Count Bruhl Part 40

Notwithstanding his apparent disapproval, his gaze turned constantly to the case.

'I think it would be best to take it away,' said Sulkowski, going towards the case.

The King frowned.

'But just tell me what it represents.'

'Mars and Venus at the moment when Vulcan catches them _in flagrante_ and puts a net round them.'

The King shut his eyes and waved his hand.

'Fie! Fie!' he exclaimed. Sulkowski put the case under his arm.

'But to see it for the sake of art,' said the King, 'is only an ordinary sin. I shall confess it to Father Guarini--three _paters_ and all is over--'

He stretched out his arm, Sulkowski smiled, opened the case, lifted the cover, and moved the picture towards the King. The pipe fell from his hands.

It was indeed a small masterpiece. The woman it represented was the same belle who sat for t.i.tian's Venus and Diana; a marvellously beautiful woman, but in very fact in a very mythological position.

The King looked at it furtively, evidently ashamed of his curiosity; he blushed, but continued to gaze at the picture. He repeated, '_un gran maestro!_' His eyes shone. He paid no attention to Sulkowski and began to whisper:

'Venus is very beautiful. Cla.s.sical forms! What a charming, what a lovely _favola!_'

Suddenly overcome with shame, he looked round, pushed aside the picture, spat, made the sign of the cross, and said severely:

'Away with it! I do not wish to lose my soul. Why do you show me such things?'

'But what about the painting, your Majesty?'

'It is a masterpiece, but away with it!' Sulkowski shut the case and was about to carry it away, when the King stopped him.

'Wait--it is better that no one else should be scandalised by it; put it there in the corner; then we shall see--we shall burn it.'

'Burn such a masterpiece?'

The King became thoughtful and continued to smoke the pipe. The minister put the case behind the sofa and returned to the King. Still under the influence of the picture Augustus III continually murmured: '_Diavolo incarnato!_' and he shrugged his shoulders, 'but the picture is admirable. If Mars were not there, and if one could change Venus into repenting Magdalene, I would hang it in my room.'

'Your Majesty, there is no indecency in works of art, one admires only the picture of a master.'

The King was silent.

'I must confess to Father Guarini,' he said presently.

'I am sure that the Padre himself,' said Sulkowski, 'would look at this masterpiece, and not think of confession.'

'_Siete un birbante!_' muttered the King. '_Tace! basta!_'

Thus the conversation about t.i.tian's Venus ended, and as Bruhl was not there the King asked after him. Sulkowski sighed. Augustus III glanced at him.

'I see,' said Sulkowski, 'that Bruhl supersedes me in your Majesty's favour, and the sight hurts an old and faithful servant like myself.

For that alone I could dislike him.'

The King cleared his throat significantly.

'He is a useful man, but has many drawbacks,' continued Sulkowski. 'I am afraid of him. He is mixed up with everything, he takes hold of everything--he squanders the money--is fond of luxury--'

'Oh! Oh! Oh!' muttered the King, shaking his head.

'It is true, your Majesty.'

Sulkowski became silent and looked sad. The King pitied him.

'Sulkowski,' he said, 'don't be afraid, there is plenty of room for both of you, and you will always stand first with me.'

After these words, which were quite an effort for the silent Augustus III, Sulkowski kissed his hand. The King embraced him.

'You are my true friend, but I need Bruhl.'

This time Sulkowski did not press the matter further, but made up his mind to pursue the same subject on some future occasion, and allow it to act slowly on the King; he noticed however, that Augustus III was growing accustomed to Bruhl, and of this he was afraid.

The King smoked his pipe contentedly, sitting up straight in his chair, blinking his eyes and thinking, as he was wont to do when at peace with all the world. There was a soft rap at the door. It announced that some privileged person, one who was permitted to enter the King's room without being previously announced, was coming. It was Father Guarini.

He entered quietly and smiling; the King greeted him with a friendly nod, and continued to smoke his pipe and blink his eyes. Sulkowski, silent, stood near him.

The Jesuit's eyes, searching round the room, were quick to notice the case behind the sofa. He went towards it as though wishing to inspect something with which he was not familiar. The King seeing his movement, blushed and looked reproachfully at Sulkowski, who rushed to the priest and whispered something to him; Augustus III evidently wishing to be beforehand with his excuse muttered to Guarini,

'I did not wish to look at it--it is mythology.'

'Eh!' answered the Padre laughing, 'mythology might be dangerous for your Majesty, but not for an old man like me.'

Sulkowski tried to stop the priest, but the Padre insisted, while the King was embarra.s.sed, and he frowned at Sulkowski. Guarini had no wish to give in, and repeated, 'I must see it.'

Sulkowski's position became unpleasant, for through this picture he had now compromised the King, who always wished to be regarded as a man of severe morals.

'_Sentile!_' said Guarini to Sulkowski, 'if you do not show me the picture, I might think that you have brought something very ugly into the palace, and that you are endeavouring to serve two G.o.ds at the same time,--ruling the country and being fond of art,--one of these two you must do badly, for the saying is--_chi due lepri caccia, una non piglia e l'altra lascia_.'

Sulkowski's conscience p.r.i.c.ked him, and he went towards the case followed by the Jesuit. The King inclined his head towards the window.

They lifted the cover; Guarini clapped his hands.

'A masterpiece!' he exclaimed, '_miraviglia!_ But why do you say that the picture is immoral? On the contrary! The culprits are punished.

Vulcan catches them, and he, according to _sensus paganorum_, represents G.o.d's justice. As to Venus, the poor thing is not dressed, _ma_--'

The Jesuit waved his hand. The King looked at him relieved and happy at this explanation, and cried to Sulkowski: 'Bring it here! Show it to me!'

The minister brought the picture. The King was looking at Venus with evident admiration, when there happened what they dreaded most. While all were bent over Venus, the door leading from the Queen's apartment opened and Queen Josephine, like an avenging angel, proudly entered the room.

In the twinkling of an eye the cover was replaced, Father Guarini retreated towards the window, the King looked up to the ceiling, and Sulkowski tried to conceal the case. But nothing can escape a jealous and suspicious woman. The Queen Josephine guessed everything, blushed, frowned and moved towards the King who slowly rose to greet her.

'We are to have an opera to-day,' he said, 'Faustina will sing.'