Evidently they had said all they had to say to each other, for Sulkowski was silent, and Bruhl did not interrupt him, but he did not leave him, plainly wishing to say something further before he left.

After a long silence, the Count said:

'All that must remain _entre nous_. The house of Hapsburg is near an end, the glory of the Saxon family should begin. I know well, that we gave up all right of inheritance, that we accepted the Pragmatic Sanction, but with the death of the Emperor, things must take another turn for us. We should, at least, take Bohemia, even Silesia, recompensing Prussia elsewhere. I told you that I made a plan. I told Ludovici to make a copy of it.'

'I should like to have it and to think it over,' said Bruhl. 'The plan is good and worthy of you and most important for the future of Saxony.

I need hardly say that it will give me great pleasure to a.s.sist in its realisation. You have in me the most zealous helper and servant. Tell Ludovici to make a copy for me.'

'I do not wish,' said Sulkowski flattered by his approval, 'that this plan for the division of Austria be seen twice by Ludovici. I shall make a copy of it myself.'

Bruhl smiled very sweetly.

'It would be a great favour,' he said, 'the means of realising such a wonderful project must be thought over beforehand. One could find in Berlin--'

'Ah!' said Sulkowski smiling, 'there is no doubt that it will be well received there: I rest a.s.sured that Prussia is our best friend.'

'I agree with you,' said Bruhl, 'the question is only that they might not wish too much.'

'But it's not yet time to treat about it.'

'But it is to prepare the way for the strategy we are going to use.'

After saying this, Bruhl rose and observed carelessly:

'I am almost certain that that medal was stamped by someone from Dresden, and I have my suspicions as to who did it.'

Sulkowski turned to him.

'Who could be that daring man?'

'Who could be, if not a courtier, who is confident that his position will protect him? A man of small importance would not dare, for he would know that it would bring him in contact with the executioner and the pillory.'

'Yes, but as he attacked our august lord, he might meet with something worse, because we could not overlook that.'

'I think likewise!' said Bruhl. 'They are already too daring and the good-heartedness of our Prince and your magnanimity give them still more courage. Have you noticed how daring Watzdorf junior is?'

Sulkowski looked at Bruhl with pity.

'You don't like Watzdorf,' he said. 'He is a buffoon like his father, but not dangerous.'

'Excuse me,' said Bruhl with animation. 'The one who trifles with everything, will not respect anything. He will harm me, and you, my dear Count, and at length, our gracious lord.'

'He would not dare.'

Then taking hold of Bruhl's b.u.t.ton, he said confidentially:

'Tell me frankly, why do you dislike him?'

'He annoys me,' said Bruhl, 'by his jokes.'

'I think you imagine,' Sulkowski continued, 'that he is in love with Frances Kolowrath.'

'I should not mind that, because it would prove his good taste,' said Bruhl apparently with indifference, although he was irritated.

'But he annoys the Countess Moszynski for whom I have the greatest regard.'

'Ah!' exclaimed Sulkowski laughing.

'The Countess could defend herself,' Bruhl said.

'She could ask the Prince to punish the man, but the worst of it is that he slanders us all, without any exception.'

'What? Me also?' asked Sulkowski.

'I could prove it to you.'

'It would be too daring!' said Sulkowski. 'Take my word for it. I think that he ordered that medal to be struck--' said Bruhl.

'It is only a suspicion, my dear Bruhl.'

'Perhaps it is more than a suspicion,' said Bruhl.

'I am certain that he personally gave away four such medals.'

'To whom?'

'To the people belonging to the court. Where does he get so many of them? And why such zeal in distributing a medal which I buy out and destroy?'

'But are you certain of it?'

'Henniche will furnish you with the names of the people.'

'That alters the question,' Sulkowski said. 'It is a fact, and although I explain it by his animosity towards you, it hurts me also.'

'To be quite certain,' Bruhl remarked, 'I must tell you frankly, that I ordered secret search to be made in his rooms. A number of those medals were found, which left no doubt that he was the author of them and you must punish him for that. In your high position you might be indifferent,' Bruhl continued with well-played animation, 'but for such a small man as I am--'

Sulkowski frowned.

'I never could suspect that Watzdorf would be capable of such villainy.'

'You shall have proofs of it, but, in that case, I shall not act without you; only I beg of you to punish him. To Konigstein--'

Sulkowski became thoughtful.

'I would pity him,' he said, 'but if he is guilty--'

'I shall not ask the Prince to do that--you must act. I am your servant, your a.s.sistant. I am n.o.body, and I don't wish to be anybody by myself: my warmest wish is to remain Sulkowski's right hand.'

Sulkowski took his hand and said with his usual pride: