Conquest

Married to Count Anastas Walewski, Polish countess Marie Walewska becomes the object of affection for Napoleon Bonaparte. She ignores his frequent letters and flowers until Polish leaders, led by Senator Malachowski, urge her to give into Napoleon's desires as a personal sacrifice in order to influence him to make Poland independent. Countess Walewska goes to Napoleon despite the humiliation of her husband, who works to annul their marriage. Napoleon divorces childless Empress Josephine, and Countess Marie eventually becomes pregnant. She is about to tell Napoleon about her baby when he tells her he decided to marry Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria, explaining it will be a political marriage to insure his future son could rule securely with Hapsburg blood in him.