Count Bruhl Part 10

'The people have evil tongues,' continued Henniche. 'They say that Fraulein Cosel would have preferred to marry someone else than Moszynski.'

'Yes,' cried Bruhl pa.s.sionately. 'He has stolen her from me.'

'Then he has done your Excellency a great favour,' said Henniche laughing, 'instead of one tool, you can have two.'

They looked into each other's eyes. Bruhl was gloomy.

'Enough of it,' said he. 'Remember that you are mine and count on me.

Your office will be here; to-morrow I shall send you an official appointment.'

Henniche bowed.

'And salary corresponding with my official position.'

'Yes, if you find the means to pay it with.'

'That is my business.'

'It is late; good-night.'

Henniche bowed and went out as quietly, as he came.

Bruhl rang the bell; a lackey promptly attended.

'I must be in the castle in half-an-hour: my post-chaise!'

'It is ready.'

'Domino, masque?'

'Everything is ready,' and having said this the lackey opened the door and conducted Bruhl to a large dressing-room.

Bruhl's dressing-room was already considered one of the sights of the capital. Round it were large wardrobes of carved oak; between two windows stood a table and on it a large mirror in a china 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 toilet articles as might have belonged to a woman. The wardrobes contained dresses with shoes, swords, hats, and watches to match each, for the fas.h.i.+on demanded that everything should be in harmony.

For that evening the most important detail was the domino and not the dress. In a special wardrobe was everything necessary for fancy b.a.l.l.s.

Bruhl was not quite decided in his choice of a dress. It was a very important matter, for the King was fond of difficulty in recognising his guests; and perchance Bruhl did not wish to be recognised at all.

The lackey, walking after him with a candelabra, waited for the order.

'Where is that dress of a Venetian n.o.ble?' asked Bruhl turning to the lackey.

The servant ran to a wardrobe standing in a corner and handed him the dress.

Bruhl began to dress hastily. The dress was becoming to him; everything was black, even the sword. The only s.h.i.+ning ornament was a heavy gold chain on which hung a medallion on which was the figure of Augustus the Strong. Bruhl looked at himself in the mirror and put on a mask. In order not to be easily recognised he glued to his chin a little Spanish beard.

He changed the rings on his fingers and went downstairs.

At the door the post-chaise was in readiness.

The two carriers wore red woollen caps, short dark brown cloaks and masks. The moment Bruhl entered the carriage and drew the green curtain he was driven to the castle.

In the princ.i.p.al gate the guards, gorgeously dressed, permitted only the lords' carriages and post-chaises to pa.s.s, thrusting back the curious crowd with halberds.

The court was already crowded with equipages, post-chaises and servants. The castle was profusely lighted: that day two courts were united, those of the King and the Prince.

Within the castle there were already numerous guests, all in fancy dress. Bruhl's post-chaise stopped at the door and a Venetian n.o.bleman stepped out gravely. Just as he was about to mount the stairs, there appeared another Italian but 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 helmet, on his chest he wore armour ornamented with gold, over his shoulder was thrown a short cloak, at his side he had a sword, and at his belt a dagger. His face was covered with a frightful mask, with long moustachios and a small beard.

Bruhl glanced at the unpleasant mask and walked upstairs, but the bandit followed him.

'_Signore!_' he hissed, '_come sta?_'

Bruhl merely nodded. The bandit came close to him, bent over him and whispered evidently something disagreeable in his ear, for Bruhl drew aside impatiently. The bandit laughed and said:

'_A rivederci, carissimo, a rivederci!_' and continued to follow him.

One could already hear the music. When they both reached the rooms, Bruhl disappeared in the crowd. The rich, resplendent dresses of the women, were s.h.i.+ning with precious stones. Everybody moved about, laughed, muttered, exclaimed, came and went.

In magnificent Polish dresses, their swords ornamented with precious stones, walked several senators who were easily recognised, for they wore only a small black strip over their 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 G.o.ddesses and Venetians were to be distinguished among clowns, harlequins, and cupids with bows and arrows. There were also Queen Elizabeth, Mary Stuart, Henry IV, and many others.

The King, leaning on a gold-headed stick, walked slowly, talked to the women, and tried to recognise them. It was not difficult for him, he knew them all, at least those who were worthy to be known.

In one of the King's rooms were beautiful ladies sitting in the booths distributing refreshments. Beyond the King's apartments, the Princess Josepha and her court received the distinguished guests. Among her ladies in waiting the most brilliant was Frances Kolowrath, the same who, when but eight years of age, could so well play the role of a lady of the court. Now she was a beautiful young lady, coquettish, lively, proud, and covered with diamonds.

The Princess Josepha did not partic.i.p.ate much in such amus.e.m.e.nts; she was there only to please her father-in-law and her husband. Her proud mien, severe and not beautiful face, cold manners, did not attract the people. Everybody knew she was not fond of amus.e.m.e.nts, 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 surroundings were stiff and cold. n.o.body dared to joke for fear of the lady's disapproval of any outburst of levity. Even during the fancy dress ball, Josepha did not forget that she was the daughter of an emperor.

Polite, affable, silent, the Prince Frederick stood beside her; he was good-looking but also cold and stiff like a statue. He was pleased that others enjoyed themselves, but took no part in the entertainment. One could see, that notwithstanding his youth, he was both physically and spiritually heavy, especially spiritually.

Splendidly dressed and lordly-looking, Sulkowski, the acknowledged favourite of the Prince, stood behind him, ready to carry out his orders. The Prince would often turn to him, ask some question and having received the answer, nod his head in sign of satisfaction.

On seeing them together, one could easily guess their relation to each other. The servant was much more lord than the lord himself, who merely represented his office but did not feel it. Sulkowski on the contrary a.s.sumed great airs and looked proudly on the people around him.

He was also better looking than the Prince, who notwithstanding his youthful age and good health looked like a common German.

Round Augustus the Strong's table a more joyful company was gathered.

Bare-shouldered women tried to attract the attention of the King, who looked on their charms with indifference.

Bruhl entered, as it seemed to him, without being noticed; he did not speak and seemed to be looking for someone. As he pa.s.sed through the refreshment 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, but he looked at them indifferently, and pa.s.sed on. One or two tried to intrigue him but laughing he whispered their names and they let him alone.

The King looked at him and said to Frisen:

'If a Prussian prince were here, he would steal that man for his guard.

Who is he?'

No one could answer the question for certain. The bandit disappeared behind the columns.

In the meantime Bruhl was stopped by a gipsy. She was old, tall, leaning on a stick, and covered with a long silk cloak. Through the small mask could be seen the yellowish wrinkled face of the woman. She put out her hand and paling asked him to give her his that she might tell his fortune.

Bruhl had no wish to look into the future and wanted to pa.s.s the gipsy, but she insisted.