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