“Well, Constant, what is the matter?” he asked.
“Sire,” whispered Constant, in a low voice, as though he were afraid the walls might hear him, “sire, that distinguished lady has been here for an hour; she is waiting for the audience your majesty has granted to her.”
“Ah, the countess or princess,” said Napoleon, carelessly, “the foolish person who asserts that she hated me formerly but loves me now?”
“Sire, she speaks of your majesty in terms of the most unbounded enthusiasm!”
“Ah, bah! Women like to be enthusiastic admirers of somebody, and to worship him with the gushing transports of their tender hearts! Would so many women go into convents and call Christ their bridegroom, if it were not so? But what is the name of this lady who has been pleased to fall in love with me?”
“Sire, I believe, the only condition she stipulated was that your majesty should not ask for her name.”
The emperor frowned. “And you would persuade me to receive this nameless woman? Who knows but she may be a mere intriguer anxious to penetrate to me for some dark purpose?”
“Sire, one of the most faithful adherents and admirers of your majesty, M. von Brandt, formerly major in the Austrian service, pledges his word of honor that she is not, and?”
At this moment the door was opened violently, and Grand-marshal Duroe entered.
“Ah, your majesty is here still!” he exclaimed, joyfully. “Your majesty has not yet received the lady?”