'My dear friend, I am not immortal, I am already old, and I feel that it will soon be all over with me.'
They were silent for some time. Guarini walked to and fro, with his hands behind his back.
'The Princess and I have prepared the Prince von Lichtenstein,' said he, 'but it goes very slowly. We shall not hasten with that campaign, we must wait until I and circumstances have prepared our lord. At present Sulkowski is first with him. Sulkowski is everything. On your side you have the memory of his father; try to have something more--'
He became silent.
'Piano, piano, pianissimo!' whispered the Jesuit. 'One must know how to talk to our lord. Al canto si conosce l'ucello, ed al parlar il cervello.'
Next he began to whisper in Brühl's ear, then having glanced at the clock he took his hat and rushed out.
There was a rap at the other door.
The yellow, contorted face of Henniche appeared through the half-opened door, and then the whole man appeared. Under his arm he had a pile of papers.
First he glanced at Brühl's face consulting it as if it were a barometer to tell his humour.
'Your Excellency,' he said, 'in the first place, my congratulations.'