You English misjudge us
when you think that because we show emotions which you conceal, that we
are therefore of a weak and womanly nature. You cannot read your
histories and believe that. Monsieur Otto recovered his senses
presently, and we took counsel what we should do.
"'It is useless to go on, Alphonse,' said he. 'This Englishman will
laugh at me when I ask him to sign.'
"'Courage!' I cried; and then a sudden thought coming into my head--'How
do we know that the English will have news of this? Perhaps they may
sign the treaty before they know of it.'
"Monsieur Otto sprang from the sofa and flung himself into my arms.
"'Alphonse,' he cried, 'you have saved me! Why should they know about
it? Our news has come from Toulon to Paris, and thence straight to
London. Theirs will come by sea through the Straits of Gibraltar. At
this moment it is unlikely that anyone in Paris knows of it, save only
Talleyrand and the First Consul. If we keep our secret, we may still
get our treaty signed.'
"Ah! monsieur, you can imagine the horrible uncertainty in which we
spent the day. Never, never shall I forget those slow hours during
which we sat together, starting at every distant shout, lest it should
be the first sign of the rejoicing which this news would cause in
London.
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