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Updated: June 6, 2025
"Nay," said the father, smiling, "the wife may be severe, though the empress be clement." "But she, father must she also be pardoned? she who has enticed my husband from his conjugal faith?" "As for the Riccardo," replied Father Porhammer, "I have heard that she is a sinful woman, whose beauty has led many men astray.
Without giving the empress time to make any reply, Kaunitz resumed the subject which had been interrupted by the visit of Father Porhammer. "Though your majesty may deem it expedient to postpone the marriage of the Archduke Joseph, still, that need not prevent us from taking the steps that will be necessary to secure an advantageous alliance for the heir to the throne.
"Then as we are not on the subject of religion, you will have the goodness to leave the room." "I was ordered by her majesty to remain," replied Father Porhammer quietly. Kaunitz turned toward the empress, who, with knit and angry brow, was listening to her minister.
Count Kaunitz never would dare bring his mistresses to my palace doors; he never would have the audacity to treat his official visits to myself as episodes in a life of lasciviousness with an unchaste singer. You shall withdraw your words, Father Porhammer, or you shall prove them." "I will prove them, your majesty."
"Au revoir, my dear prince," said the empress, loud enough for Father Porhammer, who waited to accompany her to the chapel, to hear her greeting. The father could not withhold some trace of his displeasure from his countenance, while Kaunitz, with a faint, derisive smile, passed on. The empress, at that moment, reopened the door, and came out into the hall.
She started at the sound of her own footsteps, and walked faster, that she might come within sight of some one-any one. Suddenly, to her joy, she heard the sound of voices, and paused to listen. The door of the room whence the voices were heard was slightly ajar, and the empress overheard the following conversation. The speakers were Father Porhammer and the Countess Fuchs.
"Your majesty will never consent to bring disgrace upon the father of your imperial children," said a gentle voice close by, and, turning at the sound, the empress beheld her confessor. She advanced hastily toward Father Porhammer. "How!" exclaimed she angrily, "how! you venture to plead for the emperor? You come hither to stay the hand of justice?"
Just then the door opened, and a page announced the lord chancellor, Count Kaunitz. "Admit Count Kaunitz," said the empress, "and you, Father Porhammer, remain." The father withdrew within the embrasure of a window, while the lord chancellor followed the page into the presence of the empress.
Eberhard, of course, has gone to Porhammer, who being piously disinclined to such little pastimes, will go straight to the empress; and then Damon will be reproved, and I I may fall under her displeasure for having known and concealed her son's intrigue. What shall I do? Shall I warn the emperor so that he can carry off his Semele, and go on with his amours? Or shall I bah!
Maria Theresa looked at the countenance of her husband, which was firm and resolved in its expression. In her confusion she could find no retort. The emperor waited awhile, and seeing that she did not speak, he turned toward the two followers, who stood, without moving, at their posts. "I request the Countess Fuchs and Father Porhammer to leave the room," said he, with dignity.
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