If I see you again in such a thing I will thrust
it in the fire as I did your shawl the other day.'
'You are so hard to please, Napoleon. You like one day what you cannot
abide the next. But I will certainly change it if it offends you,' said
Josephine, with admirable patience.
The Emperor took a few steps between the people, who had formed a lane
for us to pass through. Then he stopped and looked over his shoulder at
the Empress.
'How often have I told you, Josephine, that I cannot tolerate fat
women.'
'I always bear it in mind, Napoleon.'
'Then why is Madame de Chevreux present?'
'But surely, Napoleon, madame is not very fat.'
'She is fatter than she should be. I should prefer not to see her.
Who is this?' He had paused before a young lady in a blue dress, whose
knees seemed to be giving way under her as the terrible Emperor
transfixed her with his searching eyes.
'This is Mademoiselle de Bergerot.'
'How old are you?'
'Twenty-three, sire.'
'It is time that you were married. Every woman should be married at
twenty-three.
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