It was a shame, I said.
"And now he's posted into Paris to make a fool of himself."
"How?"
"Have you seen Madame de Ferrier?"
"No, I have not seen her."
"I believe we are in time to intercept him. You have a clever head, boy. Use it. How shall we get this old fellow out of the Tuileries without letting him speak to the emperor?"
"Easily, I should think, since Napoleon isn't here."
"Yes, he is. He dashed into Paris a little while ago, and may leave to-night. But he is here."
"Why shouldn't the Marquis de Ferrier speak to Napoleon?"
"Because he is going to make an ass of himself before the court, and what's worse, he'll make a laughing-stock of me."