forehead, framed in on both sides with fine chestnut hair, was high
and statuesque. His eyes were blue, but brimful of the most
wonderful expression and sparkling with fire, a faithful mirror of
his fiery soul, now exceedingly mild and gentle, and then again
stern and even harsh. His mouth was classically beautiful--the
finely-shaped lips, narrow and slightly compressed, especially when
in anger; when he laughed, he displayed two rows of teeth, not
faultlessly fine, but of pearly white. Every lineament, every single
feature of his face was as regular as if modelled by a sculptor;
nevertheless there was something ugly and repulsive in the whole,
and in order to be able to admire it, it was necessary first to get
accustomed to this most extraordinary being. Only the feet and the
small white hands were so surpassingly beautiful that they enlisted
at once the liveliest admiration, and this was perhaps the reason
why General Bonaparte, who otherwise observed the greatest
simplicity in his toilet, had adorned his hands with several
splendid diamond rings. [Footnote: Memoires de Constant, vol. i, p.
52]

Bourrienne was still absorbed in contemplating the friend of his
youth, when the latter suddenly stood still before him and looked at
him with a pleasant smile.

"Why do you stare at me in this manner, Bourrienne?" he asked in his
abrupt and hasty tone.

"General. I only contemplate the laurels which your glorious
victories have woven around your brow, since I saw you the last
time," said Bourrienne.