'No doubt for state reasons the Emperor had to tamper a little with Mahomedanism, and I daresay he would attend this Church of St.Paul's as readily as he did the Mosque at Cairo; but it would not do for a ruler to be a bigot.

After all, the Emperor has to think for all.' 'He thinks too much,' said Caulaincourt, gravely.

'He thinks so much that other people in France are getting out of the way of thinking at all.

You know what I mean, de Meneval, for you have seen it as much as I have.' 'Yes, yes,' answered the secretary.

'He certainly does not encourage originality among those who surround him.