192 Ten Years of my Life. 



offered him. I am sure, had we employed money, the Empe- 

 ror might have escaped whilst on this drive to the Hacienda 

 de Hercules, and the whole escort would have gone with him. 

 He was, however, very far from thinking his life in danger, 

 though the fate of Emperor Iturbide might have taught him 

 that a bare title is no protection in Mexico. 



Arrived at the Hacienda de Hercules we entered a large and 

 fine garden, with a fountain, near which were assembled a great 

 many Liberal officers and other gentlemen, who greeted the 

 Emperor, who had me on his arm, with very low bows. 



General Escobedo advanced, and offered his hand to the 

 Emperor. We went then to the right, in a wide walk, where 

 seats were placed for us. We commenced the conversation 

 about indifferent objects ; but this was rendered difficult by two 

 bands, which made a horrible noise, drowning our voices. 

 The Emperor told General Escobedo that he had instructed 

 my husband to make some propositions in his name, and he 

 and Colonel Villanueva retired to arrange that business. ^ 



We remained until nearly dark at the head-quarters of Esco- 

 bedo, who offered me some refreshments, which were, however, 

 decHned ; and we returned to San Teresita'as we had come. 

 The Emperor was iimch depressed, which was owing to his 

 weak state of health. I remember that day always with emo- 

 tion, and that I was the last lady the Emperor had on his a^m. 



All night long there was a most disagreeable noise in San 

 Teresita, which prevented him from sleeping, and he was very 

 desirous to have a separate house for himseli and his house- 

 hold officers. I was anxious to satisfy the wish of the Emperor, 

 and drove again to Escobedo, who most readily acceded to it, 

 and procured next morning a very handsomely-furnished house 

 for that purpose. One half of it was intended for the Emperor, 

 the other half for the use of the imprisoned Generals. 



These good intentions of Escobedo were, however, not 

 carried out, for General Refugio Gonzales, formerly a robber, 

 who was charged with the guard over the prisoners, reproached 

 the General for wanting to treat Maximilian as a prince ; that 

 this was against the instructions of the Government, and that 

 he would no*; be responsible for the security of the prisoners if 



My Diary in Mexico, &c., r5y Felix Salm-Salm. Richard Bently, 

 London. 1868. Vol i p. 222. 



