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 him deeply. He would not listen to love and marriage after that. Only for political reasons, and to satisfy his mother, he married the second time. Josephine of Bavaria did not satisfy him in any respect; he never tried to conceal his indifference to her. He coldly turns away from the foremost beauties gracing his court. You are the first one since Isabel that has surprised him, impressed him, won him. Yes, you have won the Emperor; there is no doubt about it; he went away charmed by you. His complete surrender and your elevation now depend only on your own efforts and tact. If you become not only his sweetheart, but also his friend; if you show yourself worthy not only of his love, but also of his confidence; if you convince him that you can comprehend all his plans and inspire new ones, become helpful and indispensable to him, then I am sure you can easily persuade him to marry you secretly— yes, I am sure that he himself will offer you his hand.”

Maria Felicia turned pale as death. The