The Man of Destiny by George Bernard Shaw
page 70 of 72 (97%)
page 70 of 72 (97%)
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Irish. An English army led by an Irish general: that might be a
match for a French army led by an Italian general. (He pauses, and adds, half jestingly, half moodily) At all events, YOU have beaten me; and what beats a man first will beat him last. (He goes meditatively into the moonlit vineyard and looks up. She steals out after him. She ventures to rest her hand on his shoulder, overcome by the beauty of the night and emboldened by its obscurity.) LADY (softly). What are you looking at? NAPOLEON (pointing up). My star. LADY. You believe in that? NAPOLEON. I do. (They look at it for a moment, she leaning a little on his shoulder.) LADY. Do you know that the English say that a man's star is not complete without a woman's garter? NAPOLEON (scandalized--abruptly shaking her off and coming back into the room). Pah! The hypocrites! If the French said that, how they would hold up their hands in pious horror! (He goes to the inner door and holds it open, shouting) Hallo! Giuseppe. Where's that light, man. (He comes between the table and the sideboard, and moves the chair to the table, beside his own.) We have still to burn the letter. (He takes up the packet. Giuseppe comes back, pale and still trembling, carrying a branched candlestick with a couple of candles alight, in one hand, and a broad snuffers tray |
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