Memoirs (Vieux Souvenirs) Of the Prince De Joinville #255109

At dinner the Twelfth Night customs were duly observed, and when I broke my cake I found the bean within it. I must confess the fact had not beenialtogether unforeseen, and my mother had consequently primed me as to my be haviour. This did not prevent me from feeling heartily shy when I saw every eye fixed on me. I got up from the table, and carried the bean on a salver to the Duchesse d'angouléme. I loved her dearly even then, that good kind Duchess! For she had always been so good to us, ever since we were babies, and never failed to give us the most beautiful New Year's gifts. My respectful affection deep ened as I grew old enough to realize her sorrows and the nobility of her nature, and I was always glad, after we were separated by the events of 18 30, to take every opportunity of letting her know how unalterable my feelings for her were. She broke the ice by being the first to raise her glass to her lips, when I had made her my queen, and Louis XVIII. Was the first to exclaim, The Queen drinks. A few months later the king was dead, and I watched his funeral procession from the windows of the Fire Brigade Station in the Rue de la Paix, as it passed on its way to saint-denis.