Archduchess Marianne, still confined to bed, receives her next amiable visitor. Half-secretly, her younger sister Amalia — affectionately nicknamed Mali — slips away from her lessons to see her admired elder sister. Of all the siblings, these two share the closest bond.
Eleven-year-old Amalia bore a strong resemblance to Marianne in her lively, curious and clever character; yet unlike her, she was stubborn, challenging and strong-willed — traits the Empress regarded with disfavour. Their relationships with the rest of the family were similarly fraught, and for both of them, maternal affection was rather limited.
When writing the story, I remember feeling slightly unsure about how, and from whom, Marianne should first hear the ghostly gossip about Princess Schwarzenberg. But joyful, spirited and mischievous Amalia seemed the perfect go-between — the curious meddler who bridges the gossiping servants’ quarters and her rational, level-headed sister.
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