Visit to the Emperor at Midnight. 195 



It was past eleven o'clock p.m. when we arrived at Aspirez's 

 lodging, and he was already in bed ; but Colonel Villanueva 

 awoke him. I told the astonished officer that I wished to go 

 again to San Luis, and that I requested his permission to con- 

 sult first with the Emperor, in the presence of Colonel Vil- 

 lanueva, which was readily and kindly given. 



It was past midnight when we arrived at the Capuchins. 

 My husband was asleep. He immediately dressed, but was 

 quite frightened at my sudden appearance in the middle of the 

 night, imagining that some bad news had brought me there. 

 AVhen, however, he heard my plan he declared it to be excel- 

 lent, and went up with me to the room of the Emperor, who 

 since his separation from the other prisoners had seen nobody 

 except his doctor. 



The Emperor thanked me very much, and approved also of 

 my idea. Villanueva advised him to write a letter to Juarez, 

 and request two weeks' time to prepare his defence, and to 

 consult with lawyers from Mexico. The Emperor consented, 

 and signed a letter which was written by Villanueva at his re- 

 quest. This letter I was instructed to give into the hands of 

 Juarez himself, and if I could not do so not to part with it at 

 all. As I wished to start on my journey immediately, I said 

 good night to the poor Emperor, who had tears in "his eyes. I 

 was very much affected, for it appeared to me as if I had now 

 seen his face for the last time. 



As I had promised to give the letter into Juarez's own hands, 

 and was afraid that difficulties might be laid in the way of my 

 seeing him, I thought it expedient to procure from Escobedo 

 a letter of authorization to the President. 



It was past one o'clock when I went with Villanueva and 

 my maid to Escobedo's quarters. The General was just re- 

 turning with Colonel Doria from some place of amusement, 

 and I found him fortunately in very good humour. He gave 

 me not only a letter to Juarez, but also granted my request for 

 an order to take the mules of the diligence, with which I re- 

 turned to my hotel to prepare for the journey, for which Mr. 

 Bahnsen had promised to lend me his hght carriage. This 

 order of Escobedo was indeed quite an astonishing thing, for 

 by it the communication between Queretaro and San Luis 

 was stopped for at least twelve hours for the public. 



Arrived at the hotel I found Mr. Bahnsen, who retracted 



