"General Baron Gablenz, with the chief of his staff and aides-de-camp," replied Prince Liechtenstein.
"Very good," said the emperor; "let them come in at once."
The prince immediately summoned the general and his companions. Baron Gablenz advanced towards the emperor.
"I beg your majesty, before my departure for the army, to permit me to express my humble thanks for the command you have bestowed upon me of the 10th corps, and for your gracious expressions of confidence in me."
The emperor replied, "This confidence, my dear general, is no favour, you have deserved it, and you will justify it by the fresh laurels which you will bind around the banners of Austria."
Baron Gablenz presented Colonel Bourguignon, his aides-de-camp, and Lieutenant von Stielow. The emperor said a few words to each in his usually gracious and engaging way. To Herr von Stielow he said--
"You are from Mecklenburg?"
"At your command, your majesty."
"Yours will perhaps be a divided heart; for I fear your Fatherland will be compelled to stand on the side of our enemy."
"Your majesty," replied the young officer with emotion, "so long as I wear this uniform, my Fatherland is where your royal banners wave. My heart is Austrian." He placed his hand on his breast, and pressed closer to his heart the rose he had received the evening before.