I could not get the Egyptians to believe that I was a greater general
than Kleber, because he had the body of a porter and the head of a
hair-dresser. So it is with this poor creature Lesage, who will be made
a hero by women because he has an oval face and the eyes of a calf.
Do you imagine that if she were to see him in his true colours it would
turn her against him?'
'I am convinced of it, sire. From the little that I have seen of my
cousin I am sure that no one could have a greater contempt for cowardice
or for meanness.'
'You speak warmly, sir. You are not by chance just a little touched
yourself by this fair cousin of yours?'
'Sire, I have already told you--'
'Ta, ta, ta, but she is across the water, and many things have happened
since then.'
Constant had entered the room.
'He has been admitted, sire.'
'Very good. We shall move into the next room. Josephine, you shall
come too, for it is your business rather than mine.'
The room into which we passed was a long, narrow one. There were two
windows at one side, but the curtains had been drawn almost across, so
that the light was not very good.
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