A STATESMAN'S HOURS OF DALLIANCE.
"Are there many people in the anteroom?" asked Prince Kaunitz of the
state referendarius, Baron Binder.
"Yes, your highness," returned Binder, "all waiting impatiently for your
appearance."
"Let them wait, the stupid, strutting representatives of littleness! The
more insignificant the petty masters, the more conceited are the petty
ambassadors. I have no time to see them to-day. We are at peace with the
whole world, and our only diplomacy regards marrying and giving in
marriage."
"So far you have nothing to boast or in that line," said Binder,
laughing. "There are all sorts of stories afloat about the unhappy
marriage of the King of Rome. Sorne go so far as to say that he shows
his dislike in public."
"Bah! what matters it whether a prince is a happy husband or not? When a
king sets up pretensions to conjugal felicity, he is either an egotist
or a fool. If the King of Rome cannot love his good, stupid, ugly wife,
he can make love to the dowry she brings him. A goodly inheritance comes
with her; what matters it if a woman be thrown into the bargain?"
"Ah, prince, a woman is sometimes harder to conquer than a province; and
I think the King of Rome would much rather have won his Bavaria with the
sword."
"Because he is a blockhead full of sublime nonsense, who mistakes his
love of novelty for wisdom. He would break his head against a wall, this
obstinate King of Rome, while I crept safely through a mouse-hole. Walls
are not so easily battered down as he supposes; but mouse-holes abound
everywhere, as this sapient king will find out some of these days. It
was much easier for us to creep into Bavaria with the help of the lovely
Josepha, than to flourish our sword in her brother's face. He has not
long to live, and we shall come peacefully in possession of his fair
province."
"Or rather, the war for its possession will be waged in the king's
private apartments."
"On that silly subject again!" exclaimed Kaunitz, impatiently. "If your
heart bleeds so freely for the sentimental sorrows of the King of Rome,
you may have another opportunity for your sensibilities in the marriage
of his brother Leopold; for I assure you that his intended is not one
whit handsomer, or more intelligent, than Josepha of Bavaria. So you see
that the King of Rome will not be apt to envy his brother."
"Your highness is to escort the Infanta of Spain to Innspruck?"
"Not I, indeed; that honor I do not confer upon insignificant princesses
who are nothing but grand-duchesses elect. I go to Innspruck one day
sooner than the imperial family, to inspect the preparations for the
festivities, and then I shall go as far as the gates of Innspruck--no
farther, to receive Donna Maria Louisa."
"That is the reason why your levee is so crowded to-day," replied Binder
laughing. "The foreign ministers wish to take leave of their master. And
now they have waited long enough for you, prince."
"I shall not see one of them. Austria, thanks to me, is now so powerful
that I need give myself no concern to soothe the anger of a dozen petty
envoys, and to-day there are none other in the anteroom."
"The Dutch and Saxon ministers," urged Binder.
"Little nobodies," said Kaunitz, with a shrug. "I will not see them."
"But, indeed, you presume too much upon their littleness. Only yesterday
you invited the Hessian ambassador to dine, and then you sat down to
table without him."
"He was three minutes behind the time. And do you imagine that Prince
Kaunitz waits for a poor little Hessian envoy? I did it on purpose to
teach him punctuality."
Here the prince rang a bell, and ordered a page to dismiss the gentlemen
in the anteroom. [Footnote: Report of the Prussian ambassador Baron
Furst to Frederick II.]
Baron Binder looked after the page and shook his head. Kaunitz smiled.
"Enough of ambassadors for to-day. The ship of Austria lies proudly and
safely in the haven of her own greatness; and would you deprive the
pilot of a few hours of relaxation? I shall have to take the helm again
to-morrow, when I go to Innspruck, and do you grumble if for a few hours
I enjoy life to-day?"
"I was not aware that dismissing one's visitors was a way to enjoy
life," said Binder.
"I do not mean that, you old pedant. Do you hear that tapping at the
door?"
"Yes, I hear it. It is from the little private door that leads to the
corridor."
"Well, that corridor, as you know, leads to a side-entrance of the
palace, and if you look out of the window you will see there the
equipage of the handsomest, frailest, and most fascinating actress in
all Vienna--the equipage of the divine Foliazzi. Hear how the knocking
grows louder. My charmer becomes impatient."
"Allow me to retire, then," said Binder, "and leave the field to the
prima donna." As he left the room, he muttered: "If Kaunitz were not a
great statesman, he would be a ridiculous old fop!"
Kaunitz listened with perfect a unconcern to the repeated knocking of
his charmer until Binder was out of of sight, then he walked up to the
looking-glass, smoothed his locks, straightened his ruffles, and drew
the bolt of the door. The beautiful Foliazzi, in a coquettish and most
becoming morning-costume, radiant with smiles and beauty, entered the
room.
Kaunitz greeted her coldly, and answered her rapturous salutation by a
faint nod. "Your impatience is very annoying, Olympia," said he; "you
beat upon my door like a drum-major."
"Your highness, it is the impatience of a longing heart," said the
singer. "Do you know that it seems to me a thousand years since last I
was allowed to enter these gates of Paradise! For eight days I have been
plunged in deepest sorrow, watching your carriage as it passed by my
house, snatching every note from my footman's hands in the hope that it
might be one from you--hoping in vain, and at last yielded myself up to
fell despair."
"You express yourself warmly," said Kaunitz, umnoved.
"Yes, indeed; for a feeling heart always finds strong expression,"
answered the signora, showing a row of teeth between her rosy lips that
looked like precious pearls. "And now my adored reprobate, why have you
banished me from your presence for an eternity? Which of my two enemies
have prevailed against me, politics or the Countess Clary? Justify
yourself, unkind but beloved prince; say that you have not deceived me,
for my heart yearns to forgive you?"
She came very, very near, and with her bewitching smiles looked up into
Kaunitz's face.
Kaunitz bent to receive the caress, and laid his hand fondly upon her
raven black hair. "Is it true that you have longed for me--very true
indeed?" said he.
"I never knew how dear you were to me until I had endured the
intolerable pangs of your absence," replied Foliazzi, leaning her head
upon the prince's shoulder.
"You love me, then, Olympia? Tell me, dearest, tell me truly?"
"Unjust! You ask me such a question!" cried the signora, putting her
arms around the prince's neck. "If I love you? Do you not feel it in
every pulsation of my heart? do you not read it in every glance of my
eyes? Can you not FEEL that my only thought is of you--my only life,
your love?"
"I am really glad to hear it," said Kaunitz, with statue-like
tranquillity. "And now I will tell you why I have not sent for you this
past week. It was that I might not interrupt your tender interviews with
Count Palffy, nor frighten away the poor enamoured fool from the snares
you were laying for him."
The signora looked perfectly astounded. "But surely," stammered she,
"your highness does not believe--"
"Oh, no! I believe nothing; I know that the Olympia who loves me so
passionately, has been for two days the fair friend of the young, rich,
and prodigal Count Palffy."
Here the signora laughed outright. "But, your highness, if you knew
this, why did you not stop me in my protestations, and tell me so?"
"I only wanted to see whether, really, you were a finished actress. I
congratulate you, Olympia; I could not have done it better myself."
"Prince," said the signora, seriously, "I learned the whole of this
scene from yourself; and in my relations with you I have followed the
example you gave me. While you swore eternal love to me, you were making
declarations to the Countess Clary. Oh, my lord, I have suffered at your
hands, and the whole world sympathizes with my disappointment! The whole
world knows of your double dealings with women, and calls you a
heartless young libertine."
"Does it?" cried Kaunitz, for a moment forgetting his coldness, and
showing his satisfaction in his face. "Does it, indeed, call me a
heartless young libertine?"
"Yes," replied the signora, who seemed not to see his gratification.
"And when people see a man who is adored by women, and is false to them
all, they say, 'He is a little Kaunitz.'"
When the signora said this, Kaunitz did what he had not done for years,
he broke out into a laugh, repeating triumphantly, "A little Kaunitz.
But mark you," continued he, "other libertines are called little
Kaunitzes, but I alone am the great Kaunitz."
"True," sighed the signora, "and this great Kaunitz it is who has
abandoned me. While I worshipped the air he breathed, he sat at the feet
of the Countess Clary, repeating to her the self-same protestations with
which an hour before he had intoxicated my senses. Oh, when I heard
this, jealousy and despair took possession of my soul. I was resolved to
be revenged, and so I permitted the advances of Count Palffy. Ha! while
I endured his presence, I felt that my heart was wholly and forever
yours! Oh, my adored, my great Kaunitz, say that you love me, and at
your feet I throw all the lesser Kaunitzes in token of my fealty!"
The signora would have flung her arms around him, but Kaunitz with a
commanding gesture waved her off.
"Very well done, Olympia," said he, nodding his head. "You are as
accomplished as you are beautiful; and well I understand how it is that
you infatuate by your charms all manner of little Kaunitzes. But now
listen to Kaunitz the great. I not only allow, but order you to continue
your intrigue with Count Palffy. Take every thing he offers; wring his
purse dry; and the sooner you ruin him the better."
"That means that I importune you with my love. Farewell, prince, and may
you never repent of your cruelty to poor Olympia."
"Stay," said Kaunitz, coolly. "I have not done with you. Continue your
amours with the Hungarian, and love him as much as you choose,
provided--"
"Provided?" echoed the singer anxiously, as Kaunitz paused.
"Provided you affect before the world to be still my mistress."
"Oh, my beloved prince," cried Foliazzi, "you will not cast me off!" and
in spite of his disinclination she folded Kaunitz to her heart.
The prince struggled to get free. "You have disarranged my whole dress,"
said he, peevishly. "On account of your folly I shall have to make my
toilet again. Hear me, and let me alone. I said that you would AFFECT to
be my mistress. To this end you will drive as usual to the side-door by
which you have been accustomed to enter the palace, and while your
carriage stands there for one hour, you shall be treated to a costly
breakfast in my little boudoir every morning."
"By your side, my own prince?"
"By yourself, my own Olympia. I have not time to devote an hour to you
every day. Your carriage shall stand at my door in the morning. Every
evening mine will be for an hour before yours, and while it remains
there I forbid you to be at home to any one whatsoever."
"I shall think of nothing but you until that hour," said the signora,
fondly.
"Vraiment, you are very presuming to suppose that I shall trouble myself
to come in the carriage," replied Kaunitz, contemptuously. "It is enough
that the coach being there, the world will suppose that I am there also.
A man of fashion must have the name of possessing a mistress; but a
statesman cannot waste his valuable time on women. You are my mistress,
ostensibly, and therefore I give you a year's salary of four thousand
guilders."
"You are an angel--a god!" cried La Foliazzi, this time with genuine
rapture. "You come upon one like Jupiter, in a shower of gold."
"Yes, but I have no wish to fall into the embraces of my Danae. Now,
hear my last words. If you ever dare let it transpire that you are not
really my mistress, I shall punish you severely. I will not only stop
your salary, but I will cite you before the committee of morals, and you
shall be forced into a marriage with somebody."
The singer shuddered and drew back. "Let me go at once into my boudoir.
Is my breakfast ready?"
"No--your morning visits there begin to-morrow. Now go home to Count
Palffy, and do not forget our contract."
"I shall not forget it, prince," replied the signora, smiling. "I await
your coach this evening. You may kiss me if you choose."
She bent her head to his and held out her delicate cheek, fresh as a
rose.
"Simpleton," said he, slightly tapping her beautiful mouth, "do you
suppose that the great Kaunitz would kiss any lips but those which, like
the sensitive mimosa, shrink from the touch of man Go away. Count Palffy
will feel honored to reap the kisses I have left."
He gave her his hand, and looked after her, as with light and graceful
carriage she left the room.
"She is surpassingly beautiful," said Kaunitz to himself. "Every one
envies me; but each one thinks it quite a matter of course that the
loveliest woman in Vienna should be glad to be my mistress. Ah! two
o'clock. My guests await me. But before I go I must bring down the
Countess Clary from the airy heaven which she has built for herself."
He rang, and a page appeared; for from the time he became a prince,
Kaunitz introduced four pages in his household, and kept open table
daily for twelve persons.
"Tell the Countess Clary," said he, "that in a few moments I will
conduct her to the dining-room. Then await me in my puderkammer."