Well, as I was saying, the Emperor got into bed.
"Chevalier," says he to his valet, "let down those window-curtains, and
shut the casement before you leave the room."
Chevalier did as he was told, and then, taking up his candlestick,
departed.
In a few minutes the Emperor felt his pillow becoming rather hard, and
he got up to shake it. As he did so a slight rustling noise was heard
near the bed-head. His Majesty listened, but all was silent as he lay
down again.
Scarcely had he settled into a peaceful attitude of repose, when he was
disturbed by a sensation of thirst. Lifting himself on his elbow, he
took a glass of lemonade from the small stand which was placed beside
him. He refreshed himself by a deep draught. As he returned the goblet
to its station a deep groan burst from a kind of closet in one corner of
the apartment.
