Pauline Bonaparte and Her Lovers

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Excerpt:The eldest is sixteen this is Elisa, who is going to be Princess Of Lucca and Piombino, and Grand-duchess Of Tuscany. At present she is looking after the poverty-stricken house keeping, and the education of her youngest sister, little Caroline, nine years Old and destined to wear the crown Of Naples. Between no. 1 and no. 3 comes no. 2, Paulette, that is Pauline, making the most of a butterfly existence, with all the happy-go-lucky zest Of thoughtless thirteen. Overshadowing all Of them looms the Roman figure Of their mother, overworn with cares, a prey to anxiety day by day and hour by hour on the defensive against the insidious assaults of want. And there, in the distance, hard by beleaguered Toulon, stands the figure of the second brother, Napoleon, beginning his career.But the whole process is a painful one. What can Joseph do for the family? A little assist ance at Odd intervals, and that with difficulty. Lucien, too To meet his bill at the inn he will find himself obliged to marry the daughter.