DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY.
The Emperor Joseph was in his cabinet, engaged in looking over the letters and documents of the day, when a page announced his highness Prince Kaunitz. Joseph waved his hand in token of consent, and when the prince appeared at the door, rose to meet him as he entered the room.
"It must be business of state that brings your highness to my study at this early hour," said the emperor.
"It is indeed, sire," said Kaunitz, taking the chair which Joseph himself had just placed for him.
"And it must be a day of rejoicing with you, prince, for I see that you wear every order with which you have been decorated by every court in Europe. What does this display signify?"
"It signifies, sire, that the day has come, which I have awaited for twenty years, the day for which I have schemed and toiled, and which for me shall be the proudest day of my life. I go out to battle, and if I am to be victorious, your majesty must come to my assistance."
"Is it a duel with the empress, in which I am to be your second? I thank you for the honor, but you know that I have no influence with my lady mother. I am an emperor without a sceptre. But tell me Kaunitz, what is the cause of the trouble?"
"You know it, sire, and I have come to prove to you that I am a man of my word, and keep my promises."
"I do not remember that you ever promised me any thing."
"But I do. I remember a day on which my young emperor came to me to complain of a wrong which had been inflicted upon him at court."