"Yes, sire; she is the last true-hearted Polish woman left on earth, and
I fear she is about to die upon the grave of her fatherland."
"May I ask her name?"
"Countess Anna Wielopolska. She it is who sent me to the palace, and I came because she asked of me one last friendly service."
"You bring me a message?" faltered the emperor.
"The countess begs to remind the emperor of the promise he made on the day when the empress signed the act of—"
"I remember," interrupted the emperor.
"She asks, if mindful of his promise, he will visit her to-morrow afternoon at six o'clock."
"Where shall I find her?"
"In the very same room which she occupied before. I have delivered my message. Your majesty will, therefore, permit me to withdraw."
He bowed and turned away. Slowly and proudly he made his way through the giddy crowd, without a word of recognition for the frivolous Poles who saluted him as he passed.