Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/90

 easy as possible. For when was it that a private soldier was not at his ease with the Emperor? It is the bigwigs who think they know something, whom the Emperor frightens."

There was a long wait, but after a while the door opened, and the same young aide ushered him into the Emperor's cabinet; and just as Cartouche had known, he felt as easy as ever in his life as soon as he found himself alone with the Emperor.

The Emperor sat at a table, leaning his elbow upon it. His pale and classic face was luminous with a smile as he saw Cartouche; he had no more forgotten the first man across the bridge at Lodi than Cartouche had forgotten him.

"Well, my friend," he said, smiling. "I was about to send for you, because I have found out some surprising things about your protegée, Mademoiselle Fifi; and besides, I see by the newspapers that she has drawn a prize of a hundred thousand francs in the lottery."

"Yes, Sire," replied Cartouche, "and I want to ask your Majesty what I am to do with Fifi's hundred thousand francs."

"Good God!" cried the Emperor, getting up and walking about the room with his hands behind his