Itwasexactlyforthepurposeofdispellingtheanxietywithwhichthisunpleasantintelligencehadfilledhim，that。Francisbadlaidasidethereportandrecommencedhisworkonthecup;andbythisoccupationhebadsucceededinforgettingtheburdensomedutiesofhisimperialoffice。
Hewasjusttryingveryhardtoplaneonesideofhiscup，whenalowrapatthesmalldoorleadingtothenarrowcorridor，andthencetotheapartmentsoftheempress，interruptedhim。Theemperorgaveastartandlookedtowardthedoor，listeningandhoping，perhaps，thathisearmighthavedeceivedhim。Butno，therappingwasheardoncemore:therecouldnolongerbeadoubtofit——somebodysoughtadmittance，andintendedtodisturbthepeacefulsolitudeoftheemperor。
\"Whatdoestheempresswant？\"murmuredFrancis。\"Whatdoesshecomeherefor？Iamafraidsomethingunpleasanthashappenedagain。\"
Herosewithashrugfromhischair，puthisminiaturecuphastilyintothedrawerofhistable，andhurriedtoopenthedoor。
Francishadnotbeenmistaken。ItreallywastheEmpressLudovica，thethirdconsortoftheemperor，whohadmarriedheronlyafewmonthsago。Sheworeahandsomedishabilleofembroideredwhitemuslin，closelysurroundingherdelicateandslenderform，andtrimmedwithbeautifullaces。Thewhitedressreacheduptotheneck，wherearose—coloredtiefastenedit。Herbeautifulblackhair，whichfelldowninheavyringletsonbothsidesofherface，wasadornedwithacostlylacecap，fromwhichwideribbonsofrose—