“Just notice this, general. I spend a night in the Chartreuse of Seillon, because I have been told that it was haunted by ghosts. Sure enough, a ghost appears, but a perfectly inoffensive one. I fire at it twice, and it doesn’t even turn around. My mother is in a diligence that is stopped, and faints away. One of the robbers pays her the most delicate attentions, bathes her temples with vinegar, and gives her smelling-salts. My brother Edouard fights them as best he can; they take him in their arms, kiss him, and make him all sorts of compliments on his courage; a little more and they would have given him sugar-plums as a reward for his gallant conduct. Now, just the reverse; my friend Sir John follows my example, goes where I have been; he is treated as a spy and stabbed, as they thought, to death.” “But he didn’t die.” “No. On the contrary, he is so well that he wants to marry my sister.” “Ah ha! Has he asked for her?” “Officially.” “And you answered?” “I answered that the matter depended on two persons.” “Your mother and you; that’s true.” “No; my sister herself--and you.” “Your sister I understand; but I?” “Didn’t you tell me general, that you would take charge of marrying her?” Bonaparte walked up and down the room with his arms crossed; then, suddenly stopping before Roland, he said: “What is your Englishman like?” “You have seen him, general.” “I don’t mean physically; all Englishmen are alike--blue eyes, red hair, white skin, long jaws.” “That’s their _th_,” said Roland, gravely. “Their _th_?” “Yes. Did you ever learn English, general?” “Faith! I tried to learn it.” “Your teacher must have told you that the _th_ was sounded by pressing the tongue against the teeth. Well, by dint of punching their teeth with their tongues the English have ended by getting those elongated jaws, which, as you said just now, is one of the distinctive characteristics of their physiognomy.” Bonaparte looked at Roland to see if that incorrigible jester were laughing or speaking seriously. Roland was imperturbable. “Is that your opinion?” said Bonaparte. “Yes, general, and I think that physiologically it is as good as any other. I have a lot of opinions like it, which I bring to light as the occasion offers.” “Come back to your Englishman.” “Certainly, general.” “I asked you what he was like.” “Well, he is a gentleman; very brave, very calm, very impassible, very noble, very rich, and, moreover--which may not be a recommendation to you--a nephew of Lord Grenville, prime minister to his Britannic Majesty.” “What’s that?” “I said, prime minister to his Britannic Majesty.” Bonaparte resumed his walk; then, presently returning to Roland, he said: “Can I see your Englishman?” “You know, general, that you can do anything.” “Where is he?” “In Paris.” “Go find him and bring him here.” Roland was in the habit of obeying without reply; he took his hat and went toward the door.