Page:Daughters of Genius.djvu/308

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300 THE FLIGHT OF EUGENIE. of gratitude to Sir John and Lady Burgoyne. She also expressed a desire to present some little token of remem- brance to the crew of the yacht, who were accordingly summoned to meet her in the cabin, where each man received from her hand a Napoleon, and acknowledged the gift with an " I thank you very much," spoken in English. The coins were afterwards punched and worn by the sailors as mementoes. At half-past seven in the morning, accompanied by Sir John Burgoyne, she left the yacht and went to a hotel, whence she departed next day for Brighton. She was attired, when she landed in England, entirely in clothes borrowed from Lady Burgoyne, since she had brought with her but a small traveling bag, and her own garments were ruined by storm and travel. She remained for a short time unknown. Indeed, when Sir John communicated to Lord Granville the circumstances of her arrival, he received a polite reply to his letter, in which Lord Granville inquired if he was sure he had not been imposed upon. When, however, the truth was proved beyond dispute, and Euge'nie quitted her incognita, she was kindly wel- comed by Queen "Victoria and the royal family, and the beautiful country residence of Camden House, Chisel- hurst, was placed at her disposal. Here she was joined by her son, and later by her husband, and here Sir John and Lady Burgoyne were soon invited to visit her and receive the thanks of the famity. Louis Napoleon passed the remaining years of his life at this place, living quietly and chiefly occupied in writ- ing and in planning the recovery of his power. He died in 1873. All the hopes and affections of his widow then centred in her son, called by some the Prince Imperial. In the year 1866 he had been officially associated with his father in imperial power. He was then only ten years old, i