The  Austrian  Prime  Minister  found  the  em-
peror in  tears  — like  all  hypocrites,  Francis  Joseph


An  Archduke  and  an  Actress  101

was  able  to  cry  at  a  moment's  notice — and  there
was  no  Council  of  State  that  day  because  His
Majesty  declared  he  was  too  much  upset  by  the
"  ingratitude  "  of  his  cousin.  So  off  he  went  to
bed,  consoling  himself  as  best  he  could  with
further  threats  against  the  archduke  and  his
bride.
It  goes  without  saying  that  Henry  had  not
neglected  the  necessary  precautions  to  protect
the  life  of  the  actress.  He  was  rich  and  could
afford  to  retain  a  score  of  trusty  ex-soldiers  whose
duty  it  was  to  act  as  private  detectives,  and  keep
at  a  distance  all  suspicious  characters  who
attempted  to  approach  Leopoldine's  residence.
With  the  emperor's  threats  ringing  in  his  ears
he  went  straight  to  her  and  told  her  what  had
occurred.  She  was  frightened,  but  quickly
regained  her  composure,  and  when  he  said  that
they  must  be  married  at  once  she  agreed.  She
was  certain  that  Henry  would  not  desert  her  and
that  he  would  make  a  good  and  faithful  husband,
and  events  proved  her  right.
The  plans  of  the  lovers  were  simple  enough.
Leopoldine  was  not  to  give  an  inkling  of  her
approaching  marriage  while  Henry  was  arranging
the  final  details.  All  he  had  to  do  was  to  find
a  priest  willing  to  perform  the  ceremony,  and
this  would  be  only  a  question  of  money.  A
substantial  fee  and  any  one  of  a  thousand
priests  in  Austria  would  risk  the  displeasure  of
their  superiors.
