The Man of Destiny by George Bernard Shaw
page 52 of 72 (72%)
page 52 of 72 (72%)
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It was brutal of me; but I couldn't help it, could I? How else
could I have got the papers? (Supplicating.) General: you will save him from disgrace. NAPOLEON (laughing sourly). Save him yourself, since you are so clever: it was you who ruined him. (With savage intensity.) I HATE a bad soldier. He goes out determinedly through the vineyard. She follows him a few steps with an appealing gesture, but is interrupted by the return of the lieutenant, gloved and capped, with his sword on, ready for the road. He is crossing to the outer door when she intercepts him. LADY. Lieutenant. LIEUTENANT (importantly). You mustn't delay me, you know. Duty, madame, duty. LADY (imploringly). Oh, sir, what are you going to do to my poor brother? LIEUTENANT. Are you very fond of him? LADY. I should die if anything happened to him. You must spare him. (The lieutenant shakes his head gloomily.) Yes, yes: you must: you shall: he is not fit to die. Listen to me. If I tell you where to find him--if I undertake to place him in your hands a prisoner, to be delivered up by you to General Bonaparte--will you promise me on your honor as an officer and a gentleman not to |
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