This gibe led Joseph to threaten that he would mount the tribune in the Chambers and head the opposition to this unpatriotic surrender.

Defiance flashed forth once more from the bath; and the First Consul finally ended their bitter retorts by spasmodically rising as suddenly falling backwards, and drenching Joseph to the skin.

His peals of scornful laughter, and the swooning of the valet, who was not yet fully inured to these family scenes, interrupted the argument of the piece; but, when resumed a little later, _a sec_, Lucien wound up by declaring that, if he were not his brother, he would be his enemy.

"My enemy! That is rather strong," exclaimed Napoleon.

"You my enemy! I would break you, see, like this box"-- and he dashed his snuff-box on the carpet.