Angry! No, no: not a bit, not a bit. Come: you are a
very clever and sensible and interesting little woman. (He pats
her on the cheek.) Shall we be friends?
LADY (enraptured). Your friend! You will let me be your friend!
Oh! (She offers him both her hands with a radiant smile.) You
see: I show my confidence in you.
NAPOLEON (with a yell of rage, his eyes flashing). What!
LADY. What's the matter?
NAPOLEON. Show your confidence in me! So that I may show my
confidence in you in return by letting you give me the slip with
the despatches, eh? Ah, Dalila, Dalila, you have been trying your
tricks on me; and I have been as great a gull as my jackass of a
lieutenant. (He advances threateningly on her.) Come: the
despatches. Quick: I am not to be trifled with now.
LADY (flying round the couch). General--
NAPOLEON. Quick, I tell you. (He passes swiftly up the middle of
the room and intercepts her as she makes for the vineyard.)
LADY (at bay, confronting him). You dare address me in that tone.
NAPOLEON. Dare!
LADY. Yes, dare. Who are you that you should presume to speak to
me in that coarse way? Oh, the vile, vulgar Corsican adventurer
comes out in you very easily.
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