Yes, this Colonel Oudet must die!" Then, as if the sentence of death which he had just uttered had relieved his soul of an oppressive burden, and lightened his heart, the gloomy expression vanished from his face, which was now almost brightened by a ray of joy.
Seizing the silver hand-bell, he rang it violently twice.

Instantly the door leading into his sleeping-room opened and Roustan, gliding in, stood humbly and silently awaiting the emperor's orders.
Napoleon, with a slight nod, beckoned to him to approach, and when Roustan, like a tiger-cat, noiselessly reached his side with two swift bounds, the emperor gazed with a long, searching look into the crafty, smiling face of his Mameluke.
"So you listened to the conversation between the generals ?" asked the emperor.
"I don't know, sire," said Roustan, shaking his head eagerly.

"I probably did not understand everything, for they spoke in low tones, and sometimes I lost the connection.

But I heard them talking about my illustrious emperor and master, so, as your majesty meanwhile had awaked, I thought it advisable to inform you that the generals were having a conversation in the drawing-room, because your majesty might perhaps desire to take part in it." "You did right, Roustan," said the emperor, with the pleasant smile that won every heart; "yes, you did right, and I will reward you for it.

You can go to Bourrienne and have him pay you a hundred gold pieces." "Oh, sire," cried Roustan, "then I shall be very happy, for I shall have a hundred portraits of my worshiped emperor." "Which you will doubtless scatter to the four winds quickly enough, you spendthrift," exclaimed Napoleon.