"Indeed! How old are you, then?"
"Your majesty, I am forty-six years of age," replied Eugene.
"Why, how can you say such a thing," exclaimed Leopold, "when everybody knows you to be just twenty-three?"
"Your majesty, are not the years of active service reckoned by the soldier as double?"
"Yes, assuredly, my young field-marshal."
"Then, my liege, I am forty-six years of age, for my life has been one long war with troubles and trials."
The empress looked sympathizingly into the deep, sad eyes of the young prince, and saw that he spoke the truth.
"Have you then had many sorrows?" asked she, gently.
"Ay, your majesty; I have struggled and suffered since childhood, for I have ever been a soldier of misfortune."
"But you are no longer one," said Leopold, laying his hand upon
Eugene's shoulder; "you have taken the oath of allegiance to
Austria, and misfortune has now no claim upon you."