“Mind your father, Felicia, quietly and sensibly,” he said; “do not interrupt his words with nonsense, and do not provoke him with childish objections. You, being young and inexperienced, do not anticipate how important a period has begun in your life; that in your hand lies the power of adding to the Felsenburk name a new luster and undying glory. For that reason I speak to you urgently. I shall not try to persuade you by cajolery to do what duty requires. You know that I did not enjoy much pleasure as a husband; it is your duty to make up for the wrong which your mother inflicted upon me with her stubbornness and nearsightedness, and not sin against our family honor as she did.”
The young Countess, wide-awake, listened attentively. “I felt certain that with your behavior and appearance you would make an unfavorable impression on the Emperor, but I was mistaken. Joseph II. found in your character traits in harmony with his, qualities like his own, opinions and thoughts with
