The theatergoers had gone elsewhere. The road from the square to Marguerite's Austrian palace had been cordoned off by police, leaving only the two of them on the entire street.
As they passed a cluster of bonfires, Metternich handed Georgiana a pamphlet.
"What is this?"
"A pamphlet that has recently become popular in Germany, 'Correcting the Public's View of the French Revolution,'" Metternich said.
"I don't understand German." She was about to hand the pamphlet back to him.
"I thought you might want to hear the true voice of the Germans." Metternich did not take the pamphlet. "Or do you prefer parties?"
She glared at him with faint hatred.
"France's foreign minister also had someone write Letters of a German Patriot. Even if I distribute this pamphlet, I have not violated the diplomatic conventions established by France," Metternich said.
She gave a cold laugh. "Do you think those newspapers in the square haven't been destroyed?"
"No, I know they were destroyed. What I want to discuss with you is something else." He drew a deep breath. "Have you heard of Franz Anton Mesmer?"
"Who is he?"
"By his own account, he is a scholar of ghosts and spirits. But in Germany, he is regarded as The Exorcist, while in France he is considered a madman. He once took part in a debate held in Bavaria in 1766, which some call the Wizard War."
Georgiana stopped walking.
"The debate lasted five years. The question of whether devils existed had already begun to test the nerves of Enlightenment supporters. I imagine you must like the French Republic very much, since it abolished its witchcraft laws as early as 1791."
"I like England just as much," Georgiana said.
"Even though witchcraft laws still exist there?" Metternich smiled. "I imagine King George III knows