Count Bruhl Part 21

'You tell me of strange things. But may they not be false rumours?'

'I was there myself, and I saw the praying bands of maidens with purple sashes, of married women with blue, and of widows with white.'

The guest sighed.

'I trust you will not suffer the sect to grow.'

'We must cut off its head,' said Guarini. 'Zinzendorf shall be banished, then the community will scatter.'

'Have you seen this Zinzendorf?'

'Yes, several times, for he does not avoid the Catholic priests: on the contrary, he discourses willingly with them, not about theology, however, but about the first Christians, their life and our Saviour's love, the axle-tree, according to him, round which the Christian world ought to revolve.'

At this moment the old servant appeared in the doorway. Padre Guarini, having excused himself, went to the ante-room where he found one of the King's lackeys. The Prince had sent for his confessor.

It was necessary to take leave of the guest, to whom paper, pen and ink were given, and he settled himself to write as though in his own house.

Padre Guarini took leave of his guest and preceded by the lackey, hastened to the Prince.

Frederick was sitting in the same room in which he had learned about his father's death. He held a pipe, his head drooped, and he was silent as usual. Only the wrinkles of his forehead indicated that he was thinking hard.

When Padre Guarini entered the Prince wished to rise, but the Jesuit held him gently to his chair and kissed his hand. At a little distance stood Sulkowski, who would not leave his master even for a moment. His face was beaming triumphantly but he tried to be sad officially.

Padre Guarini could take more liberties; he knew that notwithstanding the official mourning, a little distraction would be necessary; consequently his manner was almost jovial, he took a stool and sat near the Prince, and looking into his eyes, spoke in Italian with animation.

'We must pray for our late King, but it is not proper to mourn too much over that which is natural and necessary. Too intense grief is injurious to the health, and then your Royal Highness has no time for it. 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. The Padre tried to read the Count's face, but saw only pride and self-satisfaction. The Prince pointed at him and whispered--'Good friend--all my hopes are centred in him--but for him I could not have peace.'

The Jesuit nodded in sign of approval

Sulkowski knowing that to prolong the conversation would bore the Prince, came to him and said:

'It is difficult to find amus.e.m.e.nt for your Royal Highness amid so many troubles.'

'I think,' said the Jesuit, 'that with your good-will everything can be done.'

'Yes, in Saxony,' answered Sulkowski at whom the Prince was looking and nodding affirmatively, 'but in Poland--'

'Our late King left many friends and faithful servants there. What does Bruhl say?' asked Guarini.

The Prince looked at Sulkowski as if authorising him to answer. The Count hesitated a moment, then said:

'Bruhl a.s.sured us that our friends there will work zealously at the coming election. But who knows that Leszezynski, France and intrigues will not stand in our way? For that we need money.'

'Bruhl must furnish it,' said the Prince. 'He is very able at that.'

Sulkowski became silent.

'We shall all do our best and put the crown of a king on the head of our gracious lord.--'

'And Josepha's,' added Frederick quickly. 'It is due to her; she cannot remain the wife of the Elector of Saxony.'

Both men nodded; the Prince smoked his pipe and became thoughtful. It seemed that he would talk further on the same subject when he bent to Guarini and whispered:

'Frosch sitting in the corner must be very amusing; you say they showed each other their tongues?'

'I am certain I saw two red tongues, but I don't know whether they showed them to each other or to me.'

The Prince, forgetting himself, laughed aloud, then he put his hand to his mouth and became silent.

And it was not until after a long while that Frederick bent again to Guarini's ear and whispered:

'Have you seen Faustina?'

'No,' answered the Jesuit.

'Ah? No? Why? a.s.sure her of my favour, only she must take care of her voice. I appreciate her very much. _E una diva!_ She sings like an angel! No other can rival her. I shall be longing to hear her. Now she must sing in church, there at least I may listen to her.'

Sulkowski disliked that whispering: he moved aside, and then came near the Prince. Frederick again pointed him out to the priest.

'He will be my prime minister--my right hand.'

'I am glad to hear such good news,' said Guarini, clapping his hands softly. 'Saxony is to be congratulated at having at her head such a man and such a good Catholic as the Count.'

The Prince looked round.

'If my Saxon subjects object to having a Catholic as my prime minister, Bruhl will do whatever I command.'

'I have nothing against Bruhl,' said the Jesuit, 'but he is a stubborn Protestant.'

To this the Prince answered: 'Pshaw!' and waved his hand.

Sulkowski looked suspiciously at the Jesuit, who a.s.sumed a humble and quiet mien.

At that moment Moszynski was announced, and the Prince ordered him to be shown in.

'I wished to take leave of your Royal Highness,' he said bending to kiss Frederick's hand. 'I am going to Warsaw: we cannot neglect the election.'

'Very well, go then,' said the Prince sighing. 'Although Bruhl a.s.sures me--'

'Bruhl knows neither Poland nor the Poles,' said Moszynski with fervour. 'It is our affair.'