"What! the thing will dare to play a game of chess with me?"
"With your majesty's permission."
"And alone?"
"Yes, sire; your majesty will permit me, however, to take position behind the chair?"
"Certainly. I see the chessmen are already on the board; let us commence." The emperor sat down opposite the automaton, and saluted it with a pleasant nod.
"Well, comrade, let us commence," said Napoleon.
The automaton made a graceful bow, and beckoned to the emperor with its uplifted right hand, as though he wished him to commence.
"Well, I shall commence," said Napoleon, advancing a pawn.
The automaton took the pawn in front of the king and advanced it two squares. The emperor made another move, and so did his opponent. Looking smilingly at the figure, Napoleon played his black bishop as a knight, occupying the oblique white square. The automaton, shaking its head, put the bishop on the square it ought to occupy.
"Ah, it does not like cheating," exclaimed Napoleon, laughing; "it is a very earnest and conscientious player." And the emperor made another move. The automaton continued the game. Another attempt was made to cheat by moving the castle in an oblique direction. His adversary took the castle with an impetuous gesture and placed it aside like a pawn it had won.