Count Brühl
first scene in a long drama. Brühl was still that brilliant, affable
ollo-Hercules, the people and favourites were changed. A few days after that on whic
he key to the king's heart and exchequer he had already possessed for some time; at length he became a grand chamberlain and was given a new appointment created specially for him, that of grand maitre de la garde-robe. To this office belonged the care of the librari
d for a longer time than usual to chat with a lady he would look round for a chair, for he felt pain in the toe, which the surgeon Weiss cut off, risking his head, but saving the King's life. The surgeon's head still existed, but the toe did not, and thus the King could not stand for long at a time. It was a glorious memory
ce. The singer was married to the famous composer of those times, Hasse, whom however they sent to Italy, in order to give him a ch
: Brühl, who could manage everything, was the only man who could assure tranquillity to the King's mind. Ther
k no refusal, would listen to no excuses, and commanded him to provide him with money. From that moment it was
rown threateningly if any were ventured. In him alone he found that for which he had formerly looked in ten other men. Brühl knew all about pictures, he was fond of m
s then given a house near the castle
minister was sitting in his palace; he was thoughtfu
e court. In gilded frames shone mirrors; the walls were covered with lilac-coloured silk; on the mantle-piece
ng with splendid rings, seemed to be absorbed in thought and perplexities. From time to time, at the soun
mantle-piece, for a man burdened with so many duties
freshness, his eyes shone brilliantly as ever; one felt that he was
after another. Brühl listened--steps approached. The steps were t
red Brühl, and ro
ull of respect, as though the fingers
ld only find at the court, for they are born for the court; though cradled in a stable, their coffin
either ugly nor comely, the expression was cold and vulgar. Clean-shaven, his lips closed so tightly
is side hung a sword with dark enamelled hilt; on his head he had a wig, which was rather official and dignified than coquettish. Under his arm he held a black
t for you about an unfortunate affair. Open the d
opened the door, looked through i
Majesty was kind enough to appoi
te your Excellency,' sa
he well-assumed mien of an embarrassed man.
too modest,' said He
hand? Will you swear to be faithful and obedient to me? Do
ak our necks,' said Henn
than we have do
s nothing, if one does not know how to use it. I guarantee
olly, 'that these are not trif
his hand and s
on what, my lo
d piously. 'Henniche, you know that I
ng is a very costly thing, and many
hl, 'I promise to make you
' said Henniche, 'for r
who although rich
u know
grace. God'
e. 'An intelligent man ought to put a sleeper on t
also: Cosel i
gh a glass you will see the white fingers of the Countess Den
ed but mad
new life yesterday, and ough
ly, 'but we don't have time to tal
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
s money and the country is already ove
'They will never be satisfied, they will always complain. O
t h
l find t
ill com
th bars, and send those who are too noisy to K?nigstein, or Sonn
Brühl thoughtfully, 'but
must be severe, if
tened att
l of money; the carn
o the ground, it returns to the people, therefore they
miled a
e cannot toil
re so man
ne cannot pay attention to cursing. T
is due to us,'
e him and said afte
rything, work for me and for yourself; I have already s
se you Platonic love; for thus if I mistake not, they call kissing the gloves, having no respect for the hands
l clapped him
shall help
, and not in the new market
do in order that I may not lose my footing at the court? It is eas
e,' said the former lackey, 'ev
rühl,' there are
r Excellency has Padr
ce, He
t your Excellency must bear in mind the power of women
l si
emember yo
h silent for
Henniche. 'One must not forget that the sun sets, that the people are
rühl, 'he is
your Excellency's friend,' said He
has a nob
prefers the chest in which it beats
though he would learn whether he mentioned the name with
ance whatever,' hissed Brühl, 'and h
m his own daughter,'
was
che. 'They say that Fr?ulein Cosel would have p
assionately. 'He has
eat favour,' said Henniche laughing, '
each other's eyes
ine and count on me. Your office will be here; to
che b
sponding with my
ind the means
s my bu
ate; goo
d went out as qui
ell; a lackey pr
astle in half-an-ho
is r
no, m
this the lackey opened the door and c
frame composed of cupids and flowers. Round the table, winter and summer, there were always a profusion of roses and lilies of the valley. And on the table were disposed such an array of toile
ecessary for fancy balls. Brühl was not quite decided in his choice of a dress. It was a very important matter, for
er him with a candelabr
Venetian noble?' asked B
robe standing in a corner
ment was a heavy gold chain on which hung a medallion on which was the figure of Augustus the Strong. Brühl looked at hi
gs on his fingers
post-chaise wa
cloaks and masks. The moment Brühl entered the carriage
permitted only the lords' carriages and post-chaises t
s and servants. The castle was profusely lighted: that da
ut quite differently dressed. He was tall, strong, stiff, with a soldierly bearing, and was dressed like a bandit taken from Salvator Rosa's picture. The costume was very becoming to him. His head was covered with a light, iron helme
ant mask and walked upstairs
he hissed,
im and whispered evidently something disagreeable in his ear,
o, a rivederci!' and c
red in the crowd. The rich, resplendent dresses of the women, were shining with pr
ir eyes, in obedience to the King's order, that everyone should wear a mask. There were many Turks and Spaniards; several monks, women disguised as bats, many mythological godd
the women, and tried to recognise them. It was not difficult for
nd her court received the distinguished guests. Among her ladies in waiting the most brilliant was Frances Kolowrath, the same who, when but eight yea
he people. Everybody knew she was not fond of amusements, that she preferred family life, prayers and gossip. Severe with herself she was the same with others, and looked sharply at those around her. Her surr
like a statue. He was pleased that others enjoyed themselves, but took no part in the entertainment. One cou
ce, stood behind him, ready to carry out his orders. The Prince would often turn to him,
s much more lord than the lord himself, who merely represented his office but did not feel i
e, who notwithstanding his youthful age a
gathered. Bare-shouldered women tried to attract the attenti
hment rooms he did not notice that the bandit was following him. His beautiful figure attracted the women and several of them tried to stop him,
d at him and s
here, he would steal that m
ion for certain. The bandit d
with a long silk cloak. Through the small mask could be seen the yellowish wrinkled face of the
o the future and wanted to pa
spered she. 'I will tel
gipsy lifted it and having
will be marvellously successful, but
d Brühl, 'to have succ
med the old woman. 'And would you know the reason
iled iro
anybody,' cont
ore?' h
ispered, 'you are blind, you
, 'that you take me
the crowd and disappeared. Perchance he preferred to wander unknown among
nificently dressed, not archaeologically exact. So the lady, who wished to appear a majestic ruler, succeeded by means of her dress which was made of gold brocade, over which a transparent veil fell from her diamond crown to her
h gold powder; the lower part
o her, nobody dared to speak to he
eeted her, touching the brim of his hat. She stopped. Brühl pu
seeing that he followed her, she stopped again. A bench nestled among some palms, and here the queen sa
id, 'for I could not mistake you, even were you not dre
l of Trent,' said the lady. 'And to who
you are b
mpliment without pa
ued, 'like a marble statue
'Say something more amusing, I
mbling voice. 'Every time I look at you my anger is
whispered the w
,' said Brühl passionately. 'But a glance at you conquer
' the woman co
sary to swea
erely wanted to be convinced,
d at him
ove--' sa
man la
d a good name and I could assure a splendid future to the man I married; but your love might have bee
ove for you began when I was a mere lad and was not quenched even wh
ed the woman. 'For with you a
nnot be happy, my aim is now t
ked at him an
you; I was fond of you; with you I could have been happy; we are alike in character.--But things are be
o my love for you. Your husband will be your lover
you hear of that? Those two words swear at each other.
u marri
ell that it happened so. With him my heart is free, I am myself
stars ev
tined for each o
is so indif
love or hate. The sentiment that betray
elieve in it, if o
'The one who loves must feel, and he who cann
quickly, and before Brühl c
He seemed to be looking for someone and seeing only the Venetian, stopped, gazing at him attentive
clown, what did the queen s
made off, but the clown followed him. Presentl
is
rü
d it was he by the hatred I felt tow
n you, Count? I would rec
ore and more animated and those who were searching for each other could hardly move among the dense crowd. Laughter and chatting were lo
in Italian, 'you have not succeeded. Who would n
e lau
y recognise me
alking and by you
ared in the crowd. He could have sworn it was Padre Guarini, bu
alabaster lamps. Here a tall woman struck him with her fan. H
my congratulati
at
for non si va sano. You must lean on the arm of a w
l si
d what there is in your heart. But you must fo
rder to be repul
you could despise you, and such
able, surrounded by young men. The girl laughing, her parted lips showing her teeth, handed the glasses of wine. He looked at her from a distan
, in order to rest for he was tir
ting with a queen, and now you are thin
is head witho
he has plenty of diamonds.
y and did not answer. But
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
lose his head, he did not change his position, he did not look at the bandit; he rose
d the masqueraders
in the chapel of the castle in Taschenberg, Padre Guarini put