"Take it ill--yes, your majesty," replied the states-chancellor: "become your enemy, that will not much matter, for Rome will always need Austria. The Church and her influence is a mighty power in political life, and we must use political powers, but we must not permit them to rule us--that was one of Metternich's first principles." The emperor was thoughtfully silent. "If I give up Italy, I must win the price of this sacrifice. Do you believe I shall gain an alliance with France?" "I hope so," said Klindworth, a piercing glance appearing for a moment beneath his half-closed eyelids, "if the diplomatists do their duty." "If they do their duty," said the emperor pondering. "My dear Klindworth," he continued, "you must go at once to Paris and use all your talents to induce Napoleon to undertake active measures." "I will set off with the next courier, your majesty," said Klindworth, without the least change in his expression. "You know the situation well, and will do the best you can with it?" asked the emperor. "Your majesty may rely upon me," said Klindworth. The emperor was silent for some time, and passed his fingers lightly over the table. "What do they say in Vienna?" he asked at last, in a tone of indifference. "I trouble myself very little about what they say," replied the states-chancellor, with a quiet, searching glance at the emperor; "but I have heard enough to know that public opinion is courageous, and expects much from the Archduke Albert and the army of Italy." "Do they speak of my brother Maximilian?" asked the emperor, in a slightly constrained voice. Again a quick glance shot from Klindworth's eyes. "I have heard nothing; what should they say about him?" "There are people," returned the emperor, in a low tone, "who pronounce my brother's name in conjunction with this unhappy catastrophe." And again he was silent, a dark cloud gathering on his brow. "The best means for making Vienna pronounce one name," said Klindworth, "is for your majesty to show yourself." "How? Would you have me drive in the Prater?" asked the emperor, with the same gloomy look. "Your majesty," said Klindworth, "a number of Austrian and Saxon officers, who have been wounded, have just arrived, and have come to the Golden Lamb in the Leopoldstadt. May I humbly suggest that your majesty should visit these wounded soldiers? It would make an excellent impression." "Immediately," cried the emperor; "and not to make an impression. My heart urges me at once to welcome these brave men, and to thank them." He rose. "Does your imperial majesty," said Klindworth, in a humble voice, "wish that the money for my journey should be paid by the government?" "No," said the emperor. He opened a small casket standing upon the table, and took out two rouleaux, which he gave to Klindworth. "Is it enough?" he asked. "Quite," he replied, whilst his eyes sparkled for a moment. He seized the rouleaux, and they vanished in the pocket of his brown great-coat.