heard the dispute in an adjoining room, says that it was long and
clamorous.

He gives the details in Napoleon's own words, and we have here the
advantage of comparing his statement with the account transmitted by Sir
Hudson Lowe to the British Government, dated 17th May 1816. The two
accounts vary but little. Napoleon admits that he was thrown quite out
of temper, that he received the Governor with his stormy countenance,
looked furiously at him, and made no reply to his information of the
arrival of the house but by a significant look. He told him that he
wanted nothing, nor would receive anything at his hands; that he supposed
he was to be put to death by poison or the sword; the poison would be
difficult to administer, but he had the means of doing it with the sword.
The sanctuary of his abode should not be violated, and the troops should
not enter his house but by trampling on his corpse. He then alluded to
an invitation sent to him by Sir Hudson Lows to meet Lady Loudon at his
house, and said there could not be an act of more refined cruelty than
inviting him to his table by the title of "General," to make him an
object of ridicule or amusement to his guests. What right had he to call
him "General" Bonaparte? He would not be deprived of his dignity by him,
nor by any one in the world. He certainly should have condescended to
visit Lady Loudon had she been within his limits, as he did not stand
upon strict etiquette with a woman, but he should have deemed that he was
conferring an honour upon her. He would not consider himself a prisoner
of war, but was placed in his present position by the most horrible
breach of trust. After a few more words he dismissed the Governor
without once more alluding to the house which was the object of the
visit. The fate of this unfortunate house may be mentioned here. It was
erected after a great many disputes, but was unfortunately surrounded by
a sunk fence and ornamental railing. This was immediately connected in