A Walk on Broken Glass: Elisabeth, Empress of Austria by Gloria M. Allan

Author:Gloria M. Allan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2014-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Triumph and Disaster

1

Trouble was brewing in the Habsburg territory of Lombardy-Venetia. The revolutionary cries of the Italians calling for an end to Austrian rule and for a unification of Italy had swollen to a boiling point. No longer did the sidewalk cafes beneath the sycamore trees ring with the boisterous songs of Italian baritones. It was now dangerous to be caught singing these songs. And, in protest, few Italians would touch a cigarette or gamble, as the revenues from these activities filled the Habsburg coffers.

Alexander Bach, Austria’s minister of the interior, appealed to Franz. “The Archduchess’s repression of the Italian people is a failure. Our General Radetzky rules there with an iron hand, torturing, flogging and sending to the gallows or the firing squad suspicious young Italian patriots who might conspire against Austrian authority.”

He didn’t mention the latest. Two young women, Italian singers accused of singing subversive songs, had been savagely beaten. Dressed only in chemises, they were roped to a flogging bench. Like a mad man, the provost marshal beat them with a rod, pausing between each stroke to add to their torture. Their screams penetrated the castle walls. For days they lay in the castle, until an ambulance took them home.

“And furthermore,” Bach told Franz, “England and France are siding with the Italians. And Cavour, the Piedmont-Sardinian prime minister, has threatened to drive Austria from Italy at any cost. We must,” he cried, “have a more peaceful solution. And fast. Before the country explodes.”

Franz knew he was right, but how would they convince the Archduchess Sophie? She was against any appeasement. To her, power was the only way to control an insurgent population. “There is no negotiating with those crazy Italians,” she exclaimed many times. “They must be controlled by force.”

Franz challenged his mother on a sunny afternoon in the garden room of the Hofburg Palace. He handed her coffee, and settled himself across from Bach. He warmed his cup slowly in his hand. He’d almost rather lead an army into battle than stand up to his mother.

Elisabeth sat beside him, fighting her excitement. She was going to Italy, so she hoped, if Madame Mère could be convinced.

That Sophie was suspicious was obvious on her face. Her impatient glances at Elisabeth were almost menacing. What had the little imp concocted this time? Sophie wondered.

“My lady.” Bach stood up and bowed graciously to the tense Sophie. He fought his own nervousness; he was terrified of the Archduchess. “I feel that the continued use of force in Italy will not solve our escalating problems there. Europe and England are siding with Italy. Franz and I believe that only the presence of the Emperor,” he paused, taking a deep breath, “with the lovely Empress at his side, might pacify the citizens and regain their respect.”

“Elisabeth!” Sophie shouted. Elisabeth almost dropped her cup.

“My lady . . .” Bach continued, “the Viennese people adore her beauty. It is almost a cult to them. The Italians are notoriously susceptible to feminine beauty. She will sweep into their hearts, especially with little Sophie at her side.

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