louis-Philippe, representative of the independence of nations! Were not the Spanish outlaws a striking proof that the new king did not want to encourage attempts which would have affected his own family? But who hopes a lot, is blinded. Poland set too bright an example in the eyes of these young people for it not to be followed elsewhere, and everyone seemed to believe that France would sooner or later be forced to support the outbursts of heroism that its revolution had inspired.
One morning, the Countess —- came to show me a letter she had received from her brother. He was in Bologna, and told her that they were all ready to raise the standard of independence. Seized by this news, far from my children, what fears should I not have for them! Will they be wise enough, moderate enough to withstand so much inundation? In this -
To be continued.
The memoirs so far are available here.