"I never play," returned Joseph. "A monarch who loses money at cards, loses the property of his subjects." [Footnote: Joseph's own words. Hubner, part i., page 151.]
"Since you do not like cards, we have other recreations at hand. How would you relish a hunt in the woods of Meudon?"
"Not at all," said Joseph. "Hunting is no recreation for a monarch. HIS time is too precious to be frittered away in such idle sport."
"Ah," said Louis, whose patience was exhausted, "you imitate your old enemy, the King of Prussia, who for twenty years has been crying out against the sins of hunting and gambling."
The emperor's face grew scarlet, and his eyes flashed. "Sire;" replied he, "allow me to observe to you that I imitate nobody, and that I am resolved now as ever to conduct myself as I see fit."
To this the king bowed in silence. He was so weary of his walk that he led the way to a road by which a short-cut might be made to the palace. This road was crossed by an avenue of trees which bordered a large iron gate leading to the front entrance of the palace. Here the people were accustomed to assemble to obtain a view of their sovereigns; and to-day the throng was greater than usual, for they had learned from the Swiss guard that the two monarchs were out together, and thousands of eager eyes were watching for the glittering uniforms of the gardes de corps.
Great was their astonishment to see two individuals alone; apparently independent of the courtiers at some distance behind them.
"Who could they be—these two gentlemen advancing together? Certainly not the emperor and the king, for the latter never took a step without his life-guards."
"But it is the emperor!" cried a voice in the crowd. "I know his handsome face and his dark-blue eyes."
"And the other is the king!" exclaimed another voice.