- Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary: Of all the crosses I've had to bear - that absurd morganatic marriage!
- Katharina Schratt: Of all the crosses?
- Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary: A scullery maid who will one day be head of the house of Hapsburg!
- Katharina Schratt: Of all the crosses? Franz - your wife murdered by anarchists, your only son killed by his own hand, Your brother stood against the wall and shot in a Mexican prison...?
- Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary: Everybody dies - why can't I. Clearly I'm not old enough to die and too old to change.