Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/23

 there were persons whom the Emperor noted.

Most of the guests would have refused Count Felsenburk’s invitation for that evening, excusing themselves either on account of sickness or some family affair, or would have left Prague on any pretext whatever, had they anticipated his design to surprise them. How the Count laughed in his sleeve and delighted in their confusion! He knew well how to preserve a placid appearance at other times, but that evening, malice poured from every line of his face. His countenance had once been rarely beautiful, but now was deeply red and bloated, proving that the Count was a stronger lover of sweet wines and rich diet than was profitable to his health. What malignity to collect, under the cloak of friendship, into such a dangerous trap, people suspecting no evil! Which of them could do something to frustrate his designs and so punish him? But such questions were banished as quickly as they had sprung up. How could they take revenge on a man who was not only a favorite of the Empress, but, as became evi-