Beaulieu's flank for you. You know you daren't have given the
order to charge the bridge if you hadn't seen us on the other
side. Consequently, I say that whoever found that ford won the
battle of Lodi. Well, who found it? I was the first man to cross:
and I know. It was my horse that found it. (With conviction, as
be rises from the couch.) That horse is the true conqueror of the
Austrians.

NAPOLEON (passionately). You idiot: I'll have you shot for losing
those despatches: I'll have you blown from the mouth of a cannon:
nothing less could make any impression on you. (Baying at him.)
Do you hear? Do you understand?

A French officer enters unobserved, carrying his sheathed sabre
in his hand.

LIEUTENANT (unabashed). IF I don't capture him, General. Remember
the if.

NAPOLEON. If! If!! Ass: there is no such man.

THE OFFICER (suddenly stepping between them and speaking in the
unmistakable voice of the Strange Lady). Lieutenant: I am your
prisoner. (She offers him her sabre. They are amazed. Napoleon
gazes at her for a moment thunderstruck; then seizes her by the
wrist and drags her roughly to him, looking closely and fiercely
at her to satisfy himself as to her identity; for it now begins
to darken rapidly into night, the red glow over the vineyard
giving way to clear starlight.)