Slowly turning away, she left the room and entered her cabinet, which opened into the gray bedroom.
"And now to my last worldly task," said she, as ringing a silver hand-bell she bade a page conduct Prince Kaunitz to her presence.
The page opened the door, and the prince came in.
The empress greeted him with a silent bend of her head, and exhausted, sank into an arm-chair that stood before her writing-desk. Kaunitz, without awaiting permission, took a seat opposite.
There was a long pause. At length Kaunitz said: "Your majesty has honored me by commanding my presence hither."
"Yes, I sent for you because I have something of great importance to say," replied the empress.
"I am all attention," replied the minister. "For it is worthy of your noble self so soon to stifle your grief and to attend to the duties of your crown. You have sent for me that we may work. And your majesty has done well, for much business has accumulated on our hands since we last held a cabinet council."
The empress shook her head. "Business no longer troubles me," replied she; "I have sent for you to say that we are no longer to work together."
"Does that mean that your majesty is about to dismiss me in disgrace?
Are you no longer satisfied with your minister?" asked Kaunitz.
"No, prince. It means that I myself must retire from the bustle and vanities of this world. My hands are no longer fit to wield a sceptre; they must be folded in prayer—in prayer for my emperor, who was called away without receiving the sacraments of the church. My strength is gone from me; my crown oppresses me; I can no longer be an empress."