Kaunitz bowed his thanks, and began to untwist the stems of the flowers. The emperor and the two courtiers looked on with interest. The prince drew forth a little folded paper, and reached it over to the emperor.
"Have the goodness, your majesty, to read it yourself. A declaration of love from a lady is not intended for my profane eyes."
The emperor sighed. "No," said he, "it is no declaration for me. I am not so happy. Read, your highness, read it aloud."
Kaunitz unfolded the paper, and read. "Souvenir d'Eperies"
"Nothing more?" asked Joseph.
Kaunitz replied by handing him the note.
"How strange! Only these words, and no explanation. I cannot understand it."
"These words prove my supposition, your majesty. The donor is a Polish lady and one of the Confederates."
"You think so?"
"I am convinced of it. When your majesty was travelling in Hungary, did you not spend a day at Eperies, and honor the Confederates by receiving them both publicly and privately?"