L'Aiglon - LightNovelsOnl.com
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THE EMPEROR.
Where did you learn your saucy tricks?
THE DUKE.
I learnt them playing in the Tuileries.
THE EMPEROR.
Ah, you come back to that?
THE DUKE.
I wish I could.
THE EMPEROR.
Can you recall those days?
THE DUKE.
Oh, only vaguely.
THE EMPEROR.
Can you recall your father?
THE DUKE.
I remember A man who pressed me hard against a star, And as he pressed I felt with tears of fright The diamond star was stamped upon my heart: Sire, it has stayed there!
THE EMPEROR.
Do I blame you for it?
THE DUKE.
Yes, let the goodness of your nature speak!
When I was small you loved me, did you not?
You loved to have me with you at your meals, And so we used to dine together--
THE EMPEROR.
Charming.
THE DUKE.
My hair was long, and I was Prince of Parma; And when they punished me you let me off.
THE EMPEROR.
Do you remember how you hated ponies?
THE DUKE.
One day they showed me one as white as snow; I stamped with fury in the riding-school.
THE EMPEROR.
You thought a pony was a deadly insult.
THE DUKE.
I cried with rage: I want a great, big horse!
THE EMPEROR.
And now you want another great, big horse!
THE DUKE.
And how I used to beat my German nurses.
THE EMPEROR.
And how with Colin you would calmly dig Enormous holes about my park--
THE DUKE.
For Crusoe.
THE EMPEROR.
He was Man Friday.
THE DUKE.
And I used to hide.
I had a gun, three hatchets and a bow.
THE EMPEROR.
Then you stood sentinel before my door.
THE DUKE.
As a hussar.
