He bowed, and passed into the next room; then into the cabinet of the empress, whence he returned with word for Count Kaunitz to enter.
CHAPTER IX.
NEW AUSTRIA.
The empress received the count with a most gracious smile. "You are late," she said, reaching out her hand for him to kiss.
"I came very near not reaching your majesty's presence at all, for those two wiseacres in the anteroom refused me entrance, because I had neither red stockings nor a dagger."
The empress then perceived the omission, and she frowned. "Why did you present yourself here, without them?" asked she.
"Because, your majesty, I detest red stockings; and I really cannot see why I should be compelled to wear any thing that is so distasteful to me."
Maria Theresa was so surprised, that she scarcely knew what reply to make to the argument; so Kaunitz continued:
"And as for the dagger, that is no emblem of my craft. I am not a soldier, but a statesman; my implement is the crowquill."
"And the tongue," replied the empress, "for you certainly know how to use it. Let us dismiss the dagger and red stockings, then, and speak of your pen and your tongue, for I need them both. I have well weighed the matters under consideration, and have taken counsel of Heaven and of my own conscience. I hope that my decision will be for the best."