An hour later he was sitting with his mother when a young girl burst into the room, unannounced, with a bunch of wild roses in her hand. She wore a short white frock, and a mass of silky chestnut hair fell in soft waves about her slender figure. It was the same youthful beauty he had seen from the carriage. It was the first time they had met, but she recognized him at once from the portraits she had seen, and without a trace of embarrassment approached and greeted him, saying heartily: “How do you do, cousin?” “Who are you?” inquired the Emperor, almost fearing lest the lovely apparition might vanish before his eyes. “I am Elizabeth!” The smile in the wonderful blue eyes won his heart upon the spot. A few hours later he was presented to the Princess Helene, who, if not beautiful, was a bright, intelligent-looking girl with an air of great distinction. Had not Franz Joseph seen Elizabeth first, Helene would undoubtedly have become his Empress. The same day he was to dine with his aunt and uncle. As he entered their hotel in Ischl, he heard two voices from behind a half-closed door. “I beg of you not to go out, Princess!” said one; “you know it has been forbidden.” “That is the very reason why I want to,” retorted the other in soft girlish tones which he recognized; and the next moment Elizabeth stood before him, all smiles and blushes. “Why must you not go out?” he asked. “Because I am only a child and am not expected to appear till my older sister is married. It is all your fault, and I shall have to eat by myself, too!” “Princess, what are you thinking of?” cried the governess, who now made her appearance, crimson with anger. “Pardon, your Majesty!” she added, turning to the Emperor, “but I have had strict orders.” Without heeding her, he offered his arm to the young girl. “Let us go out together, cousin,” he said. “No, no, I dare not!” she replied in alarm. “Papa would be furious.” “Come back!” cried the governess, and taking advantage of her pupil’s momentary hesitation, she drew her into the room and closed the door with a low courtesy to the Emperor. At the close of the meal Franz Joseph turned to the Duke. “I have a favor to ask of my kind host,” he said. “Is it not the custom in Bavaria for the children to come in after dinner? I would like to become better acquainted with your second daughter, whom I saw for a moment at my mother’s this morning.” All exchanged glances, and there was a moment’s silence, as Duchess Ludovica felt all her hopes for Helene slipping away. The Duke replied: “It shall be as you wish, your Majesty,” and in a few moments Elizabeth made her appearance, blushing and frightened.