Wednesday 7 January was set as the day on which a reception was to be held at the castle by the Emperor to meet Warsaw society; eagerly sought invitations were delivered by uniformed footmen to each name on the list, complied by Talleyrand with the help of Countess Trszkievicz, Prince Joseph Poniatowski's sister. At Napoleon's request it was a fairly extensive and representative list: not only the nobility and the clergy but writers, poets, and prominent Warsaw merchants were included.
Though Napoleon had been her idol, Marie had a bad case of nerves and even suggested to her husband that they decline their invitation to meet him. Her husband insisted they go and also to dress well. She ordered a dress and wore the family diamond and sapphire necklace. Warsaw was deep with snow as the carriages proceeded to make it to the royal palace where the reception was to take place. It was as if the fate of Poland rested in Napoleon's hands.
Page 61-62
Suddenly the room stirred. Two footmen flung open the doors, and Napoleon appeared in the doorway with Talleyrand and Marshal Duroc behind him. He paused in the doorway for a moment - as if contemplating some inner, far-away vision. Was he thinking of Paris, where he would have wanted to be in this New Yea? The vision receded, and he moved forward at a brisk pace.
The Emperor came into the room, as if this was a review field-fast and with a slightly bored expression. But as he looked around, his face gradually softened, the powerful brow relaxed... as he surveyed us with evident approval. .....
It can be easily believed that, as the chronicler says,"Napoleon's face softened into a smile.' for here in front of him, pink with emotion, stood an enchanting child-woman - blond, white skinned, with an exquisite figure and the most extraordinary beautiful eyes. There was something infinitely sweet about her - it was not the gaily challenging face of a coquette he knew well or the face of a sophisticated society woman, secure in the knowledge of her charm; melancholy and innocence and goodness and great tenderness, all mingled in her expression and must have appealed to the Emperor.
On rising from her courtesy Marie met the full force of the famous 'infinitely powerful gaze.' No word was exchanged between them. He lingered for an imperceptible moment, and moved on...
age 63
Marie went home that evening unaware of the impression she had made; her mind was in a turmoil. It did not seem quite real that, after years of worshiping at Napoleon's shrine, admiring his portraits, poring over his writings, dissecting the legends about him, she had actually seen her idol in the flesh. She had been much too overwhelmed with emotion to take in the details of his face yet, like all those who came into contact with Napoleon...
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