A Matter of Breeding (33 page)

What the emperor gives, the emperor can take away.

‘Yes,’ Franz Ferdinand continued, ‘your paintings demonstrate the strength and vigor of the Lipizzaner line, the symbol of Habsburg Austria.’

Werthen had the feeling that this last part was added for his and Berthe’s benefit.

Franz Ferdinand shook the boy’s hand.

‘Please, sir,’ Franzl said, his voice cracking. ‘You said there were two things to congratulate me for.’

Franz Ferdinand threw his head back and laughed. ‘So I did. So I did. Marvelous boy. Yes. The second is your most patriotic of Christian names. I salute you, Franz Josef Hruda!’