"Oh, I cannot! I cannot suffer this mortal blow in silence," sobbed the
empress.

"Nay," said the father, smiling, "the wife may be severe, though the
empress be clement."

"But she, father--must she also be pardoned? she who has enticed my
husband from his conjugal faith?"

"As for the Riccardo," replied Father Porhammer, "I have heard that she
is a sinful woman, whose beauty has led many men astray. If your majesty
deem her dangerous, she can be made to leave Vienna; but let retribution
go no further."

"Well, be it so," sighed the empress, whose heart was already softening.
"You are right, reverend father, but La Riccardo shall leave Vienna
forever."

So saying, she hastened to her escritoire, and wrote and signed the
order for the banishment of the danseuse.

"There." cried she, handing the order to the priest. "I pray you, dear
father, remit this to Count Bartenstein, and let him see that she goes
hence this very day. And when I shall have laid this evil spirit,
perchance I may find peace once more. But, no, no!" continued she, her
eyes filling with tears; "when she has gone, some other enchantress will
come in her place to charm my husband's love away. Oh, father, if
chastity is not in the heart, sin will always find entrance there."