The Count’s eye unconsciously sparkled. He had complained to the Emperor about his daughter being an Amazon, and yet her manlike qualities flattered the old soldier. He had given them a chance to develop freely through all her youth, and not until now, when they came out too boldly, did they frighten him. He considered it impossible to introduce her to the Emperor, and for the first time really felt hard toward her.
The Emperor, noticing the hesitation, smiled.
“The Countess has inherited your blood; it is boiling over, and that is her whole offense. You are unjust in turning against her on that account,” he said, soothing the excited father. “But if you feel that your hand is really too weak to keep your daughter’s youthful spirit within proper limits, put her in hands as kind as yours, but less yielding. Marry your daughter, if she is willful.”
“She will not listen to marriage,” the Count sighed again.
“That is the way all girls talk. It is a
