Puzzled and amazed, the emperor gazed at him.
"Beust!" he cried, "the Protestant! Do you believe that the emperor----"
"I do believe it," said Klindworth; "but at all events, Herr von Beust is here; your majesty can sound him for yourself, and see whether my opinion is well founded."
He fixed his sharp eyes longer and more firmly than before upon the emperor, with a penetrating glance.
Napoleon smiled.
"He who plays with you," he said, "must lay his cards upon the table. Wait with Piétri; I will see you again after I have spoken with your physician upon the future of Austria."
A smile of contentment played round the states-chancellor's thick lips, as with a low bow he withdrew through the portière.
The emperor rang.
"Colonel Favé!"
The colonel, a thin man of middle height, with short black hair, and a small moustache, dressed in a black overcoat, half soldier, half courtier in manner, appeared at the door. He held it open for the minister of Saxony to enter, and he then withdrew.