The Daughter of an Empress

"Honor is the first law of the Spaniard," proudly responded the duke

"and whoever wounds that can no longer be my friend! France has attached

the honor of Spain, and all Rome has chimed in with the insulting

acclamations of France--all Rome knows the story of this fish!"

"Then let us show these silly Romans that we both look upon the whole

affair merely as a jest. When you to-morrow laughingly eat of this

fish, the good Romans will feel ashamed of themselves and their childish

conduct."

"You propose then, to-morrow, when the nobility of Rome, when all the

diplomatists are assembled, to parade before them this fish, which

to-day sets all tongues in motion?" asked the duke, turning pale.

"The fish was bought for this dinner, and must be eaten!" said the

cardinal, laughing.

"Then I regret that I cannot be present at this festival!" cried the

duke, rising. "You cannot desire that I should be a witness to my own

shame and your triumph. You are no Roman emperor, and I am no conquered

hero compelled to appear in your triumphal train! I recall my consent,

and shall not appear at your to-morrow's festival!"

"Reflect and consider this well!" said the cardinal, almost sadly. "If

you fail to appear to-morrow, when the whole diplomacy are assembled

at my house for an official dinner, that will signify not only that the

duke breaks with his old friend the cardinal, but also that Spain wishes

to dissolve her friendly relations with France."

"Let it be so considered!" said the duke. "Better an open war than a

clandestine defeat! Adieu, Sir Cardinal!"

And the duke made for the door. But the cardinal held him back.

"Have you reflected upon the consequences?" he asked. "You know what

important negotiations at this moment occupy the Catholic courts. Of

the abolition of the greatest and most powerful of orders, of the

extirpation of the Jesuits, is the question. The pope is favorable

to this idea of the Portuguese minister, Pombal, but he desires the

co-operation of the other Catholic courts. Austria gives her consent,

as do Sardinia and all the other Italian states; only the court of Spain

has declared itself the friend and defender of the Jesuits, and for

your sake has France hitherto remained passive on this most important

question, and has affected not to hear the demands of her subjects;

for your sake has France stifled her own convictions and joined in your

support. Therefore, think well of what you are about to do! To break off

your friendly relations with France, is to compel France to take sides

against Spain; and if the powerful voice of France is heard against the

Jesuits, the single voice of Spain will be powerless to uphold them."

"Well, then, let them go!" cried the duke. "What care I for the Jesuits

when the defence of our honor is concerned? Sir Cardinal, farewell;

however France may decide, Spain will never submit to her arrogance!"