love for stories. But I could tell them better than you if I set
my mind to it. Next time you are asked why a letter compromising
a wife should not be sent to her husband, answer simply that the
husband would not read it. Do you suppose, little innocent, that
a man wants to be compelled by public opinion to make a scene, to
fight a duel, to break up his household, to injure his career by
a scandal, when he can avoid it all by taking care not to know?

LADY (revolted). Suppose that packet contained a letter about
your own wife?

NAPOLEON (offended, coming off the table). You are impertinent,
madame.

LADY (humbly). I beg your above suspicion.

NAPOLEON (with a deliberate assumption of superiority). You have
committed an indiscretion. I pardon you. In future, do not permit
yourself to introduce real persons in your romances.

LADY (politely ignoring a speech which is to her only a breach of
good manners, and rising to move towards the table). General:
there really is a woman's letter there. (Pointing to the packet.)
Give it to me.

NAPOLEON (with brute conciseness, moving so as to prevent her
getting too near the letters). Why?

LADY. She is an old friend: we were at school together. She has
written to me imploring me to prevent the letter falling into