Gentleman! I should think not. No gentleman would
have abused my confi--
NAPOLEON (out of all patience). Enough, sir, enough. Will you
leave the room. I order you to leave the room.
LADY. Oh, pray let ME go instead.
NAPOLEON (drily). Excuse me, madame. With all respect to your
brother, I do not yet understand what an officer on General
Massena's staff wants with my letters. I have some questions to
put to you.
GIUSEPPE (discreetly). Come, lieutenant. (He opens the door.)
LIEUTENANT. I'm off. General: take warning by me: be on your
guard against the better side of your nature. (To the lady.)
Madame: my apologies. I thought you were the same person, only of
the opposite sex; and that naturally misled me.
LADY (sweetly). It was not your fault, was it? I'm so glad
you're not angry with me any longer, lieutenant. (She offers her
hand.)
LIEUTENANT (bending gallantly to kiss it). Oh, madam, not the
lea-- (Checking himself and looking at it.) You have your
brother's hand. And the same sort of ring.
LADY (sweetly). We are twins.
LIEUTENANT. That accounts for it. (He kisses her hand.
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