The Daughter of an Empress

In the palace of the French ambassador at Rome, Cardinal Bernis, there

was an unusually busy movement to-day. From the kitchen-boys to the

major-domo, all were in a most lively motion, in the most passionate

activity. For this morning, while taking his chocolate, the cardinal had

sent for his major-domo, and, quite contrary to the usual joviality

of his manner, had very seriously and solemnly said to him: "Signor

Brunelli, I to-day intrust you with a very important and responsible

duty, that of making as splendid as possible the grand festival we are

three days hence to give in honor of the Archduke Ferdinand. No pains

must be spared, nothing must be wanting; the most luxurious richness,

the most tasteful decoration, the most extravagant splendor must be

exhibited. For this entertainment must excite the attention not only of

Rome, but of all Europe; it must become the subject of conversation at

all the courts, and, above all, it must cause the despair of all present

ambassadorial housekeeping. I have very important diplomatic reasons

for this. All Europe shall see how devoted France is to the empire of

Austria, and what a good understanding subsists between the two courts.

Therefore, Signor Brunelli, strain your inventive head, that it may on

this occasion hit upon whatever is most distinguished and pre-eminent,

for this must be an entertainment never before equalled. That is what

I expect, what I demand of you; and if you satisfy my demands, it will

give me pleasure to reward your zeal by a present of a hundred ducats."

Thus with solemn dignity spoke the cardinal, while sipping his

chocolate; and Signor Brunelli had pledged himself by a solemn oath

punctually to fulfil his master's commands, and to astonish Rome with

an entertainment such as had never been recorded in the annals of

diplomatic history.

With a proud step had Brunelli gone to his own private cabinet,

where, having shut himself up, he had devoted several hours to serious

meditation upon the deep plans presenting themselves to his mind. But

Signor Brunelli had, in fact, a very experienced and inventive head, and

the cardinal acted wisely in confiding in his major-domo and leaving to

him the ordering of the entertainment.

He had now, with the sharp glance of a military commander, arranged his

plan of battle, and felt perfectly sure of victory. He therefore rang

for a servant, and commanded the attendance of the chief cook in the

cabinet of the major-domo. Then with a gentlemanlike listlessness he

threw himself upon the divan and began to sip his coffee with the exact

dignified deportment that had been displayed by his excellency the

cardinal.

"Signor Gianettino," said he, to the entering cook, "I propose honoring

you to-day with a very important and significant affair. I wish, on the

day after to-morrow, to prepare an entertainment which in splendor and

magnificence shall surpass anything hitherto seen. You know that the

major-domos of the other diplomatists have become my irreconcilable

enemies through envy; they cannot forgive me for having more inventive

faculties and better taste than any of them! We must bring these

major-domos to despair, and with a gnashing of teeth they shall

acknowledge that in all things I am their master. You, however, must

aid me in this great work; in your hands, Signor Gianettino, lies a

considerable part of my triumph and my laurels. For what does it help

me, if the arrangements and decorations, if the whole establishment,

are excellent, should there be a failure in the highest and most sublime

part of the entertainment--in the food. The food, my dear sir, and a

well-ordered table, is the gist of a festival, and should there be the

least failure in that, the whole is profaned and desecrated, and must

be covered with a mourning-veil. Take my words to heart, signor; let

us have a table covered with food the mere odor of which shall set our

first gourmets in ecstatic astonishment, while its judicious arrangement

will give pleasure to the poetic mind! This is what I expect of you, and

if you succeed in satisfying my requirements, I am ready to reward your

exertions with fifty bottles of our best French wines."