May he enjoy their sureness. He deserves to. I had no inkling of such barriers here. A good road runs along their front, it seems, Which offers us advantage.... What a night! [The tempest cries dismally about the earthworks above them, as the reconnoitrers linger in the slight shelter the lower ground affords. They are about to turn back. Enter from the cross-road to the right JUNOT and some more officers. They come up at a signal that the others are those they lately parted from.] JUNOT We have ridden along as far as Calandrix, Favoured therein by this disordered night, Which tongues its language to the disguise of ours; And find amid the vale an open route That, well manoeuvred, may be practicable. MASSENA I'll look now at it, while the weather aids. If it may serve our end when all's prepared So good. If not, some other to the west. [Exeunt MASSENA, JUNOT, LOISON, FOY, and the rest by the paved crossway to the right. The wind continues to prevail as the spot is left desolate, the darkness increases, rain descends more heavily, and the scene is blotted out.] SCENE III PARIS. THE TUILERIES [The anteroom to the EMPRESS MARIE LOUISE'S bed-chamber, in which are discovered NAPOLEON in his dressing-gown, the DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO, and other ladies-in-waiting. CORVISART the first physician, and the second physician BOURDIER. The time is before dawn. The EMPEROR walks up and down, throws himself on a sofa, or stands at the window. A cry of anguish comes occasionally from within. NAPOLEON opens the door and speaks into the bed-chamber.] NAPOLEON How now, Dubois? VOICE OF DUBOIS THE ACCOUCHEUR [nervously] Less well, sire, than I hoped; I fear no skill can save them both. NAPOLEON [agitated] Good god! [Exit CORVISART into the bed-room. Enter DUBOIS.] DUBOIS [with hesitation] Which life is to be saved? The Empress, sire, Lies in great jeopardy. I have not known In my long years of many-featured practice An instance in a thousand fall out so. NAPOLEON Then save the mother, pray! Think but of her; It is her privilege, and my command.-- Don't lose you head, Dubois, at this tight time: Your furthest skill can work but what it may. Fancy that you are merely standing by A shop-wife's couch, say, in the Rue Saint Denis; Show the aplomb and phlegm that you would show Did such a bed receive your ministry. [Exit DUBOIS.] VOICE OF MARIE LOUISE [within] O pray, pray don't! Those ugly things terrify me! Why should I be tortured even if I am but a means to an end! Let me die! It was cruel of him to bring this upon me! [Exit NAPOLEON impatiently to the bed-room.] VOICE OF MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU [within]