Why do you ask me? You
have the explanation.
NAPOLEON. Where?
LADY (pointing to the letters on the table). There. You have only
to read it. (He snatches the packet up, hesitates; looks at her
suspiciously; and throws it down again.)
NAPOLEON. You seem to have forgotten your solicitude for the
honor of your old friend.
LADY. She runs no risk now: she does not quite understand her
husband.
NAPOLEON. I am to read the letter, then? (He stretches out his
hand as if to take up the packet again, with his eye on her.)
LADY. I do not see how you can very well avoid doing so now. (He
instantly withdraws his hand.) Oh, don't be afraid. You will find
many interesting things in it.
NAPOLEON. For instance?
LADY. For instance, a duel--with Barras, a domestic scene, a
broken household, a public scandal, a checked career, all sorts
of things.
NAPOLEON. Hm! (He looks at her, takes up the packet and looks at
it, pursing his lips and balancing it in his hand; looks at her
again; passes the packet into his left hand and puts it behind
his back, raising his right to scratch the back of his head as he
turns and goes up to the edge of the vineyard, where he stands
for a moment looking out into the vines, deep in thought.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74