"I shall not require you to do so," replied the count, as though he had now removed every objection. "You will be in my house as you are here, absolute mistress of all things, and I shall claim nothing but the right of being your humblest and most devoted servant."
"Unhappily for you, you know not what you claim," exclaimed the countess angrily. "Ask my uncle, ask his household, and they will tell you that I am a tyrant, changing my will twenty times an hour; hating to-day the thing I shall love to-morrow. You would aspire to be my husband, would you? Have you no friends to warn you of the reefs upon which you are running that poor little crazy bark of yours? Why the very people, as they see me pass, tell of my frantic doings; and every child in Vienna knows that I beat my servants, rage about my uncle's house like the foul fiend, and dash through the streets on horseback like the Wild Huntsman."
"'Love tames the wildest hearts,' so says the emperor."
Margaret started, and darted a fiery glance at his tranquil face.
"But I do not love you, I tell you; and it is useless to say another word on the subject."
"Nay," said the count, taking her hand, "it is not useless. I beseech you, do not deny my suit."
At this moment the door opened, and a servant came in with a golden tray, on which lay a letter.
"From her majesty the empress," said the servant, handing it to Count Starhemberg. The count took the letter and went into the embrasure of the window, while the servant retired noiselessly.
"Countess Margaret," said Count Esterhazy, in an imploring voice, "once more I entreat you to accept me as your husband."
She looked at him with withering contempt. "Have I not told you," cried she, passionately, "that I do not love you? A man of honor ceases to importune a woman after such an avowal."