Count Bruhl Part 30

She looked piercingly at the intruder, frowned contemptuously, and said severely:

'What do you wish for here? Did you come to spy on my daughter and her mother in order to entertain the Prince by telling him that you have seen the old Cosel? You son of "the pagan and buffoon from Mansfeld,"

do you intend to annoy me also? Get out! Let us alone!'

She pointed to the door. Watzdorf, confused, retreated. His eyes shone angrily--he went out. Cosel followed him with her eyes, then she turned to her daughter.

It was not her day for her visit from Stolpen, and this time the Countess Moszynski did not expect her. Thinking that Bruhl when he saw Watzdorf go out would return, she grew confused. The Countess Cosel sat on the chair previously occupied by Bruhl. After having driven off the intruder she became almost absent-minded as she struck the table with her white and still beautiful hand and gazed round the room.

'I came unexpectedly,' she said at length, not looking at her daughter, 'but you permitted me to receive people here whom I wished to see. I asked the minister to come here.'

Moszynski's face expressed surprise.

'Don't be afraid; I expect him only towards evening,' added Cosel. 'But who was here with you? Why did he hide?'

Moszynski was silent, not knowing what to answer: her mother looked at her silently with a kind of pity.

'I understand,' said she with a disdainful smile. 'Some court intrigue.

New master, new servants; you must try not to fall on that slippery ice.'

What Moszynski was afraid of happened at that moment. Bruhl appeared at the door, and having perceived the woman whom he had never seen before but guessed who she was, became dumb with astonishment and did not know what to do.

Moszynski blushed, then grew pale. Cosel looked at the man, trying as it seemed to guess his character.

'Then it is he?' said she smiling. 'Who is he?'

'The minister Bruhl,' her daughter answered.

'Everything new now! Bruhl! I don't remember. Come nearer,' she said to Bruhl, 'don't be afraid. You see before you a priestess of a new faith.

Have you heard of me? I am the widow of Augustus the Strong. I was his wife. You see the Countess Cosel, famous throughout the world both for her success and her misfortunes. At my feet lay the rulers of the world, I commanded millions. Augustus loved n.o.body but me.'

She spoke quietly; her daughter did not dare to interrupt her; Bruhl stood silent, and leaning a little forward seemed to listen attentively.

'You have chanced to see the queen who has come from another world--she was dead, buried, but she is still living in order to convert unbelievers to the true faith of the one G.o.d who appeared to Moses in a burning bush.'

The Countess Moszynski trembled and by her furtive looks seemed to beseech her mother to be silent.

Perchance Cosel understood that look, for she rose and said:

'I am going to rest, I shall not interrupt your councils any more.

Cosel's daughter ought to rule over Saxony--I understand--'

Having said this she moved majestically towards the same door by which Bruhl had entered, and through which she disappeared.

By the other door the servant appeared with a dish.

'I am going,' whispered Bruhl, taking his hat. 'It is an unlucky day, but I am glad that that malicious Watzdorf did not see me here.'

'He had a medal,' said the Countess, 'he was delighted with it: I see that he is your bitter foe. What have you done to him?'

'Nothing, except that I was too polite to him.'

'He is a poisonous snake, I know him,' said the Countess.

'He is a buffoon like his father,' Bruhl said contemptuously, 'but if he gets in my way--'

'That inscription on the medal, does it not sound like some of his sneers?'

Bruhl looked at the Countess; her suspicion seemed to be probable.

'I shall give orders that he is to be watched,' he said shortly. 'If it is as you think, he is not long for this world.'

Having said this he kissed the Countess's hand, took his mantle, thrown into a dark corner near the door and therefore not observed by Watzdorf, and went out.

He returned by the same path by which he came full of hope for a long and free conversation; now he was thinking how he could return home without being noticed.

He pa.s.sed the gate neglecting to keep a look-out and he needed all his presence of mind in order not to betray his emotion, when he perceived Watzdorf standing opposite and saluting him with an ironical smile.

Bruhl returned the salute with perfect ease and amiability.

'You here!' Bruhl exclaimed. 'How glad I am!'

'It is I who can call myself happy,' said Watzdorf, 'for I never expected to meet your Excellency under the apple trees. If I remember well, the fruit of an apple tree is called forbidden.'

'Yes,' said Bruhl laughing. 'But I did not come for forbidden fruit.

The Countess Cosel wished to see me, for she has a request to make to the Prince.'

There was so much probability in it that Watzdorf became confused.

'And you, chamberlain, what are you doing in the country?' asked Bruhl.

'I was searching for happiness which I cannot find elsewhere,' Watzdorf muttered.

'Under the apple trees?'

'One might find it more easily there than at court.'

'I see you do not like court life?'

'I have no talent for it,' answered Watzdorf walking beside Bruhl.

'But you have wit, a sharp tool, with which you need not be afraid of anything.'

'Yes, it's a good tool for making enemies,' said Watzdorf.

They walked in silence for a while. Watzdorf appearing to think over something.

'I have not yet had the opportunity to present my congratulations to your Excellency,' said he.

'What?' asked Bruhl.