'The younger one,' Ludovici interrupted, 'yes, yes unbridled, but it is a mill that grinds away its own stones; his talk will harm himself alone, and then he cannot help being angry, because--'
He did not finish, for a loud noise was heard in the ante-room. Sulkowski listened, Ludovici became silent, and his face and manner changed; from a courtier he became a dignified official. Pushing, interrupted by a woman's laughter, was heard. Evidently someone was trying to enter by force.
Sulkowski gave Ludovici to understand that the interview was over for the present and advanced towards the door, through which there appeared a lady dressed very strangely.
Figures such as she presented are seen only on screens or made of china. Over-dressed and very plain, thin, sallow, smelling of l'eau de la reine d'Hongrie, wearing a large wig, the little woman rushed in looking sweetly at Sulkowski with her small eyes.
The moment that this unwelcome guest took the room by storm, Ludovici bowed humbly, left the room, and the new-comer looked at him and said:
'Ah! ce cher comte! You see, you ungrateful, before you could learn that I was in Dresden, as soon as I had kissed the hand of my august pupil, I came to see you. N'est ce pas joli de via part?'
Sulkowski bowed and wanted to kiss her hand, but she struck him with her fan and said:
'Let that be--I am old, it would not be seemly; but let me sit somewhere.'
She looked round and sat on the nearest chair.
'I must breathe; I wanted to talk to you privately.'