CHAPTER IX.
From the time of Louis XVI.'s accession to the throne, the Queen had been expecting a visit from her brother, the Emperor Joseph II.

That Prince was the constant theme of her discourse.

She boasted of his intelligence, his love of occupation, his military knowledge, and the perfect simplicity of his manners.

Those about her Majesty ardently wished to see at Versailles a prince so worthy of his rank.

At length the coming of Joseph II., under the title of Count Falkenstein, was announced, and the very day on which he would be at Versailles was mentioned.