"Because he intends to bestow them upon worthier objects."
"No, no; it is because he is a miser."
"He a miser!" cried Joseph. "Did he not some days ago burn up twenty-two millions of coupons?"
"It was said so; but no one saw them; and it is whispered that the twenty-two millions were nothing but pieces of waste paper."
The emperor was speechless. He looked at this young traducer with an expression of real horror.
"How!" at length said he, in a voice choked by emotion, "the emperor is suspected of such baseness!"
"He is known to be selfish and miserly," replied his tormentor.
Joseph's eyes flashed with anger; but conquering his bitterness, he constrained himself to smile.
"My child," said he, "you have been deceived. If you knew the emperor, you would find that he is generous and ready to do justice to all men. Go home and write your petition; and come to-day at noon to the imperial palace. The guards will allow you to pass, and a servant will be there to conduct you to me. I, myself, will present your petition, and I know that the emperor will not refuse a pension to the widow and child of a brave Austrian officer."
The girl's eyes filled with tears as she attempted to thank her unknown benefactor.