The Puppet Crown

  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