Maximilian thought of that other empire, which that other temptress exacted of him. It seemed that he had many realms to conquer. But the grimmest humor of all was that he blithely imagined himself capable of satisfying the whims, not of one woman, but of two. Deluded Prince Max!
But the Emperor was not there to discuss empire building, much less to face the tigerish light in his lady’s eyes.
“Monsieur Éloin,” he said, “this is my first personal complaint against you, but there have been others, long, insistent ones, from French and Mexicans alike. You lose me my friends, sir, however I assure them that you have not the 268slightest influence over my policy. So, after the awkward intrusion of to-day, I am resolved that you had best leave us.”
“Your Majesty desires––”
“That you leave the country at once, Monsieur Éloin.”
“But,” protested Charlotte, “that is open disgrace. At least cover it with the pretext of some mission.”
The downcast courtier took heart. Watching his master with narrowed sycophant eyes, he said, “But it need not be a pretext, sire. Since I must leave Your Highness, permit me, then, to find my mission, and one in which I can still serve my sovereign, though in spite of himself.”
Imperceptibly Maximilian fell under the spell of the old fawning.
“And what mission could that be, my good friend?”
“To feel the Austrian pulse, sire. To know when the time is ripe, to hasten the time––”