SECRET NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE.
After the departure of the emperor for the seat of war, the court of
Vienna became supremely dull. All the state apartments were closed, the
gentlemen and ladies in waiting went about silent as ghosts, the
archduchesses were pale and sad, and the empress, disconsolate, spent
all her days in the solitude of her own apartments.
Not only at court, but in the city were all sounds of joy hushed into
speechless anxiety. Above all, since it had become known that Frederick
had invaded Bohemia, the Viennese were in a state of painful excitement,
convinced as they were that the warlike king would never stop his
marches until they brought him to the gates of Vienna.
Finally the panic reached the palace. The rich were conveying their
treasures to places of security, and the archduchesses and ladies of
honor were importuning the empress to leave Vienna, and remove the court
to Presburg. [Footnote: Dohm's Memoirs, vol. i., p. 187.]
Maria Theresa turned a deaf ear to these entreaties. Her eyes, which had
grown dull through weeping, flashed with defiant courage as she replied:
"I remain here in Vienna, and if the King of Prussia lays siege to my
capital, I shall die like an empress in imperial panoply. I have never
known what it was to fear for my life, and if now my heart throbs with
uneasiness, it is for my people, it is not for myself. I mourn for my
subjects, should Heaven, in its wrath, permit Frederick to prevail. For
this it is that my life is spent in seclusion and prayer. Come, my
daughters, come, ladies all, let us betake ourselves to the house of
God."
And leaning upon the arms of the Archduchesses Elizabeth and Christina,
the empress proceeded to the chapel. Behind them, with downcast eyes and
reluctant steps, came the ladies of the court, all of one mind as to the
weariness of too much godliness and too much praying.
"When will the empress's private chapel be completed?" whispered one of
the ladies to another. "When will this daily martyrdom cease? Is it not
too bad to be forced to church five times a day?"
"You may thank fortune for your headache yesterday. It was my turn to
accompany the empress to the chapel, and we stayed so long that the
Archduchess Elizabeth told me that toward the end her senses began to
fail her, and she was scarcely able to utter the responses. How is the
Archduchess Marianna to-day?"
"Her highness," whispered the first lady, "is too sensible to recover in
a hurry. The wound in her cheek has reopened, and she really suffers a
great deal at present. But she bears her pain with great fortitude.
Yesterday the English ambassador was paying her a visit of condolence,
and as he was expressing his sympathy, the archduchess interrupted him
with a laugh. 'Believe me,' said she, 'for a princess of forty, who is
an old maid, even a hole in her own cheek is a godsend. Nothing that
varies the dull uniformity of my life comes amiss.'" [Footnote: The
archduchess's own words. See "Courts of Europe at the Close of the Last
Century," by Henry Swinburne, vol. i., p. 342.]
Both ladies tittered, but perceiving that the empress was turning her
head, they resumed their sanctimonious faces, and folded their hands.
"Was it you, ladies," said Maria, Theresa, with severity, "who were
interrupting our solemn silence by frivolous whisperings?"
"Yes, your majesty," replied the first lady of honor. "We were preparing
ourselves for prayer by edifying conversation."
The empress smiled kindly upon the speaker. "I know that you are
inclined to religion," said she, "and I am glad that you have had so
good an influence over the Countess Julia, for she is not wont to be too
zealous at prayer. I will remember you both for your piety, dear
children and will see that you are both well married. There is the young
Baron of Palmoden and Count--",
But the empress, who, in her darling schemes of marriage, had forgotten
for a moment whither they were going, suddenly crossed herself, saying,
"Forgive me, ladies; let us hasten our steps."
On this day the empress remained for three hours in the chapel, and
while her attendants, worn out by ennui, were some sleeping, or others
whispering to keep themselves awake, Maria Theresa, before the altar,
was on her knees, praying with all the fervor of her honest and
believing soul. As she prayed, she heaved many a sigh, and many a tear
fell unheeded from her eyes upon her tightly-clasped hands.
Certainly her prayers proved consolatory, for when they were ended, she
rose from her knees, calm and resolved. As she reached the door of her
own room, she turned to her favorite daughter. "Is your heart still
disconsolate, Christina`?" said she, with a look of supreme tenderness.
"How can it be otherwise, my mother?" said Christina, sobbing. "Has not
my cruel and avaricious brother forced my husband into this wicked war?
Oh, dearest mother, if you would but speak the word, Albert might be
relieved from the disgraceful contingency of appearing in arms against
his native land! He has no alternative, he must either become a traitor
to his own country, or perjure himself by deserting his colors. Oh, your
majesty, have mercy upon your subjects, and force the rapacious emperor
to forego his unjust claims, and obey your imperial commands!"
"Dry your tears, my daughter," replied the empress, kissing her
tenderly; "I have prayed so fervently for wisdom in this matter, that I
feel as if my prayers had been answered. What He has commanded I will
do, and may His grace strengthen and guide me! Hope for the best, my
child, and do not speak so unkindly of your brother. He is not as cruel
as you represent him; he has always been a dear, obedient son, and I
trust, I may find him so to the end. Go, now, Christina, and remember
that God directs all things."
The empress dismissed her daughters and entered her room, passing
rapidly to the place where hung the portrait of the Emperor Francis. For
a long, long while she looked at it without any thing but a vague
yearning to be united to her adored husband. Finally, as was her custom,
she began to speak to it.
"Franz, I have prayed from my soul for light. It seems to me that God
has spoken, but, oh, my darling, if what I am about to do is unwise,
whisper me one word of warning, and I shall be passive. Sometimes I
think that you visit me, beloved, and whisper words of angelic sweetness
in my ear. Speak now, my Franz, speak if I am wrong--I will obey your
voice."
She clasped her hands, and looked imploringly at the picture. Finally
she sighed. "Your dear face still smiles upon me," murmured she, "and I
must believe that I have decided for the best. I will act."
So saying, she rang her bell, and a page answered the summons.
"Send hither my private secretary, and let a carriage be dispatched for
Baron Thugut. I wish to see him immediately."
A few moments afterward, Koch made his appearance, and in half an hour
after a page announced Baron Thugut.
"Baron," said the empress, "I wish to put a serious question to you.
Remember that God hears you, and answer me without reservation."
"Your majesty has forgotten," replied Thugut, "that I have been so long
in the kingdom of unbelief that I am an unbeliever myself. I do not know
whether God hears me or not; but as I know that your majesty exacts of
me to be candid, I shall obey your commands."
"Then, tell me what is your opinion of the war of the Bavarian
succession. Do you think it an equitable one?"
The baron's small black eyes turned from the empress to the secretary.
Maria Theresa understood the glance.
"Speak without reserve; Baron Koch is loyal, and knows all my secrets.
Do you think, then, that our claims to Bavaria are just?"
"Just, your majesty?" repeated Thugut, in his sharp, cutting tones.
"Their success or their failure must decide that question. He who wins
will have proved his right. If we succeed in holding Bavaria, Germany
will uphold us--for Germany never raises her voice against a fait
accompli. Should Frederick unhappily defeat us, not only Germany, but
all Europe will cry out against the greed and injustice of ambitious
Austria."
"I do not wish to expose myself to this contingency," replied the
empress. "I must have peace with God, the world, and my conscience, and
you must come to my assistance, Thugut."
An ironical smile played over Thugut's face. "With God and your
majesty's conscience, I would be a poor mediator," said he, "but toward
the world I am ready to serve your majesty in any shape or form."
"Then you shall mediate between myself and Frederick."
"Between your majesty and the King of Prussia!" said Thugut, astonished.
The empress nodded her head, and, just then, the door opened, admitting
a page who handed two letters on a golden plate. "The answer of Prince
Gallitzin," said he, bowing and retiring.
Maria Theresa opened the letters, which were unsealed, saving
"Now we have every thing requisite. Here is a passport for you as
private secretary to the Russian ambassador; and here is a letter which
you are to bear from Gallitzin to the king. This is the pretext of your
visit to Frederick."
"And the real motive is--"
"You will find it in the letter which I shall intrust to you for him.
Read my letter aloud, Koch."
The secretary read as follows
"From the recall of Baron von Reidsel and the marching of your majesty's
troops into Bohemia, I perceive with profoundest sorrow that we are on
the eve of another war. My age, and sincere love of peace, are known to
all the world, and I can give no greater proof of this love than I do by
writing to your majesty. My maternal heart, too, is sorely grieved with
the thought that I have two sons and a beloved son-in-law in the army. I
have taken this step without the knowledge of the emperor, and whatever
its result, I exact that it shall remain a secret between us. It is my
desire to resume the negotiations which were broken off by my son. Baron
Thugut, who will deliver this into your majesty's hands, has received my
instructions, and is empowered to treat with you. I trust that your
majesty may deem it consistent with our common dignity to meet my wishes
in this matter, and hope that you also correspond to the earnest desire
which I cherish for a continuation of friendly relations with your
majesty. With this hope I remain, "Your majesty's affectionate sister
and cousin, "MARIA THERESA." [Footnote: This letter was written in the
French language, and is to be found in Cross-Hoffinger's "Life and
History of the Reign of Joseph II.," vol. iv., p. 89.]
"Your majesty wishes me to bring about a peace. But what sort of peace?"
asked Thugut. "A conditional one, or peace at any price?"
Maria Theresa's eyes flashed fire.
"Is Austria so weak that she should crave peace at any price?" cried
she, proudly.
"No, indeed, your majesty. She seems, on the contrary, so powerful that
she undertakes war at any price. But Bavaria is well worth a war with
Prussia. Allow me one more question. What is the emperor to do with his
army, while we negotiate?"
"They must await the result. I have written to Leopold to use all his
influence to reconcile Joseph, for he will be indignant when he hears
what I have done. But until it becomes evident that we cannot treat with
Frederick, the emperor and his generals must remain passive. Should I
fail, my son may then give battle, while his mother intercedes for him.
If the medicine of diplomacy fails this time, we shall have to resort to
the knife to heal our political wounds."
"Your majesty is right," said Thugut, with a heartless laugh. "When
medicine fails we use the cold steel; and if that is not enough, fire is
the last resort. What are your majesty's conditions with Prussia,
medicine, iron, or fire?" [Footnote: Thugut's own application of the
old-fashioned method of cure. See Hormayer's "Contributions to the
History of my Fatherland."]
"Balsam, I trust," replied the empress. "Koch has drawn out my
propositions. And now go and make your preparations to depart, for I
long for peace with the whole world."