"And I presume you would consider it a great misfortune for Austria if you were no longer able to unsheathe your goose-quill in her defence. There is no danger of your dying from the wounds inflicted by my tongue; but I am resolved that you shall carry their marks to the grave with you. This is all I had to say to you; you are dismissed."
"But, your majesty," replied Von Schrotter, "I have something to say—I must defend myself."
"You must defend yourself!" cried Maria Theresa, surveying him with a look of ineffable disdain. "Defend yourself to God—I am not disposed to listen to your defence."
"But, your majesty—"
"Peace!" thundered the empress. "Who dares speak when I have ordered him from my presence? Go home, and ponder my words."
So saying, she walked back to her seat. But seeing that Von Schrotter's lips were parted as if in an attempt to say something, she snatched her bell, and rang it so loud that in its clang his words were lost.
"Counsellor Von Schrotter is dismissed," said she to the page. "Open the doors, that he may pass."
Von Schrotter gasped out a convulsive sigh, and scarcely knowing what he did, turned one last sad look upon his cruel sovereign, and bowing his head, left the room.
When his tall, majestic form had disappeared from her sight, the empress said:
"Ah!—that outburst has done me good. And now that I have driven away humiliation by anger, I shall go and pray to God to bless the sacrifice I have made to-day for the good of my people."