NAPOLEON (enraged). What the devil did you do that for?

LIEUTENANT. Why, to show my confidence in him, of course. And he
betrayed it--abused it--never came back. The thief! the swindler!
the heartless, treacherous little blackguard! You call that
nothing, I suppose. But look here, General: (again resorting to
the table with his fist for greater emphasis) YOU may put up with
this outrage from the Austrians if you like; but speaking for
myself personally, I tell you that if ever I catch--

NAPOLEON (turning on his heel in disgust and irritably resuming
his march to and fro). Yes: you have said that more than once
already.

LIEUTENANT (excitedly). More than once! I'll say it fifty times;
and what's more, I'll do it. You'll see, General. I'll show my
confidence in him, so I will. I'll--

NAPOLEON. Yes, yes, sir: no doubt you will. What kind of man was
he?

LIEUTENANT. Well, I should think you ought to be able to tell
from his conduct the sort of man he was.

NAPOLEON. Psh! What was he like?

LIEUTENANT. Like! He's like--well, you ought to have just seen
the fellow: that will give you a notion of what he was like. He
won't be like it five minutes after I catch him; for I tell you
that if ever--