'He thought of it a little too late!'
Brühl's face became gloomy.
'One must know how to act with the King,' said Guarini. 'It is not his fault that he inherited his father's passions and that he must fight against them. The Bible calls it visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children. The Great Augustus in giving him life gave him also a passionate disposition. He will not be able to control it, therefore we must at least guard it from scandal, shield his sins and make them secret, and not allow them to be suspected. If we required from him absolute purity of life, there would be outbursts of this passion. Cosa fatta capo ha. What is done is well done. Sulkowski calculated badly, poor thing; the place is taken, the transaction is closed and although the King loves him he will not betray his secret to him. We are the masters of the situation; and I rejoice, for I know that I save a soul--the sin I take on myself.'
They began to whisper.
'Sulkowski,' said Brühl, 'is wearied; the King made him a general, and he cannot become famous by knightly deeds during the peace. He mentioned that he would like to make a military excursion on the Rhine or into Hungary. Did the King himself suggest that idea to him? During that time--'
Guarini muttered that he understood and approved the idea.
'I will tell the King that Sulkowski needs rest, and everything shall be done.'
The Italian made some quick gestures like a magician's pass before Brühl's eyes, rose and continued:
'Go to the King, applaud Faustina in order to please him; do not prevent Sulkowski from being near the King. I have good reason to believe that he is going to criticise the singer; the King will be annoyed, and it will be useful.'
He laughed, made a movement with his head, opened the door, and having stepped out into the dark labyrinth of passages behind the stage, disappeared.