"And while reaching up to attain the reward at the end," he added, again bowing.
"For those who are favoured by Heaven," returned the Queen, "there are no difficulties on earth."
Napoleon made no answer, but stared at her as if enchanted.
Approaching, he touched the material of her dress, like a child.
"Is it crêpe," he inquired, "or Indian gauze?"
The Queen's face flushed, but she controlled herself most beautifully.
"Shall we talk of light things at such a moment?" she asked, and led the way into the room prepared for his reception.
Then she inquired concerning his health, adding the hope that the severe climate of North Germany had agreed with him.
"The French soldier," he answered bluntly, "is hardened to bear every kind of climate."
Then he looked at her curiously, as if making a study of the woman of whom he had heard so much and whom he had treated so cruelly, and who, in that poor little house in Tilsit, stood before him as bravely as the Duchess had in Weimar.