A rose for virtue - Norah Lofts (First edition)

The very private life of Hortense, step-daughter of Napoleon I, mother of Napoleon III

Mother said, ending her story, "And so I asked him to join us here this evening."

She arranged herself a little more comfortably on the sofa.

Eugène said, with a gasp and a stare, "You asked General Bonaparte! Here? Wh—What did he say?"

"He accepted. I cannot say graciously," Mother said with one of her smiles, very sweet but just tinged with mockery. "A trifle brusque. In fact what he said was, I'll come. What time? And I told him, nine o'clock."