You are impertinent,
madame.
LADY (humbly). I beg your above suspicion.
NAPOLEON (with a deliberate assumption of superiority). You have
committed an indiscretion. I pardon you. In future, do not permit
yourself to introduce real persons in your romances.
LADY (politely ignoring a speech which is to her only a breach of
good manners, and rising to move towards the table). General:
there really is a woman's letter there. (Pointing to the packet.)
Give it to me.
NAPOLEON (with brute conciseness, moving so as to prevent her
getting too near the letters). Why?
LADY. She is an old friend: we were at school together. She has
written to me imploring me to prevent the letter falling into
your hands.
NAPOLEON. Why has it been sent to me?
LADY. Because it compromises the director Barras.
NAPOLEON (frowning, evidently startled). Barras! (Haughtily.)
Take care, madame. The director Barras is my attached personal
friend.
LADY (nodding placidly). Yes. You became friends through your
wife.
NAPOLEON. Again! Have I not forbidden you to speak of my wife?
(She keeps looking curiously at him, taking no account of the
rebuke.
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