hese wretches; that it is fed
from Switzerland and Piedmont with all that is infamous in political
doctrine? Milan must be bombarded, sir!"

[Illustration: 166]

The Colonel bowed courteously to an opinion expressed with so much
authority.

"You 'll find, at least, that the Field-Marshal will be of my opinion,"
continued she. "As a military position, it is worth nothing."

"But as a capital city, Madame?" mildly interposed the Colonel.

"The old story," said she, contemptuously. "Women and children!"

"Most legitimate objects of protection, I trust, Madame."

But she turned contemptuously away, as if controversy with such an
adversary was beneath her.

"We have three rocket-batteries, Madame," interposed a staff officer,
desirous of offering himself to her notice.

"I hope you will use them with effect, sir. I envy you the pleasure of
seeing them plunging amidst that vile mob it is the fashion to call the
people nowadays."

"I hope we shall do our duty, Madame," said an old, stern-looking major,
who felt little flattered at this interference.

"I should like to see more chivalry,----more ardent devotion in the
defenders of a monarchy," said the Countess. "I can understand coldness
in the lower classes, but that the well-born and the noble should be
apathetic and slow to move is beyond my comprehension."

"Bey'm Blitzen," retorted the Major, "that is not bad I Here we are
going to shed our blood for the Kaiser, and we are told that it is not
enough, without we are born counts and barons."

"What is it, Heckenstein?" said Count Dalton, as he entered the room and
laid his hand familiarly on the other's shoulder. "I have seldom seen
you look so angry."

But the old soldier turned away without a reply.

"Madame de Heidendorf," said the old General, "I know not what you have
said to offend an old and tried servant of the Emperor,--a soldier of
Wagram and Auster-litz,--a faithful follower, when the fortunes of this
great Empire were at the lowest But, believe me, these are not times to
flout loyalty and despise fidelity."

"The times are worse than I thought them," said the Countess, "when
these principles have infected such men as Count Dalton. I had certainly
hoped that his young relative would have received a very different
lesson at his outset in life, nor can I wonder if such teachings end in
evil. Here is the Archduke. How I wish his Highness had come a little
earlier!"

As she spoke, the Prince ent