"It will gratify me to do any thing for you," replied Joseph, his eyes lighting up with pleasure.
"Then I ask of your majesty, on your Honor, to answer the question I am about to ask."
"On my honor, count, I will answer it," said Joseph, smiling.
"What did your majesty say to the countess just now, and what was her reply?"
The emperor was thunderstruck—he could not articulate a word.
"Your majesty was so obliging as to promise an answer."
"Yes, count, yes," faltered the emperor. "You shall be satisfied. I said, 'Farewell, Therese, I shall claim thee in heaven.'"
"Your majesty was so condescending as to address my wife in this familiar strain? And her reply was—"
"Only these words, `Yes, in heaven.'"
"I thank your majesty."