At last Betsy noted a tone in the Emperor's voice that warned her to go no further.
"But since you are so disappointed," said Napoleon kindly, "you may have whatever you wish to ask of me. _Dites-moi, que veux-tu que je fosse Mdlle. Betsee pour te consoler?_" ["Tell me, what do you wish me to do to console you?"]
"Let us play the game of blindman's buff you have so often promised. Then I will forgive you for not having the ball, and never speak of it again."
"Blindman's buff, as you describe it, did not seem to be just the game for me. Can't you think of something else?"
"But you promised, and your room is splendid for it, and it wouldn't be any fun without you."
Seeing that resistance was useless, the Emperor at last consented to play. He began by binding his fine white handkerchief over Betsy's eyes.
But Betsy, although she spoke truly in saying that she could not see the Emperor, could yet detect a glimmer of light. Napoleon waved his hands before her eyes, and the shadows and rush of air made her start.
"Ah, leetle monkey, you can see me!" he exclaimed, and he put another handkerchief over her eyes.
Then, with Betsy in the middle of the room, the game began. Soon the young girl felt some one pull her nose roughly. She knew who had touched her, for, as he crept toward her, she recognized Napoleon's footsteps. As she darted forward, he bounded away just as her hand touched his. Then, as she groped about, Napoleon pulled her ear. She was sure that she had recognized him and putting out her hand she cried triumphantly:
"I have you, I have you! Now it is your turn."
When Betsy uncovered her eyes she was mortified to find that it was her sister she had captured. Napoleon, it was true, had pulled her ear, but he had accomplished this by reaching his hand over Jane's head. Every one now laughed at Betsy.
"Come," said Napoleon, "as you have made such a great mistake, you must pay the penalty and remain blindfolded."
The Emperor continued to tease and quiz, pulling Betsy's ear or her dress, and always managing to escape being caught.
At last, when the fun was at its height, a servant, entering, announced that some one had called to see the Emperor. So the young people were left to themselves for a while. The game was at an end.