The thought flashed through his mind that it would be a ridiculous end for an Emperor such as he — in a peaceful park, in the midst of this ridiculous rain, a wretched assassination, a wretched death. He walked between the trees across the soaked ground and headed in the direction from which the noise seemed to have come, when to his consternation and amusement he spotted a woman a few steps ahead. Her white bonnet shimmered. “Over here!” called the Emperor. “Over here!” he called again when the woman did not move. Now she approached. She stood face to face with the Emperor, hardly two strides away from him. She was without doubt a servant woman. Probably, thought the Emperor, she has just left a man’s company. The same old story! They amused him, these everyday common stories.

“Why are you crying?” asked the Emperor. “And what are you doing here?”

The woman did not reply. She lowered her head.

“Answer!” ordered the Emperor. “Come closer!” The woman stepped close to him. Now he could see her. She was certainly one of his serving maids.

The woman fell to her knees, onto the damp earth. She kept her head lowered. Her hair nearly touched the tops of his bootlegs. He bent down toward her. Finally, she spoke.

“The Emperor,” she said. And a few moments later: “Napoleon! My Emperor!”

“Stand up!” ordered the Emperor. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She must have detected impatience and menace in his voice. She rose. “Tell me!” ordered the Emperor. He grabbed her arm and led her into the avenue. He stopped, let go of her, and ordered once more: “Tell me!”

Now he saw from the reflection that fell upon the windows along the avenue that the woman was young.

“I’ll have you punished!” said the Emperor, at the same time caressing her wet face with his hand. “Who are you?”

“Angelina Pietri,” said the woman.

“From Corsica?” asked the Emperor — the name was familiar.

“Ajaccio,” whispered the woman.

“Run! Quickly!” ordered the Emperor.

The woman turned, lifted her skirts with both hands, ran across the stones, and vanished around the corner.

He continued onward, slowly. Ajaccio, he thought. Angelina Pietri from Ajaccio.

He changed his clothes. He was going to the opera. He arrived in the middle of the second act. He stood upright in the box, hat on his head.