"Were you not afraid of being seized as a spy?" asked Napoleon.
The traveller hesitated, as if not quite pleased by the question. Then, with a laugh, he pointed to his dress and beard, as if they were a sufficient answer.
"Did you pass for an Englishman?" persisted the Emperor. "The shape of your nose is too good for a Tartar."
"No," replied Mr. Manning; "I was generally taken for a Hindoo." The bystanders, looking at his fine eyes and regular features, could easily understand that in the rôle of a Hindoo he must certainly have been successful.
The conversation between the two—the Emperor and the traveller—lasted for some time.
"Travellers," said Napoleon, "are privileged to tell marvellous stories, but I hope you are not doing this in describing to me all the wonders of Thibet."
Then he continued his questions, asking much about the Lama, and the customs and religion of his people. His queries showed that he already possessed a fund of information about this strange country, and Mr. Manning finally said, "You have as much information on Thibet as I have myself."
Napoleon accepted the compliment, but the many questions that he continued to ask, especially concerning the Chinese and their language and habits, showed that he was quite willing to admit Mr. Manning's greater knowledge of the Orient.
When the unusually long interview had ended, Napoleon turned to Betsy with an expression in which sadness was mingled with satisfaction.
"This conversation," he cried, "has given me more pleasure than anything I have experienced for many long months."