Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/69

 tell me openly your opinions about what I may ask you. You need to learn of me, and I of you. Oh, do not shake your head so doubtingly, as if it were impossible; my words are not mere words of courtesy. You, of course, do not and cannot know how invaluable to a ruler are two clear, unprejudiced human eyes which earnestly want to serve him.”'

And Joseph II. parted with the Countess as with a princess of the blood.

The Count escorted the Emperor back to his palace, where the Emperor’s traveling carriage was waiting. On their way Joseph did not say a word, and yet the Count, because of what he read in his master’s clear face, was not displeased or dissatisfied.

Count Felsenburk felt that he had never loved his daughter so much as he did just now. Had he prepared her in the most careful way for her meeting with the Emperor she could not have made a more favorable impression upon him; she could not have played her part more successfully than she had done unconsciously and on the inspiration of the mo-