Count Brühl

errand. They relieved each other by turns at the door and attended the King in the antechamber, and often, when no other messenger was at hand, were sent to carry orders and despatches. Brühl alw

again here,' he

Majesty's

ou not

ur Majesty.' And the boy would bow, and

r too difficult for him; he ran immedi

iver overflow, or a postillion become sick, and in consequence there was no fixed hour for the arrival of the post. Eve

the night, rose in the morning, dressed himself and

the simple beverage and used to say God created it for geese and not for men.

hat awful moment of drunkenness, and from that moment a

prematurely aged by his intemperate habits: he was very fat and could hardly walk, and, after dinner, woul

ed to the King and the King to him, that from one word, or even a look from Augustus, he could spin out whole letters, guessing the thought, grasping the style, and the King never needed to make any

rmur, 'Wait a minute! I am ready!' though he did not rise till he became sober. Then he wou

e King's friend Fleming used to get drunk and many others too. P

d a comfortable chair, stretched his legs, drooped his head a little and fell a-thinking. He could not dose.

ot look at them, so he yawned again, this time so outrageously that his jaws cracked. It was

awning and trembling on account of the emptiness of his

y could rival him in the freshness of the lace on his cuffs, the cut of his dress, and his exquisitely combed wig. As usual, he smiled sweetly. E

n to him

to see you!' And

i. 'Just imagine, I have not yet had my b

the clock and shr

ich with French, was then used at court, for

I shall die of starvation!' Having said

ful, then he whispe

ic road? There is a room with a door opening on the corridor leading

ifficulty with him. He was obliged to put both hands on the arms o

exclaimed, 'help m

en expected, some enchanted force had prepared a table. There stood a large chair, as if made for

that someone else might step in before him, seized the napkin and stretch

d y

shook h

you, my

prettiest girl in Dresden; may Hygiea give you a stomach with which you can digest stones; m

e first glass of wine. He expected an ordinary, light Hungarian wine, which they usually served at the court, bu

Where did you get it from? I know that wine, it's Ki

d not leave its contents to the profane, who

'To your health, to your success. Brühl--I shall be thankful to you till the day of my death--you sa

at I have been able to be of serv

r glass, smacked h

end whom the more we know the better we love. But, Brühl, when the post comes, and his M

e he poured out

for you is nothing; i

tion they stand to each other? There might meet two bitter foes, for instance, the French with German wine; they begin to fight in the st

he Tokay and smiled again. Brühl stood, looked, an

g all disappeared, there

ghed and

he let

you be

your health! You shall get on! It's brighter in my head! It seems that the sun has come out from ben

d the glass

g that it was larger at the bottom, promised hims

as good as this Tokay, but it was treacherous. When I went out into the street my head swam. It was too bad, for I was obliged to write the letters. Two courtiers seized my arms--it seemed to me that I was flying; they put me at the table, they put a pen in my

e to the glass, from the glass int

aid quietly, 'but th

emptied. The last glass was a little

ture of the wine to have dregs, they are not to be wasted, but ex

d took from under the table another bottle. Seeing it, the cou

I see?'

'of the work. It contains its conclusion, its

bent h

fond of such liter

ntinued the boy. 'I could not get both volumes of the

g the glass. 'Pour me only one p

il. You must fin

the letters! The l

ll be non

at were true,'

t another glass

drinks when he doesn't f

e! The lips of a wo

exclaimed

me they have lost all sweetness. But the wine! wine is a nect

ill thinkin

the deuce

beginning to take effect. He grew heavi

ort nap,'

nish the bottle,

honest man to finish that w

t glass, Brühl brought fo

not smoke?

es. 'You remembered about that also. But suppose t

ober,' said Brühl h

me. Perchance the postillion will break his neck, and will not co

. The councillor

trong t

okes it,' sa

stronger

o mumble. He smoked for a little while longer, then the pipe s

to the door, and disappeared behind it. Th

of lordly mien, also in p

t beautiful features, eyes full of fire, but above all by his aristocratic bearing and stiff manners. He was with Sulkowski at the Prince's cour

he. 'Where h

hesitated

marshals

your ho

t too late,' he answere

i laughing, 'that I should

across Brühl's face, but it b

be punctual, but it would be unpardonable in me. I have often acted a

ne is able to act as substit

my simplicity. I try to learn tha

put out

ght you with words. I

umed a hu

superior in anythin

ck during your service,'

ft th

ldiers in magnificent uniforms, chamberlains in dresses richly embroidered with gold, many lackeys and other servants moved quickly about; several post-chaises stood near the steps and yellow-dressed carrie

not yet come?'

t y

bring the letters at

marshal'

ll, he m

until he perceived, galloping in on a foaming horse, a postillion wit

the postillion, he seized hold of the letters. A silver tray was in readiness in

m. Seeing the page, tray, and letters, he put out

e the King and Hoy

ugustus. 'Be quic

did no

to me,' repeated th

ooked into the marshal's room. Pauli was sle

tammered Brühl. '

he h

your M

doesn't

the page, dropping hi

cried the King. 'Let him fulfil his duti

returned to the King. Augustus' eyes burned with increasing anger, he began

ed at the d

King, rapping the f

uncillo

se few hours? Pour water on him! Conduct him to the fountain! Let the doctor give h

doctor who could bring him to his senses was time. Brühl, coming back slowly, seemed to hesitate,

holding the papers in his han

au

ssible to a

t the letters! Who will

al, but my love for your Majesty must be my excuse. One word from you

youn

l bl

sty shall

ked at him p

negative answer, but you must hint that the answer is not definite. Let them

wished to go out

ied the King. 'Sit at thi

as upholstered in silk; he turned up his lace cuffs, bent ove

he good-looking boy, who assumed the gravity of a chancellor and wrote

n accomplishing a task so important to h

sure did not leave him for a moment though the work was apparently done in feverish haste. The King watched him closely and seemed to guess his intention. The page without thinking or

ious and wishing to be

!' sa

uld have thought that that fear was simulate

distinctl

s at first faint, became sonorous. The face of Augustus d

d he did not dare

the beginning,

ead more distinct

ecame radiant; he

uli could not do better, n

r to the King, which was so well writte

pped him on

ll have no more to do with Pauli; may th

he bell, a cham

becomes sober express to him my great displeasure. I never wish to see him agai

led at the boy stan

. 'I know Pauli, he will be drunk till to-morrow,

o the table to

opy of it

from memory,' sa

imed Augustus. 'Pray give orders that he

, the King put out his hand to be

re the story of the letter and his unexpected promotion, told by the chamberlain Frisen, aroused curiosity and envy. When Brühl appeared all eyes tur

i rushed

aimed. 'Brühl his Majesty

. 'I do not know how it happened. Providence watched over me, un pauvr

i looked

ll soon be ahead of us all. We must

, and do not mock a

ed, wiped the perspiration from his f

zynski, 'that he had met wi

y told the story of the lucky boy to those who came in. The news spread in the town and when in the evening

ful and could not find words

told you that they would appreciate you at your right value. I was not mista

owski also clapped his hands, b

plaud

owed humbl

n the castle and in his rooms could not find him. They thought it was his modesty; it was nice

nd from it he went towards Taschenberg, where Cosel formerly lived, and

e was twenty years of age, he was very good-looking, and the women, spoiled by Augustus, were very coquettish. It was evident that h

incess's palace, ran up the stairs,

waited a little while, he kn

opened a little, and the head of an old

f bookshelves and somewhat gloomy. The old servant, questioned in whispers, pointed to the door in lieu of

oris

s under green shades. There were several tables loaded with books, betwe

black. By his features it was easy to recognise an Italian. There was something enigmatical about his thin, pale lips, but the whole face

a black silk cap; his dress was l

rühl with out

dear boy! How glad

humbly and ki

the same time pointing to a chair for Br

e news, but I already know about it. I am truly delighted.

to Him,' said

nd you shall see.' He raised his hand. 'You shall go far, far. I am

, and having accomplished hi

did Celesta sing? Did the King lo

onfessor, confidant of the Princess, spiritual father of the young count, but he seemed to

estra, the audience, and at length

Brühl with

ose angels look as common mortals, divested of the glitter and sparkle of the stage. Celesta sang li

e Guarin

hout waiting for an answer, he said: 'It seems t

ughed

; besides that you have be

y, except that nothin

ccessor will be different; our pious lady Josepha will not permit him to leave the path of truth. The Prince is pious, a faithful husband, a zealous Catholic. When he becomes rule

ay,' added he, 'I must bless you;

and took from it a black rosary on

to the one who recites it e

distinctly by way of thanks

th a candle. Brühl gave him a thaler, wrapped himself in his mantle and descended the stairs. On reaching the door he looked cautiously down the street, and seeing no one pressed for

e a pale light. The spacious Gothic hall was quiet and solitary. Brühl

ster at home

he is engaged

hl, hesitating as to wha

young men fr

ed middle-aged man appeared in the doorway

o intrude,' said

se any more now. Pray, come in. In a Protestant country one enters a clergyman's house secr

n, and it seemed to Brühl that he knew the taller of the two. He could not however remember w

am indebted to your kindness that I did not fall into the ha

Zinze

ou Catholic, Aryan, Wicklyffite or of any denominati

whom bushy, contracted eyebrows gave

aff must be separated from the grain,

was

e does not seem to be any change; prayers in the

ng to penetrate into his soul, but those windows, Brühl's beautiful

going to build a Catholi

ing definite about

andalous!' the

tolerant; should we then retaliate? The glory of Christ may

ntered a severe glance from the host; so he stopped the ge

t impossible in life. As one cannot sit on two chairs, so one cannot confess two relig

not to hear; perchance he was sorry he had fallen among these men, discussing su

we mix not with those of other creeds? Christ mixed with

nister, 'but when you will be called upon to

would go into the desert to seek for Christ in contemplation; but I love my fellow-man, everybody,

eelings. The first stood gloomy and irritated, the second was embarrassed although

,' said the minister, '

re of seeing you at the c

ere are poor people, my future is to apply Christ's teaching to my life. I go to preach Christ's love. At cour

ly, Count?' sa

answered Zinzendorf. 'To H

ith him for a moment, and took his leave. He bowed from afar in true courtly manner to the apostle and went out. It would be difficult to say whether he was

to the left wing. The open door and the light in the window tempted him to try his luck at the court also. Here lived the Countess Kolowrath, lady in wait

that privilege very freely, but in such, a way as not to be seen by the pe

e. The drawing-room was lighted with a few wax candles. To the right, through the half-opened door a stream of

pped soft

r Henry,' said a fresh

, shoes with high heels; her hair was curled and powdered, and she looked more like a doll than a child. She smiled to Brühl, curtseyed to him, as it was cus

oked seriously at him with a pair of big black eyes, but all at once her

you do

is her Ex

ini recites a litany, and I am bored. Listen, Brühl, let us pla

Frances,' but I must return to t

nswered the little Countess with the air o

and should you ever

l be soon,' said

how cruel I shall

ined her head backwards, pouted her lips and looked at Brühl with contempt. In

ave lasted much longer had it not been interrupted

l, you are court

cratic bearing. She was Frances's mother. Frances did not become confused, she repeated her curtsey

on was enhanced by black hair, that night innocent of powder, but carefully dressed. Her figure,

Fraülein Braun; I must have

the door. The Countess, rapidly moving her fan, walked to and fr

lly, although sometimes he a

versation, and half an hour later the page was si