[The Russians advance and prod the French with their lances.] RUSSIAN OFFICER Prince, here's a curious picture. They are dead. KUTUZOF [with indifference] Oh, naturally. After the snow was down I marked a sharpening of the air last night. We shall be stumbling on such frost-baked meat Most of the way to Wilna. OFFICER [examining the bodies] They all sit As they were living still, but stiff as horns; And even the colour has not left their cheeks, Whereon the tears remain in strings of ice.-- It was a marvel they were not consumed: Their clothes are cindered by the fire in front, While at their back the frost has caked them hard. KUTUZOF 'Tis well. So perish Russia's enemies! [Exeunt KUTUZOF, his staff, and the detachment of horse in the direction of Wilna; and with the advance of day the snow resumes its fall, slowly burying the dead bivouackers.] SCENE XII PARIS. THE TUILERIES [An antechamber to the EMPRESS MARIE LOUISE'S bedroom, at half-past eleven on a December night. The DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO and another lady-in-waiting are discovered talking to the Empress.] MARIE LOUISE I have felt unapt for anything to-night, And I will now retire. [She goes into her child's room adjoining.] DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO For some long while There has come no letter from the Emperor, And Paris brims with ghastly rumourings About the far campaign. Not being beloved, The town is over dull for her alone. [Re-enter MARIE LOUISE.] MARIE LOUISE The King of Rome is sleeping in his cot Sweetly and safe. Now, ladies, I am going. [She withdraws. Her tiring-women pass through into her chamber. They presently return and go out. A manservant enters, and bars the window-shutters with numerous bolts. Exit manservant. The Duchess retires. The other lady-in-waiting rises to go into her bedroom, which adjoins that of the Empress. Men's voices are suddenly heard in the corridor without. The lady- in-waiting pauses with parted lips. The voices grow louder. The lady-in-waiting screams. MARIE LOUISE hastily re-enters in a dressing-gown thrown over her night-clothes.] MARIE LOUISE Great God, what altercation can that be? I had just verged on sleep when it aroused me! [A thumping is heard at the door.] VOICE OF NAPOLEON [without] Hola! Pray let me in! Unlock the door! LADY-IN-WAITING Heaven's mercy on us! What man may it be At such and hour as this? MARIE LOUISE O it is he! [The lady-in-waiting unlocks the door. NAPOLEON enters, scarcely recognizable, in a fur cloak and hood over his ears. He throws off the cloak and discloses himself to be in the shabbiest and muddiest attire. Marie Louise is agitated almost to fainting.] SPIRIT IRONIC Is it with fright or joy? MARIE LOUISE