Free Betsy and the Emperor (9781439115879) by Staton Rabin Page B

Your Majesty,” Huff said as he settled back into his chair, wheezing. “When I had my laboratory at the Briars, one of my experiments with electricity—I shall show it to you if you like, sir—caused some commotion—”
    â€œHe blew up the cellar,” I amplified.
    â€œâ€”and I was banished forever from doing my work there,” Huff continued. “And when the magistrate got wind of it, anyplace else on St. Helena was forbidden to me as well. Betsy told me of this cave, where she went when in search of solitude. She offered it to me so I could continue my experiments in secrecy.”
    The emperor nodded solemnly, as if to promise he would keep the old man’s secret. Huff fixed me where I stood with his cloudy blue eyes. I sensed I was about to receive a lecture.
    â€œNow, young lady, let me attempt to rectify the deficiencies in your education. The man who stands before you is a political and military genius. Now, don’t look at me that way, Betsy. Take heed. Bonaparte is the greatest conqueror of our time! The victor at forty battles. Lord and master to seventy million souls.”
    â€œEighty,” the emperor corrected him politely.
    â€œThe rightful successor to Alexander the Great!” Huff continued with a flourish. He nearly toppled from his chair, and the emperor reached out to support him.
    â€œAh,” I said sarcastically. “You mean he was a dictator.”
    â€œDictator?” Huff said. “Do you call the president of the United States a dictator?”
    â€œDon’t tell me he was president, too,” I remarked, pretending to yawn.
    â€œNone of your nonsense, young lady,” Huff scolded me. “Bonaparte was elected as surely as any American president—by a vote of the people. The constitution that first brought him to power in France was approved by a vote of three million—to only twelve hundred against!”
    â€œI must be truthful,” Bonaparte said. “You are not correct, monsieur.”
    Huff and I looked at him questioningly.
    â€œIt was fifteen hundred against,” Bonaparte said, smiling. “And how I would have liked to have conversed with them.”
    Huff chuckled.
    â€œAnd when they made him first consul for life, more than half a million more people gave him their votes,” the old man added.
    â€œBut now there were ten thousand against,” Bonaparte interjected. “They did not mind the company of Napoleon for a little while, but for some, a lifetime seemed excessif. As old Docteur Franklin used to say in his Poor Richard’s Almanac: ‘Fish and visitors stink after three days.’”
    I was not impressed. I had already known ofBonaparte’s military exploits. Knowing he was elected to the post of “professional murderer” did nothing to increase my admiration for him.
    â€œYou seem quite interested in my life, monsieur,” Bonaparte said to Huff.
    â€œI am half French,” Huff replied. “My mother’s side.”
    â€œAh,” said Bonaparte playfully. “I suppose that’s why you knelt only on one knee.”
    Huff smiled toothlessly at him. “And I am also an admirer of greatness,” the old man added.
    Bonaparte swept off his hat and nodded in acknowledgment. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.
    â€œIt seems mademoiselle does not agree with your assessment,” the emperor remarked.
    â€œShe is young,” Huff said with a sigh. “She will learn.” His condescension was an annoyance, at best. Huff turned to me once more. “Napoleon Bonaparte brought the blessings of civilization to all of Europe. A gift of knowledge, justice, and order. Had Wellington not stopped him at the Battle of Waterloo—”
    â€œI should have sent my reserve troops up sooner on the seventeenth,” Bonaparte muttered, as if refighting the battle in his brain. He shook his head.“I wish I’d died in Moscow. Till then