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The masters of ceremonies retired, and Count Spaur, putting on his hat, said: "I declare this sitting suspended. My lords, cover your heads!" The French ambassador, followed by a numerous retinue, now entered the hall. He advanced to the canopy where the imperial envoys were seated, and inclined his head.
"Yes, they are; and I fear that these red cloaks signify war." "What do you mean?" "I mean war with but, pardon me, I see that they are waiting for me to open the council." With an inclination of the head, Count Spaur passed down the hall, and took his seat under the red canopy appropriated to the imperial ambassador.
"God be thanked! They could then proceed to business!" Count Spaur replied by a melancholy shake of the head. "You are not aware that, before the Diet assemble, a banquet is given, at which all are expected to be present.
"Whence comes he?" asked Count Spaur. "He announces himself as Count de Crecy. ambassador extraordinary of the King of France to the imperial Diet." This communication was received in profound silence. Dismay was pictured on many a face, and every eye was turned upon the presiding envoy, the representative of the emperor.
"We are individuals entitled to make an uproar, and shall continue to make it until we obtain admission to the presence of Count Spaur for his excellency Count von Crenneville, who comes on important business from his imperial majesty the emperor."
Count Spaur offered his arm, and conducted his guest to the dining- room, where breakfast was about to be served. Count von Crenneville threw aside his military cloak, unfastened a few buttons of his uniform, and took his seat at the table. "I am delighted to see you," said Count Spaur, handing a cup of chocolate. "Your arrival is a delicious interruption to the stupid life I had in Regensburg."
"I dare not," replied the porter, shaking his head. "I am not at liberty to admit anybody, until I have orders to do so from the valet of Count Spaur." "Not admit the emperor's envoy?" exclaimed the indignant lackey. "That is an affront to his excellency."
"His majesty asks impossibilities of me," sighed he. "Do you know what this letter contains?" "Be so kind as to read it to me." So Count Spaur began: "My dear Count, It is time this imperial Diet end their petty quarrels, and go seriously to work; for these are no days wherein important interests may be neglected for the sake of etiquette.
When they had breakfasted, Count Spaur led the way to his cabinet, and the conference began by Count von Crenneville handing a packet to his friend from the emperor. The latter received it with a profound inclination, and carefully cutting it, so as to avoid breaking the seal, he opened it, and prepared to make himself master of its contents. He shook his head dolefully.
There are reasons for thinking that his choice of the hospitality of the King of the Two Sicilies, rather than that of France or Spain or Sardinia, was the result of an intrigue in which Count Spaur, the Bavarian minister who represented the interests of Austria in Rome after that power withdrew her ambassador, played a principal part.
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