Part 47

I could see myself covered with bruises tumbling about over sofas and chairs, and I could see the bewilderment of any one coming into my room while I was practising this part of my rôle.

I said, "I absolutely refuse to risk my neck." He thought it was very selfish of me. One would have thought that the whole success of the operetta depended on my fainting. He said he could show me how to fall without hurting myself, and in trying to do so he tripped over the vase and bumped his head against the garden bench. Fortunately he did not damage himself, but the argument ended then and there.

At half-past four my maid came to the theater to tell me that the Empress expected me to tea. I had thought she would, as she had promised the answers to those questions; and so it was. As soon as I appeared (I had had time to change my dress) the Empress called me to her and said:

"Here are the answers to your American soul-probing questions! These are mine (giving me hers) and here are the Emperor's. He was very pleased to write them, as it was you who asked him; besides, I think they amused him. He spent a long time pondering over each answer. You see," she added, with her lovely smile, "nous vous aimons bien."

I was very glad to have the answers. I copy them for you.

A quelle qualité donnez-vous la préférence? À la gratitude.

Quels sont vos auteurs favoris? Tacite.

Quelles sont vos occupations favorites? Chercher la solution de problèmes insolubles.

Qui voudriez-vous être? Mon petit fils.

Quelles personnes de l'histoire détestez-vous le plus? Le Connétable de Bourbon.

Pour quelles fautes avez-vous le plus d'indulgence? Pour celles dont je profite.

NAPOLÉON LOUIS.

A quelle qualité donnez-vous la préférence? Au dévouement.

Quels sont vos auteurs favoris? Calderon, Byron, Shakespeare.

Quelles sont vos occupations favorites? Faire le bien.

Qui voudriez-vous être? Ce que je suis.

Quelles personnes de l'histoire détestez-vous le plus? Lopez.

Pour quelles fautes avez-vous le plus d'indulgence? Pour celles que la passion excuse.

EUGÉNIE.

I add the answers of Prosper Mérimée:

À quelle qualité donnez-vous la préférence? La persévérance.

Quels sont vos auteurs favoris? Pr. Mérimée.

Quelles sont vos occupations favorites? Faire des châteaux en Espagne.

Qui voudriez-vous être? Napoléon III.

Quelles personnes de l'histoire détestez-vous le plus? Mazarin.

Pour quelles fautes avez-vous le plus d'indulgence? La gourmandise.

PROSPER MÉRIMÉE.

I think the Emperor's are very clever.