Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/33

 him. The Count did not sacrifice blood and estates in vain; the name of Felsenburk became more powerful and glorious than ever before. But the grateful Empress, even after having covered him with stars and crosses, was not satisfied; she was thinking of another reward—a more beautiful reward.

The Empress was the guardian of a young lady, an orphan, wealthy, and of an illustrious family, who was in St. Ann’s convent in the Old Town of Prague for her education. This ward she chose for his bride. At the request of the Empress, the young lady sent her photograph to Vienna; the Count, favorably impressed by the portrait of the young beauty, willingly accepted her majesty’s offer. The young lady was brought in great splendor from Prague to Vienna, where the Empress had made such magnificent preparations for the marriage festivities that for some time they were the talk of the whole city. The Empress and her whole court graced with their presence not only the religious ceremonies at St. Stephen’s Church, but also the