CHAPTER XXVIII. INTO THE HANDS OF AUSTRIA
Madame, surrounded by her staff and courtiers, sat in the main salonof the Continental Hotel, waiting for the archbishop. The false,self-seeking ministers of Leopold's reign crowded around her to paytheir respects, to compliment and to flatter her. Already they saw abrilliant court; already they were speculating on their appointments.Offices were plenty; new embassies were to be created, old embassies tobe filled anew.
Madame listened to all coldly. There was a canker in her heart, and noone who saw that calm, beautiful face of hers dreamed how deeply thecanker was eating. There were two men who held aloof from