Count Brühl

to sing in the opera. The Prince was as great an admirer of her voice and beauty as his father. The singer would tyrannise over her competitors, would persecute those who had not the

was announced and Prince Fre

hambre, was sitting in an armchair, digesting with that pleas

e to time the Prince would look at his

th pleasure on his happy master,

od, to speak very little and to think. Nobody knew what about. Som

Sulk

m he

rince would call him again by his Christian name, or caressingly in the Italian language.

nly received his most familiar friends, were those he enjoyed best. In the forenoon he was obliged to give audience, to listen, to talk, to sign papers. After such e

e easy to entertain. He was satisfied though o

cond pipe, when Sulkowski, noticing something through the window, hesitat

i!' he sa

the door and disappearing through it. In the a

ithout my special permi

eads

down the stairs, and stoppe

? You

te of Augustus II. In the courtyard one might have seen a carriage with two tired horses; the pos

that Sulkowski, being very much troubled about it, led the way to a room situated on the ground floor. The servants recognised Brühl, and pressed forwar

e, Brühl, what ne

his sorrowful head on his hand. The favourite of the Prince, uneasy and impa

, looked around, wrun

ous lord, the

an expression difficult to define--fear and joy mi

ore me from Wars

bod

Prince kno

'The Prince must be notified at once,' continued the Coun

ighed p

ge stopped at the door of the Saxon Palace. As the King alighted he knocked his foot against the step, in the place which has troubled him continually since Weiss amputated his big toe. We noticed that he grew pale and leaned on his stick. Two pages ran to help him, and leaning on them he entered the palace, where the clergy, the lords and the ladies awaited him in large num

ki. 'Someone might tell the P

ame nea

enture to do anything. The Prince loved his father dearly, the shock h

but

should do nothing without first consu

t him with ill-dis

ince needs neither the Princess's help nor

ed so quickly of Brühl's arrival. He walked straight to him; his face was sad although it was difficult for him to change its naturally cheerful expression; he opened his

ing is

ly, raising his eyes. 'God's designs are

wski drily, looking a

posely aver

pare the Prince's feelings and

shrugged his shoulders and lo

rincess,' he said, 'for ther

at his trave

go to the Princess; I shall order my cl

in the affirmative, and they turned towards the door. Brühl thr

illingly, leaving Brühl who leaned his

wo disappeared in the dark corridor of the castle, Brühl rose quic

ackey as if wai

erlepsch at

later a boy, wearing the uniform of th

he door, put his hand

e's apartments, and on your own responsibility, understand, on your own responsibility te

d not say a word, and went out. Brühl again sat

r and bustle on the upper floor, and on the stairs one could hear someone rushing

ned by an accident about your arrival, comma

nded to be

not dr

as you

is the

for

ere forced, but he wa

ent silentl

such a sorrowful expression on his face,

d and Brühl fe

ut first bow down at the feet of the new Kin

covered his face. There was a moment of silence; at length Freder

and when did

sted me with his last will, with the jewels of the Crown and secret papers. I, mysel

o be crying; covering his eyes with a handkerchief, he sobbed. The new King also to

did this misfortune o

course, and told of the King's patience and peace at the moment of death. At length he took out a lette

of his most faithful and best servant, the messenger

father advises

e door leading to the Princess's rooms opened, and there

k crying, Brühl in his travelling clothes

an to cry also, according to the Spanish etiquette prescribed to rule

rühl with disapproval

, you would

t of my arrival; they calle

did t

tzd

to be trying to r

houlders, Frederick's face was very much changed. Usually serene and quiet, it was now twisted with grief which he could not conceal. Josepha's sorrow was more simulated than true; she never forgot for a moment her d

he moment. Brühl while not forgetting that he should appear to be overwhelmed by sorrow, could not abstai

ng nearer proposed that he should call the dignitaries for a council and announce to th

hing to her husband, and majestically directed her steps towards the same d

or orders which the new King did not dare to give; Sulkow

not notice him go out. They remained alone, till suddenl

e is

went

me. Pray command

ut then he opened the door, wh

n and king,' said he familiarly.

only made

shall be ca

it; I can't,' said the

ssary?' said Sulkowski

Father recommended him to me, I

Sulkowski said shrugging

gry,' said Frederick

eled and prayed. Sulkowski followed his example. One after the other the bells rang out, the solemn sounds