Count Bruhl Part 63

Augustus came to him quickly. 'Bruhl! those papers of yesterday; we must finish with them.'

'All is over,' answered the minister, sighing.

CHAPTER XXII

Bruhl conquered, but for many years he was afraid of the revenge Sulkowski might take, which, however, the latter never attempted.

Sulkowski, having purchased a large estate from the King Leszezynski, and also being occupied in administrating his other estate in Silesia, being moreover created prince by the Emperor of Austria, enjoyed his life and did not trouble to recall himself to Augustus III, now so completely dominated by Bruhl.

The present story is only a preface to Bruhl's life who until the death of Augustus ruled over Saxony and Poland; he became a Polish n.o.bleman and, as he himself said, played a most interesting role as a favourite, whom good luck never deserted till the day of his death. It would be unsatisfactory to give a mere synopsis of this curious drama. Bruhl is a historical figure as well as a remarkable type of his epoch; in Bruhl's life, that of Augustus III appears as in a mirror.

Here the story might close, had not tradition left an interesting incident which may form a fitting epilogue to the tale.

In 1756, during the war with Prussia, when Bruhl was in the height of his power, he was obliged to fly to Poland with Augustus III, who left to the victor all his property--his palaces, libraries, galleries, collections. It was late in the autumn and the court carriages, on account of bad roads and the scarcity of horses in Silesia, were divided into several groups. It so happened that the King was in the first of these and his minister in the last. Bruhl greatly feared capture by the King of Prussia who hated him, and in consequence endeavoured to reach Augustus in whose company he felt safer. But misfortune pursued him; the horses dropped dead, the wheels broke, and haste was impossible. The rain rendered the roads so bad that double teams for the carriages were insufficient. Bruhl was obliged to accept his fate. Recent events had much depressed him, he had lost millions and was obliged to fly to Poland where he could not rule so absolutely as in Saxony. No wonder then that the pet of fortune was gloomy, frightened and impatient. Sometimes he was so absent-minded that he did not even understand what was said to him.

Evening was approaching, it was raining hard, the horses could hardly drag themselves along, when the steeples and lights of a small hamlet appeared through the grey curtain of rain. Bruhl expected to find the King here, but at the posting station he was told that his Majesty was going to pa.s.s the night about twenty miles further on, and it was impossible to get horses. Bruhl promised to buy the horses but n.o.body would accept his offer and he was forced to seek a lodging in the village.

His numerous attendants, for he had lately been made a Count, dispersed to find him decent accommodation. There was only one inn called 'Ye Old Horse,' which was occupied by a Polish n.o.bleman and his retinue. The minister thought that at the sound of his name the inn would be immediately vacated in his favour, for the Polish n.o.bles were very polite, outside their house of parliament, and Bruhl was omnipotent and could reward the courtesy with the gift of some state property. Count Bruhl's major-domo hastened to 'Ye Old Horse' where he found the numerous and lordly retinue of someone whom they called prince. Without asking the name of the n.o.bleman he preferred his request, or, as he thought, command, that they should vacate it in favour of his Excellency the Count Bruhl. The prince, on hearing the name made a grimace, pondered a while, and answered in very good German, even betraying the Saxon accent, that he would not give up the inn, but would share it with the minister.

In the meantime the sleet was beating so effectually against the windows of the Count's carriage that it found its way inside. The messenger returned with the answer and Bruhl, not apprehending any inconvenience from meeting a stranger ordered them to drive to the inn.

He expected that someone would come out to meet him, but he was mistaken. It was Bruhl's custom to double his civility when he was slighted, and he alighted from the carriage with a determination to put the proud n.o.bleman to shame by his amiability. The butler threw open the door, and the minister hastened into a large room, in which there was a fire in the grate, and two lighted candles on the table. Looking round for the prince, he perceived, standing at the further end of the room, not in the least embarra.s.sed at the meeting, only a little older, but still more proud than ever--Sulkowski.

The prince stood silently looking down on his adversary, without greeting him.

Bruhl grew pale and wanted to withdraw, thinking that he had fallen into an ambush. His face changed so strangely, that Sulkowski could not help smiling.

Evidently recollecting Guarini and his Italian proverbs, he said:

'_Si rincontrano gli uomini, e non le montagne_.'

Bruhl stood astounded

'I am sure you know the fable,' said Sulkowski, 'about a storm, during which a wolf found himself in a cavern with a lamb--it is something like that with us! During such bad weather it would not be right to refuse hospitality even to a foe.'

Bruhl was silent.

'Count, you may rest a.s.sured that I shall not take advantage of the situation, in order to annoy you,' added Sulkowski. 'Our meeting amuses me very much, especially when I think that I am avenged by your fate after fourteen years.'

'Prince!' said Bruhl very sweetly.

'Count!' Sulkowski rejoined, 'had it depended upon you, I should have had a lodging in Konigstein instead of a princ.i.p.ality.'

'Prince!' retorted Bruhl, 'you attribute to me greater power than I had. The reasons of your downfall were, in the first place, your own lack of foresight, secondly, right or not, the King's anger, and lastly, his Majesty's will, of which I was merely the executioner.'

'Count!' said the Prince, 'you should put it as it will be written in history, namely, that the King was and is the executor of your fancies--'

'Prince, you are mistaken--'

'I hope you do not think me so stupid,' rejoined Sulkowski, 'that knowing your character and the situation, I could be persuaded that you were innocent.'

'I call G.o.d to witness!' cried Bruhl, clasping his hands.

'That is very comfortable,' answered Sulkowski, 'for that witness never comes on earth. The best proof is the fate you have met with. The fruits of your policy are: the Prussian invasion, and the King's shameful flight.'

Bruhl was indignant.

'It is only a beginning and not the end,' he said, 'we shall see what will become of the invaders and of us.'

'Yes,' said Sulkowski smiling, 'the King and you, that is to say, you, are going to make another country happy, and do with Poland as you have done with Saxony.'

'In the administration at Saxony,' Bruhl said sarcastically, 'I had no need to introduce anything new, it sufficed to follow the steps of my worthy predecessor.'

Sulkowski's eyes shone.

'Your predecessor planned quite differently for the future of Saxony,'

said Sulkowski proudly, 'and the best proof of that was the plan you gave to the Austrian Court through the Prince von Lichtenstein.'

Bruhl was confused.

'I? I know nothing about it,' he muttered sulkily.

Sulkowski laughed, and paced to and fro.

'Bruhl, listen; I speak as formerly, without giving you your t.i.tle,' he said, 'do not play the fool with me, for it is useless.'

'I have nothing to reproach myself with,' said Bruhl, 'and I forgive you. Prince, you are talking like a compet.i.tor who failed to accomplish what good fortune gave to me.'

'How can you call that good fortune?' said Sulkowski laughing. 'Padre Guarini, or--'

Bruhl blushed, the prince shrugged his shoulders.

'Upon my honour, Count, I admire you from a distance, but you must not tell me that I would have done the same in your place! I most humbly avow that I could not use so much falsehood as you did for your plans.

I wanted to see Saxony powerful and Augustus III famous; he was n.o.ble but weak and lazy; I wanted to supply him with my energy. What I possess I owe to the King's munificence and not to dishonest calculations.'

'Prince!' exclaimed Bruhl, 'that is too much!'

Sulkowski turned to him and continued:--.

'But we can be honest and laugh at this comedy behind the scenes as the Roman augurs did. You may be to others as innocent as Ephraim, but to me you will always remain Bruhl, whom I remember wearing the uniform of a page and saluting the lackeys.'

With these words, Sulkowski took his fur cap, and taking no further notice of Bruhl, walked out. The wind was still howling, the rain pouring down, but the prince ordered his carriage to be brought round.

The servants were amazed but ventured no remark.