THE REVOCATION.
When Quarin entered the emperor's cabinet, he found him quietly seated before his escritoire half buried in documents: The physician remained standing at the door, waiting until he should be ordered to approach.
Suddenly Joseph was interrupted in his writing by a spell of coughing. He dropped his pen, and leaned back exhausted. Quarin hastened to his side.
"Your majesty must not write," said he, gravely. "You must lay aside all work for a time."
"I believe that I shall have to lay it aside forever," replied Joseph, languidly. "I sent for you to say that I have a lawsuit with my lungs, and you must tell me which of us is to gain it." [Footnote: Joseph's own words.—"Characteristics of Joseph II." p. 14]
"What am I to tell your majesty?" asked the physician, disturbed.
The emperor looked up with eyes which glowed with the flaming light of fever. "Quarin, you understand me perfectly. You must tell me, in regard to this lawsuit with my lungs, which is to gain it, myself or death? Here is my evidence."
With these words he drew out his handkerchief and held it open between his wan, transparent hands. It was dyed in blood.
"Blood!" exclaimed Quarin, in a tone of alarm. "Your majesty has received a wound?"
"Yes, an interior wound. The Hungarians have dealt me my death-blow. This blood is welling up from a wounded heart. Do not look so mournful, doctor. Let us speak of death as man to man. Look at me now, and say whether my malady is incurable."