"I forbid you to lay a finger upon the Countess Esterhazy," exclaimed the emperor.
Margaret uttered a loud cry, the color forsook her cheeks, and closing her eyes she fell back upon the sofa.
CHAPTER CXV.
THE PARTING.
The emperor hastened to her assistance, but finding her totally insensible, he laid her gently down again.
"She is unconscious," said he; "kind Nature has lulled her to insensibility—she will recover." Then taking the veil from the countess's hat, he covered her face, and turned toward the terrified count, who, trembling in every limb, was powerless to save himself by flight.
"Give me the countess's album!" said the emperor sternly. Count Schulenberg drew it mechanically forth, and, with tottering steps advanced and fell at the emperor's feet.
Joseph tore the book from his hands, and laid it on the sofa by the countess. Then returning, he cried out in a tone of indignation, "Rise! You have behaved toward this woman like a dishonorable wretch, and you are unworthy the name of nobleman. You shall be punished for your crimes."
"Mercy, sire, mercy," faltered the count. "Mercy for a fault which—"
"Peace!" interrupted Joseph. "The empress has already sent a courier to order your arrest. Do you know what is the punishment in Austria for a man who flies with a married woman from the house of her husband?"