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Ch. VI.]
the Emperor Napoleon.
55

member, however, one day, a very pretty young lady came from the valley to pass the morning with us: she was dying to see Napoleon, but the heat was very oppressive, and he had retired to his arbour to avoid it. I hesitated for some time between the fear of disturbing him and disappointing my friend; but at last Miss C. appeared so mortified at not seeing him, that I ran down to the garden and knocked at the door. For a long while I received no answer; but at length, by dint of thumping and calling to the emperor, I succeeded in waking him. He had fallen asleep in the arbour over his papers. He came up to the door, and asked me what I wanted. I said, "Let me in, and you shall know." He replied, "No; tell me first what it is, and then you shall come in." I was then obliged to say I wished to introduce a young lady to him. He declined seeing her, and desired me to say he was unwell. I told him she would be