Act III. Cabinet of the _Emperor_. There is a brief scene between

_Napoleon_ and his sisters, to whom he announces that there is to be a hunt at dawn, at which he desires their presence. They withdraw; _Catherine_ is announced.

_Napoleon_ brusquely attacks her for her behaviour. She recalls his own humble origin, tells of her services to the army, and of the wound in the arm she received on the battlefield, maintains that his sisters in insulting her also insulted his army, and, as a climax draws out a bit of yellow paper--a laundry bill he still owes her, for he was the impecunious young lieutenant mentioned in the first act. With much chicness she even tells him that, when she delivered his laundry, she tried to attract his attention, but he was always too absorbed in study to take notice of her, and make love to her.

The _Emperor_ is charmed. He kisses the scar left by the wound on her arm. _Catherine_, bowing, exclaims, "The Emperor owes me nothing more!"

_Catherine_ is about to go, _Napoleon_ ordering for her the escort of an officer, when _Neipperg_ is apprehended, as he is approaching the _Empress's_ door. Infuriated, _Napoleon_ tears the string of medals from the Ambassador's breast and appears about to strike him in the face with it. _Neipperg_ draws his sword. Officers rush in. _Napoleon_ orders that he be shot ere dawn, and that _Fouché_ and _Lefebvre_ have charge of the execution.