"It is time to apprise the Archduke Ferdinand that he is being fooled by her women." Then he left the Jesuit abruptly and crossed over to Ferdinand.
"Our dear Stephanie will not, I fear, be here to-night!"
"Why not, cousin?" was Ferdinand's somewhat petulant query. He was not at all gratified at having come to Ratisbon, only to find that Maximilian was once again defeated. He would almost have preferred him to have taken up the position of the neutral. He was angry with the Archduchess for her persistent opposition to his father's wish for the match with Maximilian: annoyed with Maximilian for his continual fidgeting about her absence, to which Ferdinand attached no importance.
"Because she is not in Ratisbon!"
"But I have had messages from her!"
"From her women, who are doubtless in league to deceive you!"
Ferdinand looked much that he did not utter.
He looked at the clock that stood in one corner of the apartment.
"Ten o'clock, and not returned. You must lend me a troop of your hussars to scour the roads!"
"With pleasure! But I beg that you will use discretion. The name of a princess that will one day be Electress of Bavaria may not be lightly bandied. May I suggest Captain von Grätz?"