Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/233

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A STORY OF BOHEMIAN LOVE
229

teaching there and doubtless still teaches the children of those in behalf of whose principles Miss Felsenburk is dreaming.”

“And he allowed his estates to be confiscated and himself to be banished, not being able to obtain justice for his nation?” proudly the young lady asked.

With a cutting laugh, the Emperor asked: “Would you have advised him to revolt? Ought he to have attempted what he intended to attempt—that is, to raise a rebellion, as the Directors of Bohemia, whose fate moved you so deeply, had done?”

“I think it would have been shorter and pleasanter for both sides if he had done as I shall do now,” the Countess answered with cold dignity. “Knowing what your majesty intends to do, I consider it a patriotic duty to remain no longer a vassal of the throne from which sentence of death has secretly been decreed against my nation, and which in a short time will be publicly proclaimed. I am Bohemian—which, as I see, your majesty has forgotten. After your sentence of condem-