Count Bruhl Part 50

The greater part of the court dispersed; the ladies remained for evening prayers, for there was a custom that on certain days they recited prayers conducted by Father Guarini.

That day the spiritual _exercitia_ took place in the Queen's little chapel and then only was the rest of the court dismissed.

Guarini was also going when the Queen called him.

'Father, how was it? The King--'

'Began to talk about Sulkowski of his own accord. He is very sorry that there are people who are against Sulkowski. As I was asked I could not be silent and I began the war.'

'But what? what?' the Queen asked inquisitively. 'I said as much as I could without wearying the King,' said Guarini. 'I told him everything I had in my heart.'

'And the King?'

'He listened in silence.'

'Do you think it will make any impression on him?'

'Undoubtedly, but we must repeat the attacks. Sulkowski will return, we must press the matter, he must find the King cool; otherwise the old friendship would a.s.sert itself, he would take his old place and n.o.body would be able to move him from it. We must not ask too much; we cannot ask to be allowed to act with him as with Hoym. One cannot prove much against him. It would do if he were dismissed.'

'But you know how fond the King is of him,' said the Queen, 'would he not take advantage of that? A G.o.dless man as he is would be ready to use any means. Did you ever see him in a church? And you know that he never observes Lent.'

The Queen shivered and became silent for a moment.

'I shall not give in,' she added, 'you must act also. Bruhl cannot.'

'I will act, only at the last moment,' said Guarini, 'and very carefully. For good work one must use all possible means. G.o.d will help us. When does he return?'

'His wife expects him every day; he wrote to the King that he would be back this week. We must hasten,' said the Queen.

Guarini bowed humbly and went out.

The next day in the morning, Bruhl was in the King's room. His duties were not fatiguing but tiresome. Usually Augustus was silent; one was obliged to stand looking at him and to bow when he smiled or cleared his throat.

Bruhl had additional trouble in watching the King so closely that no one could unexpectedly approach him; at all audiences, without any exception, Bruhl was present. If the King was going to Ma.s.s the way was cleared of all persons who did not belong to the court. n.o.body could approach him without the minister's permission or in his absence. It seemed that Augustus III, who above all things was fond of quiet and afraid of surprises, was glad of this, for he never tried to get free and was grateful to his guardians.

After the Ma.s.s and audiences, during which the silent King did not waste many words, Bruhl remained with him alone.

He could guess that the King wished to converse about something, for he walked uneasily about, stopped opposite him, blinked his eyes, smiled sadly, but could not begin the conversation. At length he stopped, put his hands on the minister's shoulders and asked:

'Bruhl, what do you think of Sulkowski?'

Although Bruhl was prepared, he could not answer at once and dropped his eyes.

'Sire,' he answered, 'I am sure I think the same as your Majesty.'

'And do you know what I think of him?'

'I do not know, but I am my lord's faithful servant and thus I retain those whom he likes as friends, and as foes those whom the King dislikes.'

The King's face brightened.

'Bruhl! I love you!' he exclaimed.

The minister bent to kiss his lord's hand.

'Bruhl, I love you very much,' added Augustus, 'and that is why I ask your advice. Listen, they frighten me about him----'

He looked into Bruhl's eyes solemnly.

'Speak frankly----'

'I have nothing against Sulkowski, but my lord's favour, which makes me humble, arouses great pride in him; it may be that he boasted that he can do anything, not only in the state affairs, but also with your Majesty.'

'H'm! You say it may be! Yes, it may be!' said the King. 'Between ourselves, he knows nothing of music, and does not understand much about pictures: he is satisfied when the subject is nude! What a Venus he brought here once, and what trouble I had with the Queen about it!

She ordered the picture to be burnt. Well, it is true also, that he takes too many liberties----'

Augustus III, not finishing his sentence, looked out of the window, became dreamy and yawned.

'What do you think,' he asked 'is it an authentic Ribera, sent yesterday from Venice?'

Bruhl shrugged his shoulders.

'I am of your Majesty's opinion.'

'It might be Ribera.'

'Yes, it might be Ribera,' Bruhl repeated.

'But it might be _il Erote_----'

'There is no doubt that it looks like _Frate_----'

'Bruhl, you are an expert.'

'I learn from your Majesty.'

Augustus well-satisfied came to Bruhl and whispered to him.

'The Queen wishes me to send him away, for somebody told her that he induced me to have some amours--'

'n.o.body could suspect your Majesty of that!' cried Bruhl. 'Everybody knows your virtuous life.'

'I shall never give cause to be suspected,' the King whispered. 'Never, never! I prefer----'

He could not finish. Bruhl whispered.

'n.o.body, not a soul could suspect your Majesty.'

'It must be so,' whispered Augustus. 'Do you think that he knows something? Does he suspect me? He?'