LADY (to Napoleon). Shall I burn them?

NAPOLEON (thoughtfully). Yes, burn them. Giuseppe: go and fetch a
light.

GIUSEPPE (trembling and stammering). Do you mean go alone--in the
dark--with a witch in the house?

NAPOLEON. Psha! You're a poltroon. (To the Lieutenant.) Oblige me
by going, Lieutenant.

LIEUTENANT (remonstrating). Oh, I say, General! No, look here,
you know: nobody can say I'm a coward after Lodi. But to ask me
to go into the dark by myself without a candle after such an
awful conversation is a little too much. How would you like to
do it yourself?

NAPOLEON (irritably). You refuse to obey my order?

LIEUTENANT (resolutely). Yes, I do. It's not reasonable. But I'll
tell you what I'll do. If Giuseppe goes, I'll go with him and
protect him.

NAPOLEON (to Giuseppe). There! will that satisfy you? Be off,
both of you.

GIUSEPPE (humbly, his lips trembling). W--willingly, your
excellency. (He goes reluctantly towards the inner door.) Heaven
protect me! (To the lieutenant.) After you, Lieutenant.