GIUSEPPE (sympathetically). Not the least in the world,
excellency: is there? (Napoleon again looks at his watch,
evidently growing anxious.) Ah, one can see that you are a great
man, General: you know how to wait. If it were a corporal now, or
a sub-lieutenant, at the end of three minutes he would be
swearing, fuming, threatening, pulling the house about our ears.
NAPOLEON. Giuseppe: your flatteries are insufferable. Go and talk
outside. (He sits down again at the table, with his jaws in his
hands, and his elbows propped on the map, poring over it with a
troubled expression.)
GIUSEPPE. Willingly, your excellency. You shall not be disturbed.
(He takes up the tray and prepares to withdraw.)
NAPOLEON. The moment he comes back, send him to me.
GIUSEPPE. Instantaneously, your excellency.
A LADY'S VOICE (calling from some distant part of the inn).
Giusep-pe! (The voice is very musical, and the two final notes
make an ascending interval.)
NAPOLEON (startled). What's that? What's that?
GIUSEPPE (resting the end of his tray on the table and leaning
over to speak the more confidentially).
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