'He is a spendthrift, he will cost us too much.'
Having said this the Count stopped before the King, as if waiting for some reply. The King cleared his throat, raised his eyes and was silent.
'He is a good man--' he whispered at length, seeing that the Count waited for his answer.
He finished by stroking the arm of his chair and looking at the pictures.
'If my gracious lord will permit me to express my thoughts--' Sulkowski continued.
Augustus nodded affirmatively. The minister bent a little and said in a whisper:
'Not now, for we need Brühl, but later on we could get along with small officials and thus save a great deal of money, for it would be very difficult to teach him economy. Although I fear no rivalry, because I am sure of the heart of my gracious lord, why should we make Brühl unhappy by letting his ambition grow? The Emperor would give the Kolowraths some estate in Bohemia, if your Majesty were to ask him. They could not retire there--'
Sulkowski looked to see what impression his suggestion had on the King, but he was gazing so intently at the pictures that he seemed not to hear.
The Count added--'Later, later!' but Augustus glancing at him replied neither in the negative nor affirmative and got rid of him by silence.
After a time he rose to look at the pictures, walked several times across the room and yawned, which was the sign that he wished to retire. Sulkowski, not at all satisfied with the result of his proposal, kissed the King's hand and left the room.