Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

CHAP. III.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF MADAME DE CUSTINE. HER

ARREST.PROVIDENTIAL CONCEALMENT OF HER PAPERS.DE

VOTION OF NANETTE. SCENE AT THE TOMB OF 3IARAT.

MADAME DE BEAUHARNAIS IN PRISON.ANECDOTES OF PRISON

LIFE. INTERROGATION OF MADAME DE CUSTINE. INSPIRES

ONE OF HER JUDGES WITH THE DESIRE OF SAVING HER. THE

MEANS WHICH HE USES DURING SIX MONTHS TO RETARD HER

EXECUTION.END OF THE REIGN OF TERROR.CHARACTER OF

ROBESPIERRE. THE PRISONS AFTER HIS FALL. PETITION OF

NANETTE.EXTRAORDINARY DELIVERANCE OF MADAME DE CUS

TINE. RETURNS TO HER HOUSE. SICKNESS AND POVERTY. —

NOBLE CONDUCT OF JEROME. HIS AFTER HISTORY. JOURNEY

OF MADAME DE CUSTINE TO SWITZERLAND. BALLAD OF LE

ROSIER. LAVATER.MADAME DE CUSTINE UNDER THE EM

PIRE. HER FRIENDS.DEATH IN 1826.

As I have begun to relate the misfortunes of my family, I will finish the recitaL Perhaps tliis episode of our revolution, as recounted by the son of two individuals who performed conspicuous parts in it, will not be found altogether without interest.

My mother having lost all that could attach her to her country, had now no duty to perform but that of saving her life, and watching over the welfare of her child.

Her situation was, in fact, much worse than that of the other French fugitives. Our name, tainted with Liberalism, was as odious to the aristocrats of that period as to the Jacobins. The prejudiced and intolerant partisans of the old regime, could as little

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