In the year 1821 the hero, the
emperor, to whose laurel-crown the halo of a martyr had now also been
added, died on the island-rock, St. Helena.

In the year 1824 Hortense lost her only brother, Eugene, the Duke of
Leuchtenberg.

The only objects of Hortense's love were now her two sons, who were
prospering in mind and body, and were the pride and joy of their mother,
and an object of annoyance and suspicion to all the princes of Europe.
For these children bore in their countenance, in their name, and in
their disposition, too plain an impress of the great past, which they
could never entirely ignore while Bonaparte still lived to testify
to it.

And they lived and prospered in spite of the Bourbons; they lived and
prospered, although banished from their country, and compelled to lead
an inactive life.

But at last it seemed as though the hour of fortune and freedom had come
for these Bonapartes--as though they, too, were to be permitted to have
a country to which they might give their devotion and services.

The thundering voice of the revolution of 1830 resounded throughout
trembling Europe. France, on whom the allies had imposed the Bourbons,
arose and shook its mane; with