his horse and looked at his hands, but they were destitute of rings; he felt in his lace vest, but there was no clasp in it. He sorrowfully exclaimed:
“I should like to bestow a gift on the Countess, but lo! I have no suitable jewelry at hand.” The Count turned to a servant who held a basket of bottles filled with wines, and taking from it a goblet intended for the Emperor’s use, silently handed it to his royal friend. His hand trembled as much as his eyes glowed with excitement. Joseph anxiously reached for the gold cup, and quickly went to the Countess.
“To the victor,” he exclaimed, handing the cup to her with a pleasant dignity, yet the dignity of a sovereign.
Maria Felicia, surprised by his sudden appearance, thanked him with a silent bow. It was not so profound as it should have been; neither did she repeat it three times; but it was so graceful and respectful that it satisfied even the Count, who watched her with the greatest anxiety. She took the cup from the
