the man of destiny, by george bernard shaw

8/2/2019 The Man of Destiny, By George Bernard Shaw

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-man-of-destiny-by-george-bernard-shaw 1/33

TheProjectGutenbergE-textofTheManofDestiny,byGeorgeBernardShawTheProjectGutenbergEBookofTheManofDestiny,byGeorgeBernardShaw

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net

Title:TheManofDestiny

Author:GeorgeBernardShaw

PostingDate:June4,2009[EBook#4024]ReleaseDate:May,2003FirstPosted:October12,2001

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ISO-8859-1

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEMANOFDESTINY***

ProducedbyEveSobol.HTMLversionbyAlHaines.

THEMANOFDESTINYBERNARDSHAW

1898

ThetwelfthofMay,1796,innorthItaly,atTavazzano,ontheroadfromLoditoMilan.TheafternoonsunisblazingserenelyovertheplainsofLombardy,treatingtheAlpswithrespectandtheanthillswithindulgence,notincommodedbythebaskingoftheswineandoxeninthevillagesnorhurtbyitscoolreceptioninthechurches,butfiercelydisdainfuloftwohordesofmischievousinsectswhicharetheFrenchandAustrianarmies.Twodaysbefore,atLodi,theAustrianstriedtopreventtheFrenchfromcrossingtheriverbythenarrow

bridgethere;buttheFrench,commandedbyageneralaged27,NapoleonBonaparte,whodoesnotunderstandtheartofwar,rushedthefiresweptbridge,supportedbyatremendouscannonadeinwhichtheyounggeneralassistedwithhisownhands.Cannonadingishistechnicalspecialty;hehasbeentrainedintheartilleryundertheoldregime,andmadeperfectinthemilitaryartsofshirkinghisduties,swindlingthepaymasterovertravellingexpenses,anddignifyingwarwiththenoiseandsmokeofcannon,asdepictedinallmilitaryportraits.Heis,however,anoriginalobserver,andhasperceived,forthefirsttimesincetheinventionofgunpowder,thatacannonball,ifitstrikesa



man,willkillhim.Toathoroughgraspofthisremarkablediscovery,headdsahighlyevolvedfacultyforphysicalgeographyandforthecalculationoftimesanddistances.Hehasprodigiouspowersofwork,andaclear,realisticknowledgeofhumannatureinpublicaffairs,havingseenitexhaustivelytestedinthatdepartmentduringtheFrenchRevolution.Heisimaginativewithoutillusions,andcreativewithoutreligion,loyalty,patriotismoranyofthecommonideals.Notthatheisincapableoftheseideals:onthecontrary,hehasswallowedthemallinhisboyhood,andnow,havingakeendramaticfaculty,isextremelycleveratplayinguponthembytheartsoftheactorandstagemanager.Withal,heisnospoiledchild.Poverty,ill-luck,theshiftsofimpecuniousshabby-gentility,repeatedfailureasawould-beauthor,humiliationasarebuffedtimeserver,reproofandpunishmentasanincompetentanddishonestofficer,anescapefromdismissalfromtheservicesonarrowthatiftheemigrationofthenobleshadnotraisedthevalueofeventhemostrascallylieutenanttothefaminepriceofageneralhewouldhavebeensweptcontemptuouslyfromthearmy:thesetrialshavegroundtheconceitoutofhim,andforcedhimtobeself-sufficientandtounderstandthattosuchmenasheistheworldwillgivenothingthathecannottakefromitbyforce.Inthistheworldisnotfreefromcowardiceandfolly;forNapoleon,asamercilesscannonaderofpoliticalrubbish,ismakinghimselfuseful.indeed,itiseven

nowimpossibletoliveinEnglandwithoutsometimesfeelinghowmuchthatcountrylostinnotbeingconqueredbyhimaswellasbyJuliusCaesar.However,onthisMayafternoonin1796,itisearlydayswithhim.Heisonly26,andhasbutrecentlybecomeageneral,partlybyusinghiswifetoseducetheDirectory(thengoverningFrance)partlybythescarcityofofficerscausedbytheemigrationasaforesaid;partlybyhisfacultyofknowingacountry,withallitsroads,rivers,hillsandvalleys,asheknowsthepalmofhishand;andlargelybythatnewfaithofhisintheefficacyoffiringcannonsatpeople.Hisarmyis,astodiscipline,inastatewhichhassogreatlyshockedsomemodernwritersbeforewhomthefollowingstoryhasbeenenacted,thatthey,impressedwiththelatergloryof"L'Empereur,"havealtogetherrefusedtocreditit.ButNapoleonisnot"L'Empereur"yet:hehasonlyjustbeendubbed

"LePetitCaporal,"andisinthestageofgaininginfluenceoverhismenbydisplaysofpluck.Heisnotinapositiontoforcehiswillonthem,inorthodoxmilitaryfashion,bythecato'ninetails.TheFrenchRevolution,whichhasescapedsuppressionsolelythroughthemonarchy'shabitofbeingatleastfouryearsinarrearwithitssoldiersinthematterofpay,hassubstitutedforthathabit,asfaraspossible,thehabitofnotpayingatall,exceptinpromisesandpatrioticflatterieswhicharenotcompatiblewithmartiallawofthePrussiantype.NapoleonhasthereforeapproachedtheAlpsincommandofmenwithoutmoney,inrags,andconsequentlyindisposedtostandmuchdiscipline,especiallyfromupstartgenerals.Thiscircumstance,whichwouldhaveembarrassedanidealistsoldier,hasbeenworthathousandcannontoNapoleon.Hehassaidtohisarmy,"Youhavepatriotismandcourage;butyou

havenomoney,noclothes,anddeplorablyindifferentfood.InItalythereareallthesethings,andgloryaswell,tobegainedbyadevotedarmyledbyageneralwhoregardslootasthenaturalrightofthesoldier.Iamsuchageneral.Enavant,mesenfants!"Theresulthasentirelyjustifiedhim.ThearmyconquersItalyasthelocustsconqueredCyprus.Theyfightalldayandmarchallnight,coveringimpossibledistancesandappearinginincredibleplaces,notbecauseeverysoldiercarriesafieldmarshal'sbatoninhisknapsack,butbecausehehopestocarryatleasthalfadozensilverforkstherenextday.



Itmustbeunderstood,bytheway,thattheFrencharmydoesnotmakewarontheItalians.ItistheretorescuethemfromthetyrannyoftheirAustrianconquerors,andconferrepublicaninstitutionsonthem;sothatinincidentallylootingthem,itmerelymakesfreewiththepropertyofitsfriends,whooughttobegratefultoit,andperhapswouldbeifingratitudewerenottheproverbialfailingoftheircountry.TheAustrians,whomitfights,areathoroughlyrespectableregulararmy,welldisciplined,commandedbygentlementrainedandversedintheartofwar:attheheadofthemBeaulieu,practisingtheclassicartofwarunderordersfromVienna,andgettinghorriblybeatenbyNapoleon,whoactsonhisownresponsibilityindefianceofprofessionalprecedentsorordersfromParis.EvenwhentheAustrianswinabattle,allthatisnecessaryistowaituntiltheirroutineobligesthemtoreturntotheirquartersforafternoontea,sotospeak,andwinitbackagainfromthem:acoursepursuedlateronwithbrilliantsuccessatMarengo.Onthewhole,withhisfoehandicappedbyAustrianstatesmanship,classicgeneralship,andtheexigenciesofthearistocraticsocialstructureofViennesesociety,Napoleonfindsitpossibletobeirresistiblewithoutworkingheroicmiracles.Theworld,however,likesmiraclesandheroes,andisquiteincapableofconceivingtheactionofsuchforcesasacademicmilitarismorViennesedrawing-roomism.Henceithasalreadybeguntomanufacture"L'Empereur,"andthustomakeitdifficultfortheromanticistsofahundredyearslatertocreditthelittlescenenowinquestionatTavazzanoasaforesaid.

ThebestquartersatTavazzanoareatalittleinn,thefirsthousereachedbytravellerspassingthroughtheplacefromMilantoLodi.Itstandsinavineyard;anditsprincipalroom,apleasantrefugefromthesummerheat,isopensowidelyatthebacktothisvineyardthatitisalmostalargeveranda.Thebolderchildren,muchexcitedbythealarumsandexcursionsofthepastfewdays,andbyanirruptionofFrenchtroopsatsixo'clock,knowthattheFrenchcommanderhasquarteredhimselfinthisroom,andaredividedbetweenacravingtopeepinatthefrontwindowsandamortalterrorofthesentinel,ayounggentleman-soldier,who,havingnonaturalmoustache,hashadamostferociousonepaintedonhisfacewithbootblackingbyhissergeant.Ashisheavyuniform,likealltheuniformsofthatday,isdesignedforparadewithouttheleastreferencetohishealthorcomfort,heperspiresprofuselyinthesun;and

hispaintedmoustachehasruninlittlestreaksdownhischinandroundhisneckexceptwhereithasdriedinstiffjapannedflakes,andhaditssweepingoutlinechippedoffingrotesquelittlebaysandheadlands,makinghimunspeakablyridiculousintheeyeofHistoryahundredyearslater,butmonstrousandhorribletothecontemporarynorthItalianinfant,towhomnothingwouldseemmorenaturalthanthatheshouldrelievethemonotonyofhisguardbypitchforkingastraychilduponhisbayonet,andeatingituncooked.Neverthelessonegirlofbadcharacter,inwhomaninstinctofprivilegewithsoldiersisalreadydawning,doespeepinatthesafestwindowforamoment,beforeaglanceandaclinkfromthesentinelsendsherflying.Mostofwhatshe

seesshehasseenbefore:thevineyardattheback,withtheoldwinepressandacartamongthevines;thedoorclosedownonherrightleadingtotheinnentry;thelandlord'sbestsideboard,nowinfullactionfordinner,furtherbackonthesameside;thefireplaceontheotherside,withacouchnearit,andanotherdoor,leadingtotheinnerrooms,betweenitandthevineyard;andthetableinthemiddlewithitsrepastofMilaneserisotto,cheese,grapes,bread,olives,andabigwickeredflaskofredwine.Thelandlord,GiuseppeGrandi,isalsononovelty.Heisaswarthy,vivacious,



shrewdlycheerful,black-curled,bulletheaded,grinninglittlemanof40.Naturallyanexcellenthost,heisinquitespecialspiritsthiseveningathisgoodfortuneinhavingtheFrenchcommanderashisguesttoprotecthimagainstthelicenseofthetroops,andactuallysportsapairofgoldearringswhichhewouldotherwisehavehiddencarefullyunderthewinepresswithhislittleequipmentofsilverplate.Napoleon,sittingfacingheronthefurthersideofthetable,andNapoleon'shat,swordandridingwhiplyingonthecouch,sheseesforthefirsttime.Heisworkinghard,partlyathismeal,whichhehasdiscoveredhowtodispatch,byattackingallthecoursessimultaneously,intenminutes(thispracticeisthebeginningofhisdownfall),andpartlyatamapwhichheiscorrectingfrommemory,occasionallymarkingthepositionoftheforcesbytakingagrapeskinfromhismouthandplantingitonthemapwithhisthumblikeawafer.Hehasasupplyofwritingmaterialsbeforehimmixedupindisorderwiththedishesandcruets;andhislonghairgetssometimesintotherisottogravyandsometimesintotheink.GIUSEPPE.WillyourexcellencyNAPOLEON(intentonhismap,butcramminghimselfmechanicallywithhislefthand).Don'ttalk.I'mbusy.GIUSEPPE(withperfectgoodhumor).Excellency:Iobey.NAPOLEON.Someredink.GIUSEPPE.Alas!excellency,thereisnone.NAPOLEON(withCorsicanfacetiousness).Killsomethingandbringmeitsblood.

GIUSEPPE(grinning).Thereisnothingbutyourexcellency'shorse,thesentinel,theladyupstairs,andmywife.NAPOLEON.Killyourwife.GIUSEPPE.Willingly,yourexcellency;butunhappilyIamnotstrongenough.Shewouldkillme.NAPOLEON.Thatwilldoequallywell.GIUSEPPE.Yourexcellencydoesmetoomuchhonor.(Stretchinghishandtowardtheflask.)Perhapssomewinewillansweryourexcellency'spurpose.NAPOLEON(hastilyprotectingtheflask,andbecomingquiteserious).Wine!No:thatwouldbewaste.Youareallthesame:waste!waste!waste!(Hemarksthemapwithgravy,usinghisforkasapen.)Clearaway.(Hefinisheshiswine;pushesbackhischair;anduseshisnapkin,stretchinghislegsandleaning

back,butstillfrowningandthinking.)GIUSEPPE(clearingthetableandremovingthethingstoatrayonthesideboard).Everymantohistrade,excellency.Weinnkeepershaveplentyofcheapwine:wethinknothingofspillingit.Yougreatgeneralshaveplentyofcheapblood:youthinknothingofspillingit.Isitnotso,excellency?NAPOLEON.Bloodcostsnothing:winecostsmoney.(Herisesandgoestothefireplace.)GIUSEPPE.Theysayyouarecarefulofeverythingexcepthumanlife,excellency.NAPOLEON.Humanlife,myfriend,istheonlythingthattakescareofitself.(Hethrowshimselfathiseaseonthecouch.)GIUSEPPE(admiringhim).Ah,excellency,whatfoolsweallarebesideyou!IfIcouldonlyfindoutthesecretofyoursuccess!NAPOLEON.YouwouldmakeyourselfEmperorofItaly,eh?

GIUSEPPE.Tootroublesome,excellency:Ileaveallthattoyou.Besides,whatwouldbecomeofmyinnifIwereEmperor?SeehowyouenjoylookingonatmewhilstIkeeptheinnforyouandwaitonyou!Well,IshallenjoylookingonatyouwhilstyoubecomeEmperorofEurope,andgovernthecountryforme.(Whilsthechatters,hetakestheclothoffwithoutremovingthemapandinkstand,andtakesthecornersinhishandsandthemiddleoftheedgeinhismouth,tofolditup.)NAPOLEON.EmperorofEurope,eh?WhyonlyEurope?GIUSEPPE.Why,indeed?Emperoroftheworld,excellency!Whynot?(Hefoldsand



rollsupthecloth,emphasizinghisphrasesbythestepsoftheprocess.)Onemanislikeanother(fold):onecountryislikeanother(fold):onebattleislikeanother.(Atthelastfold,heslapstheclothonthetableanddeftlyrollsitup,adding,bywayofperoration)Conquerone:conquerall.(Hetakestheclothtothesideboard,andputsitinadrawer.)NAPOLEON.Andgovernforall;fightforall;beeverybody'sservantundercoverofbeingeverybody'smaster:Giuseppe.GIUSEPPE(atthesideboard).Excellency.NAPOLEON.Iforbidyoutotalktomeaboutmyself.GIUSEPPE(comingtothefootofthecouch).Pardon.Yourexcellencyissounlikeothergreatmen.Itisthesubjecttheylikebest.NAPOLEON.Well,talktomeaboutthesubjecttheylikenextbest,whateverthatmaybe.GIUSEPPE(unabashed).Willingly,yourexcellency.Hasyourexcellencybyanychancecaughtaglimpseoftheladyupstairs?(Napoleonpromptlysitsupandlooksathimwithaninterestwhichentirelyjustifiestheimpliedepigram.)NAPOLEON.Howoldisshe?GIUSEPPE.Therightage,excellency.NAPOLEON.Doyoumeanseventeenorthirty?GIUSEPPE.Thirty,excellency.NAPOLEON.Goodlooking?GIUSEPPE.Icannotseewithyourexcellency'seyes:everymanmustjudgethat

forhimself.Inmyopinion,excellency,afinefigureofalady.(Slyly.)ShallIlaythetableforhercollationhere?NAPOLEON(brusquely,rising).No:laynothinghereuntiltheofficerforwhomIamwaitingcomesback.(Helooksathiswatch,andtakestowalkingtoandfrobetweenthefireplaceandthevineyard.)GIUSEPPE(withconviction).Excellency:believeme,hehasbeencapturedbytheaccursedAustrians.Hedarenotkeepyouwaitingifhewereatliberty.NAPOLEON(turningattheedgeoftheshadowoftheveranda).Giuseppe:ifthatturnsouttobetrue,itwillputmeintosuchatemperthatnothingshortofhangingyouandyourwholehousehold,includingtheladyupstairs,willsatisfyme.GIUSEPPE.Weareallcheerfullyatyourexcellency'sdisposal,exceptthelady.Icannotanswerforher;butnoladycouldresistyou,General.

NAPOLEON(sourly,resuminghismarch).Hm!Youwillneverbehanged.Thereisnosatisfactioninhangingamanwhodoesnotobjecttoit.GIUSEPPE(sympathetically).Nottheleastintheworld,excellency:isthere?(Napoleonagainlooksathiswatch,evidentlygrowinganxious.)Ah,onecanseethatyouareagreatman,General:youknowhowtowait.Ifitwereacorporalnow,orasub-lieutenant,attheendofthreeminuteshewouldbeswearing,fuming,threatening,pullingthehouseaboutourears.NAPOLEON.Giuseppe:yourflatteriesareinsufferable.Goandtalkoutside.(Hesitsdownagainatthetable,withhisjawsinhishands,andhiselbowsproppedonthemap,poringoveritwithatroubledexpression.)GIUSEPPE.Willingly,yourexcellency.Youshallnotbedisturbed.(Hetakesup

thetrayandpreparestowithdraw.)NAPOLEON.Themomenthecomesback,sendhimtome.GIUSEPPE.Instantaneously,yourexcellency.ALADY'SVOICE(callingfromsomedistantpartoftheinn).Giusep-pe!(Thevoiceisverymusical,andthetwofinalnotesmakeanascendinginterval.)NAPOLEON(startled).What'sthat?What'sthat?GIUSEPPE(restingtheendofhistrayonthetableandleaningovertospeakthemoreconfidentially).Thelady,excellency.NAPOLEON(absently).Yes.Whatlady?Whoselady?



GIUSEPPE.Thestrangelady,excellency.NAPOLEON.Whatstrangelady?GIUSEPPE(withashrug).Whoknows?ShearrivedherehalfanhourbeforeyouinahiredcarriagebelongingtotheGoldenEagleatBorghetto.Actuallybyherself,excellency.Noservants.Adressingbagandatrunk:thatisall.Thepostillionsayssheleftahorseacharger,withmilitarytrappings,attheGoldenEagle.NAPOLEON.Awomanwithacharger!That'sextraordinary.THELADY'SVOICE(thetwofinalnotesnowmakingaperemptorydescendinginterval).Giuseppe!NAPOLEON(risingtolisten).That'saninterestingvoice.GIUSEPPE.Sheisaninterestinglady,excellency.(Calling.)Coming,lady,coming.(Hemakesfortheinnerdoor.)NAPOLEON(arrestinghimwithastronghandonhisshoulder).Stop.Lethercome.

VOICE.Giuseppe!!(Impatiently.)GIUSEPPE(pleadingly).Letmego,excellency.ItismypointofhonorasaninnkeepertocomewhenIamcalled.Iappealtoyouasasoldier.AMAN'sVOICE(outside,attheinndoor,shouting).Here,someone.Hello!Landlord.Whereareyou?(Somebodyrapsvigorouslywithawhiphandleonabenchinthepassage.)NAPOLEON(suddenlybecomingthecommandingofficeragainandthrowingGiuseppe

off).Thereheisatlast.(Pointingtotheinnerdoor.)Go.Attendtoyourbusiness:theladyiscallingyou.(Hegoestothefireplaceandstandswithhisbacktoitwithadeterminedmilitaryair.)GIUSEPPE(withbatedbreath,snatchinguphistray).Certainly,excellency.(Hehurriesoutbytheinnerdoor.)THEMAN'sVOICE(impatiently).Areyouallasleephere?(Thedooroppositethefireplaceiskickedrudelyopen;andadustysub-lieutenantburstsintotheroom.Heisachuckle-headedyoungmanof24,withthefair,delicate,clearskinofamanofrank,andaself-assuranceonthatgroundwhichtheFrenchRevolutionhasfailedtoshakeinthesmallestdegree.Hehasathicksillylip,aneagercredulouseye,anobstinatenose,andaloudconfidentvoice.Ayoung

manwithoutfear,withoutreverence,withoutimagination,withoutsense,hopelesslyinsusceptibletotheNapoleonicoranyotheridea,stupendouslyegotistical,eminentlyqualifiedtorushinwhereangelsfeartotread,yetofavigorousbabblingvitalitywhichbustleshimintothethickofthings.Heisjustnowboilingwithvexation,attributablebyasuperficialobservertohisimpatienceatnotbeingpromptlyattendedtobythestaffoftheinn,butinwhichamorediscerningeyecanperceiveacertainmoraldepth,indicatingamorepermanentandmomentousgrievance.OnseeingNapoleon,heissufficientlytakenabacktocheckhimselfandsalute;buthedoesnotbetraybyhismanneranyofthatpropheticconsciousnessofMarengoandAusterlitz,WaterlooandSt.Helena,ortheNapoleonicpicturesofDelarocheandMeissonier,whichmodernculturewillinstinctivelyexpectfromhim.)

NAPOLEON(sharply).Well,sir,hereyouareatlast.YourinstructionswerethatIshouldarrivehereatsix,andthatIwastofindyouwaitingformewithmymailfromParisandwithdespatches.Itisnowtwentyminutestoeight.Youweresentonthisserviceasahardriderwiththefastesthorseinthecamp.Youarriveahundredminuteslate,onfoot.Whereisyourhorse!THELIEUTENANT(moodilypullingoffhisglovesanddashingthemwithhiscapandwhiponthetable).Ah!whereindeed?That'sjustwhatIshouldliketoknow,



General.(Withemotion.)Youdon'tknowhowfondIwasofthathorse.NAPOLEON(angrilysarcastic).Indeed!(Withsuddenmisgiving.)Wherearethelettersanddespatches?THELIEUTENANT(importantly,ratherpleasedthanotherwiseathavingsomeremarkablenews).Idon'tknow.NAPOLEON(unabletobelievehisears).Youdon'tknow!LIEUTENANT.Nomorethanyoudo,General.NowIsupposeIshallbecourt-martialled.Well,Idon'tmindbeingcourt-martialled;but(withsolemndetermination)Itellyou,General,ifeverIcatchthatinnocentlookingyouth,I'llspoilhisbeauty,theslimylittleliar!I'llmakeapictureofhim.I'llNAPOLEON(advancingfromthehearthtothetable).Whatinnocentlookingyouth?Pullyourselftogether,sir,willyou;andgiveanaccountofyourself.LIEUTENANT(facinghimattheoppositesideofthetable,leaningonitwithhisfists).Oh,I'mallright,General:I'mperfectlyreadytogiveanaccountofmyself.Ishallmakethecourt-martialthoroughlyunderstandthatthefaultwasnotmine.Advantagehasbeentakenofthebettersideofmynature;andI'mnotashamedofit.Butwithallrespecttoyouasmycommandingofficer,General,IsayagainthatifeverIseteyesonthatsonofSatan,I'llNAPOLEON(angrily).Soyousaidbefore.LIEUTENANT(drawinghimselfupright).Isayitagain,justwaituntilIcatchhim.Justwait:that'sall.(Hefoldshisarmsresolutely,andbreatheshard,withcompressedlips.)

NAPOLEON.IAMwaiting,sirforyourexplanation.LIEUTENANT(confidently).You'llchangeyourtone,General,whenyouhearwhathashappenedtome.NAPOLEON.Nothinghashappenedtoyou,sir:youarealiveandnotdisabled.Wherearethepapersentrustedtoyou?LIEUTENANT.Nothing!Nothing!!Oho!Well,we'llsee.(PosinghimselftooverwhelmNapoleonwithhisnews.)Hesworeeternalbrotherhoodwithme.Wasthatnothing?Hesaidmyeyesremindedhimofhissister'seyes.Wasthatnothing?HecriedactuallycriedoverthestoryofmyseparationfromAngelica.Wasthatnothing?Hepaidforbothbottlesofwine,thoughheonlyatebreadandgrapeshimself.Perhapsyoucallthatnothing!Hegavemehispistolsandhishorseandhisdespatchesmostimportantdespatchesandletmegoawaywiththem.

(Triumphantly,seeingthathehasreducedNapoleontoblankstupefaction.)WasTHATnothing?NAPOLEON(enfeebledbyastonishment).Whatdidhedothatfor?LIEUTENANT(asifthereasonwereobvious).Toshowhisconfidenceinme.(Napoleon'sjawdoesnotexactlydrop;butitshingesbecomenerveless.TheLieutenantproceedswithhonestindignation.)AndIwasworthyofhisconfidence:Ibroughtthemallbackhonorably.Butwouldyoubelieveit?whenItrustedhimwithMYpistols,andMYhorse,andMYdespatchesNAPOLEON(enraged).Whatthedevildidyoudothatfor?LIEUTENANT.Why,toshowmyconfidenceinhim,ofcourse.Andhebetrayeditabuseditnevercameback.Thethief!theswindler!theheartless,treacherouslittleblackguard!Youcallthatnothing,Isuppose.Butlookhere,General:(againresortingtothetablewithhisfistforgreateremphasis)YOU

mayputupwiththisoutragefromtheAustriansifyoulike;butspeakingformyselfpersonally,ItellyouthatifeverIcatchNAPOLEON(turningonhisheelindisgustandirritablyresuminghismarchtoandfro).Yes:youhavesaidthatmorethanoncealready.LIEUTENANT(excitedly).Morethanonce!I'llsayitfiftytimes;andwhat'smore,I'lldoit.You'llsee,General.I'llshowmyconfidenceinhim,soIwill.I'llNAPOLEON.Yes,yes,sir:nodoubtyouwill.Whatkindofmanwashe?LIEUTENANT.Well,Ishouldthinkyououghttobeabletotellfromhisconduct



thesortofmanhewas.NAPOLEON.Psh!Whatwashelike?LIEUTENANT.Like!He'slikewell,yououghttohavejustseenthefellow:thatwillgiveyouanotionofwhathewaslike.Hewon'tbelikeitfiveminutesafterIcatchhim;forItellyouthatifeverNAPOLEON(shoutingfuriouslyfortheinnkeeper).Giuseppe!(TotheLieutenant,outofallpatience.)Holdyourtongue,sir,ifyoucan.LIEUTENANT.Iwarnyouit'snousetotrytoputtheblameonme.(Plaintively.)HowwasItoknowthesortoffellowhewas?(Hetakesachairfrombetweenthesideboardandtheouterdoor;placesitnearthetable;andsitsdown.)IfyouonlyknewhowhungryandtiredIam,you'dhavemoreconsideration.GIUSEPPE(returning).Whatisit,excellency?NAPOLEON(strugglingwithhistemper).Takethisthisofficer.Feedhim;andputhimtobed,ifnecessary.Whenheisinhisrightmindagain,findoutwhathashappenedtohimandbringmeword.(TotheLieutenant.)Consideryourselfunderarrest,sir.LIEUTENANT(withsulkystiffness).Iwaspreparedforthat.Ittakesagentlemantounderstandagentleman.(Hethrowshisswordonthetable.GiuseppetakesitupandpolitelyoffersittoNapoleon,whothrowsitviolentlyonthecouch.)GIUSEPPE(withsympatheticconcern).HaveyoubeenattackedbytheAustrians,lieutenant?Dear,dear,dear!LIEUTENANT(contemptuously).Attacked!Icouldhavebrokenhisbackbetweenmy

fingerandthumb.IwishIhad,now.No:itwasbyappealingtothebettersideofmynature:that'swhatIcan'tgetover.Hesaidhe'dnevermetamanhelikedsomuchasme.Heputhishandkerchiefroundmyneckbecauseagnatbitme,andmystockwaschafingit.Look!(Hepullsahandkerchieffromhisstock.Giuseppetakesitandexaminesit.)GIUSEPPE(toNapoleon).Alady'shandkerchief,excellency.(Hesmellsit.)Perfumed!NAPOLEON.Eh?(Hetakesitandlooksatitattentively.)Hm!(Hesmellsit.)Ha!(Hewalksthoughtfullyacrosstheroom,lookingatthehandkerchief,whichhefinallysticksinthebreastofhiscoat.)LIEUTENANT.Goodenoughforhim,anyhow.Inoticedthathehadawoman'shandswhenhetouchedmyneck,withhiscoaxing,fawningways,themean,effeminate

littlehound.(Loweringhisvoicewiththrillingintensity.)Butmarkmywords,General.IfeverTHELADY'SVOICE(outside,asbefore).Giuseppe!LIEUTENANT(petrified).Whatwasthat?GIUSEPPE.Onlyaladyupstairs,lieutenant,callingme.LIEUTENANT.Lady!VOICE.Giuseppe,Giuseppe:whereAREyou?LIEUTENANT(murderously).Givemethatsword.(Hestridestothecouch;snatchesthesword;anddrawsit.)GIUSEPPE(rushingforwardandseizinghisrightarm.)Whatareyouthinkingof,lieutenant?It'salady:don'tyouhearthatit'sawoman'svoice?LIEUTENANT.It'sHISvoice,Itellyou.Letmego.(Hebreaksaway,andrushes

totheinnerdoor.Itopensinhisface;andtheStrangeLadystepsin.Sheisaveryattractivelady,tallandextraordinarilygraceful,withadelicatelyintelligent,apprehensive,questioningfaceperceptioninthebrow,sensitivenessinthenostrils,characterinthechin:allkeen,refined,andoriginal.Sheisveryfeminine,butbynomeansweak:thelithe,tenderfigureishungonastrongframe:thehandsandfeet,neckandshoulders,arenofragileornaments,butoffullsizeinproportiontoherstature,whichconsiderablyexceedsthatofNapoleonandtheinnkeeper,andleavesheratnodisadvantagewiththelieutenant.Onlyhereleganceandradiantcharmkeepthe



secretofhersizeandstrength.Sheisnot,judgingbyherdress,anadmirerofthelatestfashionsoftheDirectory;orperhapssheusesupherolddressesfortravelling.Atalleventsshewearsnojacketwithextravagantlappels,noGreco-Tallienshamchiton,nothing,indeed,thatthePrincessedeLamballemightnothaveworn.Herdressoffloweredsilkislongwaisted,withaWatteaupleatbehind,butwiththepaniersreducedtomererudiments,assheistootallforthem.Itiscutlowintheneck,whereitisekedoutbyacreamyfichu.Sheisfair,withgoldenbrownhairandgreyeyes.)(Sheenterswiththeself-possessionofawomanaccustomedtotheprivilegesofrankandbeauty.Theinnkeeper,whohasexcellentnaturalmanners,ishighlyappreciativeofher.Napoleon,onwhomhereyesfirstfall,isinstantlysmittenself-conscious.Hiscolordeepens:hebecomesstifferandlessateasethanbefore.Sheperceivesthisinstantly,and,nottoembarrasshim,turnsinaninfinitelywellbredmannertopaytherespectofaglancetotheothergentleman,whoisstaringatherdress,asattheearth'sfinalmasterpieceoftreacherousdissimulation,withfeelingsaltogetherinexpressibleandindescribable.Asshelooksathim,shebecomesdeadlypale.Thereisnomistakingherexpression:arevelationofsomefatalerrorutterlyunexpected,hassuddenlyappalledherinthemidstoftranquillity,securityandvictory.Thenextmomentawaveofcolorrushesupfrombeneaththecreamyfichuand

drownsherwholeface.Onecanseethatsheisblushingalloverherbody.Eventhelieutenant,ordinarilyincapableofobservation,andjustnowlostinthetumultofhiswrath,canseeathingwhenitispaintedredforhim.Interpretingtheblushastheinvoluntaryconfessionofblackdeceitconfrontedwithitsvictim,hepointstoitwithaloudcrowofretributivetriumph,andthen,seizingherbythewrist,pullsherpasthimintotheroomasheclapsthedoorto,andplantshimselfwithhisbacktoit.)LIEUTENANT.SoI'vegotyou,mylad.Soyou'vedisguisedyourself,haveyou?(Inavoiceofthunder.)Takeoffthatskirt.GIUSEPPE(remonstrating).Oh,lieutenant!LADY(affrighted,buthighlyindignantathishavingdaredtotouchher).

Gentlemen:Iappealtoyou.Giuseppe.(MakingamovementasiftoruntoGiuseppe.)LIEUTENANT(interposing,swordinhand).Noyoudon't.LADY(takingrefugewithNapoleon).Ah,sir,youareanofficerageneral.Youwillprotectme,willyounot?LIEUTENANT.Neveryoumindhim,General.Leavemetodealwithhim.NAPOLEON.Withhim!Withwhom,sir?Whydoyoutreatthisladyinsuchafashion?LIEUTENANT.Lady!He'saman!themanIshowedmyconfidencein.(Advancingthreateningly.)HereyouLADY(runningbehindNapoleonandinheragitationembracingthearmwhichheinstinctivelyextendsbeforeherasafortification).Oh,thankyou,General.Keephimaway.

NAPOLEON.Nonsense,sir.Thisiscertainlyalady(shesuddenlydropshisarmandblushesagain);andyouareunderarrest.Putdownyoursword,sir,instantly.LIEUTENANT.General:Itellyouhe'sanAustrianspy.HepassedhimselfoffonmeasoneofGeneralMassena'sstaffthisafternoon;andnowhe'spassinghimselfoffonyouasawoman.AmItobelievemyowneyesornot?LADY.General:itmustbemybrother.HeisonGeneralMassena'sstaff.Heisverylikeme.LIEUTENANT(hismindgivingway).Doyoumeantosaythatyou'renotyourbrother,butyoursister?thesisterwhowassolikeme?whohadmybeautiful



blueeyes?Itwasalie:youreyesarenotlikemine:they'reexactlylikeyourown.Whatperfidy!NAPOLEON.Lieutenant:willyouobeymyordersandleavetheroom,sinceyouareconvincedatlastthatthisisnogentleman?LIEUTENANT.Gentleman!Ishouldthinknot.NogentlemanwouldhaveabusedmyconfiNAPOLEON(outofallpatience).Enough,sir,enough.Willyouleavetheroom.Iorderyoutoleavetheroom.LADY.Oh,prayletMEgoinstead.NAPOLEON(drily).Excuseme,madame.Withallrespecttoyourbrother,IdonotyetunderstandwhatanofficeronGeneralMassena'sstaffwantswithmyletters.Ihavesomequestionstoputtoyou.GIUSEPPE(discreetly).Come,lieutenant.(Heopensthedoor.)LIEUTENANT.I'moff.General:takewarningbyme:beonyourguardagainstthebettersideofyournature.(Tothelady.)Madame:myapologies.Ithoughtyouwerethesameperson,onlyoftheoppositesex;andthatnaturallymisledme.LADY(sweetly).Itwasnotyourfault,wasit?I'msogladyou'renotangrywithmeanylonger,lieutenant.(Sheoffersherhand.)LIEUTENANT(bendinggallantlytokissit).Oh,madam,notthelea(Checkinghimselfandlookingatit.)Youhaveyourbrother'shand.Andthesamesortofring.LADY(sweetly).Wearetwins.

LIEUTENANT.Thataccountsforit.(Hekissesherhand.)Athousandpardons.Ididn'tmindaboutthedespatchesatall:that'smoretheGeneral'saffairthanmine:itwastheabuseofmyconfidencethroughthebettersideofmynature.(Takinghiscap,gloves,andwhipfromthetableandgoing.)You'llexcusemyleavingyou,General,Ihope.Verysorry,I'msure.(Hetalkshimselfoutoftheroom.Giuseppefollowshimandshutsthedoor.)NAPOLEON(lookingafterthemwithconcentratedirritation).Idiot!(TheStrangeLadysmilessympathetically.Hecomesfrowningdowntheroombetweenthetableandthefireplace,allhisawkwardnessgonenowthatheisalonewithher.)LADY.HowcanIthankyou,General,foryourprotection?NAPOLEON(turningonhersuddenly).Mydespatches:come!(Heputsouthishandforthem.)

LADY.General!(Sheinvoluntarilyputsherhandsonherfichuasiftoprotectsomethingthere.)NAPOLEON.Youtrickedthatblockheadoutofthem.Youdisguisedyourselfasaman.Iwantmydespatches.Theyarethereinthebosomofyourdress,underyourhands.LADY(quicklyremovingherhands).Oh,howunkindlyyouarespeakingtome!(Shetakesherhandkerchieffromherfichu.)Youfrightenme.(Shetoucheshereyesasiftowipeawayatear.)NAPOLEON.Iseeyoudon'tknowmemadam,oryouwouldsaveyourselfthetroubleofpretendingtocry.LADY(producinganeffectofsmilingthroughhertears).Yes,Idoknowyou.You

arethefamousGeneralBuonaparte.(ShegivesthenameamarkedItalianpronunciationBwaw-na-parr-te.)NAPOLEON(angrily,withtheFrenchpronunciation).Bonaparte,madame,Bonaparte.Thepapers,ifyouplease.LADY.ButIassureyou(Hesnatchesthehandkerchiefrudelyfromher.)General!(Indignantly.)NAPOLEON(takingtheotherhandkerchieffromhisbreast).Youweregoodenoughtolendoneofyourhandkerchiefstomylieutenantwhenyourobbedhim.(He



looksatthetwohandkerchiefs.)Theymatchoneanother.(Hesmellsthem.)Thesamescent.(Heflingsthemdownonthetable.)Iamwaitingforthedespatches.Ishalltakethem,ifnecessary,withaslittleceremonyasthehandkerchief.(Thishistoricalincidentwasusedeightyyearslater,byM.VictorienSardou,inhisdramaentitled"Dora.")LADY(indignifiedreproof).General:doyouthreatenwomen?NAPOLEON(bluntly).Yes.LADY(disconcerted,tryingtogaintime).ButIdon'tunderstand.INAPOLEON.Youunderstandperfectly.YoucameherebecauseyourAustrianemployerscalculatedthatIwassixleaguesaway.Iamalwaystobefoundwheremyenemiesdon'texpectme.Youhavewalkedintothelion'sden.Come:youareabravewoman.Beasensibleone:Ihavenotimetowaste.Thepapers.(Headvancesastepominously).LADY(breakingdowninthechildishrageofimpotence,andthrowingherselfintearsonthechairleftbesidethetablebythelieutenant).Ibrave!Howlittleyouknow!Ihavespentthedayinanagonyoffear.Ihaveapainherefromthetighteningofmyheartateverysuspiciouslook,everythreateningmovement.Doyouthinkeveryoneisasbraveasyou?Oh,whywillnotyoubravepeopledothebravethings?Whydoyouleavethemtous,whohavenocourageatall?I'mnotbrave:Ishrinkfromviolence:dangermakesmemiserable.

NAPOLEON(interested).Thenwhyhaveyouthrustyourselfintodanger?LADY.Becausethereisnootherway:Icantrustnobodyelse.Andnowitisalluselessallbecauseofyou,whohavenofear,becauseyouhavenoheart,nofeeling,no(Shebreaksoff,andthrowsherselfonherknees.)Ah,General,letmego:letmegowithoutaskinganyquestions.Youshallhaveyourdespatchesandletters:Iswearit.NAPOLEON(holdingouthishand).Yes:Iamwaitingforthem.(Shegasps,dauntedbyhisruthlesspromptitudeintodespairofmovinghimbycajolery;butasshelooksupperplexedlyathim,itisplainthatsheisrackingherbrainsforsomedevicetooutwithim.Hemeetsherregardinflexibly.)LADY(risingatlastwithaquietlittlesigh).Iwillgetthemforyou.They

areinmyroom.(Sheturnstothedoor.)NAPOLEON.Ishallaccompanyyou,madame.LADY(drawingherselfupwithanobleairofoffendeddelicacy).Icannotpermityou,General,toentermychamber.NAPOLEON.Thenyoushallstayhere,madame,whilstIhaveyourchambersearchedformypapers.LADY(spitefully,openlygivingupherplan).Youmaysaveyourselfthetrouble.Theyarenotthere.NAPOLEON.No:Ihavealreadytoldyouwheretheyare.(Pointingtoherbreast.)LADY(withprettypiteousness).General:Ionlywanttokeeponelittleprivateletter.Onlyone.Letmehaveit.NAPOLEON(coldandstern).Isthatareasonabledemand,madam?

LADY(encouragedbyhisnotrefusingpointblank).No;butthatiswhyyoumustgrantit.Areyourowndemandsreasonable?thousandsoflivesforthesakeofyourvictories,yourambitions,yourdestiny!AndwhatIaskissuchalittlething.AndIamonlyaweakwoman,andyouabraveman.(Shelooksathimwithhereyesfulloftenderpleadingandisabouttokneeltohimagain.)NAPOLEON(brusquely).Getup,getup.(Heturnsmoodilyawayandtakesaturnacrosstheroom,pausingforamomenttosay,overhisshoulder)You'retalkingnonsense;andyouknowit.(Shegetsupandsitsdowninalmostlistlessdespaironthecouch.Whenheturnsandseesherthere,hefeelsthathisvictoryis



complete,andthathemaynowindulgeinalittleplaywithhisvictim.Hecomesbackandsitsbesideher.Shelooksalarmedandmovesalittleawayfromhim;butarayofrallyinghopebeamsfromhereye.Hebeginslikeamanenjoyingsomesecretjoke.)HowdoyouknowIamabraveman?LADY(amazed).You!GeneralBuonaparte.(Italianpronunciation.)NAPOLEON.Yes,I,GeneralBonaparte(emphasizingtheFrenchpronunciation).LADY.Oh,howcanyouasksuchaquestion?you!whostoodonlytwodaysagoatthebridgeatLodi,withtheairfullofdeath,fightingaduelwithcannonsacrosstheriver!(Shuddering.)Oh,youDObravethings.NAPOLEON.Sodoyou.LADY.I!(Withasuddenoddthought.)Oh!Areyouacoward?NAPOLEON(laughinggrimlyandpinchinghercheek).Thatistheonequestionyoumustneveraskasoldier.Thesergeantasksaftertherecruit'sheight,hisage,hiswind,hislimb,butneverafterhiscourage.(Hegetsupandwalksaboutwithhishandsbehindhimandhisheadbowed,chucklingtohimself.)LADY(asifshehadfounditnolaughingmatter).Ah,youcanlaughatfear.Thenyoudon'tknowwhatfearis.NAPOLEON(comingbehindthecouch).Tellmethis.SupposeyoucouldhavegotthatletterbycomingtomeoverthebridgeatLodithedaybeforeyesterday!Supposetherehadbeennootherway,andthatthiswasasurewayifonlyyouescapedthecannon!(Sheshuddersandcovershereyesforamomentwithherhands.)Wouldyouhavebeenafraid?

LADY.Oh,horriblyafraid,agonizinglyafraid.(Shepressesherhandsonherheart.)Ithurtsonlytoimagineit.NAPOLEON(inflexibly).Wouldyouhavecomeforthedespatches?LADY(overcomebytheimaginedhorror).Don'taskme.Imusthavecome.NAPOLEON.Why?LADY.BecauseImust.Becausetherewouldhavebeennootherway.NAPOLEON(withconviction).Becauseyouwouldhavewantedmyletterenoughtobearyourfear.Thereisonlyoneuniversalpassion:fear.Ofallthethousandqualitiesamanmayhave,theonlyoneyouwillfindascertainlyintheyoungestdrummerboyinmyarmyasinme,isfear.Itisfearthatmakesmenfight:itisindifferencethatmakesthemrunaway:fearisthemainspringofwar.Fear!Iknowfearwell,betterthanyou,betterthananywoman.IoncesawaregimentofgoodSwisssoldiersmassacredbyamobinParisbecauseIwas

afraidtointerfere:IfeltmyselfacowardtothetipsofmytoesasIlookedonatit.SevenmonthsagoIrevengedmyshamebypoundingthatmobtodeathwithcannonballs.Well,whatofthat?Hasfeareverheldamanbackfromanythinghereallywantedorawomaneither?Never.Comewithme;andIwillshowyoutwentythousandcowardswhowillriskdeatheverydayforthepriceofaglassofbrandy.Anddoyouthinktherearenowomeninthearmy,braverthanthemen,becausetheirlivesareworthless?Psha!Ithinknothingofyourfearoryourbravery.IfyouhadhadtocomeacrosstomeatLodi,youwouldnothavebeenafraid:onceonthebridge,everyotherfeelingwouldhavegonedownbeforethenecessitythenecessityformakingyourwaytomysideandgettingwhatyouwanted.

Andnow,supposeyouhaddoneallthissupposeyouhadcomesafelyoutwiththatletterinyourhand,knowingthatwhenthehourcame,yourfearhadtightened,notyourheart,butyourgripofyourownpurposethatithadceasedtobefear,andhadbecomestrength,penetration,vigilance,ironresolutionhowwouldyouanswerthenifyouwereaskedwhetheryouwereacoward?LADY(rising).Ah,youareahero,arealhero.NAPOLEON.Pooh!there'snosuchthingasarealhero.(Hestrollsdowntheroom,makinglightofherenthusiasm,butbynomeansdispleasedwithhimselfforhavingevokedit.)



LADY.Ah,yes,thereis.Thereisadifferencebetweenwhatyoucallmybraveryandyours.YouwantedtowinthebattleofLodiforyourselfandnotforanyoneelse,didn'tyou?NAPOLEON.Ofcourse.(Suddenlyrecollectinghimself.)Stop:no.(Hepullshimselfpiouslytogether,andsays,likeamanconductingareligiousservice)IamonlytheservantoftheFrenchrepublic,followinghumblyinthefootstepsoftheheroesofclassicalantiquity.Iwinbattlesforhumanityformycountry,notformyself.LADY(disappointed).Oh,thenyouareonlyawomanishhero,afterall.(Shesitsdownagain,allherenthusiasmgone,herelbowontheendofthecouch,andhercheekproppedonherhand.)NAPOLEON(greatlyastonished).Womanish!LADY(listlessly).Yes,likeme.(Withdeepmelancholy.)DoyouthinkthatifIonlywantedthosedespatchesformyself,Idareventureintoabattleforthem?No:ifthatwereall,Ishouldnothavethecouragetoasktoseeyouatyourhotel,even.Mycourageismereslavishness:itisofnousetomeformyownpurposes.Itisonlythroughlove,throughpity,throughtheinstincttosaveandprotectsomeoneelse,thatIcandothethingsthatterrifyme.NAPOLEON(contemptuously).Pshaw!(Heturnsslightinglyawayfromher.)LADY.Aha!nowyouseethatI'mnotreallybrave.(Relapsingintopetulantlistlessness.)Butwhatrighthaveyoutodespisemeifyouonlywinyour

battlesforothers?foryourcountry!throughpatriotism!ThatiswhatIcallwomanish:itissolikeaFrenchman!NAPOLEON(furiously).IamnoFrenchman.LADY(innocently).IthoughtyousaidyouwonthebattleofLodiforyourcountry,GeneralBushallIpronounceitinItalianorFrench?NAPOLEON.Youarepresumingonmypatience,madam.IwasbornaFrenchsubject,butnotinFrance.LADY(foldingherarmsontheendofthecouch,andleaningonthemwithamarkedaccessofinterestinhim).Youwerenotbornasubjectatall,Ithink.NAPOLEON(greatlypleased,startingonafreshmarch).Eh?Eh?Youthinknot.LADY.Iamsureofit.NAPOLEON.Well,well,perhapsnot.(Theself-complacencyofhisassentcatcheshisownear.Hestopsshort,reddening.Then,composinghimselfintoasolemn

attitude,modelledontheheroesofclassicalantiquity,hetakesahighmoraltone.)Butwemustnotliveforourselvesalone,littleone.Neverforgetthatweshouldalwaysthinkofothers,andworkforothers,andleadandgovernthemfortheirowngood.Self-sacrificeisthefoundationofalltruenobilityofcharacter.LADY(againrelaxingherattitudewithasigh).Ah,itiseasytoseethatyouhavenevertriedit,General.NAPOLEON(indignantly,forgettingallaboutBrutusandScipio).Whatdoyoumeanbythatspeech,madam?LADY.Haven'tyounoticedthatpeoplealwaysexaggeratethevalueofthethingstheyhaven'tgot?Thepoorthinktheyonlyneedrichestobequitehappyandgood.Everybodyworshipstruth,purity,unselfishness,forthesame

reasonbecausetheyhavenoexperienceofthem.Oh,iftheyonlyknew!NAPOLEON(withangryderision).Iftheyonlyknew!Pray,doyouknow?LADY(withherarmsstretcheddownandherhandsclaspedonherknees,lookingstraightbeforeher).Yes.Ihadthemisfortunetobeborngood.(Glancingupathimforamoment.)Anditisamisfortune,Icantellyou,General.Ireallyamtruthfulandunselfishandalltherestofit;andit'snothingbutcowardice;wantofcharacter;wantofbeingreally,strongly,positivelyoneself.NAPOLEON.Ha?(Turningtoherquicklywithaflashofstronginterest.)LADY(earnestly,withrisingenthusiasm).Whatisthesecretofyourpower?Only



thatyoubelieveinyourself.Youcanfightandconquerforyourselfandfornobodyelse.Youarenotafraidofyourowndestiny.Youteachuswhatweallmightbeifwehadthewillandcourage;andthat(suddenlysinkingonherkneesbeforehim)iswhyweallbegintoworshipyou.(Shekisseshishands.)NAPOLEON(embarrassed).Tut,tut!Prayrise,madam.LADY.Donotrefusemyhomage:itisyourright.YouwillbeemperorofFrance.NAPOLEON(hurriedly).Takecare.Treason!LADY(insisting).Yes,emperorofFrance;thenofEurope;perhapsoftheworld.Iamonlythefirstsubjecttoswearallegiance.(Againkissinghishand.)MyEmperor!NAPOLEON(overcome,raisingher).Pray,pray.No,no,littleone:thisisfolly.Come:becalm,becalm.(Pettingher.)There,there,mygirl.LADY(strugglingwithhappytears).Yes,IknowitisanimpertinenceinmetotellyouwhatyoumustknowfarbetterthanIdo.Butyouarenotangrywithme,areyou?NAPOLEON.Angry!No,no:notabit,notabit.Come:youareaverycleverandsensibleandinterestinglittlewoman.(Hepatsheronthecheek.)Shallwebefriends?LADY(enraptured).Yourfriend!Youwillletmebeyourfriend!Oh!(Sheoffershimbothherhandswitharadiantsmile.)Yousee:Ishowmyconfidenceinyou.

NAPOLEON(withayellofrage,hiseyesflashing).What!LADY.What'sthematter?NAPOLEON.Showyourconfidenceinme!SothatImayshowmyconfidenceinyouinreturnbylettingyougivemetheslipwiththedespatches,eh?Ah,Dalila,Dalila,youhavebeentryingyourtricksonme;andIhavebeenasgreatagullasmyjackassofalieutenant.(Headvancesthreateninglyonher.)Come:thedespatches.Quick:Iamnottobetrifledwithnow.LADY(flyingroundthecouch).GeneralNAPOLEON.Quick,Itellyou.(Hepassesswiftlyupthemiddleoftheroomandinterceptsherasshemakesforthevineyard.)LADY(atbay,confrontinghim).Youdareaddressmeinthattone.NAPOLEON.Dare!

LADY.Yes,dare.Whoareyouthatyoushouldpresumetospeaktomeinthatcoarseway?Oh,thevile,vulgarCorsicanadventurercomesoutinyouveryeasily.NAPOLEON(besidehimself).Youshedevil!(Savagely.)Oncemore,andonlyonce,willyougivemethosepapersorshallItearthemfromyoubyforce?LADY(lettingherhandsfall).Tearthemfrommebyforce!(Asheglaresatherlikeatigerabouttospring,shecrossesherarmsonherbreastintheattitudeofamartyr.Thegestureandposeinstantlyawakenhistheatricalinstinct:heforgetshisrageinthedesiretoshowherthatinacting,too,shehasmethermatch.Hekeepsheramomentinsuspense;thensuddenlyclearsuphiscountenance;putshishandsbehindhimwithprovokingcoolness;looksatherupanddownacoupleoftimes;takesapinchofsnuff;wipeshisfingerscarefully

andputsuphishandkerchief,herheroicposebecomingmoreandmoreridiculousallthetime.)NAPOLEON(atlast).Well?LADY(disconcerted,butwithherarmsstillcrosseddevotedly).Well:whatareyougoingtodo?NAPOLEON.Spoilyourattitude.LADY.Youbrute!(abandoningtheattitude,shecomestotheendofthecouch,wheresheturnswithherbacktoit,leaningagainstitandfacinghimwithherhandsbehindher.)NAPOLEON.Ah,that'sbetter.Nowlistentome.Ilikeyou.What'smore,Ivalue



yourrespect.LADY.Youvaluewhatyouhavenotgot,then.NAPOLEON.Ishallhaveitpresently.Nowattendtome.SupposeIweretoallowmyselftobeabashedbytherespectduetoyoursex,yourbeauty,yourheroismandalltherestofit?SupposeI,withnothingbutsuchsentimentalstufftostandbetweenthesemusclesofmineandthosepaperswhichyouhaveaboutyou,andwhichIwantandmeantohave:supposeI,withtheprizewithinmygrasp,weretofalterandsneakawaywithmyhandsempty;or,whatwouldbeworse,coverupmyweaknessbyplayingthemagnanimoushero,andsparingyoutheviolenceIdarednotuse,wouldyounotdespisemefromthedepthsofyourwoman'ssoul?Wouldanywomanbesuchafool?Well,Bonapartecanrisetothesituationandactlikeawomanwhenitisnecessary.Doyouunderstand?Thelady,withoutspeaking,standsupright,andtakesapacketofpapersfromherbosom.Foramomentshehasanintenseimpulsetodashtheminhisface.Buthergoodbreedingcutsherofffromanyvulgarmethodofrelief.Shehandsthemtohimpolitely,onlyavertingherhead.Themomenthetakesthem,shehurriesacrosstotheothersideoftheroom;coversherfacewithherhands;andsitsdown,withherbodyturnedawaytothebackofthechair.NAPOLEON(gloatingoverthepapers).Aha!That'sright.That'sright.(Beforeopeningthemhelooksatherandsays)Excuseme.(Heseesthatsheishidingherface.)Veryangrywithme,eh?(Heuntiesthepacket,thesealofwhichisalreadybroken,andputsitonthetabletoexamineitscontents.)LADY(quietly,takingdownherhandsandshowingthatsheisnotcrying,but

onlythinking).No.Youwereright.ButIamsorryforyou.NAPOLEON(pausingintheactoftakingtheuppermostpaperfromthepacket).Sorryforme!Why?LADY.Iamgoingtoseeyouloseyourhonor.NAPOLEON.Hm!Nothingworsethanthat?(Hetakesupthepaper.)LADY.Andyourhappiness.NAPOLEON.Happiness,littlewoman,isthemosttediousthingintheworldtome.ShouldIbewhatIamifIcaredforhappiness?Anythingelse?LADY.Nothing(Heinterruptsherwithanexclamationofsatisfaction.Sheproceedsquietly)exceptthatyouwillcutaveryfoolishfigureintheeyesofFrance.NAPOLEON(quickly).What?(Thehandholdingthepaperinvoluntarilydrops.The

ladylooksathimenigmaticallyintranquilsilence.Hethrowstheletterdownandbreaksoutintoatorrentofscolding.)Whatdoyoumean?Eh?Areyouatyourtricksagain?DoyouthinkIdon'tknowwhatthesepaperscontain?I'lltellyou.First,myinformationastoBeaulieu'sretreat.Thereareonlytwothingshecandoleatherbrainedidiotthatheis!shuthimselfupinMantuaorviolatetheneutralityofVenicebytakingPeschiera.YouareoneofoldLeatherbrain'sspies:hehasdiscoveredthathehasbeenbetrayed,andhassentyoutointercepttheinformationatallhazardsasifthatcouldsavehimfromME,theoldfool!TheotherpapersareonlymyusualcorrespondencefromParis,ofwhichyouknownothing.LADY(promptandbusinesslike).General:letusmakeafairdivision.TaketheinformationyourspieshavesentyouabouttheAustrianarmy;andgivemethePariscorrespondence.Thatwillcontentme.

NAPOLEON(hisbreathtakenawaybythecoolnessoftheproposal).Afairdi(Hegasps.)Itseemstome,madame,thatyouhavecometoregardmylettersasyourownproperty,ofwhichIamtryingtorobyou.LADY(earnestly).No:onmyhonorIaskfornoletterofyoursnotawordthathasbeenwrittenbyyouortoyou.Thatpacketcontainsastolenletter:aletterwrittenbyawomantoamanamannotherhusbandaletterthatmeansdisgrace,infamyNAPOLEON.Aloveletter?LADY(bitter-sweetly).Whatelsebutalovelettercouldstirupsomuchhate?NAPOLEON.Whyisitsenttome?Toputthehusbandinmypower,eh?



LADY.No,no:itcanbeofnousetoyou:Iswearthatitwillcostyounothingtogiveittome.Ithasbeensenttoyououtofsheermalicesolelytoinjurethewomanwhowroteit.NAPOLEON.Thenwhynotsendittoherhusbandinsteadoftome?LADY(completelytakenaback).Oh!(Sinkingbackintothechair.)IIdon'tknow.(Shebreaksdown.)NAPOLEON.Aha!Ithoughtso:alittleromancetogetthepapersback.(Hethrowsthepacketonthetableandconfrontsherwithcynicalgoodhumor.)PerBacco,littlewoman,Ican'thelpadmiringyou.IfIcouldlielikethat,itwouldsavemeagreatdealoftrouble.LADY(wringingherhands).Oh,howIwishIreallyhadtoldyousomelie!Youwouldhavebelievedmethen.Thetruthistheonethingthatnobodywillbelieve.NAPOLEON(withcoarsefamiliarity,treatingherasifshewereavivandiere).Capital!Capital!(Heputshishandsbehindhimonthetable,andliftshimselfontoit,sittingwithhisarmsakimboandhislegswideapart.)Come:IamatrueCorsicaninmyloveforstories.ButIcouldtellthembetterthanyouifIsetmymindtoit.Nexttimeyouareaskedwhyalettercompromisingawifeshouldnotbesenttoherhusband,answersimplythatthehusbandwouldnotreadit.Doyousuppose,littleinnocent,thatamanwantstobecompelledbypublic

opiniontomakeascene,tofightaduel,tobreakuphishousehold,toinjurehiscareerbyascandal,whenhecanavoiditallbytakingcarenottoknow?LADY(revolted).Supposethatpacketcontainedaletteraboutyourownwife?NAPOLEON(offended,comingoffthetable).Youareimpertinent,madame.LADY(humbly).Ibegyourabovesuspicion.NAPOLEON(withadeliberateassumptionofsuperiority).Youhavecommittedanindiscretion.Ipardonyou.Infuture,donotpermityourselftointroducerealpersonsinyourromances.LADY(politelyignoringaspeechwhichistoheronlyabreachofgoodmanners,andrisingtomovetowardsthetable).General:therereallyisawoman'sletterthere.(Pointingtothepacket.)Giveittome.NAPOLEON(withbruteconciseness,movingsoastopreventhergettingtoonear

theletters).Why?LADY.Sheisanoldfriend:wewereatschooltogether.Shehaswrittentomeimploringmetopreventtheletterfallingintoyourhands.NAPOLEON.Whyhasitbeensenttome?LADY.BecauseitcompromisesthedirectorBarras.NAPOLEON(frowning,evidentlystartled).Barras!(Haughtily.)Takecare,madame.ThedirectorBarrasismyattachedpersonalfriend.LADY(noddingplacidly).Yes.Youbecamefriendsthroughyourwife.NAPOLEON.Again!HaveInotforbiddenyoutospeakofmywife?(Shekeepslookingcuriouslyathim,takingnoaccountoftherebuke.Moreandmoreirritated,hedropshishaughtymanner,ofwhichheishimselfsomewhatimpatient,andsayssuspiciously,loweringhisvoice)Whoisthiswomanwith

whomyousympathizesodeeply?LADY.Oh,General!HowcouldItellyouthat?NAPOLEON(ill-humoredly,beginningtowalkaboutagaininangryperplexity).Ay,ay:standbyoneanother.Youareallthesame,youwomen.LADY(indignantly).Wearenotallthesame,anymorethanyouare.DoyouthinkthatifIlovedanotherman,Ishouldpretendtogoonlovingmyhusband,orbeafraidtotellhimoralltheworld?Butthiswomanisnotmadethatway.Shegovernsmenbycheatingthem;and(withdisdain)theylikeit,andlether



governthem.(Shesitsdownagain,withherbacktohim.)NAPOLEON(notattendingtoher).Barras,BarrasI(Turningverythreateninglytoher,hisfacedarkening.)Takecare,takecare:doyouhear?Youmaygotoofar.LADY(innocentlyturningherfacetohim).What'sthematter?NAPOLEON.Whatareyouhintingat?Whoisthiswoman?LADY(meetinghisangrysearchinggazewithtranquilindifferenceasshesitslookingupathimwithherrightarmrestinglightlyalongthebackofherchair,andonekneecrossedovertheother).Avain,silly,extravagantcreature,withaveryableandambitioushusbandwhoknowsherthroughandthroughknowsthatshehasliedtohimaboutherage,herincome,hersocialposition,abouteverythingthatsillywomenlieaboutknowsthatsheisincapableoffidelitytoanyprincipleoranyperson;andyetcouldnothelplovinghercouldnothelphisman'sinstincttomakeuseofherforhisownadvancementwithBarras.NAPOLEON(inastealthy,coldlyfuriouswhisper).Thisisyourrevenge,youshecat,forhavinghadtogivemetheletters.LADY.Nonsense!OrdoyoumeanthatYOUarethatsortofman?NAPOLEON(exasperated,claspshishandsbehindhim,hisfingerstwitching,andsays,ashewalksirritablyawayfromhertothefireplace).Thiswomanwilldrivemeoutofmysenses.(Toher.)Begone.LADY(seatedimmovably).Notwithoutthatletter.NAPOLEON.Begone,Itellyou.(Walkingfromthefireplacetothevineyardandbacktothetable.)Youshallhavenoletter.Idon'tlikeyou.You'rea

detestablewoman,andasuglyasSatan.Idon'tchoosetobepesteredbystrangewomen.Beoff.(Heturnshisbackonher.Inquietamusement,sheleanshercheekonherhandandlaughsathim.Heturnsagain,angrilymockingher.)Ha!ha!ha!Whatareyoulaughingat?LADY.Atyou,General.Ihaveoftenseenpersonsofyoursexgettingintoapetandbehavinglikechildren;butIneversawareallygreatmandoitbefore.NAPOLEON(brutally,flingingthewordsinherface).Pooh:flattery!flattery!coarse,impudentflattery!LADY(springingupwithabrightflushinhercheeks).Oh,youaretoobad.Keepyourletters.Readthestoryofyourowndishonorinthem;andmuchgoodmaytheydoyou.Good-bye.(Shegoesindignantlytowardstheinnerdoor.)

NAPOLEON.Myown!Stop.Comeback.Comeback,Iorderyou.(Sheproudlydisregardshissavagelyperemptorytoneandcontinuesonherwaytothedoor.Herushesather;seizesherbythewrist;anddragsherback.)Now,whatdoyoumean?Explain.Explain,Itellyou,or(Threateningher.Shelooksathimwithunflinchingdefiance.)Rrrr!youobstinatedevil,you.Whycan'tyouansweracivilquestion?LADY(deeplyoffendedbyhisviolence).Whydoyouaskme?Youhavetheexplanation.NAPOLEON.Where?LADY(pointingtothelettersonthetable).There.Youhaveonlytoreadit.(Hesnatchesthepacketup,hesitates;looksathersuspiciously;andthrowsitdownagain.)

NAPOLEON.Youseemtohaveforgottenyoursolicitudeforthehonorofyouroldfriend.LADY.Sherunsnorisknow:shedoesnotquiteunderstandherhusband.NAPOLEON.Iamtoreadtheletter,then?(Hestretchesouthishandasiftotakeupthepacketagain,withhiseyeonher.)LADY.Idonotseehowyoucanverywellavoiddoingsonow.(Heinstantlywithdrawshishand.)Oh,don'tbeafraid.Youwillfindmanyinterestingthingsinit.NAPOLEON.Forinstance?LADY.Forinstance,aduelwithBarras,adomesticscene,abrokenhousehold,a



publicscandal,acheckedcareer,allsortsofthings.NAPOLEON.Hm!(Helooksather,takesupthepacketandlooksatit,pursinghislipsandbalancingitinhishand;looksatheragain;passesthepacketintohislefthandandputsitbehindhisback,raisinghisrighttoscratchthebackofhisheadasheturnsandgoesuptotheedgeofthevineyard,wherehestandsforamomentlookingoutintothevines,deepinthought.TheLadywatcheshiminsilence,somewhatslightingly.Suddenlyheturnsandcomesbackagain,fullofforceanddecision.)Igrantyourrequest,madame.Yourcourageandresolutiondeservetosucceed.Takethelettersforwhichyouhavefoughtsowell;andrememberhenceforththatyoufoundthevile,vulgarCorsicanadventurerasgeneroustothevanquishedafterthebattleashewasresoluteinthefaceoftheenemybeforeit.(Heoffersherthepacket.)LADY(withouttakingit,lookinghardathim).Whatareyouatnow,Iwonder?(Hedashesthepacketfuriouslytothefloor.)Aha!I'vespoiledthatattitude,Ithink.(Shemakeshimaprettymockingcurtsey.)NAPOLEON(snatchingitupagain).Willyoutakethelettersandbegone(advancingandthrustingthemuponher)?LADY(escapingroundthetable).No:Idon'twantletters.NAPOLEON.Tenminutesago,nothingelsewouldsatisfyyou.LADY(keepingthetablecarefullybetweenthem).Tenminutesagoyouhadnotinsultedmepastallbearing.

NAPOLEON.I(swallowinghisspleen)Iapologize.LADY(coolly).Thanks.(Withforcedpolitenessheoffersherthepacketacrossthetable.Sheretreatsastepoutofitsreachandsays)Butdon'tyouwanttoknowwhethertheAustriansareatMantuaorPeschiera?NAPOLEON.IhavealreadytoldyouthatIcanconquermyenemieswithouttheaidofspies,madame.LADY.Andtheletter!don'tyouwanttoreadthat?NAPOLEON.Youhavesaidthatitisnotaddressedtome.Iamnotinthehabitofreadingotherpeople'sletters.(Heagainoffersthepacket.)LADY.Inthatcasetherecanbenoobjectiontoyourkeepingit.AllIwantedwastopreventyourreadingit.(Cheerfully.)Goodafternoon,General.(Sheturnscoollytowardstheinnerdoor.)

NAPOLEON(furiouslyflingingthepacketonthecouch).Heavengrantmepatience!(Hegoesupdeterminedlyandplaceshimselfbeforethedoor.)Haveyouanysenseofpersonaldanger?Orareyouoneofthosewomenwholiketobebeatenblackandblue?LADY.Thankyou,General:Ihavenodoubtthesensationisveryvoluptuous;butIhadrathernot.Isimplywanttogohome:that'sall.Iwaswickedenoughtostealyourdespatches;butyouhavegotthemback;andyouhaveforgivenme,because(delicatelyreproducinghisrhetoricalcadence)youareasgeneroustothevanquishedafterthebattleasyouareresoluteinthefaceoftheenemybeforeit.Won'tyousaygood-byetome?(Sheoffersherhandsweetly.)NAPOLEON(repulsingtheadvancewithagestureofconcentratedrage,andopening

thedoortocallfiercely).Giuseppe!(Louder.)Giuseppe!(Hebangsthedoorto,andcomestothemiddleoftheroom.Theladygoesalittlewayintothevineyardtoavoidhim.)GIUSEPPE(appearingatthedoor).Excellency?NAPOLEON.Whereisthatfool?GIUSEPPE.Hehashadagooddinner,accordingtoyourinstructions,excellency,andisnowdoingmethehonortogamblewithmetopassthetime.NAPOLEON.Sendhimhere.Bringhimhere.Comewithhim.(Giuseppe,with



unruffledreadiness,hurriesoff.Napoleonturnscurtlytothelady,saying)Imusttroubleyoutoremainsomemomentslonger,madame.(Hecomestothecouch.Shecomesfromthevineyarddowntheoppositesideoftheroomtothesideboard,andpostsherselfthere,leaningagainstit,watchinghim.Hetakesthepacketfromthecouchanddeliberatelybuttonsitcarefullyintohisbreastpocket,lookingathermeanwhilewithanexpressionwhichsuggeststhatshewillsoonfindoutthemeaningofhisproceedings,andwillnotlikeit.NothingmoreissaiduntilthelieutenantarrivesfollowedbyGiuseppe,whostandsmodestlyinattendanceatthetable.Thelieutenant,withoutcap,swordorgloves,andmuchimprovedintemperandspiritsbyhismeal,choosestheLady'ssideoftheroom,andwaits,muchathisease,forNapoleontobegin.)NAPOLEON.Lieutenant.LIEUTENANT(encouragingly).General.NAPOLEON.Icannotpersuadethisladytogivememuchinformation;buttherecanbenodoubtthatthemanwhotrickedyououtofyourchargewas,assheadmittedtoyou,herbrother.LIEUTENANT(triumphantly).WhatdidItellyou,General!WhatdidItellyou!NAPOLEON.Youmustfindthatman.Yourhonorisatstake;andthefateofthecampaign,thedestinyofFrance,ofEurope,ofhumanity,perhaps,maydependontheinformationthosedespatchescontain.

LIEUTENANT.Yes,Isupposetheyreallyareratherserious(asifthishadhardlyoccurredtohimbefore).NAPOLEON(energetically).Theyaresoserious,sir,thatifyoudonotrecoverthem,youwillbedegradedinthepresenceofyourregiment.LIEUTENANT.Whew!Theregimentwon'tlikethat,Icantellyou.NAPOLEON.Personally,Iamsorryforyou.Iwouldwillinglyconcealtheaffairifitwerepossible.ButIshallbecalledtoaccountfornotactingonthedespatches.IshallhavetoprovetoalltheworldthatIneverreceivedthem,nomatterwhattheconsequencesmaybetoyou.Iamsorry;butyouseethatIcannothelpmyself.LIEUTENANT(goodnaturedly).Oh,don'ttakeittoheart,General:it'sreallyverygoodofyou.Nevermindwhathappenstome:Ishallscrapethroughsomehow;

andwe'llbeattheAustriansforyou,despatchesornodespatches.Ihopeyouwon'tinsistonmystartingoffonawildgoosechaseafterthefellownow.Ihaven'tanotionwheretolookforhim.GIUSEPPE(deferentially).Youforget,Lieutenant:hehasyourhorse.LIEUTENANT(starting).Iforgotthat.(Resolutely.)I'llgoafterhim,General:I'llfindthathorseifit'saliveanywhereinItaly.AndIshan'tforgetthedespatches:neverfear.Giuseppe:goandsaddleoneofthosemangyoldposthorsesofyours,whileIgetmycapandswordandthings.Quickmarch.Offwithyou(bustlinghim).GIUSEPPE.Instantly,Lieutenant,instantly.(Hedisappearsinthevineyard,wherethelightisnowreddeningwiththesunset.)LIEUTENANT(lookingabouthimonhiswaytotheinnerdoor).Bytheway,

General,didIgiveyoumyswordordidInot?Oh,Iremembernow.(Fretfully.)It'sallthatnonsenseaboutputtingamanunderarrest:oneneverknowswheretofind(Talkshimselfoutoftheroom.)LADY(stillatthesideboard).Whatdoesallthismean,General?NAPOLEON.Hewillnotfindyourbrother.LADY.Ofcoursenot.There'snosuchperson.NAPOLEON.Thedespatcheswillbeirrecoverablylost.LADY.Nonsense!Theyareinsideyourcoat.NAPOLEON.Youwillfindithard,Ithink,toprovethatwildstatement.(TheLadystarts.Headds,withclinchingemphasis)Thosepapersarelost.



LADY(anxiously,advancingtothecornerofthetable).Andthatunfortunateyoungman'scareerwillbesacrificed.NAPOLEON.HIScareer!Thefellowisnotworththegunpowderitwouldcosttohavehimshot.(Heturnscontemptuouslyandgoestothehearth,wherehestandswithhisbacktoher.)LADY(wistfully).Youareveryhard.Menandwomenarenothingtoyoubutthingstobeused,eveniftheyarebrokenintheuse.NAPOLEON(turningonher).WhichofushasbrokenthisfellowIoryou?Whotrickedhimoutofthedespatches?Didyouthinkofhiscareerthen?LADY(naivelyconcernedabouthim).Oh,Ineverthoughtofthat.Itwasbrutalofme;butIcouldn'thelpit,couldI?HowelsecouldIhavegotthepapers?(Supplicating.)General:youwillsavehimfromdisgrace.NAPOLEON(laughingsourly).Savehimyourself,sinceyouaresoclever:itwasyouwhoruinedhim.(Withsavageintensity.)IHATEabadsoldier.Hegoesoutdeterminedlythroughthevineyard.Shefollowshimafewstepswithanappealinggesture,butisinterruptedbythereturnofthelieutenant,glovedandcapped,withhisswordon,readyfortheroad.Heiscrossingtotheouterdoorwhensheinterceptshim.LADY.Lieutenant.LIEUTENANT(importantly).Youmustn'tdelayme,youknow.Duty,madame,duty.LADY(imploringly).Oh,sir,whatareyougoingtodotomypoorbrother?LIEUTENANT.Areyouveryfondofhim?

LADY.Ishoulddieifanythinghappenedtohim.Youmustsparehim.(Thelieutenantshakeshisheadgloomily.)Yes,yes:youmust:youshall:heisnotfittodie.Listentome.IfItellyouwheretofindhimifIundertaketoplacehiminyourhandsaprisoner,tobedeliveredupbyyoutoGeneralBonapartewillyoupromisemeonyourhonorasanofficerandagentlemannottofightwithhimortreathimunkindlyinanyway?LIEUTENANT.Butsupposeheattacksme.Hehasmypistols.LADY.Heistoogreatacoward.LIEUTENANT.Idon'tfeelsosureaboutthat.He'scapableofanything.LADY.Ifheattacksyou,orresistsyouinanyway,Ireleaseyoufromyourpromise.LIEUTENANT.Mypromise!Ididn'tmeantopromise.Lookhere:you'reasbadashe

is:you'vetakenanadvantageofmethroughthebettersideofmynature.Whataboutmyhorse?LADY.Itispartofthebargainthatyouaretohaveyourhorseandpistolsback.LIEUTENANT.Honorbright?LADY.Honorbright.(Sheoffersherhand.)LIEUTENANT(takingitandholdingit).Allright:I'llbeasgentleasalambwithhim.Hissister'saveryprettywoman.(Heattemptstokissher.)LADY(slippingawayfromhim).Oh,Lieutenant!Youforget:yourcareerisatstakethedestinyofEuropeofhumanity.LIEUTENANT.Oh,botherthedestinyofhumanity(Makingforher.)Onlyakiss.LADY(retreatingroundthetable).Notuntilyouhaveregainedyourhonorasanofficer.Remember:youhavenotcapturedmybrotheryet.

LIEUTENANT(seductively).You'lltellmewhereheis,won'tyou?LADY.Ihaveonlytosendhimacertainsignal;andhewillbehereinquarterofanhour.LIEUTENANT.He'snotfaroff,then.LADY.No:quiteclose.Waithereforhim:whenhegetsmymessagehewillcomehereatonceandsurrenderhimselftoyou.Youunderstand?LIEUTENANT(intellectuallyovertaxed).Well,it'salittlecomplicated;butIdaresayitwillbeallright.LADY.Andnow,whilstyou'rewaiting,don'tyouthinkyouhadbettermaketermswiththeGeneral?



LIEUTENANT.Oh,lookhere,thisisgettingfrightfullycomplicated.Whatterms?LADY.Makehimpromisethatifyoucatchmybrotherhewillconsiderthatyouhaveclearedyourcharacterasasoldier.Hewillpromiseanythingyouaskonthatcondition.LIEUTENANT.That'snotabadidea.Thankyou:IthinkI'lltryit.LADY.Do.Andmind,aboveallthings,don'tlethimseehowcleveryouare.LIEUTENANT.Iunderstand.He'dbejealous.LADY.Don'ttellhimanythingexceptthatyouareresolvedtocapturemybrotherorperishintheattempt.Hewon'tbelieveyou.ThenyouwillproducemybrotherLIEUTENANT(interruptingashemasterstheplot).Andhavethelaughathim!Isay:whatacleverlittlewomanyouare!(Shouting.)Giuseppe!LADY.Sh!NotawordtoGiuseppeaboutme.(Sheputsherfingeronherlips.Hedoesthesame.Theylookatoneanotherwarningly.Then,witharavishingsmile,shechangesthegestureintowaftinghimakiss,andrunsoutthroughtheinnerdoor.Electrified,heburstsintoavolleyofchuckles.Giuseppecomesbackbytheouterdoor.)GIUSEPPE.Thehorseisready,Lieutenant.LIEUTENANT.I'mnotgoingjustyet.GoandfindtheGeneral,andtellhimIwanttospeaktohim.GIUSEPPE(shakinghishead).Thatwillneverdo,Lieutenant.

LIEUTENANT.Whynot?GIUSEPPE.Inthiswickedworldageneralmaysendforalieutenant;butalieutenantmustnotsendforageneral.LIEUTENANT.Oh,youthinkhewouldn'tlikeit.Well,perhapsyou'reright:onehastobeawfullyparticularaboutthatsortofthingnowwe'vegotarepublic.Napoleonreappears,advancingfromthevineyard,buttoningthebreastofhiscoat,paleandfullofgnawingthoughts.GIUSEPPE(unconsciousofNapoleon'sapproach).Quitetrue,Lieutenant,quitetrue.YouarealllikeinnkeepersnowinFrance:youhavetobepolitetoeverybody.NAPOLEON(puttinghishandonGiuseppe'sshoulder).Andthatdestroysthewholevalueofpoliteness,eh?LIEUTENANT.TheverymanIwanted!Seehere,General:supposeIcatchthat

fellowforyou!NAPOLEON(withironicalgravity).Youwillnotcatchhim,myfriend.LIEUTENANT.Aha!youthinkso;butyou'llsee.Justwait.Only,ifIdocatchhimandhandhimovertoyou,willyoucryquits?Willyoudropallthisaboutdegradingmeinthepresenceofmyregiment?NotthatImind,youknow;butstillnoregimentlikestohavealltheotherregimentslaughingatit.NAPOLEON.(acoldrayofhumorstrikingpallidlyacrosshisgloom).Whatshallwedowiththisofficer,Giuseppe?Everythinghesaysiswrong.GIUSEPPE(promptly).Makehimageneral,excellency;andtheneverythinghesayswillberight.LIEUTENANT(crowing).Haw-aw!(Hethrowshimselfecstaticallyonthecouchtoenjoythejoke.)

NAPOLEON(laughingandpinchingGiuseppe'sear).Youarethrownawayinthisinn,Giuseppe.(HesitsdownandplacesGiuseppebeforehimlikeaschoolmasterwithapupil.)ShallItakeyouawaywithmeandmakeamanofyou?GIUSEPPE(shakinghisheadrapidlyandrepeatedly).No,thankyou,General.Allmylifelongpeoplehavewantedtomakeamanofme.WhenIwasaboy,ourgoodpriestwantedtomakeamanofmebyteachingmetoreadandwrite.ThentheorganistatMelegnanowantedtomakeamanofmebyteachingmetoreadmusic.TherecruitingsergeantwouldhavemadeamanofmeifIhadbeenafewinchestaller.Butitalwaysmeantmakingmework;andIamtoolazyforthat,thankHeaven!SoItaughtmyselftocookandbecameaninnkeeper;andnowIkeep



servantstodothework,andhavenothingtodomyselfexcepttalk,whichsuitsmeperfectly.NAPOLEON(lookingathimthoughtfully).Youaresatisfied?GIUSEPPE(withcheerfulconviction).Quite,excellency.NAPOLEON.Andyouhavenodevouringdevilinsideyouwhomustbefedwithactionandvictorygorgedwiththemnightanddaywhomakesyoupay,withthesweatofyourbrainandbody,weeksofHerculeantoilfortenminutesofenjoymentwhoisatonceyourslaveandyourtyrant,yourgeniusandyourdoomwhobringsyouacrowninonehandandtheoarofagalleyslaveintheotherwhoshowsyouallthekingdomsoftheearthandofferstomakeyoutheirmasteronconditionthatyoubecometheirservant!haveyounothingofthatinyou?GIUSEPPE.Nothingofit!Oh,Iassureyou,excellency,MYdevouringdevilisfarworsethanthat.Heoffersmenocrownsandkingdoms:heexpectstogeteverythingfornothingsausages,omelettes,grapes,cheese,polenta,winethreetimesaday,excellency:nothinglesswillcontenthim.LIEUTENANT.Come,dropit,Giuseppe:you'remakingmefeelhungryagain.(Giuseppe,withanapologeticshrug,retiresfromtheconversation,andbusieshimselfatthetable,dustingit,settingthemapstraight,andreplacingNapoleon'schair,whichtheladyhaspushedback.)NAPOLEON(turningtothelieutenantwithsardonicceremony).IhopeIhavenotbeenmakingyoufeelambitious.LIEUTENANT.Notatall:Idon'tflysohigh.Besides:I'mbetterasIam:men

likemearewantedinthearmyjustnow.Thefactis,theRevolutionwasallverywellforcivilians;butitwon'tworkinthearmy.Youknowwhatsoldiersare,General:theyWILLhavemenoffamilyfortheirofficers.Asubalternmustbeagentleman,becausehe'ssomuchincontactwiththemen.Butageneral,orevenacolonel,maybeanysortofriff-raffifheunderstandstheshopwellenough.Alieutenantisagentleman:alltherestischance.Why,whodoyousupposewonthebattleofLodi?I'lltellyou.Myhorsedid.NAPOLEON(rising)Yourfollyiscarryingyoutoofar,sir.Takecare.LIEUTENANT.Notabitofit.Yourememberallthatred-hotcannonadeacrosstheriver:theAustriansblazingawayatyoutokeepyoufromcrossing,andyoublazingawayatthemtokeepthemfromsettingthebridgeonfire?DidyounoticewhereIwasthen?NAPOLEON(withmenacingpoliteness).Iamsorry.IamafraidIwasrather

occupiedatthemoment.GIUSEPPE(witheageradmiration).Theysayyoujumpedoffyourhorseandworkedthebiggunswithyourownhands,General.LIEUTENANT.Thatwasamistake:anofficershouldneverlethimselfdowntothelevelofhismen.(Napoleonlooksathimdangerously,andbeginstowalktigerishlytoandfro.)ButyoumighthavebeenfiringawayattheAustriansstill,ifwecavalryfellowshadn'tfoundthefordandgotacrossandturnedoldBeaulieu'sflankforyou.Youknowyoudaren'thavegiventheordertochargethebridgeifyouhadn'tseenusontheotherside.Consequently,IsaythatwhoeverfoundthatfordwonthebattleofLodi.Well,whofoundit?Iwasthefirstmantocross:andIknow.Itwasmyhorsethatfoundit.(Withconviction,

asherisesfromthecouch.)ThathorseisthetrueconqueroroftheAustrians.NAPOLEON(passionately).Youidiot:I'llhaveyoushotforlosingthosedespatches:I'llhaveyoublownfromthemouthofacannon:nothinglesscouldmakeanyimpressiononyou.(Bayingathim.)Doyouhear?Doyouunderstand?AFrenchofficerentersunobserved,carryinghissheathedsabreinhishand.LIEUTENANT(unabashed).IFIdon'tcapturehim,General.Remembertheif.NAPOLEON.If!If!!Ass:thereisnosuchman.THEOFFICER(suddenlysteppingbetweenthemandspeakingintheunmistakablevoiceoftheStrangeLady).Lieutenant:Iamyourprisoner.(Sheoffershimhersabre.Theyareamazed.Napoleongazesatherforamomentthunderstruck;then



seizesherbythewristanddragsherroughlytohim,lookingcloselyandfiercelyathertosatisfyhimselfastoheridentity;foritnowbeginstodarkenrapidlyintonight,theredglowoverthevineyardgivingwaytoclearstarlight.)NAPOLEON.Pah!(Heflingsherhandawaywithanexclamationofdisgust,andturnshisbackonherwithhishandinhisbreastandhisbrowlowering.)LIEUTENANT(triumphantly,takingthesabre).Nosuchman:eh,General?(TotheLady.)Isay:where'smyhorse?LADY.SafeatBorghetto,waitingforyou,Lieutenant.NAPOLEON(turningonthem).Wherearethedespatches?LADY.Youwouldneverguess.Theyareinthemostunlikelyplaceintheworld.Didyoumeetmysisterhere,anyofyou?LIEUTENANT.Yes.Verynicewoman.She'swonderfullylikeyou;butofcourseshe'sbetterlooking.LADY(mysteriously).Well,doyouknowthatsheisawitch?GIUSEPPE(runningdowntotheminterror,crossinghimself).Oh,no,no,no.Itisnotsafetojestaboutsuchthings.Icannothaveitinmyhouse,excellency.

LIEUTENANT.Yes,dropit.You'remyprisoner,youknow.OfcourseIdon'tbelieveinanysuchrubbish;butstillit'snotapropersubjectforjoking.LADY.Butthisisveryserious.MysisterhasbewitchedtheGeneral.(GiuseppeandtheLieutenantrecoilfromNapoleon.)General:openyourcoat:youwillfind

thedespatchesinthebreastofit.(Sheputsherhandquicklyonhisbreast.)Yes:theretheyare:Icanfeelthem.Eh?(Shelooksupintohisfacehalfcoaxingly,halfmockingly.)Willyouallowme,General?(Shetakesabuttonasiftounbuttonhiscoat,andpausesforpermission.)NAPOLEON(inscrutably).Ifyoudare.LADY.Thankyou.(Sheopenshiscoatandtakesoutthedespatches.)There!(ToGiuseppe,showinghimthedespatches.)See!GIUSEPPE(flyingtotheouterdoor).No,inheaven'sname!They'rebewitched.LADY(turningtotheLieutenant).Here,Lieutenant:YOU'REnotafraidofthem.LIEUTENANT(retreating).Keepoff.(Seizingthehiltofthesabre.)Keepoff,Itellyou.LADY(toNapoleon).Theybelongtoyou,General.Takethem.GIUSEPPE.Don'ttouchthem,excellency.Havenothingtodowiththem.

LIEUTENANT.Becareful,General:becareful.GIUSEPPE.Burnthem.Andburnthewitch,too.LADY(toNapoleon).ShallIburnthem?NAPOLEON(thoughtfully).Yes,burnthem.Giuseppe:goandfetchalight.GIUSEPPE(tremblingandstammering).Doyoumeangoaloneinthedarkwithawitchinthehouse?NAPOLEON.Psha!You'reapoltroon.(TotheLieutenant.)Obligemebygoing,Lieutenant.LIEUTENANT(remonstrating).Oh,Isay,General!No,lookhere,youknow:nobodycansayI'macowardafterLodi.Buttoaskmetogointothedarkbymyselfwithoutacandleaftersuchanawfulconversationisalittletoomuch.Howwouldyouliketodoityourself?NAPOLEON(irritably).Yourefusetoobeymyorder?

LIEUTENANT(resolutely).Yes,Ido.It'snotreasonable.ButI'lltellyouwhatI'lldo.IfGiuseppegoes,I'llgowithhimandprotecthim.NAPOLEON(toGiuseppe).There!willthatsatisfyyou?Beoff,bothofyou.GIUSEPPE(humbly,hislipstrembling).Wwillingly,yourexcellency.(Hegoesreluctantlytowardstheinnerdoor.)Heavenprotectme!(Tothelieutenant.)Afteryou,Lieutenant.LIEUTENANT.You'dbettergofirst:Idon'tknowtheway.GIUSEPPE.Youcan'tmissit.Besides(imploringly,layinghishandonhissleeve),Iamonlyapoorinnkeeper;andyouareamanoffamily.LIEUTENANT.There'ssomethinginthat.Here:youneedn'tbeinsuchafright.



Takemyarm.(Giuseppedoesso.)That'stheway.(Theygoout,arminarm.Itisnowstarrynight.Theladythrowsthepacketonthetableandseatsherselfathereaseonthecouchenjoyingthesensationoffreedomfrompetticoats.)LADY.Well,General:I'vebeatenyou.NAPOLEON(walkingabout).Youhavebeenguiltyofindelicacyofunwomanliness.Doyouconsiderthatcostumeaproperonetowear?LADY.Itseemstomemuchthesameasyours.NAPOLEON.Psha!Iblushforyou.LADY(naively).Yes:soldiersblushsoeasily!(Hegrowlsandturnsaway.Shelooksmischievouslyathim,balancingthedespatchesinherhand.)Wouldn'tyouliketoreadthesebeforethey'reburnt,General?Youmustbedyingwithcuriosity.Takeapeep.(Shethrowsthepacketonthetable,andturnsherfaceawayfromit.)Iwon'tlook.NAPOLEON.Ihavenocuriositywhatever,madame.Butsinceyouareevidentlyburningtoreadthem,Igiveyouleavetodoso.LADY.Oh,I'vereadthemalready.NAPOLEON(starting).What!LADY.IreadthemthefirstthingafterIrodeawayonthatpoorlieutenant'shorse.SoyouseeIknowwhat'sinthem;andyoudon't.NAPOLEON.Excuseme:Ireadthemthereinthevineyardtenminutesago.LADY.Oh!(Jumpingup.)Oh,GeneralI'venotbeatenyou.Idoadmireyouso.(Helaughsandpatshercheek.)Thistimereallyandtrulywithoutshamming,Idoyouhomage(kissinghishand).

NAPOLEON(quicklywithdrawingit).Brr!Don'tdothat.Nomorewitchcraft.LADY.Iwanttosaysomethingtoyouonlyyouwouldmisunderstandit.NAPOLEON.Needthatstopyou?LADY.Well,itisthis.Iadoreamanwhoisnotafraidtobemeanandselfish.NAPOLEON(indignantly).Iamneithermeannorselfish.LADY.Oh,youdon'tappreciateyourself.Besides,Idon'treallymeanmeannessandselfishness.NAPOLEON.Thankyou.Ithoughtperhapsyoudid.LADY.Well,ofcourseIdo.ButwhatImeanisacertainstrongsimplicityaboutyou.NAPOLEON.That'sbetter.LADY.Youdidn'twanttoreadtheletters;butyouwerecuriousaboutwhatwas

inthem.Soyouwentintothegardenandreadthemwhennoonewaslooking,andthencamebackandpretendedyouhadn't.That'sthemeanestthingIeverknewanymando;butitexactlyfulfilledyourpurpose;andsoyouweren'tabitafraidorashamedtodoit.NAPOLEON(abruptly).Wheredidyoupickupallthesevulgarscruplesthis(withcontemptuousemphasis)conscienceofyours?Itookyouforaladyanaristocrat.Wasyourgrandfatherashopkeeper,pray?LADY.No:hewasanEnglishman.NAPOLEON.Thataccountsforit.TheEnglishareanationofshopkeepers.NowIunderstandwhyyou'vebeatenme.LADY.Oh,Ihaven'tbeatenyou.AndI'mnotEnglish.NAPOLEON.Yes,youareEnglishtothebackbone.Listentome:IwillexplaintheEnglishtoyou.

LADY(eagerly).Do.(Withalivelyairofanticipatinganintellectualtreat,shesitsdownonthecouchandcomposesherselftolistentohim.Secureofhisaudience,heatoncenerveshimselfforaperformance.Heconsidersalittlebeforehebegins;soastofixherattentionbyamomentofsuspense.HisstyleisatfirstmodelledonTalma'sinCorneille's"Cinna;"butitissomewhatlostinthedarkness,andTalmapresentlygiveswaytoNapoleon,thevoicecomingthroughthegloomwithstartlingintensity.)NAPOLEON.Therearethreesortsofpeopleintheworld,thelowpeople,themiddlepeople,andthehighpeople.Thelowpeopleandthehighpeoplearealike



inonething:theyhavenoscruples,nomorality.Thelowarebeneathmorality,thehighaboveit.Iamnotafraidofeitherofthem:forthelowareunscrupulouswithoutknowledge,sothattheymakeanidolofme;whilstthehighareunscrupulouswithoutpurpose,sothattheygodownbeforemywill.Lookyou:IshallgooverallthemobsandallthecourtsofEuropeasaploughgoesoverafield.Itisthemiddlepeoplewhoaredangerous:theyhavebothknowledgeandpurpose.Butthey,too,havetheirweakpoint.Theyarefullofscrupleschainedhandandfootbytheirmoralityandrespectability.LADY.ThenyouwillbeattheEnglish;forallshopkeepersaremiddlepeople.NAPOLEON.No,becausetheEnglisharearaceapart.NoEnglishmanistoolowtohavescruples:noEnglishmanishighenoughtobefreefromtheirtyranny.ButeveryEnglishmanisbornwithacertainmiraculouspowerthatmakeshimmasteroftheworld.Whenhewantsathing,henevertellshimselfthathewantsit.Hewaitspatientlyuntiltherecomesintohismind,nooneknowshow,aburningconvictionthatitishismoralandreligiousdutytoconquerthosewhohavegotthethinghewants.Thenhebecomesirresistible.Likethearistocrat,hedoeswhatpleaseshimandgrabswhathewants:liketheshopkeeper,hepursueshispurposewiththeindustryandsteadfastnessthatcomefromstrongreligiousconvictionanddeepsenseofmoralresponsibility.Heisneveratalossforan

effectivemoralattitude.Asthegreatchampionoffreedomandnationalindependence,heconquersandannexeshalftheworld,andcallsitColonization.WhenhewantsanewmarketforhisadulteratedManchestergoods,hesendsamissionarytoteachthenativesthegospelofpeace.Thenativeskillthemissionary:hefliestoarmsindefenceofChristianity;fightsforit;conquersforit;andtakesthemarketasarewardfromheaven.Indefenceofhisislandshores,heputsachaplainonboardhisship;nailsaflagwithacrossonittohistop-gallantmast;andsailstotheendsoftheearth,sinking,burninganddestroyingallwhodisputetheempireoftheseaswithhim.HeboaststhataslaveisfreethemomenthisfoottouchesBritishsoil;andhesellsthe

childrenofhispooratsixyearsofagetoworkunderthelashinhisfactoriesforsixteenhoursaday.Hemakestworevolutions,andthendeclareswaronouroneinthenameoflawandorder.ThereisnothingsobadorsogoodthatyouwillnotfindEnglishmendoingit;butyouwillneverfindanEnglishmaninthewrong.Hedoeseverythingonprinciple.Hefightsyouonpatrioticprinciples;herobsyouonbusinessprinciples;heenslavesyouonimperialprinciples;hebulliesyouonmanlyprinciples;hesupportshiskingonloyalprinciples,andcutsoffhisking'sheadonrepublicanprinciples.Hiswatchwordisalwaysduty;andheneverforgetsthatthenationwhichletsitsdutygetontheoppositesidetoitsinterestislost.HeLADY.W-w-w-w-w-wh!Dostopamoment.Iwanttoknowhowyoumakemeouttobe

Englishatthisrate.NAPOLEON(droppinghisrhetoricalstyle).It'splainenough.Youwantedsomelettersthatbelongedtome.Youhavespentthemorninginstealingthemyes,stealingthem,byhighwayrobbery.AndyouhavespenttheafternooninputtingmeinthewrongabouttheminassumingthatitwasIwhowantedtostealYOURlettersinexplainingthatitallcameaboutthroughmymeannessandselfishness,andyourgoodness,yourdevotion,yourself-sacrifice.That'sEnglish.LADY.Nonsense.IamsureIamnotabitEnglish.TheEnglishareaverystupidpeople.



NAPOLEON.Yes,toostupidsometimestoknowwhenthey'rebeaten.ButIgrantthatyourbrainsarenotEnglish.Yousee,thoughyourgrandfatherwasanEnglishman,yourgrandmotherwaswhat?AFrenchwoman?LADY.Oh,no.AnIrishwoman.NAPOLEON(quickly).Irish!(Thoughtfully.)Yes:IforgottheIrish.AnEnglisharmyledbyanIrishgeneral:thatmightbeamatchforaFrencharmyledbyanItaliangeneral.(Hepauses,andadds,halfjestingly,halfmoodily)Atallevents,YOUhavebeatenme;andwhatbeatsamanfirstwillbeathimlast.(Hegoesmeditativelyintothemoonlitvineyardandlooksup.Shestealsoutafterhim.Sheventurestorestherhandonhisshoulder,overcomebythebeautyofthenightandemboldenedbyitsobscurity.)LADY(softly).Whatareyoulookingat?NAPOLEON(pointingup).Mystar.LADY.Youbelieveinthat?NAPOLEON.Ido.(Theylookatitforamoment,sheleaningalittleonhisshoulder.)LADY.DoyouknowthattheEnglishsaythataman'sstarisnotcompletewithoutawoman'sgarter?NAPOLEON(scandalizedabruptlyshakingheroffandcomingbackintotheroom).Pah!Thehypocrites!IftheFrenchsaidthat,howtheywouldholduptheirhandsinpioushorror!(Hegoestotheinnerdoorandholdsitopen,shouting)Hallo!Giuseppe.Where'sthatlight,man.(Hecomesbetweenthetableandthe

sideboard,andmovesthechairtothetable,besidehisown.)Wehavestilltoburntheletter.(Hetakesupthepacket.Giuseppecomesback,paleandstilltrembling,carryingabranchedcandlestickwithacoupleofcandlesalight,inonehand,andabroadsnufferstrayintheother.)GIUSEPPE(piteously,asheplacesthelightonthetable).Excellency:whatwereyoulookingupatjustnowoutthere?(Hepointsacrosshisshouldertothevineyard,butisafraidtolookround.)NAPOLEON(unfoldingthepacket).Whatisthattoyou?GIUSEPPE(stammering).Becausethewitchisgonevanished;andnoonesawhergoout.LADY(comingbehindhimfromthevineyard).Wewerewatchingherridinguptothemoononyourbroomstick,Giuseppe.Youwillneverseeheragain.

GIUSEPPE.GesuMaria!(Hecrosseshimselfandhurriesout.)NAPOLEON(throwingdownthelettersinaheaponthetable).Now.(Hesitsdownatthetableinthechairwhichhehasjustplaced.)LADY.Yes;butyouknowyouhaveTHEletterinyourpocket.(Hesmiles;takesaletterfromhispocket;andtossesitonthetopoftheheap.Sheholdsitupandlooksathim,saying)AboutCaesar'swife.NAPOLEON.Caesar'swifeisabovesuspicion.Burnit.LADY(takingupthesnuffersandholdingthelettertothecandleflamewithit).IwonderwouldCaesar'swifebeabovesuspicionifshesawusheretogether!NAPOLEON(echoingher,withhiselbowsonthetableandhischeeksonhishands,lookingattheletter).Iwonder!(TheStrangeLadyputstheletterdownalight

onthesnufferstray,andsitsdownbesideNapoleon,inthesameattitude,elbowsontable,cheeksonhands,watchingitburn.Whenitisburnt,theysimultaneouslyturntheireyesandlookatoneanother.Thecurtainstealsdownandhidesthem.)



EndofProjectGutenberg'sTheManofDestiny,byGeorgeBernardShaw

***ENDOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEMANOFDESTINY***

*****Thisfileshouldbenamed4024-h.htmor4024-h.zip*****Thisandallassociatedfilesofvariousformatswillbefoundin:http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/2/4024/

ProducedbyEveSobol.HTMLversionbyAlHaines.

Updatededitionswillreplacethepreviousone--theoldeditionswillberenamed.

CreatingtheworksfrompublicdomainprinteditionsmeansthatnooneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightintheseworks,sotheFoundation(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissionandwithoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,setforthintheGeneralTermsofUsepartofthislicense,applytocopyinganddistributingProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkstoprotectthePROJECTGUTENBERG-tmconceptandtrademark.ProjectGutenbergisaregisteredtrademark,andmaynotbeusedifyou

chargefortheeBooks,unlessyoureceivespecificpermission.IfyoudonotchargeanythingforcopiesofthiseBook,complyingwiththerulesisveryeasy.YoumayusethiseBookfornearlyanypurposesuchascreationofderivativeworks,reports,performancesandresearch.Theymaybemodifiedandprintedandgivenaway--youmaydopracticallyANYTHINGwithpublicdomaineBooks.Redistributionissubjecttothetrademarklicense,especiallycommercialredistribution.

***START:FULLLICENSE***

THEFULLPROJECTGUTENBERGLICENSEPLEASEREADTHISBEFOREYOUDISTRIBUTEORUSETHISWORK

ToprotecttheProjectGutenberg-tmmissionofpromotingthefreedistributionofelectronicworks,byusingordistributingthiswork(oranyotherworkassociatedinanywaywiththephrase"ProjectGutenberg"),youagreetocomplywithallthetermsoftheFullProjectGutenberg-tmLicense(availablewiththisfileoronlineathttp://gutenberg.net/license).

Section1.GeneralTermsofUseandRedistributingProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks

1.A.ByreadingorusinganypartofthisProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicwork,youindicatethatyouhaveread,understand,agreetoandacceptallthetermsofthislicenseandintellectualproperty(trademark/copyright)agreement.Ifyoudonotagreetoabidebyallthetermsofthisagreement,youmustceaseusingandreturnordestroyallcopiesofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksinyourpossession.IfyoupaidafeeforobtainingacopyoforaccesstoaProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkandyoudonotagreetobeboundbythetermsofthisagreement,youmayobtainarefundfromthepersonor



entitytowhomyoupaidthefeeassetforthinparagraph1.E.8.

1.B."ProjectGutenberg"isaregisteredtrademark.Itmayonlybeusedonorassociatedinanywaywithanelectronicworkbypeoplewhoagreetobeboundbythetermsofthisagreement.ThereareafewthingsthatyoucandowithmostProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksevenwithoutcomplyingwiththefulltermsofthisagreement.Seeparagraph1.Cbelow.TherearealotofthingsyoucandowithProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksifyoufollowthetermsofthisagreementandhelppreservefreefutureaccesstoProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks.Seeparagraph1.Ebelow.

1.C.TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation("theFoundation"orPGLAF),ownsacompilationcopyrightinthecollectionofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks.NearlyalltheindividualworksinthecollectionareinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStates.IfanindividualworkisinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStatesandyouarelocatedintheUnitedStates,wedonotclaimarighttopreventyoufromcopying,distributing,performing,displayingorcreatingderivativeworksbasedontheworkaslongasallreferencestoProjectGutenbergareremoved.Ofcourse,wehopethatyouwillsupporttheProjectGutenberg-tmmissionofpromotingfreeaccesstoelectronicworksbyfreelysharingProjectGutenberg-tmworksincompliancewiththetermsofthisagreementforkeepingtheProjectGutenberg-tmnameassociatedwith

thework.YoucaneasilycomplywiththetermsofthisagreementbykeepingthisworkinthesameformatwithitsattachedfullProjectGutenberg-tmLicensewhenyoushareitwithoutchargewithothers.

1.D.Thecopyrightlawsoftheplacewhereyouarelocatedalsogovernwhatyoucandowiththiswork.Copyrightlawsinmostcountriesareinaconstantstateofchange.IfyouareoutsidetheUnitedStates,checkthelawsofyourcountryinadditiontothetermsofthisagreementbeforedownloading,copying,displaying,performing,distributingorcreatingderivativeworksbasedonthisworkoranyotherProjectGutenberg-tmwork.TheFoundationmakesnorepresentationsconcerningthecopyrightstatusofanyworkinanycountryoutsidetheUnitedStates.

1.E.UnlessyouhaveremovedallreferencestoProjectGutenberg:

1.E.1.Thefollowingsentence,withactivelinksto,orotherimmediateaccessto,thefullProjectGutenberg-tmLicensemustappearprominentlywheneveranycopyofaProjectGutenberg-tmwork(anyworkonwhichthephrase"ProjectGutenberg"appears,orwithwhichthephrase"ProjectGutenberg"isassociated)isaccessed,displayed,performed,viewed,copiedordistributed:

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincluded

withthiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net

1.E.2.IfanindividualProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkisderivedfromthepublicdomain(doesnotcontainanoticeindicatingthatitispostedwithpermissionofthecopyrightholder),theworkcanbecopiedanddistributedtoanyoneintheUnitedStateswithoutpayinganyfeesorcharges.Ifyouareredistributingorprovidingaccesstoaworkwiththephrase"ProjectGutenberg"associatedwithorappearingonthework,youmustcomplyeitherwiththerequirementsofparagraphs1.E.1through1.E.7orobtainpermissionfortheuseoftheworkandthe



ProjectGutenberg-tmtrademarkassetforthinparagraphs1.E.8or1.E.9.

1.E.3.IfanindividualProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkispostedwiththepermissionofthecopyrightholder,youruseanddistributionmustcomplywithbothparagraphs1.E.1through1.E.7andanyadditionaltermsimposedbythecopyrightholder.AdditionaltermswillbelinkedtotheProjectGutenberg-tmLicenseforallworkspostedwiththepermissionofthecopyrightholderfoundatthebeginningofthiswork.

1.E.4.DonotunlinkordetachorremovethefullProjectGutenberg-tmLicensetermsfromthiswork,oranyfilescontainingapartofthisworkoranyotherworkassociatedwithProjectGutenberg-tm.

1.E.5.Donotcopy,display,perform,distributeorredistributethiselectronicwork,oranypartofthiselectronicwork,withoutprominentlydisplayingthesentencesetforthinparagraph1.E.1withactivelinksorimmediateaccesstothefulltermsoftheProjectGutenberg-tmLicense.

1.E.6.Youmayconverttoanddistributethisworkinanybinary,compressed,markedup,nonproprietaryorproprietaryform,includinganywordprocessingorhypertextform.However,ifyouprovideaccesstoordistributecopiesofaProjectGutenberg-tmworkinaformatotherthan

"PlainVanillaASCII"orotherformatusedintheofficialversionpostedontheofficialProjectGutenberg-tmwebsite(www.gutenberg.net),youmust,atnoadditionalcost,feeorexpensetotheuser,provideacopy,ameansofexportingacopy,orameansofobtainingacopyuponrequest,oftheworkinitsoriginal"PlainVanillaASCII"orotherform.AnyalternateformatmustincludethefullProjectGutenberg-tmLicenseasspecifiedinparagraph1.E.1.

1.E.7.Donotchargeafeeforaccessto,viewing,displaying,performing,copyingordistributinganyProjectGutenberg-tmworksunlessyoucomplywithparagraph1.E.8or1.E.9.

1.E.8.Youmaychargeareasonablefeeforcopiesoforproviding

accesstoordistributingProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksprovidedthat

-Youpayaroyaltyfeeof20%ofthegrossprofitsyouderivefromtheuseofProjectGutenberg-tmworkscalculatedusingthemethodyoualreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.ThefeeisowedtotheowneroftheProjectGutenberg-tmtrademark,buthehasagreedtodonateroyaltiesunderthisparagraphtotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation.Royaltypaymentsmustbepaidwithin60daysfollowingeachdateonwhichyouprepare(orarelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourperiodictaxreturns.RoyaltypaymentsshouldbeclearlymarkedassuchandsenttotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationatthe

addressspecifiedinSection4,"InformationaboutdonationstotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."

-Youprovideafullrefundofanymoneypaidbyauserwhonotifiesyouinwriting(orbye-mail)within30daysofreceiptthats/hedoesnotagreetothetermsofthefullProjectGutenberg-tmLicense.YoumustrequiresuchausertoreturnordestroyallcopiesoftheworkspossessedinaphysicalmediumanddiscontinuealluseofandallaccesstoothercopiesofProjectGutenberg-tmworks.



-Youprovide,inaccordancewithparagraph1.F.3,afullrefundofanymoneypaidforaworkorareplacementcopy,ifadefectintheelectronicworkisdiscoveredandreportedtoyouwithin90daysofreceiptofthework.

-YoucomplywithallothertermsofthisagreementforfreedistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmworks.

1.E.9.IfyouwishtochargeafeeordistributeaProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkorgroupofworksondifferenttermsthanaresetforthinthisagreement,youmustobtainpermissioninwritingfromboththeProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationandMichaelHart,theowneroftheProjectGutenberg-tmtrademark.ContacttheFoundationassetforthinSection3below.

1.F.

1.F.1.ProjectGutenbergvolunteersandemployeesexpendconsiderableefforttoidentify,docopyrightresearchon,transcribeandproofreadpublicdomainworksincreatingtheProjectGutenberg-tmcollection.Despitetheseefforts,ProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks,andthemediumonwhichtheymaybestored,maycontain"Defects,"suchas,butnotlimitedto,incomplete,inaccurateor

corruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectualpropertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorothermedium,acomputervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadbyyourequipment.

1.F.2.LIMITEDWARRANTY,DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGES-Exceptforthe"RightofReplacementorRefund"describedinparagraph1.F.3,theProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation,theowneroftheProjectGutenberg-tmtrademark,andanyotherpartydistributingaProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkunderthisagreement,disclaimallliabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees.YOUAGREETHATYOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCE,STRICTLIABILITY,BREACHOFWARRANTYORBREACHOFCONTRACTEXCEPTTHOSE

PROVIDEDINPARAGRAPHF3.YOUAGREETHATTHEFOUNDATION,THETRADEMARKOWNER,ANDANYDISTRIBUTORUNDERTHISAGREEMENTWILLNOTBELIABLETOYOUFORACTUAL,DIRECT,INDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEORINCIDENTALDAMAGESEVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGE.

1.F.3.LIMITEDRIGHTOFREPLACEMENTORREFUND-Ifyoudiscoveradefectinthiselectronicworkwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendingawrittenexplanationtothepersonyoureceivedtheworkfrom.Ifyoureceivedtheworkonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnthemediumwithyourwrittenexplanation.Thepersonorentitythatprovidedyouwiththedefectiveworkmayelecttoprovideareplacementcopyinlieuofa

refund.Ifyoureceivedtheworkelectronically,thepersonorentityprovidingittoyoumaychoosetogiveyouasecondopportunitytoreceivetheworkelectronicallyinlieuofarefund.Ifthesecondcopyisalsodefective,youmaydemandarefundinwritingwithoutfurtheropportunitiestofixtheproblem.

1.F.4.Exceptforthelimitedrightofreplacementorrefundsetforthinparagraph1.F.3,thisworkisprovidedtoyou'AS-IS'WITHNOOTHERWARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTIBILITYORFITNESSFORANYPURPOSE.



1.F.5.Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofcertainimpliedwarrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofcertaintypesofdamages.Ifanydisclaimerorlimitationsetforthinthisagreementviolatesthelawofthestateapplicabletothisagreement,theagreementshallbeinterpretedtomakethemaximumdisclaimerorlimitationpermittedbytheapplicablestatelaw.Theinvalidityorunenforceabilityofanyprovisionofthisagreementshallnotvoidtheremainingprovisions.

1.F.6.INDEMNITY-YouagreetoindemnifyandholdtheFoundation,thetrademarkowner,anyagentoremployeeoftheFoundation,anyoneprovidingcopiesofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksinaccordancewiththisagreement,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproduction,promotionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks,harmlessfromallliability,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingwhichyoudoorcausetooccur:(a)distributionofthisoranyProjectGutenberg-tmwork,(b)alteration,modification,oradditionsordeletionstoanyProjectGutenberg-tmwork,and(c)anyDefectyoucause.

Section2.InformationabouttheMissionofProjectGutenberg-tm

ProjectGutenberg-tmissynonymouswiththefreedistributionof

electronicworksinformatsreadablebythewidestvarietyofcomputersincludingobsolete,old,middle-agedandnewcomputers.Itexistsbecauseoftheeffortsofhundredsofvolunteersanddonationsfrompeopleinallwalksoflife.

VolunteersandfinancialsupporttoprovidevolunteerswiththeassistancetheyneedarecriticaltoreachingProjectGutenberg-tm'sgoalsandensuringthattheProjectGutenberg-tmcollectionwillremainfreelyavailableforgenerationstocome.In2001,theProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationwascreatedtoprovideasecureandpermanentfutureforProjectGutenberg-tmandfuturegenerations.TolearnmoreabouttheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationandhowyoureffortsanddonationscanhelp,seeSections3and4

andtheFoundationwebpageathttp://www.pglaf.org.

Section3.InformationabouttheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisanonprofit501(c)(3)educationalcorporationorganizedunderthelawsofthestateofMississippiandgrantedtaxexemptstatusbytheInternalRevenueService.TheFoundation'sEINorfederaltaxidentificationnumberis64-6221541.Its501(c)(3)letterispostedathttp://pglaf.org/fundraising.ContributionstotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationaretaxdeductibletothefullextent

permittedbyU.S.federallawsandyourstate'slaws.

TheFoundation'sprincipalofficeislocatedat4557MelanDr.S.Fairbanks,AK,99712.,butitsvolunteersandemployeesarescatteredthroughoutnumerouslocations.Itsbusinessofficeislocatedat809North1500West,SaltLakeCity,UT84116,(801)596-1887,emailbusiness@pglaf.org.EmailcontactlinksanduptodatecontactinformationcanbefoundattheFoundation'swebsiteandofficialpageathttp://pglaf.org



Foradditionalcontactinformation:[email protected]

Section4.InformationaboutDonationstotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation

ProjectGutenberg-tmdependsuponandcannotsurvivewithoutwidespreadpublicsupportanddonationstocarryoutitsmissionofincreasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbefreelydistributedinmachinereadableformaccessiblebythewidestarrayofequipmentincludingoutdatedequipment.Manysmalldonations($1to$5,000)areparticularlyimportanttomaintainingtaxexemptstatuswiththeIRS.

TheFoundationiscommittedtocomplyingwiththelawsregulatingcharitiesandcharitabledonationsinall50statesoftheUnitedStates.Compliancerequirementsarenotuniformandittakesaconsiderableeffort,muchpaperworkandmanyfeestomeetandkeepupwiththeserequirements.Wedonotsolicitdonationsinlocationswherewehavenotreceivedwrittenconfirmationofcompliance.ToSENDDONATIONSordeterminethestatusofcomplianceforany

particularstatevisithttp://pglaf.org

Whilewecannotanddonotsolicitcontributionsfromstateswherewehavenotmetthesolicitationrequirements,weknowofnoprohibitionagainstacceptingunsoliciteddonationsfromdonorsinsuchstateswhoapproachuswithofferstodonate.

Internationaldonationsaregratefullyaccepted,butwecannotmakeanystatementsconcerningtaxtreatmentofdonationsreceivedfromoutsidetheUnitedStates.U.S.lawsaloneswampoursmallstaff.

PleasechecktheProjectGutenbergWebpagesforcurrentdonationmethodsandaddresses.Donationsareacceptedinanumberofother

waysincludingincludingchecks,onlinepaymentsandcreditcarddonations.Todonate,pleasevisit:http://pglaf.org/donate

Section5.GeneralInformationAboutProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks.

ProfessorMichaelS.HartistheoriginatoroftheProjectGutenberg-tmconceptofalibraryofelectronicworksthatcouldbefreelysharedwithanyone.Forthirtyyears,heproducedanddistributedProjectGutenberg-tmeBookswithonlyaloosenetworkofvolunteersupport.

ProjectGutenberg-tmeBooksareoftencreatedfromseveralprintededitions,allofwhichareconfirmedasPublicDomainintheU.S.unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Thus,wedonotnecessarilykeepeBooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.

MostpeoplestartatourWebsitewhichhasthemainPGsearchfacility:

http://www.gutenberg.net



ThisWebsiteincludesinformationaboutProjectGutenberg-tm,includinghowtomakedonationstotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation,howtohelpproduceourneweBooks,andhowtosubscribetoouremailnewslettertohearaboutneweBooks.

the man of destiny, by george bernard shaw

Documents