[The lady-in-waiting unlocks the door. NAPOLÉON enters, scarcely
recognizable, in a fur cloak and hood over his ears. He throws
off the cloak and discloses himself to be in the shabbiest and
muddiest attire. Marie Louise is agitated almost to fainting.]
SPIRIT IRONIC
Is it with fright or joy?
MARIE LOUISE
I scarce believe
What my sight tells me! Home, and in such garb!
[NAPOLÉON embraces her.]
NAPOLÉON
I have had great work in getting in, my dear!
They failed to recognize me at the gates,
Being sceptical at my poor hackney-coach
And poorer baggage. I had to show my face
In a fierce light ere they would let me pass,
And even then they doubted till I spoke.—
What think you, dear, of such a tramp-like spouse?
[He warms his hands at the fire.]
Ha—it is much more comfortable here
Than on the Russian plains!
MARIE LOUISE [timidly]
You have suffered there?—
Your face is thinner, and has line in it;
No marvel that they did not know you!
NAPOLÉON
Yes:
Disasters many and swift have swooped on me!—
Since crossing—ugh!—the Beresina River
I have been compelled to come incognito;
Ay—as a fugitive and outlaw quite.
MARIE LOUISE
We’ll thank Heaven, anyhow, that you are safe.
I had gone to bed, and everybody almost!
what, now, do require? Some food of course?
[The child in the adjoining chamber begins to cry, awakened by the
loud tones of NAPOLÉON.]
NAPOLÉON
Ah—that’s his little voice! I’ll in and see him.
MARIE LOUISE
I’ll come with you.
[NAPOLÉON and the EMPRESS pass into the other room. The lady-in-
waiting calls up yawning servants and gives orders. The servants
go to execute them. Re-enter NAPOLÉON and MARIE LOUISE. The lady-
in-waiting goes out.]
NAPOLÉON
I have said it, dear!
All the disasters summed in the bulletin
Shall be repaired.