‘For God’s sake, Sire! For the love
of your mother spare him!’ she cried, falling
upon her knees at the Emperor’s feet. ’I
will answer for him that he never offends you again.’
‘Tut, tut!’ cried Napoleon angrily, turning
upon his heel and walking impatiently up and down
the room. ’I cannot grant you what you
ask, mademoiselle. When I say so once it is
finished. I cannot have my decisions in high
matters of State affected by the intrusion of women.
The Jacobins have been dangerous of late, and an example
must be made or we shall have the Faubourg St. Antoine
upon our hands once more.’
The Emperors set face and firm manner showed it was
hopeless, and yet my cousin persevered as no one but
a woman who pleads for her lover would have dared
to do.
‘He is harmless, Sire.’
‘His death will frighten others.’
‘Spare him and I will answer for his loyalty.’
‘What you ask is impossible.’
Constant and I raised her from the ground.
‘That is right, Monsieur de Laval,’ said
the Emperor. ’This interview can lead
to nothing. Remove your cousin from the room!’
But she had again turned to him with a face which
showed that even now all hope had not been abandoned.
‘Sire,’ she cried. ’You say
that an example must be made. There is Toussac—!’
‘Ah, if I could lay my hands upon Toussac!’
’He is the dangerous man. It was he and
my father who led Lucien on. If an example must
be made it should be an example of the guilty rather
than of the innocent.’
’They are both guilty. And, besides, we
have our hands upon the one but not upon the other.’
‘But if I could find him?’
Napoleon thought for a moment.
‘If you do,’ said he, ‘Lesage will
be forgiven!’
‘But I cannot do it in a day.’
‘How long do you ask?’
‘A week at the least.’
’Then he has a respite of a week. If you
can find Toussac in the time, Lesage will be pardoned.
If not he will die upon the eighth day. It is
enough. Monsieur de Laval, remove your cousin,
for I have matters of more importance to attend to.
I shall expect you one evening at the Pont de Briques,
when you are ready to be presented to the Empress.’
THE MAN OF DREAMS
When I had escorted my cousin Sibylle from the presence
of the Emperor, I was surprised to find the same young
hussar officer waiting outside who had commanded the
guard which had brought me to the camp.
‘Well, mademoiselle, what luck?’ he asked
excitedly, clanking towards us.
For answer Sibylle shook her head.
’Ah, I feared as much, for the Emperor is a
terrible man. It was brave, indeed, of you to
attempt it. I had rather charge an unshaken square
upon a spent horse than ask him for anything.
But my heart is heavy, mademoiselle, that you should
have been unsuccessful.’ His boyish blue
eyes filled with tears and his fair moustache drooped
in such a deplorable fashion, that I could have laughed
had the matter been less serious.
