still the long white robe like an Arabian prince. His ragged beard was now completely gray, though, and almost reached his navel.
He shuffled toward me, extending his long, bony arms. âOh, my dear child! How you have grown!â Huff embraced me, and I daresay he shed a tear or two. âLet me look at you.â
He stepped backward, and it was then that he noticed I was not alone, for Bonaparte had been lurking, sword aready, in the shadows. Oddly, it seemed the emperor had been intent on defending me, should the need arise.
âHave Iâ¦interrupted you, my dear?â Huff said, embarrassed. âI will go, of courseâ¦.â And he turned to leave. I was puzzled at first by his unease. And then it dawned on me: He thought heâd interrupted a romantic tryst!
I couldnât contain a laugh. âNo, no!â I said, almost choking with laughter. âPlease donât go. Itâs nothing like that. Heâs just aâ¦â
Bonaparte listened expectantly, waiting to see what word Iâd supply to describe him, I suppose. But I was at a loss.
âAcquaintance,â Bonaparte supplied in my behalf. âOf the most respectful kind.â
âAh,â Huff said, as if that made everything clear.
Apparently, his eyesight was none too good. He clearly did not recognize the emperor.
âI hope you donât mind my bringing him here,â I said to the old tutor. âWe didnât mean to give you a start.â
âQuite all right,â Huff said, tugging at his beard. âI can use the company. You look to be an officer, young man. Betsy, youâve done well for yourself, my dear.â He clapped Bonaparte feebly on the back. It was clear the emperor was not accustomed to such familiarities, but he did not protest.
âYes,â Bonaparte said, amused. âAn officer, indeed.â
âWell, thatâs a most commendable profession,â Huff said, lowering himself slowly into a chair. âWhere are you stationed?â
Bonaparte seemed to be enjoying the charade. âSt. Helena,â he said. âMy orders are that I shall be assigned hereâ¦indefinitely.â
âMarvelous! Then we shall be seeing a lot of you,â Huff replied, peering through a lens at an insect specimen pinned to the table. Huff scribbled a few notes with a quill and stood up with agonizing slowness. He extended a veiny, arthritic hand to the emperor. âWhat is your name, young man?â
Bonaparte said nothing but gave the old man his hand. I wanted to break the news to Huff as gently as possible. But there was no time for shilly-shallying.
âThis is Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte of France,â I said.
To my astonishment, Huff grabbed on to the seat of his chair and lowered himself painfully to one knee. He doffed his hat and bowed his head. The lamplight danced off his shiny bald spot.
âForgive me, Your Majesty,â Huff said quietly.
Bonaparte seemed as mystified as I by the oldmanâs actions, but he was clearly pleased. For my part, I was afraid Huff would fall and break his hip.
âHuff!â I protested, taking him by the arm. âNo need to do that. Please stand up, my friend. Heâs just a prisoner now.â
Bonaparteâs eyes flashed fire at me.
Huff raised his bowed head and stared at me with what can only be described as horror.
âJust a prisoner?!â Huff said. Iâd never known him to look so angry. He pounded the seat of the chair, albeit weakly. âYoung lady, it seems they have not taught you properly in your fancy school!â
âNow, now, old man,â Bonaparte said, helping Huff to his feet. I was surprised by the tenderness the emperor showed him. He could not have been more gentle had he been assisting his own mother. âNo need to kneel to me. I can see you are a man of accomplishment yourself.â He glanced around the room. âWhy secrete it away here?â
âThank you,