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THE AUSTRIAN YELLOW. 225
aware
that the imperial dignity was an elective one. It remained, it is true,
in the Hapsburg family, still it did not descend from father to son
like the other crowns of Europe, and the ceremony of a fresh election
was gone through at the death of each emperor.
Napoleon,
who upset most things in Europe, failed not to upset the throne of
Charlemagne. The Holy Roman Empire ceased to exist in 1806, and Francis
1., the elected emperor, abdicated the old German throne to mount the
brand-new one of Austria.
We return to our diamond.
Francis
Stephen, although emperor and reputed owner of the yellow diamond, was
quite overshadowed by the fame and splendor of his wife Maria Theresa.
It is on record that one day being present at some high ceremony, he
left the circle around the throne and went to sit in a corner beside a
couple of ladies. They rose respectfully at his approach.
" Oh! don't mind me," he said, " I am only
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