Józef Ignacy Kraszewski

“ Brühl sighed but made no remark.
'Your Excellency entered on a new life yesterday, and ought to remember one word: woman.'
'I remember it,' Brühl said gloomily, 'but we don't have time to talk about it. Then you are with me?'
'For life or death,' answered Henniche. 'I am a man of no importance but great experience; and believe me that my wisdom is quite equal to those who bear silver trays to drawing-rooms. I need make no secret to you that for a long time I served as a lackey and used to open the door. ”

“ The Count's enthusiasm increased and he spoke with growing fever.
'Sire, my lord, I believe in your heart as I believe in God. Only may the intriguers not take it from me by their calumnies!'
'Oh! Oh!' interrupted Augustus, 'there are no intrigues here.'
'Into what court are they not able to penetrate? What dress must they assume?' said Sulkowski laughing. 'Sire, I am a soldier and I speak straight. There are bad people and those who are the sweetest, the most humble, the most useful, they are the most dangerous. ”

“ The opera house was profusely illuminated. The court, as splendid as in Augustus II's time, was gathered there. The Polish nobles, clad in their rich national costumes, shining with precious stones, occupied the first places. The King looked towards them with a friendly smile. Among the ladies one could see the most brilliant stars of the court; the richly dressed Countess Moszynski, proud Frau Brühl, quiet Countess Sulkowski, the wives of the envoys, the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, everybody who had access to the court. ”

“ Brühl, with his legs stretched out, lying back in the recesses of a comfortable arm chair, his hand shining with splendid rings, seemed to be absorbed in thought and perplexities. From time to time, at the sound of an opening door, he would listen, but when nobody came, he returned to his thoughts and calculations.
Sometimes he would glance at the clock standing on the mantle-piece, for a man burdened with so many duties was obliged to count his time as he counted the money. ”

“ Sulkowski, you and even the King, you worry me horribly! What do I care about your ambitions and your quarrels? I wish to enjoy life! The King is a doll without life!'
'For God's sake!' exclaimed Brühl, wringing his hands.
'Nobody is listening to us,' said she indifferently. 'You told me to amuse myself with the doll, or rather you gave me to understand that he might play with me, but you can't expect me to be in love with him. You know the King best. ”

“ Pray, give me that opportunity! Dear Count, I am yours! Do not forget me! You know what I mean--'
'Fräulein Kolowrath!' said Sulkowski laughing. 'Grand bien vous fasse, you shall have her. Her mother is in your favour.'
'But she?'
'Oh! don't be afraid, nobody will stand in your way. One must be as brave as you to attain to such bliss.'
'I missed a greater and the only bliss,' said Brühl, sighing.
Sulkowski slapped him on the shoulder and said laughing:
'I see that Moszynski is right in hating you.'
'Nonsense!' protested Brühl.
'Oh! don't deny it. It's difficult to conceal anything at court. ”

“ Nobody watches you just now, take the best horse, and in a couple of hours you will be in Bohemia.'
'Yes, and to-morrow the Austrians would catch me.'
'Then flee to Prussia, to Holland, to France,' said the girl wildly.
'I have no means,' answered Watzdorf, 'and what is worse the charm of life is lost to me. There is no happiness for me. Frances--do not forget me--and avenge me. You will become that man's wife, be his executioner--'
Watzdorf looked into her eyes; they shone with love.
'Should you not see me to-morrow at the court, it will mean that I am lost,' he continued. ”

“ The Countess listened attentively, made a trifling movement with her hand, and said:
'Calumnies! And you are so weak that you pay attention to them, that they hurt you? I should have my doubts about you, my dear Henry, if you are so weak. The one who wishes to play a great part in the world, must pay no heed to the hissing of spectators. It does not amount to anything. If you feel hurt by such trifles, you will never rise high. One must be superior to such things.'
'A vile insult,' rejoined Brühl. ”

“ I am anxious to know life, I am thirsty for it; I must become intoxicated in order to forget my pain. Do you think,' said she with animation, 'that I shall ever forget about that unfortunate man? I see the walls, between which he is shut, the dark room, hard bed, the face of his jailer, and himself looking through a small window. But in that man dwells a strong spirit, which may keep him alive till the door of the prison is opened. Is it true that your other victim, the poor Hoym, has hanged himself in the prison?'
Brühl looked at the floor. ”

“ Frances changed a great deal: she grew still bolder and more fanciful, she learned how to command her household, and required that her will should be obeyed in the twinkling of an eye: sometimes she was unnaturally merry, sometimes mercilessly ironical, sometimes coquettish with strangers, so much so as even to arouse jealousy in such an indifferent husband as Brühl seemed to be; she grew more beautiful every day. ”

“ The older she grew the more difficult it was for her mother to control her. An only child and much petted, notwithstanding the Princess's severity, she was able to throw off the court etiquette, and form many acquaintances and love intrigues. She did not seem to care much about the future. She looked upon matrimony as upon freedom from a yoke which she could not bear.
A few days after the news of the King's death, when the court was obliged to go into mourning and all amusements were stopped, Lady Frances was bored more than ever. ”

“ Father Guarini, who was with the King, said that his Majesty became white as marble. The Count, as if not aware of anything wrong, greeted the King in most tender words and kneeling he said that his first step was to fall at his Majesty's feet. The King became tender and embraced him. The Count began to talk about his travels and made the King laugh--and thus he resumed his former duties. At this moment Sulkowski is with the King; everybody is alarmed in the castle: the Queen weeps, Guarini is pale--everything is lost.'
Brühl and the Countess looked at each other. ”

“ In the meanwhile Sulkowski, having noticed that Brühl went to his wife, bent to the King's ear and whispered:
'Your Majesty, works of art are worthy of admiration, but the work of the Creator also deserves attention. Although the Countess Stein is my wife's relation, I venture to draw your Majesty's attention to her extraordinary beauty. Neither Titian nor Paul Veronese ever created anything like her.'
On hearing this, the King turned, as though frightened, to his minister, looked at him reproachfully and in surprise, and plunged into further admiration of Faustina's voice and charms. ”

“ Count, I am a friend of yours, for you love the King and you wish for the welfare of this country which I consider my second fatherland. You wish that others also loved the King but they think only of themselves and do not care about the country at all.'
Sulkowski frowned.
'But who? Who?'
'Are you blind then?' Faustina exclaimed. 'Do you not see anything? Have I to open your eyes? The Queen is jealous of the King's favours towards you, the almighty Padre Guarini is your foe and Brühl your rival. They made a plot secretly, they send you away in order to take from you the King's heart. ”

“ The Count was silent and tried to control his impatience.
'Count,' said Faustina, 'is it true that you are going away, that you leave the place to your foes?'
Sulkowski laughed.
'I have no foes,' he said quietly, 'and were I so fortunate as to have them, (for I should consider it an honour to gain enemies by serving the King) , I should not be afraid of them.'
'Do not mistrust me,' rejoined Faustina. 'But from behind the stage one sees the world well and one knows people better than in the drawing-room. ”

“ Sulkowski withdrew. He knew the King so well that he was certain that, struggle with himself as he might, he would play the same comedy as he did with Titian's Venus. He was right in his supposition. The King with great caution, pretending that he looked elsewhere, directed his eyes to the beautiful Countess Stein. Then as though alarmed by her loveliness, he turned his eyes back to the stage. Some time elapsed and the King looked again at her. Augustus III's head still turned towards the stage, but his half-closed eyes gazed on that shining star. ”

“ Brühl looked and sighed.
'You asked me about Sulkowski,' said Frances slowly. The minister nodded.
'Who can guess what that doll the King thinks? Has he a heart? Is he capable of love? Can he love anybody sufficiently to become attached? He is fond of Sulkowski as he is of his two fools, I know nothing more.'
'But if we are to rule, I through you,' said Brühl, 'we must get rid of him.'
'And send him to Königstein as you did Watzdorf?' the woman rejoined frowning. ”

“ If I am not mistaken, Sulkowski will wish to take it easy, to play the part of the grand seigneur, you must become indispensable to the King,--I call him king already, for I am certain that he will be elected. He must have somebody always near him, he is weak, and likes the faces he is most accustomed to. You must remember all this.'
'Dear Countess!' said Brühl, taking hold of her hand, 'be my guide, my Egeria, my Providence, and I shall be sure of my future.'
At that moment voices were heard at the gate. The servant rushed in frightened. The Countess rose frowning, angry. ”

“ After dinner, Augustus as usual hastened to his apartment to smoke his pipe and enjoy his robe de chambre; he was already taking leave of the Queen, not having mentioned a word about Sulkowski, when she stopped him: 'Augustus,' she said, 'I heard what Sulkowski was advising you.'
'Where? How?'
'I was at the door,' answered the Queen, 'and I am glad I was there though it was by an accident. You are as kind as an angel and a King cannot be kind. That audacious fellow offended the King's majesty, he has offended you and me; he dared to advise you to lead a bad life. ”

“ It is necessary to rule and to keep in good health.'
The Prince smiled.
'I saw Frosch in the ante-room,' continued the Jesuit, 'he looks as if someone had put him into vinegar; he cries because he cannot play tricks on Horch. [2] They sit in opposite corners and put out their tongues at each other.'
'It must be very amusing!' whispered the Prince: 'but it would not be decorous for me to see it; it is the time of mourning.'
The Jesuit was silent.
'Frosch is very amusing, and I like him,' added the Prince, and looked at Sulkowski, who walked softly to and fro. ”

“ Sulkowski does not appreciate our saintly Princess; Sulkowski does not respect the clergy.'
'My dear Brühl,' interrupted the Prince, 'I know him as well as you do, if not better; he does not stand on ceremony when he is with me; I knew him in Vienna, where he was with the Prince.'
'We must overthrow Sulkowski.' said Brühl emphatically. 'I ask for nothing more, but this must be done for the King's and the country's good. Then I shall remain alone, and in me you will have the most faithful servant.'
'But that plan? That plan?' repeated Lichtenstein. ”

“ She was not a delicate woman, but strong and majestic, with the form of a statue, as though made from one block by the energetic chisel of Michael Angelo.
Her beauty was equal to her voice. Everything was in harmony with her character; her head of a goddess, bosom of a nymph, hand of a Bacchante, figure of an Amazon, hands and feet of a princess, abundant black hair like the mane of an Arabian horse. In her face, notwithstanding the classical beauty of her features, there was more strength than womanly sweetness. ”

“ Brühl poured out another glass; Pauli drank it.
'This wine the King alone drinks when he doesn't feel well,' whispered Brühl.
'Panaceum universale! The lips of a woman are not sweeter.'
'Oh! oh!' exclaimed the youth.
'It is quite different for you,' said the councillor, 'but for me they have lost all sweetness. But the wine! wine is a nectar which, never loses its charm. ”

“ Brühl turned his head away and did not answer. But the bandit spoke further.
'Look, what dainty hands, what round arms, what a fresh face. It's a bite for a minister if not for a king; but Augustus II is too old, and the Prince is too pious,--you may have her. And after that, I don't know what might happen, for look how she smiles on twenty young men, and it's dreadful what her eyes are saying! She is the very wife for such a man as you. They married Hasse, a great musician, to Faustina; such an artist as you must marry Frances Kolowrath. ”