Another chapter in which the plot does not make any particular progress but highlights Marianne’s family connections in order to understand her background and motives. To her father, the Emperor, she bears great resemblance in both her appearance and personality. On the foundation of their shared interests and similar sense of humour, they developed a close relationship, which, due to Marianne’s illness, only continued to deepen.
Emperor Franz Stephen (1708–1765) is described as a gentle and amiable person. He was friendly, sociable and easy-going, enjoyed pleasant company and developed his scientific and financial interests. The Imperial marriage was a relatively happy occasion with personal choices and stately interests not too bitterly confronted. Nevertheless, the leading position was firmly in the hands of the Empress. Surely, such reverse of traditional gender roles caused some tension between the Imperial couple; however, thanks to the Emperor’s composed nature – and as the Empress was anything but a troublemaker – their occasional disputes faded with no real harm.
When telling Marianne about a hunt, I make the Emperor incidentally mention Princess Auersperg, the young beauty – a slight reference to the romantic affair about to begin between the two. However, in the current narrative, the lady does not play a role.
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