Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/226

198 Italian airs in an affected style. At the end of a performance the lady expected, and received, the Emperor's compliments; but when at last she was away and out of hearing, he roared with laughter as Betsy, at the piano, imitated the lady's affectations.

With his eyes closed he would pretend that he really believed he was listening to the operatic lady, and end by thanking Betsy gravely for the pleasure she had given.

Napoleon himself was a good mimic. He amused the Balcombe family greatly by his imitation of London cockney street cries.

"Mees Jane," he asked one evening, "have you ever heard the London cries?"

"No, sir, never," she replied. "Then I must let you hear them;" and without waiting further, he began to make a series of shrill sounds. At first it was difficult to distinguish the words, for Napoleon's droll accent could hardly be called good English. His intonation, however, was perfect, and exactly represented the street venders crying their wares.

"You must have been in London, unknown to any one," cried Jane; "for if you haven't