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30
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THE REGENT.
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of
it, particularly troublesome. This splendid headgear was put on and
taken off several times, and we tried many different ways of placing it
before we succeeded."
Like poor Louis xvi. at his coronation Napoleon found that his sparkling top-hamper hurt him.
There
was little opportunity for the Regent to appear fittingly after this
event, although no doubt it was present at that kingly gathering in
Dresden in the spring of 1812, when Napoleon in the plenitude of his
power was starting upon the Russian campaign. But in the crash of a
falling throne the imperial diamond is lost to view.
When
Marie Louise escaped from Paris in 1814, flying before the advancing
allies she took with her all the crown jewels, and specie to the amount
of four millions. These valuables the fugitive Empress kept with her
until she reached Orleans, where she was overtaken by M. Dudon a
messenger from the newly-returned Bourbon king. This gentleman demanded
and obtained
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