Sulkowski seemed to be thinking whether or not he would make a confidant of the councillor, and his thoughtful attitude excited the latter's curiosity.
'It is very unpleasant,' he said at length rising and looking out of the window, 'that living in the court, and having the confidence of the Elector as I have, I must yet resort to certain precautions.'
Ludovici smiled, lowered his eyes, but did not dare to interrupt.
'I can say frankly,' continued Sulkowski, 'that I am not afraid of anybody, but in the meanwhile I must not trust anybody.'
'Excellent! Beautiful!' said Ludovici, 'we must trust no one. A very intelligent man once said to me that one must treat one's friends in such a way as though we expected that to-morrow they would become our foes.'
'The question is not that they might become my foes, but that they shall not harm me; but I must know about their plans and movements.'
'Excellent! Beautiful!' Ludovici repeated.
'Until now this was not necessary, to-day it seems to me unavoidable.'
'Excellent! Beautiful!' Ludovici repeated. 'Yes! we must have men who will keep their eyes open on everything.'
'Yes, even on people in high positions,' said Sulkowski emphatically.