t into the house. Feeling very thirsty, he entered
the dining-room, in which was a large cupboard, where fresh water was
usually kept. Just as he was going in, he heard a noise: the cupboard
doors were quickly shut, and he caught a glimpse of a white frock
disappearing through the open window. Instead, however, of looking after
the fugitive, he went quietly to get a glass of water in the cupboard.
Then, to his dismay, he saw his uncle's basket of fruit half empty!
While, forgetting his thirst, he looked with astonishment at the fruit,
considering who could have been the hardy thief, a voice behind him
roused him from his reverie.

"What are you doing there, Napoleon? You know you are not permitted to
help yourself to supper."

This was uncle the canon himself--a short, stout old man with a bald
head, whose otherwise ordinary features were lighted up with the eagle
glance which afterward distinguished his grand-nephew.

"I was not taking any thing, uncle," replied Napoleon. And then suddenly
the idea occurring to him that he might be accused of having taken the
fruit, the blood rushed hotly to his cheeks.

His confusion was so evident, that the canon said, "I hope you are not
telling a falsehood, Napoleon?"

"I never tell falsehoods," said the boy, proudly.

"What were you doing?"

"I was thirsty; I came to get some water."

"No harm in that--and then, my boy?"

"That was all, uncle."

"Have you drunk the water?"

"No, uncle; not yet."

The archdeacon shook his head. "You came to drink, and you did not
drink; that does not hang well together. Napoleon, take care. If you
frankly confess your fault, whatever it may be, you shall be forgiven;
but if you tell a lie, and persist in it, I warn you that I shall punish
you severely."

The entrance of M. Bonaparte, M. Fesch, and Joseph, Napoleon's eldest
brother, interrupted the conversation; and for some minutes the elder
gentlemen spoke to each other on political subjects; when a sudden
exclamation from Severia, as she opened the cupboard, attracted the
attention of all.

"Santa Madona! who has taken the fruit?"

"This is the mystery discovered!" said the canon, turning toward
Napoleon. "So you stole the fruit?"

"I never touched it," replied the boy.

"Call in the other children," said the archdeacon.

In a few minutes five beautiful children, three boys and two girls,
formed a group round their father, who, looking at each one in turn,
asked, "Which o