Uncle Bernac by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — Read

At this unexpected announcement Talleyrand and Berthier looked at each / other in silence, and for once the trained features of the great / diplomatist, who lived behind a mask, betrayed the fact that he was / still capable of emotion. The spasm which passed over them was caused, / however, rather by mischievous amusement than by consternation, while / Berthier -- who had an honest affection for both Napoleon and Josephine -- ran / frantically to the door as if to bar the Empress from entering. / Constant rushed towards the curtains which screened the Emperor's room, / and then, losing courage, although he was known to be a stout-hearted / man, he came running back to Talleyrand for advice. It was too late / now, however, for Roustem the Mameluke had opened the door, and two / ladies had entered the room. The first was tall and graceful, with a / smiling face, and an affable though dignified manner. She was dressed / in a black velvet cloak with white lace at the neck and sleeves, and she / wore a black hat with a curling white feather. Her companion was / shorter, with a countenance which would have been plain had it not been / for the alert expression and large dark eyes, which gave it charm and / character. A small black terrier dog had followed them in, but the / first lady turned and handed the thin steel chain with which she led it / to the Mameluke attendant.

'You had better keep Fortune outside, Roustem,' said she, in a / peculiarly sweet musical voice. 'The Emperor is not very fond of dogs, / and if we intrude upon his quarters we cannot do less than consult his / tastes. Good evening, Monsieur de Talleyrand! Madame de Remusat and I / have driven all along the cliffs, and we have stopped as we passed to / know if the Emperor is coming to Pont de Briques. But perhaps he has / already started. I had expected to find him here.'