(He
smells it.) Perfumed!
NAPOLEON. Eh? (He takes it and looks at it attentively.) Hm! (He
smells it.) Ha! (He walks thoughtfully across the room, looking
at the handkerchief, which he finally sticks in the breast of his
coat.)
LIEUTENANT. Good enough for him, anyhow. I noticed that he had a
woman's hands when he touched my neck, with his coaxing, fawning
ways, the mean, effeminate little hound. (Lowering his voice with
thrilling intensity.) But mark my words, General. If ever--
THE LADY'S VOICE (outside, as before). Giuseppe!
LIEUTENANT (petrified). What was that?
GIUSEPPE. Only a lady upstairs, lieutenant, calling me.
LIEUTENANT. Lady!
VOICE. Giuseppe, Giuseppe: where ARE you?
LIEUTENANT (murderously). Give me that sword. (He strides to the
couch; snatches the sword; and draws it.)
GIUSEPPE (rushing forward and seizing his right arm.) What are
you thinking of, lieutenant? It's a lady: don't you hear that
it's a woman's voice?
LIEUTENANT. It's HIS voice, I tell you. Let me go. (He breaks
away, and rushes to the inner door. It opens in his face; and the
Strange Lady steps in.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45