"Speak, then, and speak quickly."
"Will your majesty grant an audience to my unhappy country-woman, the
Countess Wielopolska?"
"The Countess Anna!" said the empress, with a shudder. Then, as if ashamed of her agitation, she added, quickly.
"Admit her. If the emperor comes, let him enter also."
The baroness courtesied and withdrew, but she left the door open; and now was seen advancing the tall and graceful figure of the countess. Her face was pale as that of the dead. She still wore her black velvet dress, and the long veil which fell around her person, hovered about her like a dark, storm-heralding cloud.
"She looks like the angel of death," murmured the empress. "It seems to me that if those pale, transparent hands, which she folds over her breast, were to unclasp, her icy breath would still the beatings of my heart forever!"
The countess glided in like a vision, and the door closed behind her.
The empress received her with an affable smile.
"It is very long since I have seen you," said the proud Maria Theresa, with an embarrassment to which her rank had hitherto made her a stranger.
"I was waiting to be summoned by your majesty," replied the countess.
"And as I did not summon you, you came voluntarily. That was kind. I am very glad to see you."