"Did you not tell me there were several?"
"No, sire," replied the queen, reddening.
"What fables men do invent!" exclaimed the king. "A courier has just arrived from the French embassy, in Vienna, with dispatches informing us that Count von Mercy had received for your majesty one official letter from the empress, and two private letters of instruction, one of which contained a list of persons recommended by her majesty; and, finally, a fourth missive, private, from the Emperor Joseph. And all this is pure invention, Count von Mercy?"
"It is, your majesty," said the count, with much embarrassment, while
Marie Antoinette cast down her eyes, and blushed.
The king enjoyed their confusion for a while; he seemed to take pleasure in this first triumph of his regal power, and a smile flitted over his rather clumsy features.
"You see, then," continued he, "that I have received false intelligence, and it is evident that Austrians are less corrupt than Frenchmen, for I am told that Count von Mercy and Prince Kaunitz are au fait to every thing that transpires in the palace here. Be that as it may, we intend to follow the example of the queen. Our policy shall be so frank and honorable that all the world may know it and welcome. But—it occurs to me that the mistress of ceremonies is in great anguish of mind. She will not recover her equanimity until she sees you again, count."
"In that case, your majesty, I beg leave to retire," replied the count.
The king bowed, and the queen gave him her hand.
As the count was about to raise the portiere, the king called him back. "Do you send a courier to Vienna to-day?" asked his majesty. "Yes, sire, in one hour."
"Then let me impart to you a secret which I think will interest her imperial majesty of Austria—my new ministry."